Scientific Studies On Nootropic Efficacy
When designing the supplement stacks which eventually manifested as the Luciminal Nootropics formulas we considered three deciding factors:
It is this third approach to choosing the ingredients for our formulas which we will discuss below. What follows are just a few examples of the studies we read when determining our stacks. This list is not meant to be exhaustive, and it should be remembered that no single study is the end-all determinant for the efficacy of a substance to elicit particular forms of mental-support.
In most cases, evidence from all three sources (self-experimentation, peer-reviewed study, forum anecdotes) reinforced one another. There are exceptions. For example, NAL-Tyrosine does not have a great deal of peer-reviewed study behind it, and yet anecdotal claims do support and warrant the inclusion of this substance in Noo Day. And then there is GABA, which scientific investigation has determined does not have the ability to permeate the Blood-Brain-Barrier; and yet, GABA does elicit a relaxation/calming effect both as described in the scientific literature and in anecdotal reports. For the most part, the ingredients and synergistic effects of Luciminal Nootropics are clear-cut. That our customers keep raving about our formulas and say that other supplements are not in the same league - well, that only makes it clearer to me every day that we are providing effective cognitive-supporting supplements to the world.
It should be understood that some of the studies cited rely on non-human animal studies and the possible significance to humans is extrapolated - this is necessary because when looking at the cellular mechanisms involved in how a chemical affects brain tissues actual brain tissues may need to be removed before/during/or after introduction of the chemical to the brain. Obviously, this is more acceptable to do with monkeys or rats than with humans (ethical considerations are another matter as relating to these creatures, but that’s another discussion). Some studies look at these chemical reactions and rely on animal models while other studies look directly at cognitive performance and involve human subjects.
- Self-experimentation (on the part of the HNIC of Luciminal Nootropics and associates/friends of LN) with many proposed nootropic substances and combinations/stacks of “brain drugs.”
- Carefully poring through online forums to see what individual and consensus opinions were in regards to nootropic efficacy.
- Consulting scientific journals and databases, in particular PubMed and Psychinfo.
It is this third approach to choosing the ingredients for our formulas which we will discuss below. What follows are just a few examples of the studies we read when determining our stacks. This list is not meant to be exhaustive, and it should be remembered that no single study is the end-all determinant for the efficacy of a substance to elicit particular forms of mental-support.
In most cases, evidence from all three sources (self-experimentation, peer-reviewed study, forum anecdotes) reinforced one another. There are exceptions. For example, NAL-Tyrosine does not have a great deal of peer-reviewed study behind it, and yet anecdotal claims do support and warrant the inclusion of this substance in Noo Day. And then there is GABA, which scientific investigation has determined does not have the ability to permeate the Blood-Brain-Barrier; and yet, GABA does elicit a relaxation/calming effect both as described in the scientific literature and in anecdotal reports. For the most part, the ingredients and synergistic effects of Luciminal Nootropics are clear-cut. That our customers keep raving about our formulas and say that other supplements are not in the same league - well, that only makes it clearer to me every day that we are providing effective cognitive-supporting supplements to the world.
It should be understood that some of the studies cited rely on non-human animal studies and the possible significance to humans is extrapolated - this is necessary because when looking at the cellular mechanisms involved in how a chemical affects brain tissues actual brain tissues may need to be removed before/during/or after introduction of the chemical to the brain. Obviously, this is more acceptable to do with monkeys or rats than with humans (ethical considerations are another matter as relating to these creatures, but that’s another discussion). Some studies look at these chemical reactions and rely on animal models while other studies look directly at cognitive performance and involve human subjects.
Noopept
1. Noopept stimulates the expression of Nerve Growth Factor and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor
2. Noopept action: Decrease in activity of stress-induced kinases and increase in expression of neutrophines
3. Novel nootropic dipeptide Noopept increases inhibitory synaptic transmission in CA1 pyramidal cells
4. Effect of the novel nootropic and neuroprotective dipeptide noopept on the streptozotocin-induced model of sporadic Alzheimer disease in rats
Aniracetam
1. Aniracetam reduces glutamate receptor desensitization and slow the decay of fast excitatory synaptic currents in the hippocampus
2. Excitatory synapse in the rat hippocampus in tissue culture and effects of aniracetam.
Sulbutiamine
1. Chronic treatment with sulbutiamine improves memory in an object recognition task and reduces some amnesic effects of dizocilpine in a spatial delayed-non-match-to-sample task
2. Clinical efficacy of the drug enerion [Sulbutiamine] in the treatment of patients with psychogenic (functional) erectile dysfunction
