Nootropics

Amphetamine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy; it is also used to treat binge eating disorder in the form of lisdexamfetamine. Historically, it has been used to treat nasal congestion and depression. Amphetamine is also used as an athletic performance enhancer and cognitive enhancer, and recreationally as an aphrodisiac and euphoriant. It is a prescription drug in many countries, and unauthorized possession and distribution of amphetamine are often tightly controlled due to the significant

Methylphenidate, sold under the brand name Ritalin and Concerta, among others, is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It may be taken by mouth or applied to the skin, and different formulations have varying durations of effect. For ADHD, the effectiveness of methylphenidate is comparable to atomoxetine but modestly lower than amphetamine. However, methylphenidate is preferred as a first-line treatment in children, while amphetamine is preferred in adults. Methylphenidate reduces core ADHD symptoms and

class=skin-invert-image|thumb|300px|POPC, an example of a [[phosphatidylcholine, a type of phospholipid in lecithin. Shown in – choline residue and phosphate group; – glycerol residue; – monounsaturated fatty acid residue; – saturated fatty acid residue.]] thumb|The different forms of lecithin – powder, two different concentration liquids, granular and powder lecithin

Modafinil, sold under the brand name Provigil among others, is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant medication used to treat narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder. It is taken by mouth. Modafinil is a first-line treatment for narcolepsy in the United States and Europe.

species of plant

Amantadine, sold under the brand name Gocovri among others, is a medication used to treat dyskinesia associated with parkinsonism and influenza caused by type A influenzavirus, though its use for the latter is no longer recommended because of widespread drug resistance. It is also used for a variety of other conditions. The drug is taken by mouth.

Donepezil, sold under the brand name Aricept among others, is a medication used to treat dementia of the Alzheimer's type. It appears to result in a small benefit in mental function and ability to function. Use, however, has not been shown to change the progression of the disease. Treatment should be stopped if no benefit is seen. It is taken by mouth or via a transdermal patch.

Piracetam is a drug that has efficacy in cognitive disorders, vertigo, cortical myoclonus, dyslexia, and sickle cell anemia; sources differ on its usefulness for dementia. Piracetam is sold as a medication in many European countries. Piracetam in the United States is not approved for general use.

Atomoxetine, sold under the brand name Strattera, is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (sNRI) medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and, to a lesser extent, cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS). It may be used alone or along with psychostimulant medication. It enhances the executive functions of self-motivation, sustained attention, inhibition, working memory, reaction time, and emotional self-regulation. Use of atomoxetine is only recommended for those who are at least six years old. It is taken orally. The effectiveness of atomoxetine is compa

Dextroamphetamine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant and enantiomer of amphetamine that is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It is also used illicitly to enhance cognitive and athletic performance, and recreationally as an aphrodisiac and euphoriant. Dextroamphetamine is generally regarded as the prototypical stimulant.

Lisdexamfetamine, sold under the brand names Vyvanse (, ) and Elvanse among others, is a stimulant medication that is used as a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in both children and adults, and for moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder in adults. A prodrug of dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine is taken by mouth. Its effects generally begin within 90 minutes and last for up to 14 hours.

Nootropics ( or ; colloquially brain supplements, smart drugs, cognitive enhancers, memory enhancers, or brain boosters) are chemical substances which purportedly improve cognitive functions, such as attention, memory, wakefulness, and self-control.

Galantamine is a type of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It is an alkaloid extracted from the bulbs and flowers of Galanthus nivalis (common snowdrop), Galanthus caucasicus (Caucasian snowdrop), Galanthus woronowii (Voronov's snowdrop), and other members of the family Amaryllidaceae, such as Narcissus (daffodil), Leucojum aestivum (snowflake), and Lycoris including Lycoris radiata (red spider lily). It can also be produced synthetically.

Adderall is the brand name of a fixed-dose combination medication used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It is also used as an athletic performance enhancer, cognitive enhancer, appetite suppressant, and recreationally as a euphoriant. Such uses are illegal in many countries. It is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the phenethylamine class. It contains the amphetamines dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate. It is taken by mouth.

Dimethylethanolamine (DMAE or DMEA) is an organic compound with the formula . It is bifunctional, containing both a tertiary amine and primary alcohol functional groups. It is a colorless viscous liquid. It is used in skin care products for improving skin tone and also taken orally as a nootropic. It is prepared by the ethoxylation of dimethylamine.

Arecoline is a cholinergic agent, stimulant, and naturally occurring alkaloid found in areca (betel) nuts of the areca palm (Areca catechu) found in South and Southeast Asia. Its effects, depending on the dose, include stimulation, alertness, increased concentration, cognitive enhancement, elation, euphoria, pro-sexual effects, relaxation, reduced anxiety, and sedation, as well as addiction and withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation. Its effects are described as subtle and it has been likened to a strong cup of coffee. There are also other active constituents of areca nuts, but arecoline is

Phenibut, sold under the brand name Anvifen among others, is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant with anxiolytic effects, and is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and for a variety of other indications. It is usually taken orally (swallowed by mouth), but may be given intravenously.

