I write a lot on this site about how I use nootropics to enhance various cognitive abilities. And I tend to sing their praises. But, I also never shy away from talking about different side effects you may experience when using smart drugs. Let’s face it, there is no free lunch.
I have touched on adverse reactions before, and it’s true that only a minority of users will ever exhibit any. But, there are still questions and concerns I get from time to time about the safety of nootropic supplements. That’s fair enough. Anytime we put anything in our bodies we should make sure it’s safe to do so. So I figured this post is as good as any to try and lay those worries to rest.
Are Nootropics Safe to Use?
Let’s do a little exercise. Let’s go through the typical adverse effects that you may experience when taking a leading nootropic like noopept.
The most commonly reported issue by far is a headache. While these can range in severity, for the most part, the headaches are of a run-of-the-mill variety. We’re not talking migraines or anything even approaching that.
Users also sometimes report a general feeling of discomfort or slight nausea. You often can’t put your finger on it other than to say you feel a little bit off.
One other issue I hear of from time to time is the feeling of anxiety or unrest. Maybe the jitters is a better way to describe it.
How Nootropic Adverse Effect Come About
The common thread with all of these side effects is that they are easily solved. By and large, these types of negative reactions come from taking too large of a dose. More often than not they occur when someone first begins to take a smart drug like adrafinil or another nootropic and goes way overboard. They think that the more that they ingest, the more it will enhance their cognition.
Smart drugs don’t work like that. There is an optimum amount to take, and every supplement is different. The perfect amount depends on a number factors. Because of our distinct brain chemistries, the exact dose will also differ from person to person.
How to Safely Take Nootropics
For anyone who does overdo it, there is a simple solution to get rid of the side effects. First, stop taking the smart drug until the symptoms subside and you’re back to feeling normal. At that point slowly re-introduce the supplement, starting at the smallest recommended dosage.
Bit by bit, increase the amount taken as needed but never go over the maximum dose, or whatever dose was causing the side-effects. In other words, pick the lower of the two and never go past it.
It may take a few cycles of trial and error of the process described above. But, that’s sometimes what you need to go through to find the dose that’s perfect for you. Figuring it out will give your brain the bost you’re looking for while avoiding any potential side-effects.
So Are Smart Drugs Safe?
I realize this may have gone off on a bit of a tangent, but I feel we can now go back to the question posed in the first place: how safe are nootropics? My answer is that as long as you’re smart (pun potentially intended) in how you take them, they’re as safe as any supplement you can put in your body.
The bottom line is you can’t take too large of a dose and need to be intelligent when stacking various nootropics. You also need to recognize and admit you may be taking too much and not be afraid to step back for a while and lower the dosage when you resume.
When you follow these guidelines, I see no reason why you can’t safely take brain enhancing supplements to get the effects you seek while also avoiding any issues. The only question now is which of the many top nootropics out there will become your weapon of choice.
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