Take nootropics, for example: This category of supplements includes botanicals, neuronutrients, and bioactives that specifically enhance different aspects of your cognitive health. Naysayers believe nootropics are marketed as “smart pills” that will help you ace a test or magically become the smartest person in the room.
But lots of nutrients that are a regular part of our diet (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins) qualify as nootropics because they support specific actions that promote healthy cognitive function.* Others (like the botanical kanna, for example), aren’t a part of our normal diet but can help support comprehensive brain function.
Case in point: Nootropics (or any supplements, for that matter) aren’t a magic pill, but they certainly can promote a vibrant and healthy life in targeted and evidence-based ways.
Beyond setting the standard for thriving in your health and well-being (rather than just surviving), there are a few specific groups that may need extra nutritional support in the form of supplements, including:
