Are Nootropics Safe?
Nootropics are a variety of supplements used as “smart drugs.” Nootropic drugs are an umbrella term for a wide variety of substances. Some are quite safe, but others may be extremely harmful. Many proponents and marketers of nootropics tout the safety and non-toxicity of the substances; however, the truth is more complicated.
Nootropics can refer to a wide array of various substances, including caffeine and nicotine. Even amphetamine and methamphetamine have been studied as nootropics because of their ability to enhance cognition. However, the nootropic drugs that are legal and readily sold by online vendors are a class of substances known as racetams. Racetams, such as piracetam, oxiracetam, and aniracetam, are generally considered safe because of their low toxicity. However, a variety of self-reports and case studies show that racetams, rather than enhancing cognition, can have quite the opposite effect in the long term.
In a 2018 article entitled Piracetam, Aniracetam and Noopept Dangers and Risks, Joe Cohen, the CEO of SelfHacked, explains, “As far as drugs go, piracetam is not overall more dangerous than other drugs. Heck, it’s probably safer than most in many ways, since it isn’t toxic to the liver. But it’s still a drug and people should approach piracetam and other racetams with the same category of seriousness as other drugs with low toxicity, but with potential risks if taken long-term.” Cohen goes on to explain that case reports of the use of racetams, piracetam in particular, can lead to “brain fog, sleepiness/drowsiness, irritability, sleep issues, depression, muscle twitching, headaches, sweating and issues with reading, spelling, and verbal retrieval.”
According to the editors of Men’s Health, in an article entitled The Truth About Silicon Valley’s New Favorite Brain Drug, “Certain nootropics may slow your heart rate and cause diarrhea. In some cases, long-term use could cause the ‘benefits’ to backfire and instead lead to reduced functioning, irritability, insomnia, and anxiety.” Unfortunately, most marketers of the drugs leave out the potential drawbacks and information about negative side effects is limited because many of the drugs haven’t been fully researched. Cohen believes that with more research, the truth about the negative side effects will be revealed. He states, “It took us more than 40 years to realize cigarettes are harmful. Also, many times drugs that have had rigorous clinical trials in humans and have been used by millions of people are later discovered to have serious risks and side effects that was previously undisclosed or unknown.”
Anchored Recovery is more than a program, it is and entire community of individuals dedicated to sobriety. Anchored Recovery Community offers a personalized approach to addiction treatment that provides clients with an opportunity for a new beginning and the life skills necessary to thrive in this world while nurturing healthy relationships. For more information about treatment options, please call today: 866-934-4849
Four Greatest Sober Musicians
The myth of the drug-addled rockstar seems to be coming to an end as more and more musicians are choosing sobriety and positivity over drugs and alcohol. Many people believe that drugs and alcohol help musicians be more creative. Fortunately, this is not the case, as evidenced by these four great sober musicians:
DAVID BOWIE
David Bowie was well known for his diet in the 1970’s that allegedly consisted solely of milk, peppers, and cocaine. In the mid-1980’s he recognized that his alcoholism and addiction was beginning to take a toll on his life. In an interview, Bowie explained, “I’m an alcoholic. So, it would be kiss of death for me to start drinking again. My relationships with my friends, my family, everybody around me are so good and happy for so many years now, I wouldn’t do anything to destroy that again.”
TRENT REZNOR
The Nine Inch Nails singer fell into the trap that so many musicians do by romanticizing drug use. In a Kerrang interview, Reznor said, “I had romanticised the idea of what drugs and alcohol’s role in my life was. I’m not saying it didn’t provide great moments of great escape and relief, and easing of pain, but it wound up creating chaos and destroying things – destroying creativity in my case.” Reznor even credits David Bowie with helping him become sober. Reznor explained, “You know, there is a better way here, and it doesn’t have to end in despair or in death, in the bottom.”
PAT THE BUNNY
Although not as well known as Reznor or Bowie, Pat Schneeweis, better known as Pat the Bunny, was a legend in the punk community. After getting sober, he wrote an album, Die the Nightmare, reflecting on his past addiction and alcoholism. In an interview with Punk Globe, Pat explained that maintaining sobriety is a priority in his life, saying, “Addiction is a mental illness, in my opinion and experience. Not only that, but addiction isn’t an ailment that goes away just because you get off drugs. It is a lifelong disease that people like me will live with until the day we die. Any worldview that hates someone for being sick is ignorant, and any person who is anti-addict is anti-me.”
MACKLEMORE
Macklemore regularly discusses his struggles with sobriety in his songs. Macklemore recognized that he does not have the ability to moderate his drug or alcohol use and chose recovery. In a Complex interview, he explained, “And, as it always works, the minute that I start actively seeking recovery — not just sobriety, but recovery — music is there,” Haggerty said. “It always has been. Songs write themselves. My work ethic turns off-to-on in a second and I get happy again. I get grateful again.”
Anchored Recovery Community is Southern California’s premier drug and alcohol treatment center located in beautiful Orange County and a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. Anchored Recovery is much more than just a program, it is an entire community of men and women committed to sobriety. Anchored Recovery Community offers a personalized approach to addiction treatment that provides clients with an opportunity for a new beginning and the life skills necessary to thrive in this world while nurturing healthy relationships. For more information about treatment options, please call today: 866-934-4849