Man has long sought to discover the full potential of the brain. Certain professions require absolute critical-thinking and decision-making skills that will not be possible if the person’s cognitive potential is not unleashed. It is for this reason the CEOs and successful Wall Street traders use nootropics, also known as cognitive enhancers or smart drugs, to help them unleash the full cognitive potential of the human mind.

There are a variety of nootropics in the market today. In fact, in 2015 alone, the global sales of cognitive enhancing drugs and substances has already reached more than $1 billion and is expected to keep on growing for as long as optimum work productivity requires excellent brain power. Here are three of the safest and most effective nootropics used by today’s CEOs and traders.

Huperzine

Initially discovered as a possible treatment for patients with neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Huperzine is now being extensively used as a dietary supplement to improve the cognitive functioning of healthy individuals. Synthesized from the Huperzia serrata firmoss extract, Huperzine acts as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor which actively prevents the breakdown or destruction of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is important in the more efficient transmission of electrical impulses or signals across the junction or gap between two nerve cells. When acetylcholine is not destroyed, electrical impulses from one neuron is transmitted more efficiently to adjacent neurons facilitating interneuronal communication. This greatly enhances memory and other cognitive processes such as learning, computation, attention, judgment, and reasoning, just to name a few.

Vinpocetine

Synthesized from the lesser periwinkle plant, vinpocetine is widely marketed as a cerebral vasodilator as well as a nootropic. The action of vinpocetine on the brain is attributed to its phosphodiesterase inhibitor action which allows the smooth muscles of the blood vessels in the brain to relax, leading to vasodilation. This enhances the flow of blood to the brain which oxygenates and nourishes the different neuronal tissues for improved mental and cognitive functioning. Improved blood flow and tissue oxygenation to the brain enhances cognition as well as other mental processes. Its anti-inflammatory effects have also been shown to provide excellent protection against neuronal damage such as those seen in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. This also plays a role in improving memory and cognitive performance. Additionally, vinpocetine has also been shown to protect the brain against seizure or convulsions.

Phosphatidylserine

A very important component of the cell’s phospholipid membrane, phosphatidylserine is particularly important in cell cycle signaling. Studies have shown that phosphatidylserine can greatly reduce the risk of cognitive impairments such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease among the elderly members of the population. This provides phosphatidylserine excellent benefits to healthy individuals who may wish to improve their cognitive performance as well as memory. Many of the phosphatidylserine products in the market today are made from soybeans or cabbage and not from bovine brain tissue because of fears of contracting mad cow disease. This provides phosphatidylserine supplements safe and effective in boosting cognition and memory.

These three nootropics function in different ways but they are nevertheless similar in enhancing the cognitive processes of the brain. This makes for a high-performing cognitive performance that is needed by today’s business executives and global traders. If these individuals can benefit from these 3 nootropics, there is no reason why ordinary individuals cannot benefit as well.