Is Caffeine Considered a Nootropic?
What is Caffeine?
Caffeine is defined as a substance that works in the body as a central nervous system stimulant. It is a part of the methylxanthine class and it is one of the most popular drugs on the face of the planet. It alters mood, behavior, mental awareness, and even thinking. The way it works is by blocking the action of adenosine on its receptors; subsequently, this prevents the body from becoming drowsy. Caffeine is in a lot of supplements, especially when it comes to smart drugs and smart pills. It can be found in energy drinks, teas, sodas, pills, and seemingly hundreds of other products and supplements. It is a common ingredient in many nootropic stacks. Especially nootropic stacks which focus on memory, cognitive function, energy, or overall mental acuity.
That said, to determine if caffeine is a nootropic, we must first start by identifying the properties of a nootropic, and whether caffeine fits the bill!
What is a Nootropic?
In modern times, the word “nootropic” has become synonymous with the term “smart drug.” Nootropics have become very popular lately, especially among Western culture. Nootropics can be classified in three categories including prescription drugs, synthetic substances, and dietary supplements.
The actual term “nootropic” was first coined in 1960s from the latin terms “noos” and “tropein” (which mean mind and bend, respectively) by the Romanian scientist Corneliu E. Giurgea. Nootropics are typically defined as substances which purportedly improve cognitive function with little to no side effects. These cognitive function facets include executive function, attention span, memory, creativity, energy, and motivation. In short, these drugs or supplements typically aim to enhance the function of the mind and body.
Giurgea’s five criteria for a substance being a nootropic include:
- It must aid or improve working memory or learning in some way
- It should support brain function under hypoxic conditions
- It should protect the brain from physical or chemical toxicity in some way
- It must enhance natural cognitive function
- It must be non-toxic to humans.
These criteria help determine if a substance is a nootropic or not, and reconfirm that caffeine is not a nootropic for multiple reasons; however, this does not mean that caffeine cannot provide nootropic effects.
Is Caffeine a Nootropic?
In short: Not exactly, caffeine is not considered a nootropic. But there are definitely some nootropic effects which caffeine provides. Thus, there are also different values in the types of caffeine we consume, and some caffeine is going to be better for the body and offer better effects than others. To clarify: not all types of caffeine are made equal. And those types which are natural, are additionally unequal, as they contain varying amounts (and strengths) of caffeine.
Important note: While caffeine may offer some nootropic benefits, no studies have proven that caffeine can improve memory directly by itself. Additionally, no studies exist which can prove caffeine offers any neuroprotective advantages.
How Much Caffeine is Too Much?
With that all said, the average person consumes between 50 and 90 mg of caffeine per day. This is not hard to accomplish considering the average cup of coffee contains about 70 to 130 mg of caffeine. Ironically, most people have their coffee in the morning, despite the fact it would be arguably more beneficial in the late morning or early afternoon. This is because it can battle the effects of the adenosine building up in the system throughout the day (something we will get into later in this article), but is still early enough to allow the effects of caffeine to wear off before bedtime. Remember, caffeine can last up to twelve hours in the system!
But before we go any further, let’s define the term nootropic, and explain a bit more about what it means for a substance to be a nootropic.
Nootropic Effects of Caffeine
The effects of caffeine will range from person to person, including both intensity and duration. Generally, caffeine will offer increased mental alertness, physical energy, and enhanced memory and cognitive function.
Caffeine is an easily absorbable nootropic in the body. Normally, the effects of caffeine are felt between 10 and 30 minutes of ingestion. It can be faster when caffeine is consumed as a supplement or a nootropic stack.
Some of the negative effects of too much caffeine (especially synthetic caffeine) can include increased breathing, increased heartrate, headaches, and even a heavy crash. This is why it is important to consume proper doses of healthy caffeine only.
How Caffeine Actually Works in the Body
As previously mentioned, caffeine works by inhibiting the process normally allowed through adenosine. It literally binds to the adenosine receptors in its place, ensuring that the cell maintains its normal productivity and cannot slow down. It even speeds up some of the processes produced by these receptors. Basically, caffeine is an adenosine receptor antagonist.
Adenosine itself is a neurotransmitter that creates a natural balance and serenity in the brain, encouraging relaxation and promoting drowsiness. As the day moves forward, more and more adenosine builds up, which explains why people generally become more tired later in the day. Essentially, adenosine works like a messenger in the brain, binding to nerve cell receptors and making the brain feel tired.
Caffeine has been known to improve mood by encouraging the production of dopamine in the system. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter as well and is responsible for mood. It also influences behavior.
It is also noteworthy that caffeine can constrict blood vessels in the brain, which is why caffeine often solves a headache rather quickly. Still, too much caffeine can also promote a headache, thus it should always be consumed in responsible, healthy doses. Unfortunately, too much caffeine can also cause muscle tension, which can become unpleasant when experienced from heavier doses of caffeine.
Larger doses of caffeine typically create an effect known as the “jitters,” which may last a long while depending upon the amount of the overdose. Jitters can be accompanied by headache, shakiness, and even nausea.
Difference Between Synthetic Caffeine and Natural Caffeine
There are two primary forms of caffeine: synthetic caffeine and natural caffeine. Synthetic caffeine is typically found in energy drinks, sodas, and a variety of supplements (including many smart drugs on the market). Natural caffeine is metabolized from natural herbs and plants and is not created by man. This caffeine is arguably far better for the body, as it was intended to be metabolized naturally from the consumption of the plants it is found within.