Citicoline (INN), also known as cytidine diphosphate-choline (CDP-choline) or '''cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine''' is an intermediate in the generation of phosphatidylcholine from choline, a common biochemical process in cell membranes. Citicoline is naturally occurring in the cells of human and animal tissue, in particular the organs.

chemical compound

Adrafinil, sold under the brand name Olmifon, is a wakefulness-promoting medication that was formerly used in France to improve alertness, attention, wakefulness, and mood, particularly in the elderly. It was also used off-label by individuals who wished to avoid fatigue, such as night workers or others who needed to stay awake and alert for long periods of time. Additionally, the medication has been used non-medically as a novel vigilance-promoting agent.

Vinpocetine (ethyl apovincaminate), sold under the brand name Cavinton among others, is a synthetic derivative of the vinca alkaloid vincamine, differing by the removal of a hydroxyl group and by being the ethyl rather than the methyl ester of the underlying carboxylic acid. Vincamine is extracted from either the seeds of Voacanga africana or the leaves of Vinca minor (lesser periwinkle).

Dexmethylphenidate, sold under the brand name Focalin among others, is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in those over the age of five years. It is taken by mouth. The immediate-release formulation lasts up to five hours while the extended-release formulation lasts up to twelve hours. It is the more active enantiomer of methylphenidate. Methylphenidate has been shown to be more effective than atomoxetine and superior in treating ADHD symptoms when compared.

Aniracetam (brand names Draganon, Sarpul, Ampamet, Memodrin, Referan), also known as '''N-anisoyl-2-pyrrolidinone''', is a racetam which is sold in Europe as a prescription drug. It is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States as a prescription medication or dietary supplement. Despite the FDA's lack of approval, the drug is readily available over-the-counter in misbranded dietary supplements.

Phenylpiracetam, also known as fonturacetam () and sold under the brand names Phenotropil, Actitropil, and Carphedon among others, is a stimulant and nootropic medication used in Russia and certain other Eastern European countries in the treatment of cerebrovascular deficiency, depression, apathy, attention, and memory problems, among other indications. It is also used in Russian cosmonauts to improve physical, mental, and cognitive abilities. The drug is taken by mouth.

Edaravone, sold under the brand name Radicava among others, is a medication used to treat stroke and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is given by intravenous infusion and by mouth.

Pyritinol also called pyridoxine disulfide or pyrithioxine (European drug names Encephabol, Encefabol, Cerbon 6) is a semi-synthetic water-soluble analog of vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl). It was produced in 1961 by Merck Laboratories by bonding 2 vitamin B6 compounds (pyridoxine) together with a disulfide bridge. Since the 1970s, it has been a prescription and OTC drug in several countries for cognitive disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and learning disorders in children. Since the early 1990s it has been sold as a nootropic dietary supplement in the United States.

Meclofenoxate (INN, BAN; brand name Lucidril, also known as centrophenoxine) is a cholinergic nootropic used as a dietary supplement. It is an ester of dimethylethanolamine (DMAE) and 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (pCPA).

Sulbutiamine sold under the brand names Arcalion, Enerion, and Sulbuxin is a synthetic derivative of thiamine (vitamin B1). In France, it is used to treat symptoms of weakness or fatigue. In Uruguay, it is prescribed when there is thiamine deficiency, mainly in patients with asthenia, overwork, apathy, depressive states, memory disorders, and iatrogenic disorders of wakefulness. It is also sold as a dietary supplement. Sulbutiamine was discovered in Japan as part of an effort to develop useful thiamine derivatives.

Bromantane, sold under the brand name Ladasten, is an atypical central nervous system (CNS) stimulant and anxiolytic drug of the adamantane family that is related to amantadine and memantine. Medically, it is approved in Russia for the treatment of neurasthenia. Although the effects of bromantane have been determined to be dependent on the dopaminergic and possibly serotonergic neurotransmitter systems, its exact mechanism of action is unknown, and is distinct in its properties relative to typical stimulants such as amphetamine. Bromantane has sometimes been described as an actoprotector (synt

2C-D, also known as 4-methyl-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine, is a psychedelic drug of the phenethylamine and 2C families. It has an unusually wide and gradual dose range and at low doses produces claimed cognitive enhancer-like effects, mild stimulant effects, and mild perceptual effects, whereas at high doses, it produces robust psychedelic effects. The drug is taken orally.

