Nootropics and Caffeine

About Caffeine 

This is a natural ingredient of tea, coffee, and cacao plants, and also maybe the most used ingredient in the world,  most of the people start their day,  from this.It works on the brain and CNS system and provides energy,  stimulation, and alertness. Its history  is as old as 2737 BC, with the discovery of  tea now, today its also main ingredient of  caffeinated soft drinks and also in almost all energy drinks,(1).,(2)

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                        Nootropics and  Caffeine

How it works? 

Most of the caffeine is taken orally,  and is absorbed, and goes to the main bloodstream very fast, from there it reaches the liver where it breaks down to smaller compounds which further, go to almost all parts of the body's main function is in the brain, where it blocks the effect of adenosine. Adenosine acts as a neurotransmitter and what it does is, make the brain  slow down, or relax, in the end, this translate to  tiredness, so caffeine  overcome the effects  of tiredness, make fresh good mood and feel fresh In the process of overcoming the adenosine effect, caffeine  goes the other way and keeps you alert, stay awake, also increases the levels of adrenaline which  increases brain activity by more release of,(3),(4)

Dopamine

Norepinephrine

These both are very important neurotransmitters, keep the brain very active.

How fast caffeine works?

Caffeine  works very fast, the moment you drink coffee,  it takes only less than  20 minutes for caffeine  to reach the bloodstream, and almost about one hour to create the full effect 

What are the health benefits of  Caffeine?

1,:-Improve the brain function 

It affects the brain in a big way and that too in speed

Good mood, or mood elevation

Improved alertness

Improve reaction time

Help in Alzheimer's disease 

Help in Parkinson's disease 

2,:-Increase metabolism 

As it stimulates CNS, it increases metabolism by 11% and this results in fat burning which also get the increases by 13%, in nutshell, it means that if you take 300 mg of caffeine it can burn about  79 calories. 

3,:-May enhance exercise performance 

It delays muscles reaching exhaustion

It improves  muscle contractions

It increases tolerance to fatigue 

It reduces  perceived exertion

It helps in team sports,

It helps in high intense workout 

It helps in resistance  exercise 

4,:-May be helpful  in Heart health 

Caffeine does not raise heart risk, actually it is the other way around it lowers heart risk about 16 to 18% for men and women who are drinking  1 to 4 cup of coffee per day, more precisely about 100 to 400 mg caffeine per day. It can raise blood pressure in a very small margin about 3 to 4 mm, hg only, and also attend to fade after some time.

5,:-May help in diabetes 

It lowers about 29% risk of developing diabetes type-2

6,:-May protect the liver

It reduces  the risk  of liver damage  by as much as 84%It may slow disease progress It improves treatment  response It lowers the risk of death  because of  liver problems 

7,:-May help in Cancer

Drinking  2 to 3 cup of coffee  may reduce cancer risk

Liver cancer by 64%

Colorectal cancer by 38%

Skin cancer by 20%

8,:- May help gut health 

It may increase activities  of gut-friendly  bacterias,  and it kills bad bacterias 

9,:- May help in Gout

It may reduce the risk of  developing  gout 

In men about 40%

In women  about  57%

10,:- Reduces multiple sclerosis, (a chronic illness  involving  CNS )

It reduces  the  symptoms, in this disease, also reduces  the risk of developing  this disease  by 30%

11,:-Longevity

Drinking  coffee  may decrease  the risk of death by 30% in cases of diabetes 

What is the negative impact? 

Most importantly it is habit-forming some side effects are anxiety, tremors, restlessness, irregular heartbeat, trouble sleeping. It can increase headache and  migraine and high blood pressure  in some individuals It can also increase the risk of  miscarriage There is the possibility  that it can react with  medication  if you are taking  and avoid caffeine  if you are taking 

Zanaflex, a muscle relaxant

Luvox, a antidepressant

What is recommended dosages of caffeine? 

