Can nootropics cause anxiety?

Can nootropics cause anxiety? This is a very important question to ask before you decide to start using cognitive enhancers.

This is a particularly important question to ask if you are hoping to use nootropics to reduce anxiety and to sharpen focus in times of peak mental stress. If you’re having a particularly stressful time at work, then taking a substance which can heighten anxiety might not be the best idea!

Many natural nootropics are extremely effective at reducing anxiety and promoting good cognitive performance in times of acute stress. However, there are nootropics which are known to cause anxiety. Some nootropic supplements and study drugs drastically increase anxiety levels, and others still accentuate symptoms of anxiety.

Which nootropics cause anxiety?

Which nootropics help with anxiety?

In the article below, we’ll outline how some nootropics cause anxiety, and then explain which brain supplements can help reduce stress and anxiety naturally.

Which nootropics cause anxiety?

Generally speaking, natural nootropics are not known to cause severe anxiety. However, there are some naturally-occurring compounds which increase anxiety levels. Then there are the synthetic nootropics which drastically increase anxiety!

These nootropics all cause acute anxiety. They all work in different ways, but they are all known to significantly increase anxiety levels acutely in the vast majority of users.

Of course, some of these substances are significantly more likely to cause anxiety than others, and the anxiety that these substances cause is not uniform in severity.

For example, Noopept typically lowers anxiety. But in large quantities, Noopept can trigger feelings of social anxiety (the very feelings Noopept is supposed to counter).

On the other hand, Adderall almost invariably cause severe anxiety. Even in small amounts, the massive norepinephrine and dopamine rush that Adderall triggers will either cause anxiety while you’e on Adderall or after it’s worn off.

Nootropics and chronic anxiety

What’s more, the frequent use of things like Adderall and caffeine can cause chronic, generalized anxiety issues. Both of these drugs cause sharp rises in dopamine and norepinephrine. This makes you energetic and focused, but it causes long-term damage; depleted dopamine receptors being the main cause of chronic anxiety.

So yes, nootropics can cause anxiety. Most of the nootropics which cause anxiety are synthetic study drugs – the Adderalls, Modafinils and Noopepts of the world. However, caffeine is also capable of causing intense, acute anxiety, as well as generalized, chronic anxiety if it is abused on a regular basis.

Using nootropics to fight anxiety

Some nootropic supplements cause anxiety, but many more natural nootropics are effective for reducing, suppressing, and fighting anxiety, both acute and chronic.

Learn more about the best nootropics for anxiety if you want to reduce stress levels and harness the full power of your brain during times of acute anxiety.