3. Pharmacologic and therapeutic features of sulbutiamine.
1. Noopept stimulates the expression of Nerve Growth Factor and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor
2. Noopept action: Decrease in activity of stress-induced kinases and increase in expression of neutrophines
3. Novel nootropic dipeptide Noopept increases inhibitory synaptic transmission in CA1 pyramidal cells
4. Effect of the novel nootropic and neuroprotective dipeptide noopept on the streptozotocin-induced model of sporadic Alzheimer disease in rats
Aniracetam
1. Aniracetam reduces glutamate receptor desensitization and slow the decay of fast excitatory synaptic currents in the hippocampus
2. Excitatory synapse in the rat hippocampus in tissue culture and effects of aniracetam.
Sulbutiamine
1. Chronic treatment with sulbutiamine improves memory in an object recognition task and reduces some amnesic effects of dizocilpine in a spatial delayed-non-match-to-sample task
2. Clinical efficacy of the drug enerion [Sulbutiamine] in the treatment of patients with psychogenic (functional) erectile dysfunction
3. Pharmacologic and therapeutic features of sulbutiamine.
NAL-Tyrosine
1. NAL-Tyrosine is a form of Tyrosine which is believed to be more readily absorbed by the body than other forms of Tyrosine. Among other things, Tyrosine is the precursor to Dopamine. This transformation is detailed here: Computational Systems Analysis of Dopamine Metabolism
2. Dopamine, in turn, is a precursor to Norepinephrine - so Tyrosine also supports the production of Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline); as a building block for these key neurotransmitters Tyrosine is necessary for the function of many circuits in the brain. Norepinephrine is important for the contribution that emotion plays in learning: Emotional enhancement of memory: How norepinephrine enables synaptic plasticity
Choline
1. It is well established that choline is vital to brain development and memory processing. There are tons of studies demonstrating this; here is one article which shows how animals predictably perform cognitive tasks better in old age when their mothers ate a choline-rich diet while pregnant with those animals: Nutritional importance of choline for brain development.
2. Oral choline increases choline metabolites in human brain
1. NAL-Tyrosine is a form of Tyrosine which is believed to be more readily absorbed by the body than other forms of Tyrosine. Among other things, Tyrosine is the precursor to Dopamine. This transformation is detailed here: Computational Systems Analysis of Dopamine Metabolism
2. Dopamine, in turn, is a precursor to Norepinephrine - so Tyrosine also supports the production of Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline); as a building block for these key neurotransmitters Tyrosine is necessary for the function of many circuits in the brain. Norepinephrine is important for the contribution that emotion plays in learning: Emotional enhancement of memory: How norepinephrine enables synaptic plasticity
Choline
1. It is well established that choline is vital to brain development and memory processing. There are tons of studies demonstrating this; here is one article which shows how animals predictably perform cognitive tasks better in old age when their mothers ate a choline-rich diet while pregnant with those animals: Nutritional importance of choline for brain development.
2. Oral choline increases choline metabolites in human brain
Huperzine-A
1. A PDF can be downloaded from here which goes over Huperzine-Alpha research in depth.
Alpha-GPC
1. After just one dose of GPC, 8 young adults had measurable increases in growth hormone secretion and hepatic fat oxidation (and higher choline levels) when their blood-results were compared from before and after supplementation.
Mucuna pruriens
1. Improves male fertility
2. A comprehensive review of Mucuna p. (although biased?) can be found here.
Vinpocetine
1. Vinpocetine is a potent antiinflammatory agent...
2. The effect of vinpocetine on blood flow and oxygen pumping to the brain (and which regions it primarily migrates to) are summarized here...
1. A PDF can be downloaded from here which goes over Huperzine-Alpha research in depth.
Alpha-GPC
1. After just one dose of GPC, 8 young adults had measurable increases in growth hormone secretion and hepatic fat oxidation (and higher choline levels) when their blood-results were compared from before and after supplementation.
Mucuna pruriens
1. Improves male fertility
2. A comprehensive review of Mucuna p. (although biased?) can be found here.
Vinpocetine
1. Vinpocetine is a potent antiinflammatory agent...
2. The effect of vinpocetine on blood flow and oxygen pumping to the brain (and which regions it primarily migrates to) are summarized here...
Galantamine HBr
1. Galantamine promotes neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus
2. In a study with 800 outpatients with Mild Cognitive Disorder taking galantamine for 2-years, it was concluded that the supplement was well-tolerated and improved well-being and cognition.
CDP-Choline
1. Supplementation of citicoline for 6-weeks counters age-related brain degeneration by stimulating biosynthesis
2. Using several maze-learning paradigms, here we have an animal study showing memory augmented by administration of CDP: Effect of CDP-choline on learning and memory processes in rodents.
3. A thorough review of CDP - AKA Citicoline - including metabolism pathways and efficacy as an agent supporting neuroplasticity can be found here: Citicoline: pharmacological and clinical review, 2006 update.
l-Theanine
1. l-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses
2. Fifth-year pharmacy students showed less stress response both subjectively and by physical markers when supplementing with theanine than did a control group.