From USDA and EFSA, the recommendations are only up to 400mg/ day, in terms of coffee it is 4 cups of coffee.

Does caffeine fit as good nootropics? 

Well, most of its activities are in the area of the brain, it's very affordable and manageable, and already it is used in many supplements meant for nootropics. 

So as for as caffeine is concerned, from a nootropics facts point of view it's just great it works that too works very fast, about nootropics no one should have any doubt as most of the people any way using it in the form of tea or coffee, it can be a very interesting choice, the only thing it may be addicting

Nootropics and Bacopa

What is Bacopa?

It's called Bacopa monnieri, water hyssop, Indian pennywort, herb of grace, Brahmi it's a very common herb that grows on a wetland in North and South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, India, and Australia.  For centuries  this herb is used in Ayurveda only for one purpose,  increasing  memory,  It has a very powerful  rare molecule,  called  Bacosides and most of the health  benefits are due to this molecule,(1),(2)

Let's see 

                                     Nootropics and  Bacopa

What are the health benefits of  Bacopa?

1,:-It acts as a very powerful  antioxidant and helps the brain

Bacosides and some other compounds  present  in Bacopa acts as a very powerful  antioxidant, it reacts with free radicals responsible  for lipid peroxidation, these oxidized lipid molecules, in the end, lead to a neurodegenerative process which gives birth of

Alzheimer's disease 

Parkinson's disease 

Now here the molecules  present in Bacopa interact and prevents this lipid peroxidation, here it proves that Bacopa helps in brain problems Research studies also show that it helps in dementia and reverse the signs of

memory impairment 

2,:- It has very powerful  anti-inflammatory  activities 

It suppresses the release of pro-inflammatory cytokinins, a type of immune response which creates inflammation. It also inhibits enzymes,  cyclooxygenase, caspases, and lipooxygenases these enzymes are responsible for  generating  pain and inflammation  in the body, so Bacopa inhibit them, and by doing so  it helps in pain and inflammation In one animal study, Bacopa is compared with diclofenac and indomethacin, the two most used drugs for inflammation  and pain although  more research is  needed whatever  animal studies  we have, showBacopa is a powerful  anti-inflammatory 

3,:- May boost most of the brain functions

In Ayurveda, an alternative treatment method of India, this Bacopa, which is called Brahmi is used for memory enhancement what modern science says, the research studies indicate that increases dendritic lengths and branching, which means that dendrites, a part of nerve cells in the brain closely linked with memory and learning. by strengthening  these dendrites Bacopa supports 

Memory  and learning 

Significantly  improve the speed of processing  visual information 

Improve  memory, attention, and ability  to process information 

4,:- May help in ADHD

ADHD, (attention  deficit  hyperactivity disorder), a neuro disorder,  which is characterized by  symptoms  such as

Hyperactivity 

Impulsivity

Inattentive news

Restlessness

Poor self-control 

Bacopa is reported to  help in this case, and significantly  reduce  these symptoms 

5,:- May provide  help in stress, anxiety, and depression 

Research studies indicate that  Bacopa is very powerful  in this area

It elevates mood

Reduce the levels of cortisol, a hormone responsible  for  stress and anxiety Its anti-anxiety  benefits  are very close to lorazepam,  a drug used for the treatment  of

Anxiety 

It reduces  significantly  depression Of course, more research  is needed  in this area, but whatever primary  research information  we have only shown that Bacopa  is very friendly  with  brain

6,:-It can be helpful  for  heart

It lowers blood pressure  both, systolic and diastolic, this it performs by generating nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels, increases blood flow

7,:-May help in Cancer

It has molecules, which have anti-cancer properties,  research  studies  shows can kill, aggressive  brain cancer cells can also be effective  in  skin and breast  cancer but again these reports are  from animals,  rats there are no reports  from humans more research  is needed  in this area

What is the negative impact? 

