Nootropic

A nootropic is a word for substances that are studied or marketed in relation to mental performance. The term is not a regulated or medical category in the United States, and products described this way range from everyday ingredients like caffeine and green tea to herbs, mushrooms and laboratory compounds.

Where the word comes from

Romanian chemist and psychologist Corneliu Giurgea coined "nootropic" in 1972, combining the Greek noos ("mind") and tropein ("to turn" or "to bend"). He proposed a strict set of criteria for what should qualify. Today, the word is used far more loosely, especially in the wellness and snack industries.

Ingredients often grouped as nootropics

• Familiar foods and drinks: coffee, tea and matcha, which contain caffeine and L-theanine.
• Herbs: ginkgo, bacopa and rhodiola, which overlap with the adaptogen label.
• Mushrooms: lion's mane is the species most often marketed in this category, and its compounds have been the subject of laboratory research.

Adaptogen vs. nootropic

The two labels overlap but come from different places. "Adaptogen" grew out of Soviet-era research into adaptation, while "nootropic" is tied specifically to the mind. Both are descriptive words, and neither guarantees any outcome. Evidence varies widely from ingredient to ingredient.

How to read "nootropic" claims

If you see the word on a product, look past it to the ingredient list. Check which species or compounds are named, whether amounts are disclosed or hidden in a proprietary blend, and whether independent third-party lab testing information is available. Big promises with little detail are a red flag.

Polkadot's approach

Polkadot products are gourmet confections, made with a functional, adaptogenic mushroom blend and enjoyed for flavor and craftsmanship. We do not market them as nootropics. If a matcha-and-mushroom flavor pairing sounds appealing, try the Polkadot Matcha Chocolate Bar or read What Is Functional Mushroom Chocolate?