Last Updated on 18th August 2021 by Charlie Walsh
What exactly are they?
Nootropics are drugs – supplements and other substances that have the ability to improve your cognitive functions. In healthy individuals these drugs can improve motivation, memory, creativity and overall performance. Their users also report having added clarity to assess and understand problems and situations.
Whilst studies are limited – there is no real long term look into the effects smart drugs have on your physical and mental health – it is thought that short term use is relatively safe. However, it is possible to overdose, people who take smart drugs without the correct direction can take a large dosage by accident and cause toxicity. Smart drugs are known to cause loss of appetite, dehydration and insomnia.
A much cheaper and safer alternative is to look at the things we can do to boost brain power naturally – this will ensure our health is not at risk. By using diet, natural remedies and training our brains on an intellectual and therapeutic level we can boost what we have and effectively train our brains to become healthier.
Brain training apps
There are lots of different options available but all have pretty much the same purpose – to challenge and train your brain. It’s like a gym workout for the mind. By undergoing a multitude of different tasks you will exercise various parts of your brain all from the comfort of your own home.
You can download some pretty nifty apps for free from the play store and start right away. Another option is trying to pitch your wit against a game of Sudoku – you can buy a book full from your local newsagent but we would advise on filling it out in pencil first!
Diet
Having a healthy well balanced and nutrient rich diet you can boost memory and cognitive ability. By choosing the right type of food you can naturally increase concentration levels and maintain motivation. Here is a list of some of the foods you need to be stocking up on to maximise your potential –
1. Fatty fish. An absolute must and pretty much always at the top of the list for its brain boosting abilities. The best options are salmon, sardines and trout. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and your brain utilises omega-3 fatty acids to create brain and nerve cells which are imperative to learning ability and memory.
2. Blueberries. Fruit plays an important role in overall health and well-being and blueberries are classed as a superfood, this is for good reason. They have multiple benefits for your whole body but some on the life giving properties focus solely on the brain. They are rich in antioxidants – these antioxidants will help act against stress and have also been known to accumulate in the brain improving the communication between your brain cells. These wonderberries can also contribute to fighting off neurodegenerative diseases and the effects of an ageing brain.
3. Dark chocolate. Rich in flavonoids – studies and research have backed up the proven positive effect dark chocolate has on the brain. The flavonoids in chocolate have the ability to increase memory and cognitive abilities as they concentrate themselves in the brain.
4. How do you like your eggs in the morning? Eggs are a fantastic source of vitamins and nutrients that work well on the brain. The folate and choline found in eggs along with vitamins b6 and b12 will improve your overall brain health. An increase of folate and choline in your diet can increase mental ability and long term memory. Best thing is – you can have them however you like.
Light exercise
Nothing too crazy, a walk in the park – a slight jog maybe. Take in the surroundings and enjoy everything nature has to offer, it’s time to unwind, think and process the next step. Allowing yourself this time to go through your thoughts will give you space to move forwards in life. Exercise releases feel good chemicals in the brain, it’s like a reward for taking positive steps to a healthier you. You will feel better about yourself and this will increase your confidence and your overall health.
Sleep patterns
To keep your brain in its healthiest state you will need to have a good approach when it comes to sleep. It is at this time that the brain can rest, rejuvenate and recharge. Try to keep distractions to a minimum towards the end of the evening – resist the urge to scroll and maybe drink one less cup of coffee. Allow the worries of the day to fade and do your best to get around 8 hours of sleep a night. Sleep is one of the most important factors when it comes to overall health – oversleeping can have the same effect as under sleeping so try to get yourself into a healthy routine to maintain a good balance.
Many people believe in taking a more natural approach when it comes to matters of the body, there are healthy alternatives available in every local supermarket – be wary of the things you put inside your body and you will reap the benefits from making good decisions when it comes to food.
Do less scrolling and more strolling – take up a new hobby, do something that challenges you every day. A healthier lifestyle is something everybody can obtain one step at a time.
