Are Nootropics Addictive?

Addiction is something that involves a lot of different complex processes in the brain. A lot of addictive behaviors can result from taking legal drugs on the market including caffeine including loss of control, cravings, withdrawal type symptoms, and more. Below, we will be going over nootropics, whether or not they are deemed safe, and whether or not they can lead to addiction.

Are Nootropics Safe?

Nootropics are different from drugs that are typically used to enhance brain performance. A lot of these commonly used drugs are prescription based drugs, and they can produce a lot of the same effects as nootropics. While these drugs have the capability of providing much of the same effects in individuals, they are not deemed safe like nootropics are. Unlike nootropics, these prescription based drugs have significant short and long-term repercussions associated with them including dependence, abuse, and addiction. Whereas nootropics are nontoxic to humans and can protect the brain in many instances from various chemicals and toxins. Prescription drugs fail the criteria that nootropics are classified with. Because nootropics have to be nontoxic to humans by definition, they are deemed safe.

Are Nootropics Addictive?

Here is where nootropics enter somewhat of a gray area. Some would say that nootropics are addictive just because they provide cognitive benefits and are highly desirable to continue taking. However, addictive properties typically induce some immediate and highly noticeable benefit. Most nootropics on the market just do not produce this kind of immediate reward that you might get from most addictive drugs or compounds such as alcohol, cocaine or other types of traditional recreational and addictive drugs. With that being said, it is important to exercise caution while taking nootropics because combining them with the wrong medication, drugs, or taking them in excessive doses can result in severe and even life-threatening complications.

Do You Experience Withdrawl Symptoms?

A lot of people consider something addictive if you experience withdrawl symptoms when you do not continuously take them. There are very few nootropics on the market that will cause any withdrawal symptoms from discontinuing use of them. Because the brain is easily capable of adapting to changes, it is not likely to produce any withdrawal effect from the discontinued use of taking most nootropics. The only nootropics that are known to generate any withdrawal symptoms are Phenibut. Therefore, that is something to be aware of.

Nootropics are typically considered safe, and most will not produce any addictive behaviors or withdrawal symptoms. However, there are always exceptions to the rule. With that being said, it is important to exercise caution whenever you are taking any supplement. You do not want to combine nootropics with prescription drugs as it can produce an undesirable effect or even a dangerous one. By understanding what it is that you are taking and taking the correct doses, nootropics should be safe and not lead to any noticeable or adverse side effects.