We’re all looking for a competitive advantage, whether at work or school and if you’re reading this, you’ve probably tried or are considering trying nootropics.
Here we discuss the five tips to make the most of your nootropic experience:
You may experience unexpected side effects if you use supplements to hack your brain. Although these side effects are not always dangerous, they should be avoided.
My nootropic stacks can sometimes make me so focused that I forget to eat or drink. I believe two mechanisms are at work: increased focus and reduced appetite and thirst.Â
While intermittent fasting has been shown to improve cognition, the duration should be kept as short as possible, and hydration should be maintained at all times during your study or work marathons.
Multiple studies have found that dehydration affects mood and cognition in as little as 2% of the population.
Set a reminder on your phone, or write it somewhere you’ll see it if you have to.
Our bodies were designed to move, and excessive sitting has been linked to blood clots and long-term health issues.
Make an effort to get up every half hour and walk around, even if only for a few minutes.
Walking and exercise have several cognitive benefits that you should take advantage of. 81 percent of participants in one Stanford University study improved their creative output while walking.
In another study, Ranjana Mehta, Ph.D., an assistant professor at Texas A&M School of Public Health, looked at freshman high school students who used standing desks.Â
Testing was given to them at the start and end of their freshman year.
“The results of the tests showed that continued use of standing desks was associated with significant improvements in executive function and working memory capabilities,” Mehta said.Â
“Changes in corresponding brain activation patterns were also observed,” the researchers write.Â
Movement also increases your heart rate and metabolism, which will stimulate the activation of a nootropic.
Nootropics, like vitamins, are classified into two types: fat-soluble and water-soluble.
Fat-soluble and water-soluble substances are absorbed in different ways and at various locations in the body.
To keep things simple, take fat-soluble nootropics with a bit of fatty food, fish oil, coconut oil, or grass-fed butter to improve absorption.
The time it takes for a substance to have an effect is referred to as its onset.
The “onset” always comes before the “peak.” When you’ve gotten the most out of a nootropic, you’ve reached the pinnacle.
The half-life of a drug is the amount of time it takes your body to eliminate half of the dose from your blood.
These are significant times that differ from person to person.
They can also vary depending on whether you take a nootropic on an empty stomach, after a heavy meal, with caffeine, and a variety of other minor factors.
Learn how your body responds to each nootropic in your stack before you need it.
If you want to improve your cognition for a test in a few weeks, figure out how soon you need to start taking them to be at your best when testing.
Finally, some nootropics can be stimulating; if you intend to sleep rather than pull an all-nighter, make sure you know how long it takes for the effect to wear off, or you may find yourself counting sheep with no sleep in sight.
Many nootropics will cause tolerance if taken daily for an extended period. This means you’ll have to increase your dose to achieve the same peak effect.Â
This isn’t sustainable in the long run, so take some time off and give your brain a chance to reset.
In most cases, 3-5 days are sufficient to return to your baseline, and in some cases, simply taking weekends off is adequate.
Follow these five simple guidelines to see if your cognitive hacking experience brings you a step further.
