Increasing Cognitive Performance for school and work with Nootropics

Many of us are in college or know somebody going through school or who has a job which requires a lot of mental studying and cognitive performance. We've all been in the situation of trying to write an essay and getting the writer's block and not really knowing where to begin. When we are writing or doing any kind of highly-creative work where we need to organize somewhat massive amounts of information and be re-synthesizing it and re-organizing it in our minds, we require our mind to be performing optimally.

The brain, not to mention the entire human body, is a magnificent piece of equipment! The amount of raw information able to be processed exceeds what we would consider the equipment capable of handling if we didn't have some understanding of the processes actually involved. But since we know that Nature is ingenious at breeding elegance and complexity in a way that adapts from one strategy to another so seamlessly...we know she can handle what we give her.

There are a few main key ingredients we should probably be sure to give our brain if we are to get the optimal amount of functionality from this organ however. We need to provide copious amounts of Oxygen, blood flow, energy (fat and/or glucose), and nuerotransmitters which are also basically hormones like neuroepinephrine and neuroadrenanline as well as Vitamin D.

So what I see people doing is giving themselves Caffeine as a way of boosting brain power but not so much actually providing all the materials that the brain needs to maintain itself and operate at its highest level of efficiency and power. So, as helpful as Caffeine can be for improving the funciton fon the brain, it can only do so much to actually increase the amount of value that is being created by that mental activity. It can make the brain work faster but not necessarily smarter. The actual process of neuroplasticity (which means the brain physically changing itself and changing the way it's connected to itself and the senses we have) is dependent on having the growth factors and building blocks needed for maintaining and repairing these connections in the brain.

For the brain to actually modify itself and grow as a machine so it's upgrading from a Pentium I to a Quantum Computer requires you to go through actual phase changes, functional changes, physical changes, and process-related changes in the mind...rather than simply speeding up your perception of the existing conscious flow and experiences.

So even though we may be able to fly through that essay when we get that jolt of Caffeine, it's probably not going to be at much of an improved quality. So that's why nootropics are so fascinating! Nootropics basically help your neurons function at the level we are evolutionarily capable of performing at. Now, that's not to say it's like the movie "Limitless" where you pop a pill and become Superman overnight by being able to absorb all human knowledge at the snap of your fingers...but you will be able to learn more and in a more connected way when you pay attention to your experiences and your studies.

I will be writing a more in-depth post about nootropics later. For now, you can check out the nootropics I have handpicked on my online store here: UHealingArts.com Just follow the link to the SuperStore.

One of the best all-around cognition enhancers is a formula created by the Life Extension Foundation which is called "Cognitex with Pregnenalone and PQQ."

As always,

Cheers to Optimization!

Nootropics, Caffeine, and my OptiMind Review

So I've been into nootropics for the last several years and recently obtained a sample pack from OptiMind of their Focus stack. The tag-line on the packaging: Focus|Memory|Energy. So what exactly are nootropics? A nootropic (nō-ə-ˈtrō-pik) is defined as a substance which is protective of neurons or has proven benefits in various aspects of cognition such as memory formation, memory access, reaction time, problem-solving accuracy and speed, and more. There are natural nootropics such as traditional vitamins or herbal extracts. Then there are synthetic substances which are created in the laboratory and found to have interesting cognitive effects in studies. Not all substances have the same level of research backing their efficacy (scientific lingo for effectiveness)...or their safety. (though most are relatively safe if taken with caution and if you do diligent research before taking anything new or any new combination.) Also, here's a good place to put the recommendation to speak with your doctor about any concerns you or they may have about drug interactions and such.

So you may be wondering, "How much can nootropics actually help me learn, think, and perform effectively?" Well, millions of Americans begin their morning with a steaming cup of coffee most mornings and they can attest to the cognitive improvements enjoyed by the consumption of that Caffeine. Think of nootropics as being more advanced and more targeted alternatives for enhancing brain function. Some are even nutritive, meaning, they encourage your neurons to remain in a more youthful healthy state or provide the building blocks for normal metabolism. Caffeine, on the other hand is basically a stimulant that basically tells your brain not to feel tired but doesn't necessarily provide much more than a bypass of the normal energy-regulation. In other words, stimulants such as caffeine can be considered sort of like spending money from your bank account more rapidly but they don't really add to your savings account. Or at least, it's like encouraging further brain activation at the possible sacrifice of other organs...IF the body isn't given the proportional amounts of basic biological building blocks on a metabolic level: nutrients.

Plus, although caffeine containing plants such as coffee or tea have been quite popular as a civilization-old (several civilizations to be precise) remedy for mental fatigue, some people experience a certain edginess or anxiousness after consuming caffeine. There are actually substances which can be taken with caffeine which heighten its effects and help your body channel the energy boost in productive ways that don't give you the jitters. The first one, L-Theanine is found naturally in Green Tea. Check it out. (L-Theanine) You can also find L-Theanine conveniently formulated in combination with Caffeine made by the nootropics company, NaturalStacks. Smart Caffeine Or as I mentioned, Caffeine and L-Theanine are found perfectly naturally together in Green Tea and tea also contains many helpful antioxidants and flavanoids and teas help many people shift into a relaxed but focused state of mind and accomplish their cognitive goals, be they producing content, creating a budget, or meditating on the sofa. If you're a Green Tea aficionado and interested in trying one that will stun you with its mouth-watering flavor and freshness, check out Tai Chi Green Tea. Put simply, Tai Chi is a better quality tea than what you will find in-store because they store and ship their stock under constant refrigeration so the freshness is always sealed in the teabag. It's actually fresh and moist enough that taking a bite of one of the leaves won't be a gagging experiment.

There is one other major hack...Bio-Hack that we can put into motion to augment the effects of caffeine or basic stress on the body. The more stress we are in or the more we use stimulants, the faster our body will use things like Magnesium to keep oxidation under control and manage our electrolyte balance. That is the well-known mineral, Magnesium. MagTech is a set of three special Mg compounds formulated to target the minds of individuals who want high-performance executive function, whether that's for meeting your high-performance goals in the office or in online gaming.

What then is in the OptiMind formula and how does it provide the brain and body with more of the building blocks to balance out the stimulation that we expect of our mind?

Here's the Ingredient List:

Vitamin D

Vitamin B12

L-Tyrosine

Taurine

Phosphotidylserine

Bacopa Extract

GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric Acid)

Caffeine

ALA (Alpha Lipoic Acid)

Vinpocetine

Sulbultiamine

Huperzine A

What has been my experience while using this? It's a smooth, gentle alertness which seems to bring the memory and faculties of focus into sharper functioning. Also I will say that normally with these kinds of substances, there's a build-up effect just like you would experience with a "non-physical, non-pill" routine of learning any new skill. Based on the science of neuroplasticity and epigenetics, we know the brain rewires itself and changes the types of chemicals it generates and transmits based upon the inputs of our attention as well as the nutrients or supplements we take in through our digestion.

I would classify the effect of OptiMind as a nice clean focus that nudges the mind towards having a slightly more singular focus-driven attitude towards whatever you're working on. Some of the natural amino acids (proteins) in the formula, such as Tuarine and Tyrosine help you make the neurotransmitter Dopamine which is involved in controlling the focus of the mind and 'rewarding' the neuronal pathways with new connections and maintaining relevance and higher blood flow in the overall cerebral architecture. The chemical Huperzine A is a vasodilator that generally increases blood flow through the brain, thus providing more oxygen and sugar and helping the brain function at a higher level of energy...helping you think faster.

If you'd like to try a sampler pack, click here.

As always, Cheers to Optimization!