Taking care of your physical health is important, and just as important is taking care of your mental health. Having a healthy mind in a healthy body leads to higher levels of productivity and much more focus on things that matter rather than worrying about unnecessary things, which can lead to you wasting your time and energy. One of the easiest ways to improve your mental health is through smart drugs, that is - nootropics. Because they can make such a significant impact, here are a few tips and advice on how you can use them to improve your mental health.

1. What Nootropics Are

The main benefits of smart drugs are increased brain function, focus, and concentration. To take a look at how professionals explain it - EvidenceLive defines smart drugs as natural or synthetic substances that can improve cognitive function in healthy individuals. They add that these substances can either enhance or protect brain function. When you get enough sleep at night, your brain produces certain neurotransmitters which are important for regulating your moods, mental clarity, and productivity during the day. These include epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, acetylcholine, and serotonin. Nootropics are a category of smart drugs that are designed to improve mental performance. The most popular ones are racetams, which are substances that are structurally similar to pyroglutamic acid, which naturally occurs in your body and plays a key role in the synthesis of some neurotransmitters. In other words, nootropics simply help your brain produce more of these neurotransmitters, so you have an easier time being productive throughout the day and can get rid of any mental fog or fuzziness that would normally interfere with this.

2. Enhance Memory And Focus

Whether you're studying or trying to accomplish some big task or project at work, your ability to focus and concentrate greatly impacts the results you get. Memory also plays a role in this - if you can remember details about what exactly you want to do, then it will be easier for you to complete it successfully. Both memory and focus are enhanced by racetams which is why they are so popular among students and professionals. You can find these substances in natural or synthetic forms. They occur naturally in some foods such as beef, eggs, pork, and fish. When talking about medication, some of the more popular ones are piracetam, pramiracetam, and aniracetam. Of course, it goes without saying that you should always consult with a doctor or a pharmacist before taking any medication, especially if you have an existing condition.

3. Reduce Anxiety And Depression

Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health issues in the world. Millions of people suffer from one or both of these conditions every day. It should be noted that both anxiety and depression can vary in their intensity. On one end of the spectrum, it's just an anxious feeling we sometimes get, and on the other end is a medical diagnosis. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to managing these conditions, using nootropics can be a great way to start. The key is to find the right nootropic for you and to take it in the right dosage. Some of the most popular ones for reducing anxiety and depression include L-theanine, 5-HTP, and omega-3 fatty acids. When talking about mental issues, it's important to stress that medication won't change you in any way. Think of it as running a marathon. If you aren't in great physical shape, you probably won't be able to run a marathon, and you're unlikely to even try. On the other hand, if you're already fit, you have the ability to do it if you want to. It's the same with nootropics - you're still you, just with options open to do the stuff you might want to because you feel good enough to try.

4. Improve Your Sleep

Getting a good night's sleep is essential for maintaining good mental health. When you don't get enough sleep, your brain doesn't have a chance to produce the neurotransmitters that play a key role in regulating your moods, mental clarity, and productivity during the day. Not only that, but you're also more likely to experience anxiety and depression when sleep-deprived. That said, it's not always possible to get enough sleep. Sometimes you might be struggling with anxiety or depression, and sometimes it's just because you're too busy to take care of yourself properly. This is where nootropics come in - they can help you fall asleep faster and even improve your sleep quality. The best ones for this are valerian root, GABA, l-theanine, and melatonin. Not only can these smart drugs improve your sleep quality, but they can also help you feel less tired during the day.

5. Manage ADHD And ADD

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are one of the most common mental health conditions in children and adults alike. When you're suffering from either of these conditions, it can be difficult to focus or concentrate on anything for a long period of time. Not only that, but these conditions can also lead to low self-esteem and major depression if the person suffering from them doesn't feel like they can change anything or get better. As with other mental health issues, nootropics are not a one-size-fits-all solution for this problem, either. However, they can help people who want to try and regulate their levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Some of the most popular nootropics for this include zinc, iron, vitamin B6, vitamin D3, iodine, omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA), and AC-11.

6. Reduce Stress

One of the most common reasons for people to start using nootropics is to reduce stress. When you're stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. This hormone can have a negative impact on your mental health, leading to things like anxiety and depression. It's important to keep cortisol levels under control if you want to maintain good mental health. The best way to do that is with nootropics that support GABA, serotonin, and endorphin levels in your body. Some of the most popular ones for this are L-theanine, ashwagandha, and magnolia bark extract. The key is to find the right nootropic for you and to take it in the right dosage.

(Photo : Pixabay)

While these are some of the more common situations in which nootropics can help you feel better and take care of your mental health, they are far from the only reasons for using them. That said, it's important to note that you shouldn't take any drugs without consulting with your doctor first and that while smart drugs can give you a great headstart when it comes to the way you feel, you should always remember to be kind to yourself, and take other measures to take care of yourself as well.