Carbenoxolone (CBX) is a glycyrrhetinic acid derivative with a steroid-like structure, similar to substances found in the root of the licorice plant. Carbenoxolone is used for the treatment of peptic, esophageal and oral ulceration and inflammation. Electrolyte imbalance is a serious side effect of carbenoxolone when used systemically.

agents that improve performance at activities such as athletics, mental endurance, work and resistance to stress

Bilobalide is a biologically active terpenic trilactone present in Ginkgo biloba.

300px|thumb|right|The general structure of the kavalactones, without the R1-R2 -O-CH2-O- bridge and with all possible C=C double bonds shown. Kavalactones are a class of lactone compounds found in kava roots and Alpinia zerumbet (shell ginger) and in several Gymnopilus, Phellinus and Inonotus fungi. Some kavalactones are bioactive. They are responsible for the psychoactive, analgesic, euphoric and sedative effects of kava.

Adafenoxate is a compound related to centrophenoxine, that has been found to act as a nootropic in rats.

Omberacetam, also known as '''N-phenylacetyl--prolylglycine ethyl ester, is promoted as a nootropic and is a prodrug of cyclic glycine-proline. Other names include the brand name Noopept (), developmental code GVS-111'''.

Cerebrolysin (developmental code name FPF-1070) is an experimental mixture of enzymatically-treated peptides derived from pig brain whose constituents can include brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). Although it is under preliminary study for its potential to treat various brain diseases, it is used as a therapy in dozens of countries in Eurasia.

Desmethoxyyangonin or 5,6-dehydrokavain is one of the six main kavalactones found in the Piper methysticum (kava) plant. It is a reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), likely contributing to increased dopamine levels in the brain's nucleus accumbens and supporting kava's attention-enhancing effects. Unlike other kavalactones, it does not modulate GABAA receptors. It also strongly induces the liver enzyme CYP3A23. It is an active compound in Alpinia pricei with anti-inflammatory and liver-protective effects that improve survival in mice with endotoxin-induced hepatitis.

Aceglutamide (brand name Neuramina), or aceglutamide aluminium (brand name Glumal), also known as acetylglutamine, is a psychostimulant, nootropic, and antiulcer agent that is marketed in Spain and Japan. It is an acetylated form of the amino acid L-glutamine, the precursor of glutamate in the body and brain. Aceglutamide functions as a prodrug to glutamine with improved potency and stability.

Fasoracetam () is an experimental drug of the racetam group which was never marketed. It is a putative nootropic that failed to show sufficient efficacy in clinical trials for vascular dementia. The drug was also subsequently repurposed for treatment of a variety of other conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but effectiveness for ADHD was disappointing and development of fasoracetam for most other conditions has been discontinued as well. In any case, it remains under development for treatment of DiGeorge syndrome. In addition to its clinical development, fasora

Coluracetam (INN; development code BCI-540; formerly MKC-231) is a purported nootropic agent of the racetam family. It contains a chemical group that is a bioisostere of the 9-amino-tetrahydroacridine family. It was initially developed and tested by the Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation for Alzheimer's disease. After the drug failed to reach endpoints in its clinical trials it was in-licensed by BrainCells Inc for investigations into major depressive disorder (MDD), which was preceded by being awarded a "Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Program Grant" by the state of California. Findings fr

Bifemelane (INN), sold under the brand names Alnert and Celeport, is an antidepressant and cerebral activator that was widely used in the treatment of cerebral infarction patients with depressive symptoms in Japan, and in the treatment of dementia as well. It also appears to be useful in the treatment of glaucoma. It has been discontinued in Japan since 1998, when it was removed from the market reportedly for lack of effectiveness.

Ergoloid mesylates (USAN), co-dergocrine mesilate (BAN) or dihydroergotoxine mesylate, trade name Hydergine, is a mixture of the methanesulfonate salts of three dihydrogenated ergot alkaloids (dihydroergocristine, dihydroergocornine, and alpha- and beta-dihydroergocryptine).

Sunifiram (developmental code name DM-235) is an experimental drug which has antiamnesic effects in animal studies and with significantly higher potency than piracetam. Sunifiram is a molecular simplification of unifiram (DM-232). Another analogue is sapunifiram (MN-19). As of 2016, sunifiram had not been subjected to toxicology testing, nor to any human clinical trials, and is not approved for use anywhere in the world.

Latrepirdine (INN, also known as dimebolin and sold as Dimebon) is an antihistamine drug which has been used clinically in Russia since 1983.

Indeloxazine (INN; trade names Elen and Noin) is an antidepressant and cerebral activator that was marketed in Japan and South Korea by Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd for the treatment of psychiatric symptoms associated with cerebrovascular diseases, namely depression resulting from stroke, emotional disturbance, and avolition. It was marketed from 1988 to 1998, when it was removed from the market reportedly for lack of effectiveness.

