Nootropic Variations — DBA — OUGD602

Outlining what kind of nootropics will be used within the products, as there are so many different types with different effects, will ensure the chosen audience is correctly marketed towards.

Types of Nootropics:

Racetams

• Most popular type of Nootropic drug
• Most readily available
• The first kind of Nootropic developed in the 1960's
• Made up of nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen
• Clinical tests show many improvements in cognitive ability
• Affects the neurotransmitter called acetylcholine

Examples include: Piracetam, Pramiracetam, Oxiracetam, and Aniracetam

Vitamin B Derivatives

• Smaller group of nootropic in comparison to Racetams
• Comes as Sulbutiamine (derivative of Thiamine) 
• Thiamine is Vitamin B1
• First synthetized in Japan in order to solve a health crisis after WWII (due to rice based diet, lack of nutrients)
• Improves memory
• Makes user more alert
• Affects choline, glutamate, and dopamine levels in the brain
• Good for treating/preventing Alzheimer’s
• Can be used to treat mental and physical fatigue or to improve memory retention

Choline Nootropics

• Similar high strength as Racetams
• Replenishes choline levels in body
• Directly affects brain’s production of acetylcholine neurotransmitters
• Noticeably positive effect on memory and learning
• Not as noticeable in comparison to other nootropics
• Commonly taken with Racetams to increase effects of both
• Combining with above encourages healthy acetylcholine transmission in the brain
• Increased memory and learning
• Elevated dopamine levels (Lightens moods)

Examples include: Citicoline, Centrophenoxine, and Alpha GPC

Peptides

• Naturally-occurring biological molecules
• Short chains of amino acids linked by covalent chemical bonds
• Uncommon except of one example: Noopept
• Noopept is prescribed for certain psychological conditions, like poor memory or focus
• Popular dietary supplement
• Affect both glutamate and acetylcholine — racetams only affects acetylcholine
• Considered x1000 more potent than Piracetam (Racetams)

Example: Noopept

Ampakines

• One of newest types of nootropics
• Considered to be one of the strongest
• Affects glutamate receptors in the brain
• Targets learning and memory
• Cross between caffeine supplements and racetams
• Doesn't have dangerous side-effects like what is associated with caffeine

Example:  Sunifiram (Much stronger than Piracetam)

Smart Drugs

• Smart drugs are supposedly different to Nootropics
• They contain stimulants — Nootropics don't
• Combines stimulants with other nootropic compounds
• Treats chronic fatigue and thought to increase the neurotransmitter hypocretin
• Can cause complications if you have a weak heart, due to containing stimulants

Example include: Adrafinil and Modafinil

Natural Nootropics

• Often plant-based and yield natural benefits
• Typically considered as safe to use
• Avoids the use of artificial chemicals and compounds
• Less effective in comparison to chemical based nootropics
• Non-natural variations are still natural but are synthesised and purified (extracted)
• Requires larger doses
• Difficult for body to absorb

Examples include:  Ginkgo Biloba and Bacopi Monnieri (Note how they use latin names rather than the more pharmaceutical styles mentioned above)

Conclusion

Overall, having narrowed down the different types of nootropics, it is clear they all have one goal in common, to increase cognitive ability. Meaning if we were to go down the student orientated route, there wouldn't be much going wrong with any variation of nootropics within the products. Or for example, the source that this information was learned from mentions 'stacking' nootropics to combine and increase the effectiveness of the drugs (this is also a possibility for or own brand.)