Showing posts with label cognition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cognition. Show all posts

July 04, 2012

6 types of mind enhancing nootropics that you could be taking!

Nootropics AKA Smart Drugs






We may all need it at times. A little pick-me-up that can help stimulate our grey matter.

Smart drugs have fast taken hold in our society. With hectic lifestyles and busy study periods being the norm - quite a few people have noticed they need some extra mental assistance and are turning to nootropics for the answer.

What exactly are nootropics?

Nootropics are supplements that you can take that will enhance and boost your cognitive and mental faculties. They are also widely known as "smart drugs" and many people all over the world take them on a daily basis for increased focus and higher mental functioning.

What are the more common types of nootropics?

Here are 6 types of mind enhancing nootropics that you could be taking:

The Racetams (piracetam, pramiracetam, oxiracetam and aniracetam amongst a few others)
the racetams are known to act as positive allosteric modulators of AMPA receptors - they also have actions on the Acetylcholinergic pathways. They have been used by people to assist them in memory improvements and for better left and right brain intercommunication and cognition.

Piracetam has also been used to treat recovering alcoholics with cognitive impairment.

Vinpocetine - has been marketed for it's vasodilation properties as well as a nootropic that boosts memory formation and recall. It may assist in activities that require increased concentration and focus as it also helps activate cerebral functions and metabolisation.

Ginkgo Biloba - is believed by some people to exhibit nootropic properties and for the most part is used for enhancing memory and concentration and for the treatment of vertigo.

L-Theanine - a main constituent of tea. L-Theanine promotes mental relaxation and stress relief. It has also been shown to improve mood and cognitive abilities as it works in synergy with the natural caffeine that's found in tea.
L-Theanine is a great stress relief tool and helps give you a 'relaxed' type of focus.

Choline Bitartrate - is an essential nutrient needed by our nervous system for the synthesis of Acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter that assists with the transmission of neuron impulses. Acetylcholine is regarded by some mental health professionals as important for memory, cognition and sleep.

Picamilon - is an interesting combination of GABA + Niacin (to help cross the blood-brain barrier easier) generally marketed as a supplement for anxiety/depression/panic and alcohol withdrawal. Some users report great benefits from supplementing Picamilon in their dietary intake. Picamilon helps with blood flow and enhances brain functions. It is considered as a nootropic yet also exhibits some tranquilizing effects (without the lethargy) and can also have psychostimulating effects on some users.


These are just a few examples of some useful nootropics. They can be quite beneficial to your mental health and proper functioning. Always consult an expert physician before you take any supplements and do your homework before taking them.


December 29, 2011

Why should you use Omega 3 for mental health?

Hey guys. I thought I'd write an article about Omega 3 and it's important role in healthy mental function and cognitive development.

Recently, I've been battling a serious case of depression. Which is very odd considering everything in my life has been going perfect. I've also been diagnosed with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and it's been really draining and impacts my life in so many different ways.

I was researching the internet and have found that my diet was really lacking in fish (which as a direct result also effected how much Omega 3 I was consuming)

Omega 3 is classified as an Essential Fatty Acid (the good kind). Your body is unable to manufacture Omega 3 and it must be ingested in either food form (like eating Sardines, Salmon, Tuna, Walnuts etc) or via supplementation. The good Omega 3 has high levels of EPA and DHA (always read the labels and seek out the mg ratings on your supplements for these 2 important Omega 3 nutrients)

Since I'm more of a convenience guy, I like to take the odourless fish oil. When choosing an Omega 3 supplement try to find the filtered kind - the kind that has removed most of the harmful PCB, Dioxins and Mercury (all of which are toxic to the body)

Why do I use Omega 3? Well the most important benefits of Omega 3 are:

  • Improved memory and cognitive function (may also assist with dopamine and serotonin usage by the brain)
  • Better problem solving ability
  • Stabilises your mood/temperament
  • Greatly reduces my OCD habits
  • Helps treat depression
  • Maintains the cardiovascular system
  • It's good for the heart - helps maintain blood pressure
  • Maintains healthy retina function (good for your eyes) 
  • Reduces swelling and joint pain associated with arthritus (can improve mobility over time)
  • Reduces LDL/plaques (bad fats) in the arteries and can help lower bad fat levels in the blood.

