How to Pick the Right Nootropic Supplement for You

Nootropics, sometimes referred to as “smart drugs,” are available in so many forms and varieties that it can be hard to determine the appropriate concoction for any one person’s needs. There are companies (like ours, Pirate Botanicals) which specialize in providing awesome pre-packaged formulae that have become popular for their efficacy. But even with pre-made supplements, how can an individual be sure they are selecting the right nootropics that will work best for them? What makes certain nootropics so much more valuable to some people than others? And most importantly: what is the best nootropics combination to complement a daily routine and lifestyle?

Fear not fellow pirate! Pirate Botanicals can help you determine the right nootropics formula for your your lifestyle!

Why Nootropics Work Differently for Different People

There are many types of people in the world. People are unique in many ways. Biologically-speaking, everyone’s body is unique. Some people’s digestive tracts work more quickly than others (which makes sense as digestion involves many organs working together).¹ A faster digestive tract usually means meals, medications and supplements move faster through the body. This means digestive tracts vary in terms of nutrient and substance absorption.² There are people who have higher biological tolerances to certain substances. Diet and general health play a huge role in the way the body absorbs and is able to use the resources it consumes.³ A healthy diet can improve the digestive tract, keep the body well-hydrated, and ensure the brain has all the nutrients it needs to put a nootropics formula to use. In contrast, an unhealthy individual may have trouble seeing the full benefit of a nootropic formula.⁴

Routines and schedules all play a major part in the varying effects nootropics may have on any individual. Some people sleep longer than others which has been proven to have different effects on the way the body and brain recuperate and prepare for the following day. Sporadic schedules can throw the body off, impact cognitive function or even aging.¹³ Maintaining a balanced routine with regular exercise can improve the body’s overall function and health; and thus give nootropics a better chance to peak in contribution.

Atop all of the biological variance from person to person, nearly all people think differently as well.¹⁴ In fact, there are even historical (and modern) attempts to measure thinking. One of the most common ways to “measure thinking power” is the Intelligence Quotient. The Intelligence Quotient is often referred to as IQ. Its most commonly accepted definition is a score derived from standardized tests to measure human intelligence.¹⁵

Varying IQs, body types, metabolisms, bodily and cognitive functions, diets, schedules, and routines, makes the variance in nootropics efficacy from person to person completely understandable. This only means that selecting the right nootropic formula becomes more important in an individual’s quest to target the attributes in themselves they wish to improve upon.

Can Nootropics Make Me Better At Something?

As previously mentioned, there are all types of people in the world. Some people specialize in physical activities. Other people consider their fortes to be mental or cognitive in nature. The idea of becoming better at something typically involves accepting that a large part of one’s life will be devoted to that particular activity. Life is short. And natural solutions such as nootropics are available to help one improve skill in their desired profession, hobby or other forte.

What Is the Best Nootropic Supplement for Me?

Depending upon the type of activities you enjoy or practice, and/or the goals you may have for your nootropic regiment, some nootropics will be better suited for you than others. Although there are hundreds of nootropics, these are considered the more effective and well-researched nootropics. This is a list of some of the better-known, most-employed, and well-researched nootropics used in many reputable nootropics formulae:

• 5-HTP
• Aniracetam
• Ashwagandha
• Bacopa monnieri
• GABA
• Ginkgo biloba
• Gotu Kola
• Green Coffee Bean Extract
• Guarana
• Hawthorn
• Huperzine A
• L-Theanine
• L-Tyrosine
• Lion’s Mane Mushroom
• Noopept
• Passion Flower (Passiflora)
• Phenibut
• Piracetam
• Rhodiola rosea
• Siberian Ginseng
• St John’s Wort
• Vinpocetine

Many of these nootropics have shown up in countless journals, studies and texts, each attesting to various efficacies and applications.^{6,7,8,9,10,11} They are also sometimes included in nootropic formulae simply for their ability to help other nootropics better function. This is especially true with adaptogen-nootropics.¹²

Oftentimes there is a high level of research and a very toilsome trial and error routine associated with picking nootropics that guarantee success in terms of personal desired efficacy and application.⁵ For this reason, many people choose to select a pre-formulated product, like the Pirate Botanicals nootropics supplements. Pirate Botanicals proudly boasts only natural, pharmacist-approved formulae.*

Picking the Right Nootropic Supplement: Get More Out of Life

Nootropics are real and their ability to impact day-to-day living is incredible! Finding the right nootropic supplement for you means finding a formula that complements your particular lifestyle, preferred activities, and body. Pirate Botanicals understand that everyone is a unique individual and that different types of “pirates” may desire different nootropic supplements. The Pirate Botanicals supplement line contains three different products. Each Pirate Botanicals supplement formula was derived to highlight distinct qualities from some of the best nootropics known to man. Some people prefer to use just one Pirate Botanicals supplement, while others decide upon more than one formula. In the end many biohackers, nootropics enthusiasts and pirates will agree that getting more out of life with a natural product is a “no brainer!”

