10 Best Nootropics Ingredients: A Review Of What Actually Works

[Julieanne]

Joe Leech
June 22 2019

Nootropics, also known as “smart drugs” or “cognitive enhancers” are taken to improve brain function.
They are becoming increasingly popular, and a growing number of different nootropics are now available, including natural and synthetic versions.
Let’s look at the scientific evidence behind the best nootropic ingredients and evaluate if they actually produce their desired effects.



Read more: https://www.care2.com/greenliving/10...lly-works.html

[Islander]

The 3 mg. dose of melatonin I take a half-hour before bedtime also contains L-theanine. That, in combination with "Sleepytime" tea, has overcome years of insomnia. I also use gingko biloba because it seems to help with memory and recall.

[Julieanne]

Islander, what is 'Sleepytime' tea? The melatonin and L-theanine didn't help with insomnia - I'll try anything at this stage!

[Pattypans]

Julieanne, I wonder if another brand of melatonin would work for you? After my daughter died, I stayed at my son's house for some time. I was sleeping horribly, and he offered me a melatonin tablet of the type my grandson once used. It didn't help at all and maybe even made things worse. So I figured melatonin just didn't work for me. Fast forward to a little over a year ago. I had severe pains in my neck/shoulder/upper back and arm. I had to lie flat and perfectly still to sleep, and still only managed about two hours of sleep before I had to get up, put a steaming towel on my neck, etc., until the pain (which was at its worst when I was lying down) calmed down enough to try sleep again. I was getting few hours of sleep per night, and this went on for a while. I started using boron, which had an almost immediate effect on the pain, which got progressively better. I also started using my husband's melatonin, which is liquid and seems to be a high-quality formulation. I'm still using it for help sleeping, and it works very well.

My point is, the melatonin I tried at my son's didn't help, but this melatonin does.

[Islander]

I agree with Pattypans. Often there are subtle differences between brand formulas that don't necessarily show up in the ingredient labeling. It does seem a waste to spend money on a product that hasn't worked in the past... But it may be worthwhile if it reveals something that finally works for you.

"Sleepytime" is an herbal tea formula under the Celestial Seasonings brand. There are 5 or 6 variations on the store shelf, but the primary ingredient in each is chamomile. The one I've been using is Sleepytime Vanilla. Inredients: chamomile, spearmint, lemongrass, natural French vanilla flavor, blackberry leaves, Hawthorne, orange blossoms, Tilia flowers and rosebuds.

[Pattypans]

Islander, that must smell heavenly indeed!

[Mr. Wizard]

Here's the BEST 11-minute video on overcoming insomnia. Sleep promoting foods, sleep hygiene, changing the sleep/wake cycle, etc. are all covered in 11 minutes. Or, if you prefer, you can skip the video and read and/or copy the transcript below the video. Warning: the video at the very top of the page does not work. Scroll down to just under the heading of the article to click on the real video. Here's the link. Enjoy.
https://thewholejourney.com/circadian-rhythm/

[Islander]

I read the transcript. I like the idea of a small snack right before bed. It's often been many hours since my evening meal and sometimes I really am hungry at bedtime!

[Mr. Wizard]

Yes, and it's not just the idea of a snack, but she tells you what type of snack is best to achieve the best sleep. I really like her suggestions for nutrients and foods that will aid in better sleep.