As with all things. There are some potentially unwanted side effects that I've noticed when upping my Omega 3 intake. The side effects I've seen as a direct result of using Omega 3 are:

  • Slight headache (this may be attributed to higher than normal toxins in the cheaper Omega 3 supplements) so always use the filtered/mercury free types!
    • Slight stomach discomfort (not painful or unbearable)
    • May increase gas (flatulence)
    • Some brands may have a fishy odour/aftertaste
    • Cost of the better Omega 3 supplements can be quite expensive
 Overall the many added benefits that Omega 3 supplements have provided me with are priceless. It really seems to help me with not only my mental faculties but controls my OCD so I don't need to take my medication. It's my lifesaver and I do hope it helps my fellow readers out there!

As with all things, moderation is key. The FDA has approved Omega 3 as a recognised supplement - however I would not consume more than 3 grams a day over the long term. Also, if you are taking blood thinners or have a known history of heart problems I would consult your GP/physician before taking Omega 3 supplements as it's known to thin out the blood.

November 04, 2011

Thought is energy. How can changing the energy of your thoughts transform your life.

Have you ever stopped and thought about your thought processes for a moment?

If energy can neither be created nor destroyed. All thoughts are at their origin, energy.
That which we fuel from the depths of our own minds.

One part of mind power is essentially the ability to mould and manipulate our own thoughts to something that is more contructive and positive to our own wellbeing (in one way or another).

I have the strong belief that all disease, actually stems from negative/hurtful thought patterns. Negativity will also bring about negative psychological and physical effects. Like attracts like.

If we always strive to think positively and do not let any negative thoughts pervade our mental balance. Then that is when you'll be able to live a life of greater abundance and joy.

I like to call it our inner smile.

By changing your thoughts to a more positive state. You will have the power and ability to change your life - for the better.

Because all thoughts are energy. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed... only transformed.

So practice this daily and you will see the powerful impact that it will have on your own life - as well as all those around you.

January 12, 2010

How To Control Your Brainwaves (Binaural Beats)

How To Control Your Brainwaves


Since the beginning of time. Man would seek various ways to induce mind expansion. Herbs, Plants, Fungii, Drugs and many other various ancient esoteric methods. Some processes even require the user to go into a trance-like state. Inducing mind expansion and elevating the voyager into heightened states of awareness.

Today, we're introducing the modern day equivalent to all of that.

Binaural beats.

Discovered in 1839 by Heinrich Wilhelm Dove. This is a phenomenon that results in low-frequency pulsations in the loudness of a perceived sound when two tones at slightly different frequencies are presented separately. One to each side of a subject's ears, using stereo capable headphones.

A beating tone will be perceived, as if the two tones are mixed naturally, out of the brain. The frequency of the tones must be below about 1,000 to 1,500 hertz for the beating to be heard. The difference between the two frequencies must be small (below approximately 30 Hz) for the effect to occur; otherwise, the two tones will be heard separately and no beat will be perceived. It is an illusion brought about by the effectiveness of our own clever human minds.

To test out binaural beats for yourself and entrain your brain to certain frequencies. You can check out Gnaural : Which is an open source binaural-beat audio generator (it's absolutely free) and supports Windows, MacOSX and Linux platforms.

Frequencies and their effects on the human body include :

Frequency range Name Usually associated with:
> 40 Hz Gamma waves Higher mental activity, including perception, problem solving, fear, and consciousness
13–40 Hz Beta waves Active, busy or anxious thinking and active concentration, arousal, cognition
7–13 Hz Alpha waves Relaxation (while awake), pre-sleep and pre-wake drowsiness
4–7 Hz Theta waves Dreams, deep meditation, REM sleep
< 4 Hz Delta waves Deep dreamless sleep, loss of body awareness

Gnaural : Download Binaural Beat Audio Generator Free