You’d be forgiven for thinking that nootropics were addictive.
People tend not to be casual or one-off users of nootropics. If somebody experiments with brain supplements a few times, they tend to keep using them. It’s therefore easy to assume that nootropics must be addictive; otherwise people wouldn’t be so obsessed with them!
Luckily for you, nootropics are generally not addictive at all – at least natural nootropics aren’t.
Synthetic brain drugs can create dependencies and withdrawals, which do both mimmick addiction.
However, natural nootropics of the sort we reveiw on this site are not typically addictive.
Natural nootropics and addiction
None of the substances used in the best nootropic supplements currently on the market contain any ingredients thought to be addictive.
These brain supplements typically contain ingredients like Bacopa monnieri, Citicoline and Lion’s Mane Mushroom. These are natural, herbal extracts that do not have pronounced enough effects to cause withdrawals.
None of our recommended nootropics contain any ingredients thought to be even remotely addictive.
What about synthetic brain drugs?
That’s a different story.
Synthetic brain drugs pose many more risks than natural nootropics, and the chances of develpping a dependency are also significantly higher when dealing with pharmaceutical-grade brain drugs.
Popular synthetic nootropics include:
- Modafinil
- Piracetam
- Noopept
- Aniracetam
These drugs are designed to combat severe ADHD, and to help air force pilots stay awake during extended sorties. They are not supposed to be used by people who do not have a diagnosed attention disorder, and they are certainly not supposed to be used without close medical supervision.
Drugs like Modafinil and Piracetam have very strong. noticeable effects.
They also all produce a kind of “come down” as their effects fade 6-18 hours after first taking them.
This causes a kind of “hangover”, and dependency.
The line between dependency and addiction is a thin one. As it stands, none of these substances can be said to be addictive, but they do seem to cause some degree of dependency in people who use them repeatedly over a short period of time.
Drugs like Modafinil and Aniracetam do definitely enhance cognitive function. It’s understandable that people will want to keep using them once they experience their new, enhanced brain power. But they are not sustainable drugs; you can’t use these substances regularly for prolonged periods.
The best natural nootropic supplements can provide complete cognitive enhancement without addiction, dependency, or side effects. We think you should consider using natural brain stacks first before even contemplating using things like Modafinil.