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.

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.

An Introduction Into Lucid Dreaming - Mastering Your Dreams

Lucid dreaming is simply a fancy name for 'being conscious' whilst your asleep, dreaming.

It allows you to fully take control of your dreams. Being the director and having complete control over what you dream, what you do in your dream and most excitingly, what happens next in your dream.


In your lucid dreaming state. You can conjure up people, places, images and items. As well as empower yourself with special abilities and powers (such as flying!) In fact, if you can imagine it (in your lucid state) it will materialize and manifest itself within your dream.

Needless to say that lucid dreaming is the most fun you can have whilst asleep.

It allows you to contemplate actions, to ponder a particular problem or to see how a certain action may have specific reactions. This gives you the ability to 'problem solve' while you're sleeping. The mind is a very powerful thing.

There are also useful healing techniques for lucid dreaming. It can help you to overcome ANY phobia. To face your deepest and darkest fears in a constructive and useful way.

Ok, so now we know the basics of what lucid dreaming is. How do we achieve lucidity? How can we begin to take control of our own dreams?

It does sound a whole lot more complicated than it really is. But in essence, it's very simple to achieve lucidity.

Here are some training tips that will help you to achieve your lucid dreaming state:

1)  Start trying to remember your dreams as you wake up each morning. The moment you wake up; contemplate for a moment on what it was that you dreamt about the night before. It may be difficult at first but some people find that this is the best first stepping stone for learning lucid dreaming. This will help activate your brain for lucid dreaming. Keep a dream journal if you feel that it will help with your dream recall.

2) At different times during your every day wakeful state. Ask yourself consciously, "Am I Dreaming, Right Now?". This technique (that you practice while awake) will help you question reality during your sleeping state.

3) Say to yourself whilst dreaming (not out aloud, but in your mind) "This is a DREAM. I know that I'm dreaming and I can fully control this dream" Once your mind becomes conscious of the fact that you really are in a dream. Your lucid dreaming state will begin. Use the power of your mind to direct what happens in your dream through conscious awareness, visualization and will power.

This is my basic 3 step process to achieving a lucid dreaming state. Practice often and have fun. You can force lucidity. But it's much easier to gradually learn how to achieve the lucid dreaming state, naturally.

This one technique will make sleeping/dreaming much more fun. Almost like watching a movie (and directing it as you see fit) at the same time. It really is an exciting way to enjoy your sleeping sessions.

The Sculptor Method - Affirmation Software - Hardwire Your Brain To Achieve Anything

Sculpt your plans into reality.

Imagine being able to think of something... and having it become true?

Use the powerful force that is within yourself to make any vision, dream or desire... come true.

For more information on how to begin using this great positive affirmations software. Visit:

The Sculptor Method - Affirmation Software

Meditation For Mind And Body Connection

There are plenty of different meditation styles and techniques. You should try a few different meditation techniques out and see what works best for you. It's important that you choose a mediation technique that's both comfortable and compatible to you and your posture.


As what works best for one may not, for another :) it is however, important that you try and maintain the correct meditation posture through-out your practice sessions. At first, this may be harder done than said. But with a little practice, and a little perseverance. It's entirely possible.
 
At the beginning, learn to focus on your breath to stay aware and conscious. After you master this begin to move onto delving deeper into your consciousness... exploring deeper and deeper.


Life Energy

When you inhale you are breathing in fresh energy. It’s good to start a meditation session by focusing on replacing all the air in your lungs, from top to bottom.

With practice, your breathing may become very light once you are into the meditation. According to one study of a Tibetan master of meditation, meditating resulted in needing less oxygen than normal.

Breath Basics
There are a few simple rules to remember about breathing during meditation.

• Don’t forget to breathe. That sounds obvious, but it’s a natural reaction for some people to hold their breath whilst concentrating. Observe your own breathing and see if you do this.
• Breathe through your nose unless directed otherwise.
• Start full. To begin with, breathe right down into the bottom of your lungs. You may get a head rush from the extra oxygenation, but this will pass as your breathing becomes slow and steady.
• Easy does it. Keep if slow and steady at first. Then as your body relaxes allow your breathing to gradually increase.
  
• Don’t gasp for air. As you get into the meditation your breathing should become more gentle and rhythmic. During deep meditation it should be almost imperceptible, just a delicate rising and falling.
  
 

Some useful meditation products:

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