What Are the Side Effects of Nootropics?

Have you been reading all the news about smart drugs and wondering what are the side effects of nootropics and whether they are safe to take? Nootropics are at the forefront of nutritional neuroscience, offering benefits for human cognition, spatial memory, cognitive ability, and more.

There are more than 100 supplements, medications, and substances that are lumped into the general nootropic category, but as far as side effects go, they are not all the same.

Most non-prescription nootropics have a low side effect profile in healthy people, but this is also dependent on how much and how long you take the nootropic. There’s also individual physiology that comes into play.

Do Nootropics Have Side Effects?

The short answer is yes, but those effects depend on which nootropic(s) you use and what your individual sensitivity may be. When you stack nootropics, you also increase the risk of adverse effects. That said, most nootropics are generally well tolerated by healthy adults.

Like any OTC supplement, over-the-counter nootropics aren’t always well-regulated or tested for quality and purity. The importance of choosing a reputable brand for reducing any potential health risks can’t be stressed enough. Look at the reviews, check out their purity standards and testing protocol, and do the research. It really is important.

Nootropics supplements can’t all be placed in the same category. There are natural nootropics, like ginkgo biloba, that many people are already familiar with, and there’s a good amount of systematic review studies and data because it has been used for so long. There are also many natural nootropic supplements that aren’t as well studied, and therefore, the potential side effects or health risks aren’t as well known.

There is also a class of nootropics that are technically drugs that are made in a lab. These are called Racetams, and while legal in Europe, Racetams have not been approved by the FDA in the United States, so randomized clinical trials and clinical studies to assess the risk of side effects aren’t as accessible.

All that said, for most people, the side effects of nootropics are minimal, and when they do present, many people find that the positives outweigh the negatives.

Common Nootropic Side Effects

This list of potential side effects of nootropics is not all-encompassing, and not all nootropics have the same potential for producing side effects. When looking at the over one hundred nootropics that we know of as a group, these are some of the most common side effects that are reported across the board.

Headache

A mild increase in the incidence of headaches is one of the most commonly reported side effects of nootropics, and while noticeable, they are generally mild enough not to disrupt daily life.

One of the primary ways that nootropics enhance brain performance and health is through increased oxygenation and blood flow. [1] This can produce mild headaches that can be relieved with OTC remedies. If your headaches are more severe, you should discuss your concerns with a healthcare professional before continuing nootropic supplementation.

Digestive Upset

Another common side effect is digestive upset in the form of nausea, bloating, gas, or bowel changes.

Some individuals’ gut biomes are more sensitive to changes produced by taking nootropics, much like someone might be sensitive to vitamins and other supplements. Taking a probiotic and maintaining a gut-friendly diet can help relieve these symptoms.

Blood Pressure

This is a side effect that’s seen only with a handful of nootropics that fall into the stimulant category. The Racetams, which aren’t approved by the FDA in the US, may cause vasoconstriction, which can increase blood pressure.

Likewise, caffeine pills or supplements that contain caffeine may raise blood pressure, at least temporarily, depending on how much caffeine is in each dose. [2] On the flip side of this, some nootropics may actually lower blood pressure. If you’re taking medication or being monitored for high blood pressure, make sure to discuss nootropic use with your healthcare provider.

Sleep Disturbances

Nootropics are cognitive enhancers, and one way that they improve working memory performance is by producing a more alert mental state.

For some people, certain nootropics may induce insomnia or other sleep disturbances. To get adequate sleep, make sure you’re practicing good sleep hygiene by turning off screens, relaxing, avoiding caffeine in the evening, and developing a soothing bedtime routine.

Dry Mouth

Certain nootropics, or smart drugs, may cause a mild case of dry mouth. This seems to be more common with nootropics like powdered mushrooms and those that contain caffeine. Dry mouth, in general, isn’t a common side effect.

Nervousness & Dizziness

Some people experience nervousness or dizziness when taking nootropics to enhance cognition and brain function. If you think about the prescription drug Adderall, which is used to treat ADHD, that medication is actually a stimulant, but it has almost the opposite effect of helping people with ADHD focus and stay on task.

