Effects
Smart drugs are pharmaceutical agents that (are intended to) improve the brain’s cognitive abilities:
- Promote concentration, alertness, attention and receptivity.
- Increase intelligence and the ability to think
- Improvement of the imagination
- Improving understanding and memory
- Increase creativity
This is also referred to as or in English. The effects are based, among other things, on the interaction with neurotransmitter systems.
Areas of application
Smart drugs are used or abused by healthy individuals for cognitive performance enhancement, for example, by schoolchildren, students, academics, or business professionals. This also includes the potential use by individuals who are under special stress and need to remain efficient and focused for extended periods of time, for example, surgeons or fighter pilots. Non-medical use is the primary focus. However, smart drugs can also be used in old age, forgetfulness and diseases, for example, Alzheimer’s disease or psychiatric disorders.
Active ingredients (selection)
Most of the following substances are not approved for the above indications. Some of them are prescription drugs and narcotics as well as prohibited intoxicants. Not all products are sufficiently documented scientifically.
- ADHD Medications
- Amino acids and derivatives
- Amphetamine
- Amphetamine
- Anabolic steroids
- Aniracetam
- Anti-dementia drugs
- Antidepressants
- Antioxidants
- Arginine partate
- Basmisanil
- Beta blocker
- Brahmi
- Cholinesterase inhibitors: donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine.
- Cannabis
- Cocaine
- Codergocrine
- Caffeine, coffee, black tea, mate, guarana, caffeine drinks.
- CPH4 (fictional, from the movie )
- Dextroamphetamine
- Energy drinks
- Fish oil
- Gene therapeutics
- Ginseng
- Ginkgo
- Glucose
- Hallucinogenic mushrooms (microdosing).
- Coffee
- LSD (Microdosing)
- Methylphendiate
- MDMA
- MDPV
- Meclofenoxate
- Memantine
- Minerals
- Modafinil
- Nicergoline
- Nicotine
- NZT-48 (fictional, from the movie and TV series )
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Orexin receptor agonists
- Piracetam
- Pitolisant
- Psilocybe semilanceata (microdosing)
- Psilocybin (Microdosing)
- Pyritinol
- Rapastinel
- Solriamfetol
- Trace elements
- Taurine
- Vinpocetine
- Vitamins
Adverse effects
Some of the listed drugs can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening side effects and can be addictive.