It's very safe for most people,  but some people  develop  some side effects  such as nausea, stomach  cramps, and diarrhea We don't have much information  about its safety, it can interact  with the medication if you are on any, so better inform your doctor before taking it.,(3),(4),(5)

Does it a good nootropic? 

Well most of its activities  are  only for the brain, which makes it almost the first  choice  for nootropics 

How to take it?

It's available in powder, tablets, capsule form doses are 300 to 450 mg, Bacopa extract per day powder can be used in the form of tea Some people mix the powder in butter, or ghee,(a form of clarified butter), and use it along with hot water or milk. 

So where do we stand, from nootropics facts point of view, about nootropics activity no one can have doubt, as this bacopa, another name, Brahmi, is very old, time tested., and used by Ayurveda, Indian health system only for memory, now we know its good for a lot of other brain functions, we feel it can be trusted, should be tried as number one nootropics.

Nootropics and Lions mushroom

What are Lion's mushrooms? 

It's also called, lions mane mushroom, monkey head, beard tooth, satyrs beard, bearded hedgehog, pom pom, the mushroom also called bearded tooth fungus is an edible  mushroom that belongs to the tooth fungus  group,  it grows in North America, Europe, and Asia and they grow on hardwoods, particularly  on American  beechwood mostly on dead trees

It can identify because  of  its long spikes ( greater than 1 cm length ) in spite of its great popularity  that it can provide  great health benefits,  modern science does not provide  very clean and clear support for  these health claims They have flavor as see-food like, often it can be compared with crab or lobster .these mushrooms  are used in culinary and also in medicines in countries  such as China, Japan, and Korea The extracts are used in medicines,(1),(2),(3)

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                            Nootropics and  Lions mushroom

What are the health benefits of lion mushrooms? 

They are very rich in very  rare bioactive molecules,  and whatever little research information we have, it indicates  that they have unique  type of  health benefits 

1,:-May be helpful in Dementia

Lion's mushrooms have two ingredients that are found  to  be active against brain aging, they  can stimulate  brain cells these are

Hericenones

Erinacines

Research studies have indicated that lions' mushrooms can protect in Alzheimer's disease,  a degenerative brain disease, which causes memory loss. however, more research is needed in this area.

2,:-Helps in Depression, Anxiety  

It works and reduces some symptoms of anxiety  and depression 

3,:-May help in the recovery of nervous system  injuries 

It stimulates the growth and repair  of nerve cells in any part of the body whether it is in the brain or in the spinal cord 

4,:-May help in ulcers in the digestive system 

Stomach  ulcers are caused by mostly two reasons 

1,:-By overgrowth of a bacteria  H.Pylori, which damages stomach  layers

2,:-By long term use of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory  drug (NSAIDs)

Lion's mushroom  extract found to work in this case, it reduces inflammation and also prevents damage  of tissues  in other areas of the intestine 

3,:-Help with Heart problems 

It lowers triglycerides levels 

Also, prevent oxidation of  cholesterol,  oxidized cholesterol  molecules tends to attaching the walls of arteries and this hardens them, it increases the risk of heart stroke lions mushroom  is helpful  as it prevents this oxidation also another ingredient  in lions mushroom  called, Hericenone B, which decrease the rate of blood clotting and by doing so it protects the heart

4,:-Help in diabetes 

It may be helpful  for diabetes  management,  improving blood sugar  control,  reducing complications  arising from diabetes 

reduces nerve pain in hand and feet

It blocks an enzyme  alpha-glucosidase, and by doing so it increases the breakdown  of carbohydrates  in the small intestine 

5,:-May help in Cancers

It has unique  compounds  which have anti-cancer properties, they kill cancer cells and it is found  to be more effective  in particularly  colon, stomach, and blood cancers

6,:-Reduces Inflammation 

It has a lot of ingredients, which act as antioxidants, and because of that, it developed anti-inflammation properties. also reduces oxidative stress

7,:- Boost immune system 

It also boosts immunity,  by increasing the activities in the gut, making it more efficient so that it can fight bad bacterias. 