For someone who doesn’t have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, taking a drug like Adderall can create nervousness, anxiety, and all the secondary effects that go along with that. The same is true for nootropics that work in the same way.

While they may improve cognitive function across the board, the stimulant effect might be more noticeable in individuals who are sensitive to stimulants, have a high caffeine intake, or have certain mood disorders, like anxiety.

If a nootropic worsens your mental health in any way, it should be discontinued.

Nootropics Vs. Prescription Medications

There are three different classes of nootropics – natural nootropics, which include supplements such as ashwagandha, ubiquinol, mushrooms, and St John’s wort. It’s suggested that these dietary supplements all work in different ways to improve cognitive performance and mental function.

The other two groups of nootropics include prescription nootropics and nootropic synthetic compounds that are either illegal or not yet approved for use in the United States.

For most natural nootropics, the positive effect that is gained outweighs the negative in healthy individuals. With unapproved smart drugs, there’s not enough research or anecdotal evidence to back up their safety. With prescription nootropics, there are usually years of randomized controlled trials that measure the risk-benefit profile of each.

A few examples of nootropic prescription drugs and their known side effects include:

Adderall – Used primarily to treat ADHD, this prescription smart drug has side effects that include headache, nausea, dry mouth, weight loss, sleep disturbances, mood changes, worsening mental health, high blood pressure, and teeth-grinding
Modafanil – Modafanil is used to treat the cognitive impairment involved with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder. Side effects include headache, nausea, anxiety, nervousness, bowel changes, dry mouth, skin flushing, heartburn, muscle stiffness, swelling, tingling or burning of the skin.
Ritalin – Used in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and narcolepsy, side effects of Ritalin include headache, agitation, irritability, loss of appetite, insomnia, and dry mouth.
Memantine Hydrochloride –This is a medication prescribed to patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, sometimes used in the earlier stages for patients presenting with mild cognitive impairment, but it more often is used in moderate to severe cases of cognitive decline. Side effects may include headaches, body aches, dizziness, and constipation.

Withdrawal Symptoms

With certain smart drugs, the words nootropics & addictive may unfortunately go hand in hand. While nootropic drugs that include amphetamines may cause physical addiction, there is some concern that cognitive enhancement supplements may cause psychological addiction.

The theory behind this is that a nootropic supplement may build up in a person’s system and cause withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation. Another thought is that it’s possible to get so accustomed to the enhanced mental performance and benefits for brain health that it’s possible to feel an emotional dependence, even when physical addiction doesn’t exist.

Withdrawal symptoms and the decline in cognitive effects can be uncomfortable and difficult to deal with. This is especially true with prescription nootropics smart drugs, such as Adderall or Ritalin. Addiction can lead to a significant loss of quality of life, and making bad decisions, it can be damaging personal relationships, and lead to risky sexual practices along with other dangerous behaviors.

Of course, there are viable indications for some of these drugs, but they should only be used under the guidance of a medical practitioner who has knowledge of a person’s health history.

While the lure of these drugs being an effective cognitive enhancer is strong, there are other non-addictive nootropics that work just as well to enhance cognition, improve memory, and protect against certain brain diseases and brain aging.

FAQs

Is it bad to take nootropics every day?

It depends on the nootropic. For example, ginkgo biloba, magnesium, and creatine supplementation are well regarded as safe for everyday use. Medications for neurodegenerative diseases should also be used daily or as prescribed. Other nootropics, such as huperzine-A, have a longer half-life and can build up in the body if taken daily.

Do nootropics change your brain?

Nootropics can increase blood flow to the brain and have a protective effect on nerve cells, as well as increase levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Are there any safe nootropics?

There are plenty of safe nootropics, and a little research will help you discern between safe and unsafe. A few examples of safe nootropics include cacao, CBD oil, DHA, ginkgo biloba, lion’s mane mushroom, and the family of B vitamins.

Key Takeaways

Nootropics are supplements, substances, and medications that are cognitive enhancers, promote brain health, and support brain cells.
Not all nootropics have the same side effect profile
Some people are more sensitive to the side effects of nootropics than others
Prescription nootropics generally have more side effects than natural substances, but there are exceptions
If you have pre-existing health conditions, it’s important to speak with your medical provider before starting on nootropics

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