Do Silicon Valley’s “Smart Drugs” Really Increase Efficiency in the Long Run?

As today’s tech world becomes more competitive, SEOs, growth marketers, digital designers designers and software developers are always looking for an edge to help them get ahead. Last year reports came out revealing that many working for companies in Silicon Valley turned to Nootropics and the trend is still buzzing. Also known as “smart drugs,” tech and digital marketing pros in Silicon Valley use them in an effort to increase productivity in numerous ways. With more and more employees now relying on these drugs, it’s important to know the risks and benefits associated with them. As with people’s bodies when they begin taking medications, there are a variety of things that can happen. Depending on their overall health and how well their bodies tolerate drugs, people can eventually get used to the drug and have one of two things happen to them. Whether it’s using the drugs to increase productivity or other areas, the use of these drugs leads to either a crash or a tweaking of their bodies that results in their bodies not being able to get used to the drugs. However, since the jury is still out as to whether the drugs really increase efficiency, it’s important to know everything possible about Nootropics.

Early History

While these drugs are used by those working in today’s most high-tech environments, they have actually been around for more than four decades. Introduced in 1972, this class of drugs has been discussed in great detail among those in the medical and psychological communities. The most common topic discussed has involved people without a medical condition using prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement, which in some cases has resulted in improved memory, creativity, or motivation.

Nootropics and Stacks

For those who use Nootropics, there are a variety of ways to increase efficiency. While some purchase large bins of powder online or in vitamin and supplement stores and mix it themselves, others choose to purchase pre-made “stacks” that are specifically designed to produce certain effects. For example, numbers of computer programmers in Silicon Valley regularly use stacks to increase their productivity and focus, enabling them to complete their tasks quicker and with more precision. In addition, digital marketing experts will rely on smart drugs to channel greater creativity and focus to strengthen client relationships by meeting deadlines. For those who have completely embraced Nootropics, there are now numerous online forums available where users exchange stacks recipes and discuss the myriad of Nootropics combinations. While many of the positive effects have still been clinically unproven, many users report better short-term memories, improved spatial awareness, and quicker reaction times.

Nootropics vs. Coffee

Coffee was the “Nootropics” of the 1950s empowering creatives who worked long work days, such as the ad men on Madison Avenue. Today most people turn to a cup of Joe when they need to get mentally focused, yet an increasing number of those in Silicon Valley have come to realize Nootropics may be just as good if not better than a cup of java. While stopping at Starbucks on the way to work has been the norm for those working in digital marketing agencies and SEO companies for years, many of today’s employees are now substituting “smart drugs” for their morning stimulant. According to many users, these drugs help get them focused for their day without the jitters that may come from the caffeine found in coffee, helping them be more focused and calm. According to a Quora Report, the use of Nootropics in Silicon Valley has increased by 28% over a 12-month period.  In fact, growth marketing companies also have numerous employees who have embraced Nootropics as a better option to coffee. Used by software engineers who work on very complex projects, they often report being able to finish projects on which they might otherwise procrastinate.

Long-Term Effects of Nootropics

In digital marketing agencies, numerous employees have reported great success in using Nootropics. However, there is still little data examining the long-term effects of these drugs. While some studies have questioned the drugs in terms of reducing the brain’s neural networks, researchers have found no evidence that these drugs produced harmful effects when taken in normal doses. For engineers who spend day after day cranking out computer codes, Nootropics are all the rage. Since research has determined the human brain does not complete full development until age 30, Nootropics offer the ability to amplify the brain’s existing qualities in ways never before seen. In fact, neuro researchers are currently examining the compounds found in Nootropics to determine if they may be able to slow down the aging process, which would make them neuroprotective. However, while this could be a very important breakthrough, most users don’t look at this as an important benefit when compared to increased comprehension and efficiency.

Tweaking the Brain

Whether a person prefers coffee or Nootropics, there’s no doubt enhancing the brain’s performance is at the top of the list for more and more people. While “smart drugs” such as Nootropics may be extremely popular with those working in Silicon Valley, the popularity of these drugs is starting to expand to other areas of the country. Despite the many questions that are still unanswered about these drugs, there’s no doubt tweaking the brain to perform at higher levels will not be limited to those in Silicon Valley, as eager creatives from digital marketing agencies in Los Angeles to SEO companies in New York has already sang Nootropics praise in chat forums.