To summarize: allowing natural caffeine to metabolize in the body via supplement or food gives the body a chance to work it into the system in a non-aggressive, purer fashion, whereas synthetic caffeine often provides too much of a boost all at once.
List of Plants Containing Caffeine
Many examples of plants that contain caffeine could be cited, but some of the strongest include green tea (and all tea), guarana, the coffee plant, cola tree, cacao tree, and yerba mate. The best nootropic supplements will make use of the natural caffeine that is metabolized from these plants. For example, Piratall utilizes a potent green tea extract that gives the body the energy boost and focus it needs, without any of the negative side effects of synthetic caffeine, including crash.
Should All Nootropic Stacks Include Caffeine?
Not all nootropic stacks require caffeine to be effective. Some nootropic stacks only focus on the production of memory for example, and there are plenty of nootropic plants which offer memory-enhancing effects without the use of caffeine. But for those stronger, cognitive enhancers, some form of caffeine is almost always included. This is because caffeine can be an excellent aid to the effects other nootropics provide.
That all said, there is definitely a use for caffeine within nootropic stacks and supplements, and it can go a long way in contributing to the boost to mental acuity, memory, and energy that is sought after by taking these supplements. If the goal of the supplement has anything to do with cognitive enhancement, it is almost always suggestable that there is some source of caffeine within the supplement.
Final Words on Caffeine as a Nootropic
All-in-all, caffeine is most certainly not a nootropic; however, it possesses many nootropic properties, and it offers many nootropic effects. It is included in many nootropic stacks for these reasons. But with that said, there is also most certainly a difference between synthetic caffeine and natural caffeine, and natural caffeine is the clear winner. It provides a lot of the stimulating, brain-enhancing effects without the side effects and crash. This is why our products only contain natural sources of caffeine, allowing the body to retrieve the nootropic benefits without any negative effects. Natural caffeine is by far a very valuable constituent of successful nootropic stacks, especially smart pills like Piratall.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been approved by the FDA. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is meant for educational purposes only and should be considered explanatory of the research the author has conducted.
Nootropic cycling should be defined as the modification of dosage plans for a nootropic supplement in order to reduce the tolerance buildup of said supplement, thereby encouraging the maximum effects of the supplement more regularly. A natural development of tolerance is a normal process, and a good thing in the sense that most things in life (substances especially) require some level of getting used to. However, when it comes to a supplement that an individual relies upon in order to achieve certain effects, it can be a real downer when tolerance becomes too high. This is true for nootropics as much as any other supplement.
The reason a substance or supplement is so much more effective from the start is largely due to the concept of physiological surprise. In another sense, it is the first time the body is being acquainted with a substance, and it will metabolize it directly with no regard to homeostasis. The more the body consumes the substance, the more it develops biological adaptations and measures to moderate how the substance is metabolized. This can include critical body mechanisms such as blood pressure, glucose and fluid levels, heart rate, body temperature, and more.
It is worth noting that natural nootropics (as opposed to synthesized nootropics) are some of the lowest tolerance-building nootropics available. Nootropics that are synthesized, such as synthetic caffeine, often require the most cycling, even being suggested for use only 2-4 times per week. Other nootropics which require longer durations in between use include adrafinil, Phenibut, sulbutiamine, racetams, and noopept. Because nootropics such as guarana and green tea extract metabolize as a natural form of caffeine, they can be used more often.
A very popular strategy for Pirate Botanicals supplements is cycling 4-5 weeks on the supplement, followed by 3-4 days off the supplement. This schedule provides the body an opportunity to reset the effects of our supplements and maximizes the overall effects, overtime. The ingredients in Piratall are all-natural and require far less cycling than many other nootropics, making the stack just as valuable in the long run as the short run.
Ginseng is a renowned herb in terms of offering adaptogenic effects. It helps support living organisms in a variety of ways, and in terms of being an adaptogen, helps the body achieve optimal homeostasis. It’s adaptogenic properties are thought to come from its ability to affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This results in elevated plasma corticotropin and corticosteroid levels, and ultimately, reduced stress.
Ashwagandha is a powerful nootropic adaptogen which possesses constituents that may help reduce swelling, lower blood pressure, improve the immune system, and (most relevantly) reduce stress. The herb is well-known for its ability to create a calming effect in the brain. It has been traditionally used to alter the condition of anxiety and unnecessary stress, helping the body resist mental and physical stress levels.
Lemon Balm has been used as an adaptogen for a long time. It is most frequently used in an herbal tea form. It is known to reduce anxiety, promote calmness, and induce a feeling of serenity. It can help with nervous exhaustion and restlessness, while also offering an aromatic fragrance. Lemon Balm is also used to promote a pleasant mood, which comes from its ability to offer the body rosmarinic acid effects.
Reishi is another adaptogenic mushroom that helps support the body’s ability to maintain homeostasis. It also helps promote healthy functioning of the adrenal glands. It can boost immune system function and has a molecular structure similar to steroid hormones. Additionally, it is known to increase the stimulation and production of white blood cells.
In a world where information is widely available and so much is known about such a large variety of substances, it is reasonable to assume some of the best nootropic stacks in the world have been developed. These stacks will almost always include a proper, natural, adaptogenic nootropic. Without a healthy dose of adaptogens, it is arguable the body never has a chance to extract the most out of other nootropics within a stack. For this reason, it is reasonably encouraged that any nootropic stack or supplement include a healthy dose of adaptogens to improve overall nootropic effects.
