Everyone knows the feeling of that dreaded brain fog. Whether you're trying to focus on a meeting, needing to keep your cool in a high pressure situation or trying to keep up with your busy schedule, having a clear mind can make all the difference in your day. But what do we do when we’re just simply ‘not feeling it’?

That's where nootropics can lend a helping hand. These cognitive enhancers can help you stay at the top of your mental game, helping to enhance cognitive performance, maintain mental focus, enhance your memory or support energy. 

But what are nootropics? Let’s take a closer look at the nootropics meaning, the different types and how they work to help enhance your memory, maintain mental concentration and support energy production.

What is a nootropic? 

Nootropic, meaning mind and bend (or turn) in Greek1, is a term used for substances, compounds or supplements used to improve cognitive function, such as memory and focus. They were named by Romanian pharmacologist, Corneliu E. Giurgea¹, who used the term for brain optimising, memory and cognitive enhancing compounds.

What are the different types of nootropics?

Okay, but what exactly are they?

To break it down, there are two main types of nootropics; synthetic compounds and plant derived ingredients like occurring herbs. Synthetic compounds are man-made substances², and therefore not naturally occurring. Herbal nootropics on the other hand are often found in foods or made into supplements. 

Typically though, nootropics are available over the counter³. Some of the most common supplement nootropics include Cereboost™, caffeine or rhodiola and Cognigrape™. Let’s take a closer look.

Cereboost™

Cereboost™, or American ginseng extract, is a key ingredient in supplements, used to help improve memory and cognitive performance and support focus. If you want to increase your memory, Cereboost™ is known to have an effect on improving short term memory and maintain learning and information processing. Plus, it can also help support cognitive function, decrease mental fatigue⁴. Its properties are why it’s used in many cognitive performance supplements.

Cognigrape™

Cognigrape is a powder extracted from red grape juice, linked to improved cognitive performance⁵. This ingredient has been found to increase  attention span, short term memory and enhance recall⁵. 

How do nootropics work?

So, what do nootropics do? Bear with us here - they have many functions⁶. Simply put: they help boost cognitive performance.  

Is a nootropic the same as a brain health supplement? 

Technically, a nootropic is a brain health supplement. If we look at the nootropic definition, any substance that can help increase brain performance is technically a nootropic⁷.

Whether you’re looking to take control in high pressure situations,  or counteract your busy lifestyle, nootropics could provide a little extra support  with a range of benefits for helping you reach your mental game. 

There are many other ways you may also be able to enhance your brain’s abilities, like being open minded or exploring other lifestyle practices such as meditation in addition to a healthy, well-balanced diet. The Swisse Wellness Hub is a great source of information to help guide you in conversations to have with your healthcare professional about improving your cognitive performance.


References:

1. Arce, E., & Ehlers, M. D. (2017). The Mind Bending Quest for Cognitive Enhancers. Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, 101(2), 179–181. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpt.524
2. Suliman, N. A., Mat Taib, C. N., Mohd Moklas, M. A., Adenan, M. I., Hidayat Baharuldin, M. T., & Basir, R. (2016). Establishing Natural Nootropics: Recent Molecular Enhancement Influenced by Natural Nootropic. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2016, 4391375. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/4391375
3. Malík, M., & Tlustoš, P. (2022). Nootropics as Cognitive Enhancers: Types, Dosage and Side Effects of Smart Drugs. Nutrients, 14(16), 3367. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163367
4. Bell, L., Whyte, A., Duysburgh, C., Marzorati, M., Van den Abbeele, P., Le Cozannet, R., Fança-Berthon, P., Fromentin, E., & Williams, C. (2022). A randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigating the acute and chronic benefits of American Ginseng (Cereboost®) on mood and cognition in healthy young adults, including in vitro investigation of gut microbiota changes as a possible mechanism of action. European journal of nutrition, 61(1), 413–428. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-021-02654-5
5. COGNIGRAPE. (2024). Cognigrape. COGNIGRAPE™ • NATURAL HELP TO IMPROVE AND PROTECT COGNITIVE BRAIN FUNCTIONS. Retrieved July 24, 2024, from https://cognigrape.bionap.com/
6. M. Muralidhara, P.S. Rajini, Chapter Fourteen - Ayurvedic herbs–derived cognitive enhancers for the management of Alzheimer's disease (AD), Editor(s): Murali Muralidhara, Padmanabhan S. Rajini, Ayurvedic Herbal Preparations in Neurological Disorders, Shahidi, F., & Ambigaipalan, P. (2018). Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Their Health Benefits. Annual review of food science and technology, 9, 345–381. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-food-111317-095850