3. Many animal studies (usually with rats) have shown that theanine-fed subjects show less stress response when the scientists do things to them (which they couldn’t ethically do to human subjects); further, animals perform better at memory tasks while under stressful situations when dosed on theanine.
1. Galantamine promotes neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus
2. In a study with 800 outpatients with Mild Cognitive Disorder taking galantamine for 2-years, it was concluded that the supplement was well-tolerated and improved well-being and cognition.
CDP-Choline
1. Supplementation of citicoline for 6-weeks counters age-related brain degeneration by stimulating biosynthesis
2. Using several maze-learning paradigms, here we have an animal study showing memory augmented by administration of CDP: Effect of CDP-choline on learning and memory processes in rodents.
3. A thorough review of CDP - AKA Citicoline - including metabolism pathways and efficacy as an agent supporting neuroplasticity can be found here: Citicoline: pharmacological and clinical review, 2006 update.
l-Theanine
1. l-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses
2. Fifth-year pharmacy students showed less stress response both subjectively and by physical markers when supplementing with theanine than did a control group.
3. Many animal studies (usually with rats) have shown that theanine-fed subjects show less stress response when the scientists do things to them (which they couldn’t ethically do to human subjects); further, animals perform better at memory tasks while under stressful situations when dosed on theanine.
Melatonin
1. Poor sleep quality is associated with worse mood during the day in both healthy people and those with mood disorders. Melatonin supplementation have clearly been shown to reduce sleep-onset latency, but most commercially available supplements contain many-times more melatonin than needed for an effective dose (and may contribute to unwanted side-effects).
2. Melatonin is a molecule known for its role in regulation of circadian rhythm, but also happens to be one of the most powerful antioxidants. Melatonin is a natural ally against oxidative stress
3. Melatonin has turned out to be involved in many biological pathways. Melatonin reduced bone loss and increased weight-bearing capacity in old rats compared to controls. Melatonin taken before bed for up to 3-years helped mental performance for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment.
5-HTP
1. Do not take any 5-HTP supplement if you are also taking MAO-Inhibitors!
2. In a 2011 study using rats as subjects, 5-HTP intake resulted in anti-anxiety effects.
3. When provoked with a “panic challenge” by breathing 35% CO2, participants with a history of panic-disorder who were given 5-HTP experienced significantly less anxiety and panic-symptoms than placebo group.
GABA
1. Although GABA taken orally does not cross the blood brain barrier (except for a few brain-region exceptions) it has been studied in humans and turns out to lead to significantly more alpha brain waves (by EEG measurement) than placebo, and greater sense of relaxation plus counters effects of stress on the immune system.
2. One study found that when milk enriched with GABA was fed to hypertensive rats (bred to have high blood-pressure), their blood pressure was lowered. Interesting to note that when fed the same enriched milk, rats with normal blood pressure did not experience a drop in blood pressure, and that is a good thing.
3. GABA ingestion has been shown to increase Growth Hormone concentrations in the blood, another piece of evidence that orally taken GABA does have biological action in the body.
4. Daily GABA supplementation reduced mild hypertension in adults.
1. Poor sleep quality is associated with worse mood during the day in both healthy people and those with mood disorders. Melatonin supplementation have clearly been shown to reduce sleep-onset latency, but most commercially available supplements contain many-times more melatonin than needed for an effective dose (and may contribute to unwanted side-effects).
2. Melatonin is a molecule known for its role in regulation of circadian rhythm, but also happens to be one of the most powerful antioxidants. Melatonin is a natural ally against oxidative stress
3. Melatonin has turned out to be involved in many biological pathways. Melatonin reduced bone loss and increased weight-bearing capacity in old rats compared to controls. Melatonin taken before bed for up to 3-years helped mental performance for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment.
5-HTP
1. Do not take any 5-HTP supplement if you are also taking MAO-Inhibitors!
2. In a 2011 study using rats as subjects, 5-HTP intake resulted in anti-anxiety effects.
3. When provoked with a “panic challenge” by breathing 35% CO2, participants with a history of panic-disorder who were given 5-HTP experienced significantly less anxiety and panic-symptoms than placebo group.
GABA
1. Although GABA taken orally does not cross the blood brain barrier (except for a few brain-region exceptions) it has been studied in humans and turns out to lead to significantly more alpha brain waves (by EEG measurement) than placebo, and greater sense of relaxation plus counters effects of stress on the immune system.
2. One study found that when milk enriched with GABA was fed to hypertensive rats (bred to have high blood-pressure), their blood pressure was lowered. Interesting to note that when fed the same enriched milk, rats with normal blood pressure did not experience a drop in blood pressure, and that is a good thing.
3. GABA ingestion has been shown to increase Growth Hormone concentrations in the blood, another piece of evidence that orally taken GABA does have biological action in the body.
4. Daily GABA supplementation reduced mild hypertension in adults.