Geral Blanchard, LPC, is a psychotherapist who is university trained in psychology and anthropology. Formerly of Wyoming and currently residing in Iowa, Geral travels the world in search of ancient secrets that can augment the art and science of healing. From Western neuroscience to Amazonian shamanism, he has developed an understanding of how to combine old and new healing strategies to optimize recovery, whether from psychological or physical maladies.
Nootropics
Geral T. Blanchard • March 4, 2022
Nootropics can be defined as cognitive-enhancing substances that can improve efficiency of thinking and mood. Some of them are called smart drugs (as seen on TV) which are often used to treat individuals suffering from neurological disorders or frustrated with their brain’s performance.
Attempts at pharmacological enhancement of cognition – improved mental performance, heightened alertness, better memory, and increased motivation – are experiencing growing popularity, but they do have a downside.
Smart drugs (including most psychotropic antidepressants) adjust and diminish the way the brain naturally produces and processes neurotransmitters. In response the brain does its job which is to compensate for synthetically stimulated changes in neurotransmitter activity, attempting to correct the unnatural state and return operations to normal.
It is as if our amazing brain endeavors to outsmart our attempts to pharmacologically outsmart it! The brain is always trying to recalibrate itself after artificial tampering, trying to return to the original state of neurochemical balance.
A second kind of nootropics are natural: smart plants, omega-3 fats, amino acids, supplements, and spices. Natural nootropics:
- Are highly neuroprotective; they preserve nerve cells from damage and degeneration.
- Optimize cognitive performance by bolstering the health of the brain and the body.
- Boost memory, motivation, mood, attention, learning ability, and thought flow.
- Increase intelligence over time.
Some super plant foods (including herbs) are called adaptogens. They restore the body’s natural balance after high stress, which can include psychological trauma. Smart plant adaptogen formulations (like Swanson’s product #SW 1095) include:
- Ashwagandha – antianxiety benefits, improves mood, balances the stress hormones cortisol and insulin, sooths nervous exhaustion, clears up cloudy thinking, diminishes stress-induced insomnia, aids memory, focus, and concentration.
- Rhodiola – energizes mind and body (reduces fatigue), increases stamina, antidepressant qualities, improves focus and motivation.
- Reishi and Lion’s Mane mushrooms – may help treat neurogenerative diseases, exceptionally neuroprotective, increases neuroplasticity and neurogenesis, helps with sleep disorders, decreases depression and anxiety; improves learning, memory, and attention; supports overall cognitive function.
- Schisandra berry - helps with sleep duration improves memory by modulating acetylcholine neurotransmitter levels, promotes calm, boosts attention and work performance, neuroprotective.
- Goji berries (wolfberry) – improves learning and memory, increases feelings of well-being, protects the brain and the blood-brain barrier from excitotoxicity (cell die off), promotes neurogenesis.
- Purple berries – loaded with flavonoids, they improve problem solving and memory, have highly neuroprotective and antiaging benefits, help with fluidity of thought, improve coordination and balance, increase alertness and focus, and enhance potential for neurogenesis (growth and development of nervous tissue).
- Suma root – helps rebound from stress and prevents cell damage body wide.
- Panax (Korean) ginseng – antidepressant qualities, cognition booster, increases mental reaction time, reduces mental fatigue/exhaustion.
- Astragulus – reduces symptoms of mental and physical fatigue, and reduces inflammation.
- Dong Quai Root – relieves fatigue and boosts energy.
Omega-3-fats include:
- Fish oil with DHA and EPA.
- Hemp seeds/oil, chia seeds, flax seeds/oil.
- Nuts, especially walnuts, pecans.
- Leafy greens.
- Avocados.
- Olives and olive oil.
- Seafoods such as arctic char, salmon, halibut, herring, tuna, sardines.
Amino acids (brain food, 22 in total):
- Tryptophan, including 5-HTP – calmative, sleep aid, and antidepressant.
- L-theanine – calmative without sedation (like matcha, it is made from green tea leaves; works in tandem with GABA).
- GABA – an antianxiety neurotransmitter that can increase mental focus.
- L-tyrosine -- can improve concentration, has antidepressant qualities.
Vitamins & Minerals (from foods and/or supplements):
Zinc – deficiencies in zinc have been strongly linked to the prevalence of depression, anxiety, irritability, and various mood and eating disorders.
Magnesium - this mineral has neuroprotective qualities, helps calm, treats insomnia, slows down the body’s stress response, antidepressant qualities.
Vitamin D (more closely related to a steroid hormone than a vitamin) – works in tandem with magnesium and can serve as an anti-inflammatory, helps with brain healing, and may have antidepressant qualities.
Choline (in the B-vitamin family) – boosts overall brain functioning, eases anxiety, helps with the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, thereby aiding memory.
B-1 (thiamine) – helps produce acetylcholine which is critical for memory and focus.
B-3 (niacin & niacinamide) – helps with the production of acetylcholine, mental agility, cognition, and neuroplasticity.
B-5 (pantothenic acid) – enhances memory and recall, concentration, learning, and overall mental clarity. Works in tandem with omega-3 and other related fatty acids assisting in overall cellular energy.
B-6 (pyridoxine) – helps produce many of the 100+ neurotransmitters including natural forms of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Helps your body make melatonin which may aid sleep, and fights depression and anxiety.
B-8 (inositol) – often sold in tandem with choline it is known to boost serotonin levels, can ease anxiety, and heightens mental stamina while helping thoughts flow more easily.
B-9 (folate) – helps with the production of dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin plus helps metabolize amino acids.
B-12 (cobalamin) – deficiencies of this vitamin have been correlated with mental lethargy, brain fog, poor sleep, lack of motivation, and depression.
Probiotics – almost all mental health issues originate in the lower brain (gut) where your antidepressant and mood enhancing, antianxiety, pain reducing, “medicines” are made and distributed to the upper brain. Perhaps the most important supplement for your mental health.
Spices:
- Turmeric/curcumin (with black pepper) – reduces brain inflammation thereby inhibiting depression, improves memory, and delays aging.
- Cinnamon – enhances cognition, recognition-oriented memory and beneficial effects on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
- Ginger – contains zerumbone which may prevent brain tumors, inhibits inflammatory responses, improves reaction time, and working memory.
- Rosemary – may promote mild memory improvement.
- Black pepper – helps overall brain functioning and clear thinking, is a mild antidepressant and works in tandem with turmeric.
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Other Topics
Basics of MDMA
Rituals and Ceremony
Brain and MDMA
Trauma
Heart
Energy Movement
Quantum Physics
Native Cosmologies
Nature
Spirituality/Enlightenment
Kogi Tribe
Books written by Geral T. Blanchard
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Just as we have started to witness the reality of individual post-traumatic growth (PTG) – not just bouncing back after trauma but bouncing forward – could we entertain the concept of intergenerational growth (IG) – in other words, thriving from generation to generation?
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At the second level of awareness, it is almost impossible to go on pretending that everything is fine. No longer can the visuals and emotions be kept submerged. One wonders, “Damn it, will I ever get better?”
Traumatized persons, with their pervasive pain, typically seek mood altering experiences. This can include ascetic restrictions, hedonistic over-eating, chemical dependency, sexual dependency, sexual anorexia or celibacy, romance addiction, relationship dependency, compulsive gambling, TV or movie binging, rock climbing, auto racing, reliance on antidepressants and/or antianxiety medications, religious addiction, and so much more that can serve to pacify, distract, and avoid unpleasant thoughts and feelings. By thrill-seeking, the higher the risks being engaged, the greater mood alteration one can experience. It’s a big dopamine splash and more.
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