Corneliu E. Giurgea, the Romanian chemist who first synthesized piracetam, developed the concept of nootropic substance in 1972. It is a combination of the Greek words “νους” (nous) meaning “mind”, and “τρoπoς” (tropos) meaning “bend” or “change”. This is what nootropics do. Essentially, they positively alter the way in which your mind works.
Nootropic drugs are a specific subtype of psychoactive substances. According to Giurgea, in order for a drug or supplement to be considered a nootropic, it must adhere to the following criteria:
- Enhances learning and memory
- Enhances resistance of learned behaviors to conditions that will disrupt them
- Protects the brain against physical of chemical injuries (such as concussions or neurotoxic drugs)
- Increases the efficacy of cortical/subcortical control mechanisms of the brain (such as improving reaction time)
- Typically lacks negative side-effects (i.e. sedation), and possesses low toxicity
Though these criteria lay out the foundation for what a nootropic is, most modern definitions are much more general. As a more common definition, nootropics are chemical substances or herbal supplements that enhance cognition and mental function. Read more…
Recommended Nootropic Suppliers
- Nootropics Depot (US)
- ModafinilXL* (US)
- Mind Nutrition USA (US)
- Mind Nutrition (EU)
- Eufinil* (EU)
- Focus Supplements (UK)
* Modafinil and Armodafinil supplier