Try the Pirate Botanicals Supplement Selector Tool to find the perfect complement for YOUR daily routine!

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Pirate Botanicals supplements are not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease, illness, ailment or condition of any kind. This information is not meant to substitute for a face-to-face consultation with a licensed, practicing healthcare professional.

*Pirate Botanicals supplements use 100 percent natural formulae which have been approved as safe for any normal, healthy adult to consume as described in daily recommended dose.

Sources:

¹NIH, (December 2017). Your Digestive System and How It Works. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Retrieved from [https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/digestive-system-how-it-works] on October 10, 2018.

²Picco, M. F., (September 17, 2018). Digestion: How Long Does It Take? The Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from [https://www.mayoclinic.org/digestive-system/expert-answers/faq-20058340] on October 10, 2018.

³Gorin, A., (July 9, 2018). 7 Food Pairings That Will Increase Nutrient Absorption. NBC News. Retrieved from [https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/7-food-pairings-will-increase-nutrient-absorption-ncna889181] on October 10, 2018.

⁴Tai, M. M., Castillo, P., and Pi-Sunyer, F. X., (November 1, 1991). Meal Size and Frequency: Effect on the Thermic Effect of Food. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vol. 54(5). Pp 783-786.

⁵Jellen, L. C., Aliper, A., Buzdin, A., & Zhavoronkov, A. (2015). Screening and personalizing nootropic drugs and cognitive modulator regimens in silico. Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, 9, 4. http://doi.org/10.3389/fnsys.2015.00004

⁶Yang, G., Wang, Y., Tian, J., & Liu, J.-P. (2013). Huperzine A for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. PLoS ONE, 8(9), e74916. http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0074916

⁷Ahmed, M., Henson, D. A., Sanderson, M. C., Nieman, D. C., Zubeldia, J. M., & Shanely, R. A. (2015). Rhodiola rosea Exerts Antiviral Activity in Athletes Following a Competitive Marathon Race. Frontiers in Nutrition, 2, 24. http://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2015.00024

⁸Naftalin, R. J., Cunningham, P., & Afzal-Ahmed, I. (2004). Piracetam and TRH analogues antagonise inhibition by barbiturates, diazepam, melatonin and galanin of human erythrocyte D-glucose transport. British Journal of Pharmacology, 142(3), 594–608. http://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjp.0705798

⁹Aguiar, S., & Borowski, T. (2013). Neuropharmacological Review of the Nootropic Herb Bacopa monnieri. Rejuvenation Research, 16(4), 313–326. http://doi.org/10.1089/rej.2013.1431

¹⁰Ogunrin, A. (2014). Effect of Vinpocetine (Cognitol™) on Cognitive Performances of a Nigerian Population. Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 4(4), 654–661. http://doi.org/10.4103/2141-9248.139368

¹¹Jia, L., & Zhao, Y. (2009). Current Evaluation of the Millennium Phytomedicine- Ginseng (I): Etymology, Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Market and Regulations. Current Medicinal Chemistry, 16(19), 2475–2484.

¹²Panossian, A., Wikman, G., Kaur, P., & Asea, A. (2012). Adaptogens Stimulate Neuropeptide Y and Hsp72 Expression and Release in Neuroglia Cells. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 6, 6. http://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2012.00006

¹³Ferrie, J. E., Shipley, M. J., Akbaraly, T. N., Marmot, M. G., Kivimäki, M., & Singh-Manoux, A. (2011). Change in Sleep Duration and Cognitive Function: Findings from the Whitehall II Study. Sleep, 34(5), 565–573.

¹⁴Plomin, R., & Deary, I. J. (2015). Genetics and intelligence differences: five special findings. Molecular Psychiatry, 20(1), 98–108. http://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2014.105

¹⁵Stern, W. (1914) The Psychological Methods of Testing Intelligence. Educational psychology monographs. Vol. 13. Guy Montrose Whipple [English version]. Baltimore: Warwick & York. LCCN-14010447. OCLC-4521857. Retrieved October 10, 2018.

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