What is the negative impact? 

There is very little information  on this account,  they appear  to be very safe but some people reported to have allergies,..so at least  those person's must avoid those who have a history of mushroom  allergies,(4)(5)

Does it good for Nootropics?

It's already present in some supplements which are meant for use in Nootropics. 

So, where do we stand from nootropics facts point of view, about nootropics function it works, it's very effective, and already its time tested, as it is used for centuries, so it can also be the first choice if you are looking for a good working nootropics

Nootropics and Rhodiola

What is Rhodiola?

It's also called Rhodiola roses, a flowering plant that grows in Europe, Asia, North America its roots are considered  as an adaptogen, meaning, helpful in stress its root contains more than 140 active ingredients, of which two molecules  are very unique,  these are

Rosavin

Salidroside

In Russia and other Scandinavian countries, the Rhodiola is used for centuries for the treatment of,  stress, anxiety, fatigue, and depression.  Today it is very widely used in number of health supplements,(1),(2),(3)

Let's see 

                                     Nootropics and  Rhodiola 

What are the health benefits of Rhodiola?

It's very rich in a lot number of bioactive molecules, and also long been known as adaptogen means a natural substance that helps the body to fight stress.

1,:- Reduces stress, anxiety, and depression 

It works, it provides  health benefits in this area

2,:- It can reduce fatigue 

Fatigue  is the major  cause for the feeling of mental and physical  tiredness, and fatigue comes from stress, anxiety, and sleep disorders, Rhodiola due to its adaptogenic properties provide help and reduce fatigue,  and its symptoms  it also increases

Mood

Concentration 

Attention 

Emotion

3,:- It can manage  depression  in a better way

Depression is a very common problem, but we can not call it a serious illness, and if it continues it leads to negative performance and actions.it occurs by unbalanced neurotransmitters in the brain, and in this situation doctors give drugs, they are also called anti-depression drugs. but Rhodiola does this job and does it better way, and by a lot of people, it is used for this purpose only.

4,:-It improve brain function 

Exercise, proper nutrition, and good sleep this is what is needed for the brain, and here 

Rhodiola  works very well it

It reduces mental fatigue 

Improve performance 

Improve  sleep quality 

5,:-Can improve  exercise  performance 

Everyone wants better results from exercise whatever he does, but all the time results may end up in frustration only, here Rhodiola can help.it has the potential  to decrease perceived exertion, and by doing so it can allow you to exercise  more harder way for achieving your goals,(4),(5)

6,:-Can help in diabetes 

It lowers blood sugar, and thus provides help in diabetes 

7,:-It has anti-cancer properties 

It has some ingredients  which have very potent anti-cancer activities,  it inhibits the growth of cancer cells in more particularly  breast,  colon, liver, bladder cancers

How best we can take Rhodiola? 

Rhodiola  is available  in extract form in tablet and capsule,  it also available  as a tea, The most popular  is pill because in the pill you can plan your daily doses 

How to make sure that it is good stuff? 

Must check-in  labels,  it should have 

Rosavins 3%

Salidrosides 1%

What can be doses?

For stress, anxiety, fatigue, depression.   It can be 400 -to- 600 mg/day/single dose for performance-enhancing, it can be 200 -to- 300 mg/ day / single dose, an hour or two before exercise.

 When to take?

Don't take it before  going to bed, in the nighttime, as it has some stimulating  effect it can disturb sleep patterns also better take an empty  stomach 

Does Rhodiola have any negative impact? 

It's very safe and very well tolerated by most of the  people,(6),

Does Rhodiola is good for Nootropics? 

Rhodiola  is most used natural in supplements  meant for Nootropics 

So where do we stand, from a nootropics facts point of view Rhodiola is just great works very effectively about nootropics function it also works great and it covers most of the brain functions, from all practical purpose as nootropics, this can be regarded as the first choice.