Many of you may already be familiar with Vinpocetine and the types of positive effects benefits one can expect from it.

For those of you who aren’t, this is the full, overdue write-up of what we consider one of the ‘bread and butter’ nootropics that everyone should include in their daily nootropic regimens.

In a nutshell, ‘vinpo’ is primarily a cerebral metabolic activator and a neuronal protector, and it is said to improve blood flow & circulation and enhance the metabolism of the brain.

Additionally, it possesses strong antioxidant properties and so improves a number of cognitive aspects when it comes to healthy mental function. Learn more about vinpocetine…

Oftentimes, one reads on the forums and message boards, about how some potential ‘nootraveller’ has scored one of the above-mentioned drugs and intends to utilise it as a study aid, mistakenly thinking it is a genuine nootropic. Or perhaps they have tried the drug and are raving about its effects.

Now don’t get me wrong, as a study aid these ‘street legal amphetamines’ can certainly provide a much needed boost to the flagging or unmotivated learner, forcing them to sit for hours, whilst they assiduously cram for their upcoming exams.

BUT, when we actually examine the mode of action and the unwanted side-effects, within a neurophysiological framework, we can see that amphetamines (whether legal or not) actually have a negative effect on learning as such, though yes, if you are a crammer then they are a useful tool. Why Ritalin and Adderall should be avoided…

I’m sure you are familiar with neurotransmitters; they are the little signalling molecules that travel across synapses and trigger a response in the target cell, either a neuron or a motor end plate in skeletal muscle – for the purposes of this discussion, anyway, though they do work in other tissues as well.

You probably have heard of acetylcholine (ACh) before, just as you have likely heard of dopamine and serotonin – the other ‘main’ neurotransmitters, besides GABA and glutamate.

But did you know that unlike all other neurotransmitters which are re-absorbed and re-released time and time again, ACh is actually broken down (by the acetylcholinesterase enzyme) and excreted, meaning that you need to constantly replenish it, if you want to maintain levels. Now choline (which later converts to ACh) is found in a variety of foods, from egg yolks to fish, and that’s fine for your ‘regular joe’ who neither studies intensively nor trains his body, or requires intense mental focus on a daily basis. Read more about the role of ACh…

Possibly one of the most overlooked compounds for memory enhancement, aniracetam demonstrates some of the most beneficial mind enhancing properties of all the “racetams”, which are a family of nootropics sharing very similar chemical structures.

Aniracetam is closely related to piracetam however its effects are a great deal stronger at smaller doses, while it shows virtually no side-effects due to its low toxicity levels.

With effects such as increased communication between neurons for improved focus and concentration, it’s not surprising that this particular racetam seems to be the primary choice of many seeking a cognitive boost. Learn about aniracetam…