The word “nootropic” has become a bit of a buzzword in the world of health and supplementation recently - but many have little understanding of what it means.
A nootropic is any compound that aids cognitive function - for example, the ability to use our mind in a focussed way - thus increasing productivity.
There are a whole host of natural herbs and compounds that have this quality, plus a few artificial ones. At CARNICOPIA, we believe in working with nature, and therefore our interest and focus is on the natural options available.
Caffeine... a popular nootropic
The most well-known nootropic you are likely to have encountered is caffeine, found in coffee and tea. There is lots of research about its ability as a stimulant. Interestingly, tea also contains another nootropic, L-theanine, which seems to work best when combined with caffeine - perhaps one of the reasons why tea is such a popular drink.
Another popular choice is creatine, which many people who train hard in the gym use to aid their performance.
An important aspect of nootropics is they often have few side effects and are non-toxic. This is also a key factor with “adaptogens”.
Maintaining balance through homeostasis
Adaptogens help our body adapt to stress and maintain its balance via homeostasis. They cannot remove stress but can help us cope better when under stress.
It is widely thought this occurs by the action of the adaptogens on three important glands that work in harmony: the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands.
They bring nutritive strength to our body, boost our energy whilst dampening down the negative effects of stress and act in a non-specific way upon our whole body.
Many people have heard of the popular adaptogen Ashwagandha. Examples of other clever herbs that also have an adaptogenic effect include rhodiola and cordyceps mushrooms.
If you are looking to give your brain a boost, increase mental clarity and cope better with stress, nootropics and adaptogens are definitely an area to explore.
At CARNICOPIA, our HYPNOS hot chocolate drink will soon be available - containing a powerful blend of nootropic and adaptogenic ingredients designed to help us achieve a peaceful nights sleep while providing our brain with a helping hand during the day. All this while being naturally sweetened by nature's wholefood sweetener, honey. Watch this space...
