Understanding Nootropics
 
What are Nootropics? Corneliu Giurgea, a Romanian scientist, came up with the name “nootropic” in 1972 by combining the Greek words for “mind” and “bending.” Nootropics are commonly called “cognitive enhancers”. The broad definition of a nootropic is any substance or supplement that potentially improves a person's cognitive performance.

Initially the e-gaming community was the focus of nootropic supplements, but with the challenges of distance learning and remote meetings of the last few years, interest has spread into the general marketplace. Throughout 2020 and 2021 there has been more need for products that support mental clarity: the ability to quickly recognize, understand, and organize thoughts. Adding to this, our aging population also has a strong interest in improving mental clarity.

Consumers are looking for safe, effective products that enhance memory, focus, concentration, and cerebral function. Herbs that can do this are known as medhya rasayana’s in Ayurveda, and cerebral tonics (nootropics) in western herbal practice. These herbs promote cerebral circulation, inhibit natural neuroinflammatory response, have neuroprotective activity, enhance memory and cognitive function and often relieve situational anxiety. Common herbal nootropics include Ginkgo, Bacopa, Blueberries, Gotu Kola, Lavender, Lemon Balm, White Peony, Rosemary, Sage and Holy Basil.

Nootropics are usually not used by themselves; in traditional systems of medicine they are combined with complementary herbs such as Adaptogens and Nervines. Adaptogens are herbs which enhance HPA axis and SAS function, which helps improve endocrine, immune, cognitive, and nervous system activity. They also help us to adapt to a wide variety of psychological environmental and physiological stressors. Nervines are herbs which are gently calming helping to promote emotional balance and to relieve anxiety and irritability.

Some examples of nootropics include Gotu Kola, Holy Basil and Rosemary to support cerebral circulation, improve mood and promote memory, focus and concentration in the Energy Adapt™ formula, and Gotu Kola in Daily Adapt™. 


H & A makes several products that are geared towards addressing brain function:

David Winston's Clarity Compound™ - can help address memory, focus, concentration, and mood. This formula combines nootropic herbs, with a calming adaptogen (Schisandra) and Lemon Balm a nervine/nootropic.

ACTIVITY: It contains
  • Bacopa herb (Bacopa monnieri)
  • Ginkgo leaf (Ginkgo biloba)
  • Gotu Kola herb (Centella asiatica)
  • Lemon Balm herb (Melissa officinalis)
  • Schisandra berry (Schisandra chinensis)
  • Rosemary herb (Rosmarinus officinalis)

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Do not use if you have vaso-dilative migraines.

 
David Winston's Focus Formula™ - promotes a calm and serene attitude, while enhancing cerebral function. This formula combines nootropics with nourishing nervines (fresh oat, hawthorn, skullcap). 

ACTIVITY: It contains
  • Hawthorn fruit & flower (Crataegus monogyny) 
  • Lemon Balm flowering tops (Melissa officials) 
  • Oat milky seed (Avena saliva) 
  • Bacopa herb (Bacopa monnieri) 
  • Ginkgo leaf (Ginkgo biloba)
  • Skullcap flowering tops (Scutellaria lateriflora)

CONTRAINDICATIONS: None.


David Winston's Daily Adapt™ - is comprised primarily of adaptogens, with added nervines (fresh oat) and nootropics (Gotu Kola). Rhodiola, while usually only thought of as an adaptogen, also has been shown in clinical trials to stimulate focus and concentration, as has Schisandra.

ACTIVITY: It contains
  • Eleuthero root (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
  • Oat milky seed (Avena saliva)
  • Schisandra berry (S. chinensis)
  • Gotu Kola herb (Centella asiatica)
  • Rhodiola root (Rhodiola rosea)
  • American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)  

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Do not use during pregnancy.


David Winston's Tension Relief™ - helps address tension and irritability, combines nervines, with anxiolytic herbs and nootropics.

ACTIVITY: It incorporates
  • Motherwort flowering tops (Leonurus cardiaca)
  • Oat milky seed (Avena saliva),
  • Bacopa herb (Bacopa monnieri)
  • Blue Vervain flowering tops (Verbena hastata)
  • Polygala root (Polygala tenuifolia)

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Do not use during pregnancy unless otherwise directed by a qualified expert.


David Winston's Energy Adapt™ - Nootropics Gotu Kola and Rosemary support cerebral circulation and promote memory, focus and concentration. Mimosa tree bark (Albizia julibrissin) is a profound mood elevator that creates a feeling of happiness and lifts spirits. Maca is a nutritive tonic and possible adaptogen, it enhances the effects of the other herbs and, when combined with the stimulating adaptogens Red Ginseng and Rhodiola, provides support for male and female sexual vitality.

ACTIVITY: It contains
  • Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
  • Maca root (Lepidium meyenii or L. peruvianum)
  • Red Ginseng root (Panax ginseng)
  • Rhodiola root (Rhodiola rosea)
  • Holy Basil herb (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
  • Mimosa bark (Albizia julibrissin)
  • Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) 

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Do not use if you have bipolar disorder or are easily overstimulated. This formula should not be taken before bedtime.
 

This blog is intended as an informational guide. The remedies, approaches and techniques described herein are meant to supplement, not be a substitute for, professional medical care or treatment. They should not be used to treat a serious ailment without prior consultation with a qualified health care professional.
 
*This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.