While the term “nootropic” was initially coined by Dr. Corneliu Giurgea in the 1970s, the concept of substances that enhance brain function has existed for centuries.
With the aging population, high-intensity work, and other external social pressures, people’s demand for enhancing cognitive ability and memory and supporting overall brain health is rapidly increasing. At the same time, growing interest in wellness and self-care has also extended to cognitive health. Together, these two factors facilitate the positioning of nootropic supplements as part of a holistic approach to overall health.
A nootropic supplement, also known as a cognitive enhancer or smart drug, refers to a dietary supplement or substance claimed to enhance cognitive function, memory, focus, creativity, and overall brain health. This kind of product typically contains a combination of natural or synthetic ingredients.
The easy availability of nootropic supplements directly through channels such as online platforms has also contributed to the market popularity of such supplements, increasing the growth of product usage. In the United States, there are more and more brands of nootropic supplements, and NooCube is worth mentioning here.
NooCube: Top 1 Nootropic Product In The USA
Released in 2016 by the Wolfson brand, NooCube combines 13 natural and science-based ingredients. This product is a caffeine-free daily supplement for persons 18 and older. This product can improve multitasking ability, enhance concentration, increase thinking speed, and keep memory sharp. According to statistics, NooCube has helped more than 100,000 people improve their cognitive abilities.
Other innovative additions include resveratrol and pterostilbene, which are potent antioxidants. These ingredients also optimize brain function and prevent neurodegeneration.
NooCube Formula Research: All Natural Ingredients
- LUTEMAX® 2020: This is a proprietary blend of 3 carotenoids. Carotenoids benefit the eyes, enhancing their stress response and verbal memory.
- Alpha GPC: Alpha GPC releases choline to increase the production of essential neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, acetylcholine, etc., in the brain. Acetylcholine is known as the “learning neurotransmitter.” Because it plays an essential role in learning, memory, alertness, motivation, and concentration, dopamine is also important because it boosts our mood, motivation, and focus. All in all, Alpha GPC is an ingredient that can improve cognitive function.
- Huperzine A: Huperzine A is obtained from bryophytes. It is a cognitive enhancer because it prevents the degrading enzymes that attack acetylcholine. Using it increases the level of acetylcholine in the brain and brings benefits. Huperzine A also prevents nerve cell destruction. These benefits make it effective against cognitive aging in dementia patients and the elderly.
- Cat’s Claw: Cat’s Claw comes from a plant scientifically known as Uncaria. However, it only grows within the Amazon rainforest. Besides its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, some research has also shown that the plant contains antioxidants. It prevents brain cell death caused by free radicals.
- Bacopa Monnieri Extract: This Indian plant is important because it contains bacopa monnieri or neuroprotective compounds. These are modulators of neurotransmitters. They reduce or increase the production of biochemicals according to the needs of the brain. The biggest neurotransmitters are serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and acetylcholine. Bacopa monnieri also promotes blood flow to the brain. Blood is necessary because it contains nutrients, oxygen, and other energy sources. These may make extracts from this plant a viable treatment for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
- L-Theanine and L-Tyrosine: L-theanine comes from black and green tea. This amino acid affects brain chemicals responsible for human mood, emotions, coping with stress, and more. It improves sleep quality, enhances mental focus, and provides relaxation.
- L-tyrosine is also an amino acid. It helps produce essential neurotransmitters such as dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. These all affect our mood and memory. But under stress, our bodies don’t produce enough tyrosine.
It can be seen that the ingredients in NooCube are all natural.
Alpha GPC: A Potential Natural Ingredient For Nootropic
Judging from the formulas of nootropic supplements already on the market, L-Theanine, L-Tyrosine, B Vitamins, etc., are all common ingredients. But NooCube also uses Alpha GPC as one of the ingredients, which is not the choice of every nootropic product. It also draws our attention to this ingredient.
Alpha GPC, fully called alpha-glycerophosphocholine, is a natural choline compound commonly used as a dietary supplement ingredient. It is a precursor to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in various cognitive functions.
Some research findings about Alpha-GPC
- A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology examined the effects of Alpha GPC on cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The study found that Alpha GPC supplementation improved cognitive performance, including attention, memory, and language skills.
- Another study published in the journal Stroke investigated the neuroprotective effects of Alpha GPC in patients with acute stroke. The researchers found that Alpha GPC administration improved neurological function and reduced disability in stroke patients.
- A review article published in the journal Drugs & Aging examined the clinical evidence of Alpha GPC in treating cognitive decline associated with various conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and stroke. The review concluded that Alpha GPC showed potential benefits in improving cognitive symptoms and overall clinical functioning.
- In a study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, researchers investigated the effects of Alpha GPC on brain metabolism and cognitive function in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The study reported that Alpha GPC supplementation improved cognitive performance and increased brain metabolism in the participants.
- A systematic review published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience evaluated Alpha GPC’s effects on healthy individuals’ cognitive function. The study indicated that Alpha GPC supplementation positively affected healthy subjects’ memory, attention, and other cognitive domains.
From the above research results, it is not difficult to see that Alpha GPC research is often associated with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, and other neurological diseases. It also proves the health benefits of this ingredient play a huge role in cognitive function. One of the benefits of Nootropic supplements is also improved cognitive performance. So there is an inevitable connection between the two. And according to these findings, we can also trust alpha-gpc powder safety.
Alpha-gpc dosage in cognitive function
A common dosage range for cognitive enhancement or general brain health support is 300-600 mg of Alpha GPC daily.
But since nootropic supplements generally have other ingredients that help cognitive function, this dosage should only be used as a general guideline.
Conclusion
Every good nootropic brand lists its ingredients and tells consumers why they enhance cognitive activity in the brain. Therefore, Nutri Avenue summarizes several nootropic ingredients in the market commonly found in formula sheets.
- Alpha GPC
- B vitamins, such as vitamins b6, b9, b12, etc.
- Maritime pine bark extract
- Ginkgo biloba extract
- Pterostilbene
- Resveratrol
- Huperzine A
- Bacopa monnieri extract
- Phosphatidylserine (PS)
- Citicoline
- Lion’s Mane Mushroom Extract
- L-Theanine
- L-Tyrosine
- Rhodiola Rosea Extract
The above ingredients can be used as a reference for nootropic brands to help brands further optimize product formulas or innovate new, more effective products.
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