nootropic

[ noh-uh-trop-ik, ‐-troh-pik ]

adjective

1. (of a drug or other substance) capable of enhancing memory, concentration, or other cognitive functions and of preventing cognitive decline:

   Each capsule contains six different nootropic substances.

noun

1. Also called smart drug. a drug or other substance that enhances memory, concentration, or other cognitive functions:

   The effectiveness, and safety, of certain nootropics remain debatable.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nootropic¹

First recorded in 1970–75; < Greek nóo(s) “mind” + -tropic ( def )

Example Sentences

Impossibrew also adds its "proprietary social blend", a mix of nootropic herbs designed to imitate the feeling of relaxation induced by traditional beer.

From BBC

Most studies have looked at nootropic compounds—like L-theanine and extracts from lion’s mane mushroom, ginkgo tree, and ashwagandha root—in capsule form, so their effectiveness in drinks is unknown.

From National Geographic

And, she adds, there’s not enough evidence right now to recommend any “nootropic” supplements, which are heavily marketed for memory and brain function.

From Washington Post

A bot that reliably comes up with nootropic, full-brain-combat, just-got-back-from-Sand-Hill-Road insights is a bot that deserves to be on Twitter.

From The Verge

The podcaster Joe Rogan, a vocal advocate of psilocybin use and legalization, beat Pollan to the chase with a lengthy 2017 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience in which the mycologist Paul Stamets declared his belief that “psilocybin should be looked upon as a nootropic vitamin”.

From The Guardian