Any substance that may affect, enhance, or augment cognitive performance, primarily through the stimulation or inhibition of specific neurotransmitters, is known as a nootropic. Misuse of nootropics has the potential to be harmful and destructive to the human brain, and some people with a history of mental or substance use disorders may be especially susceptible to their negative effects. To demonstrate this notion, we provide four examples of possible nootropic-induced psychiatric side effects. As far as we are aware, this has never been documented in the medical literature.
We give a brief overview of the most popular classes of nootropics, their postulated or established mechanisms of action, the desired effects they are intended to have, as well as any unfavourable side effects.
We also discuss some specific cases. Our goal is to educate medical professionals about the potentially harmful phenomena of unsupervised nootropic use among young adults who may be particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of nootropics, with a focus on psychiatrists and addiction specialists.
About Nootropics
In the past, people have tried to develop and improve their mental and cognitive talents. The research and testing of compounds that may be able to ostensibly boost cognition are known as nootropic brain augmentation, which is based on chemically enhancing the human brain.
Any chemical that may modify, enhance, or augment cognitive performance—primarily through the stimulation or inhibition of specific neurotransmitters—is referred to as a nootropic agent. Nootropics have been demonstrated to enhance cognitive performance by improving focus and memory.
There are many different chemicals classified as nootropics, yet it is still unclear how they work generally. We outline the most widely used and accessible nootropics in this paper. We also discuss four instances of nootropic use that may have had unintended, negative psychiatric side effects. As far as we are aware, this has never been documented in the medical literature.
Side Effects
List of typical nootropics and their negative side effects:
- Armodafinil – The R-isomer of racemic modafinil is the medication that promotes wakefulness, armodafinil. One substance that has a general neuroexcitatory effect is modafinil. Armodafinil’s side effects frequently include headache, nasopharyngitis, and diarrhoea despite its ability to increase wakefulness.
- Citicoline – Acetylcholine, dopamine, and glutamate are all modulated by citicoline, which was initially investigated for its neuroprotective activity against dementia and stroke. Additionally, it improves the integrity of neuronal membranes and participates in the metabolism of phospholipids. It has been discovered that citicoline can result in stomach pain, headache, sleeplessness, myalgias, restlessness, exhaustion, and tremors.
- Piracetam – Although technically produced from GABA, the drug piracetam has no functional connection to this neurotransmitter and is frequently used to treat early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and age-related memory loss. Users of piracetam have mentioned experiencing psychomotor agitation, dysphoria, fatigue, vertigo, memory loss, headaches, and diarrhoea. Many consumers said that after taking piracetam, they did not experience any cognitive enhancement or hallucinogenic effects.
- Ampakines – A group of medications called ampakines bind to the glutamatergic AMPA receptor, increasing its activity and possibly causing the induction of long-term potentiation and an enhancement in learning, cognition, and alertness. Additionally, ampakines have been linked to nausea, drowsiness, and headaches. Even though ampakines increase long-term cortical neural potentiation, altering cortical neural plasticity in favour of long-term potentiation may impair spatial memory and maybe motor function.
- Cerebrolysin – The side effects include vertigo, excitement, and a warm sensation.
Nootropics are freely available online from vendors that pose as pharmacies with websites that commonly feature pictures of doctors praising the goods and marketing nootropic pharmaceutical drugs. Online orders for nootropics, such as the ones mentioned above, are accepted without a prescription from a doctor. So check that is Qualia Mind safe or ask your doctor before use.
