The concept of a drug which releases the full potential of the brain existed long before the movie ‘Limitless’ introduced the fictional NZT-48… or at least it existed in my mind. So when I started to write The Drug Users Bible, and discovered an entire drug class dedicated to this, I was rather excited.
Nootropics are defined by Wikipedia as “drugs, supplements, and other substances that claim to improve cognitive function, particularly executive functions, memory, creativity, or motivation, in healthy individuals.” Unfortunately though, in the relative context of the fictional effects of NZT, I found the word ‘claim’ to be the most important one in this passage.
I did experience psychoactivity with some of them, and even what appeared to be enhanced clarity or focus, but this was somewhat subjective and minor. Interestingly, I found the most effective nootropic to be a plant; celastrus paniculatus.
I ought to add here that enthusiasts take these drugs on a daily basis, as part of a regime, a habit which is outside my own self-defined parameters. I felt that this was simply asking for some sort of addiction.
The image above is that of my leftovers from a selection of nootropics I had purchased online at the start of my quest.
The final note should be that in terms of safety this class of drug should be treated the same as others: no shortcuts on harm reduction protocols and due care and caution.
PS. For anyone who doesn’t have a clue what I am talking about, welcome to NZT-48: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP-ZwmCPBAs
