Piracetam
GABA derivative that acts as a neuro-protective agent, offering many potential benefits to the mentally ill and mentally sound alike. Being 100% non-toxic and showing an astronomically high LD50, piracetam can be safely used by anyone seeking mental enhancement. Numerous studies show piracetams efficacy in treating disorders like alzheimers. Also, it protects the brain from the neuro-degenerative effects of hypoxia. While its mechanism of action is not well understood, it is theorized that piracetam exerts its effects through indirect modulation of the AMPA receptors. Further, piracetam may indirectly exert its effects through multiple mechanisms, which is part of the reason it is so safe to use.
Aniracetam
The big cousin of piracetam, aniracetam is significantly more potent and anecdotally more powerful in its effects. Acting as an ampakine, aniracetam has been clinically shown to enhance memory, learning, and attention span in the lab. It shares many of its effects and therapeutic uses with piracetam but differs in that it can easily pass the blood-brain barrier and selectively, rather than indirectly, modulates AMPA receptors, making it a true ampakine. Also, unlike piracetam, aniracetam has a significantly shorter half-life, requiring more (but smaller) doses throughout the day to achieve maximum benefit.
Oxiracetam
Yet another derivative of piracetam, oxiracetam shares many of its benefits. While it is water soluble, after initial metabolism it is passed through to the brain where it acts similarly to piracetam. Many users, however, report that its effects tend to cause more alertness and enhance the perception of audible stimuli.
Pramiracetam
The most potent of all racetams, pramiracetam is the newest and least understood of the bunch. However, the effects are reported to be significantly more pronounced than with the older versions, leading some to conclude that it may cause near photographic memory when taken properly in conjunction with a choline donor and other nootropics. Some users also have reported a negative side effect being an emotionally dampening effect, where major emotions such as laughing or empathizing become unnecessary.
PEA
Phenylethylamine is a naturally occurring amine that produces stimulant-like effects. Its role in the brain is far-reaching but typically works to release norepinephrine and dopamine. It can be found in chocolate and has been theorized to be partially responsible for feelings of love. THC, along with several other psychoactives, cause a dramatic release of PEA, partially responsible for the high. While first pass metabolism renders the amine neurologically inactive via MAO, taking large quantities can produce a PEA high which is typified by an uncomfortable body buzzing and dramatically increased threshold of pain and endurance. This is likely due to its effects on norepinephrine.
Phenibut
Developed in Russia, phenibut has been used extensively to treat anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, and convulsive disorders. Its primary effects consist of sedation and relaxation. These effects are a result of GABAb activity. It has no agonistic effects on GABAa, unlike alcohol and benzodiazepines. Therefore, its effects do not immediately resemble the aforementioned. Having a high potential for dependence (but not necessarily addiction), phenibut should not be used for longer than 2-3 days in a row as tolerance develops rapidly. Cessation of use of high doses for a period longer than a week may result in withdrawal, typically consisting of sweats, depression, and general anxiety.
Huperzine
Extracted from a type of club moss called Huperzia serrata, huperzine A is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It effectively prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain and body. It works very similarly to the synthetically obtained galantamine. By preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain huperzine A helps promote short-term memory in both the healthy and those suffering from Alzheimers but without some of the adverse effects of popular treatments.
Alpha-GPC
Unlike most acetylcholine donors, Alpha GPC readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and results in high concentrations of acetylcholine in the brain. This makes it a perfect supplement to the racetams which deplete choline levels and it has compounding and synergistic effects with them and other nootropics. Because of its activity on short-term memory Alpha GPC has been studied and confirmed to be a successful treatment for those suffering from Alzheimers. In healthy adults, it has been shown to increase short-term memory and cognition.
Choline Citrate
While less effective at producing increased levels of acetylcholine in the brain than Alpha GPC, choline citrate can be supplemented with the racetams as an effective choline and methyl donor. The fact that it is not readily delivered to the brain, however, means there will be excess choline in the blood stream, sometimes causing a fishy body odor and other excess choline symptoms. Choline citrate can be found in a variety of foods such as milk, eggs, chicken and some sea food.
Idebenone
First synthesized in Japan, idebenone is a synthetic analogue of CoQ10, an anti-oxidant that plays an important role in the electron transport chain. Idebenone has a wide range of benefits including but not limited to: heart health, general nootropic activity, Alzheimers treatment, and anti-aging effects.
Bacopa Monnieri
When taken over extended periods of time (1-2 months), bacopa provides significant anti-oxidant activity and has been reported to produce nootropic-like effects. Other studies show its efficacy in treating breathing disorders like asthma as well as epilepsy when used in combination with anti-epileptic medication. While it has little ability to enhance memories, it has been shown to increase memory retention in those suffering from Alzheimers and healthy adults alike. Its mechanism of action is not currently well understood, but it is theorized that the primary cognitive effects may be due to its anti-oxidant activity.
Hydergine
The aging process causes increased MAO activity in the brain, resulting in decreased levels of important neurotransmitters involved in memory and learning. Hydergine, it is thought, works by reducing the MAO enzyme and thus restoring normal levels of catecholamines in the brain, thereby promoting memory, attention, and learning.
Deprenyl
Originally used to treat Parkinsons, deprenyl works as an MAOI, preventing the breakdown of, primarily, dopamine. While it doesnt fit the definition of a nootropic, deprenyl has been used to increase cognition in healthy individuals and often promotes feelings of well-being likely due to its effects on dopamine levels. Having m etabolites similar to amphetamines, however, it carries with it some adverse side effects shared by the amphetamine class of drugs such as sleeplessness.
Cerebrolysin
Perhaps one of the most mentally restorative supplements, cerebrolysin is, in essence, hydrolyzed pig brain. It contains peptides that help restore and, in some cases, optimize brain function. Its purported effects range from mood lift, to depression cure, to dramatically enhanced brain function. While it is not well understood, cerebrolysin is administered through IM injection where it is slowly absorbed through the blood stream and eventually to the brain. The primary clinical use is for the treatment of Alzheimers.
Adrafinil
The first in a class of drugs to treat narcolepsy, adrafinil is a mild and selective CNS stimulant. Most users report feeling alert and awake, but not forced into stimulation like with caffeine or other typical stimulants. There is little evidence reporting nootropic activity, but many use it as a study aid when pulling an all-nighter. Generally considered safe, adrafinil causes increases in liver enzyme activity leading to possible complications when taking it in combination with alcohol or other drugs that stress the liver.
Pyritinol
While it is an analogue of vitamin B6, pyritinol shares few if any of its effects. Instead, it acts as a nootropic, increasing synaptic conductivity and thus response time. This causes faster reaction time, and possibly time-dilation. Studies indicate that pyritinol has little to no effect on memory, but interestingly it has been shown to reduce the severity of hangovers.