Selank (Russian: Cеланк) is a nootropic anxiolytic peptide based drug developed by the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Selank is a heptapeptide with the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro (TKPRPGP). It is a synthetic analogue of the human tuftsin. It was initially developed to modulate brain activity and the immune system and may help regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine to promote cognitive stability and emotional balance.

ZK-93426 (ethyl-5-isopropoxy-4-methyl-β-carboline-3-carboxylate) is a drug from the β-carboline family. It acts as a weak partial inverse agonist of benzodiazepine receptors, meaning that it causes the opposite effects to the benzodiazepine class of drugs and has anxiogenic properties, although unlike most benzodiazepine antagonists it is not a convulsant and actually has weak anticonvulsant effects. In human tests it produced alertness, restlessness and feelings of apprehension, and reversed the effect of the benzodiazepine lormetazepam. It was also shown to produce nootropic effects and incr

IDRA-21 is a positive allosteric modulator of the AMPA receptor and a benzothiadiazine derivative. It is a chiral molecule, with (+)-IDRA-21 being the active form.

Pozanicline (INN, codenamed ABT-089) is a drug developed by Abbott, that has nootropic and neuroprotective effects. Animal studies suggested it useful for the treatment of ADHD and subsequent human trials have shown ABT-089 to be effective for this application. It binds with high affinity subtype-selective to the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and has partial agonism to the α6β2 subtype, but not the α7 and α3β4 subtypes familiar to nicotine. It has particularly low tendency to cause side effects compared to other drugs in the class.

FG-7142 (ZK-31906) is a drug of the β-carboline family which acts as a partial inverse agonist at the benzodiazepine allosteric site of the GABAA receptor. It has anorectic, anxiogenic and pro-convulsant effects. It also increases release of acetylcholine and noradrenaline, and improves memory retention in animal studies.

Imuracetam (; developmental code name UCB-G218) is a drug of the racetam group described as a nootropic (cognitive enhancer). It was under development in the 1970s but was never marketed.

Suritozole (MDL 26,479) is an investigational cognition enhancer. It acts as a partial inverse agonist at the benzodiazepine receptor site on the GABAA ion channel complex, but does not have either anxiogenic or convulsant effects, unlike other BZD inverse agonists such as DMCM. It was investigated for the treatment of depression and Alzheimer's disease in the 90s, but clinical development seems to have been discontinued.

A eugeroic, or eugregoric, is a type of drug that increases wakefulness. The term has been used inconsistently and in multiple ways in the scientific literature, either to refer specifically to modafinil-type wakefulness-promoting agents or to refer to wakefulness-promoting agents generally. It was first introduced in the French literature in 1987 as a descriptor for modafinil-like wakefulness-promoting drugs and for purposes of distinguishing such drugs from psychostimulants. However, the term "eugeroic" has not been widely adopted in the literature, and instead the term "wakefulness-promotin

DOET, also known as 4-ethyl-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine or as Hecate, is a psychedelic drug of the phenethylamine, amphetamine, and DOx families. It is closely related to DOM and is a synthetic analogue of the naturally occurring phenethylamine psychedelic mescaline. The drug is the derivative of DOM in which the methyl group at the 4 position has been replaced with a ethyl group. It is taken orally. DOET has a slow onset of 1 to 3hours, a delayed peak of 3 to 5hours, and a dose-dependent and potentially very long duration of 5 to 20hours.

Semax (), an abbreviation of "seven amino acids", ) is a medication which is used in Eastern Europe for the treatment of a broad range of conditions like brain trauma but predominantly for its claimed nootropic, neuroprotective, and neurorestorative effects.

Fipexide (Attentil, Vigilor) is a psychoactive drug of the piperazine chemical class which was developed in Italy in 1983. It was used as a nootropic drug in Italy and France, mainly for the treatment of senile dementia, but is no longer in common use due to the occurrence of rare adverse drug reactions including fever and hepatitis. Fipexide is similar in action to other nootropic drugs such as piracetam and has a few similarities in chemical structure to centrophenoxine. Chemically, it is an amide union of parachlorophenoxyacetate and methylenedioxybenzylpiperazine (MDBZP), and has been show

Ensaculin (KA-672) is a drug from the coumarin family, which has been researched as a potential treatment for dementia. It acts on a number of receptor systems, being both a weak NMDA antagonist and a 5HT1A agonist. Animal studies have shown promising nootropic effects, although efficacy in humans has yet to be proven. It was well tolerated in human trials, with the main side effect being orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure upon standing).

Amdiglurax (), also known by its former developmental code names ALTO-100 and NSI-189 (short for "NeuralStem Inc. 189"), is a drug described as a hippocampal neurogenesis stimulant and indirect brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) modulator which is under development for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There has also been interest in amdiglurax for possible treatment of cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. It is taken by mouth.