VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS · COMPARED
Nootropics, Smart Drugs, Cognitive Enhancers and Brain Supplements: Terms Explained
How "nootropic", "smart drug", "cognitive enhancer", "neuroenhancement" and "brain supplement" are used in research and marketing, and why the legal meaning of a product matters more than its label.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Back to NootropicsThe terms side by side
| Term | How it is used in the sources we read | Who it usually points to |
|---|---|---|
| Nootropic | A review says clinicians use it for treating cognition deficits in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, stroke, ADHD or aging. [1] | Patients; also used loosely in marketing |
| Smart drug | The same review says it refers to a range of drugs or molecules taken to improve mental performance in healthy individuals. [1] | Healthy people (students, workers) |
| Cognitive enhancer (CE) | A 2022 review lists "smart drugs", "nootropics" and "cognitive enhancers" as the same set of substances used by healthy subjects such as students and workers. [2] | Healthy people |
| Neuroenhancement | "Pharmacological neuroenhancement" is listed as a synonym. [1] | Researchers |
| "Study drugs" and "brain doping" | Both are listed as synonyms in the same review. [1] | Students, workplaces; informal |
| Brain supplement | Not defined in the sources; used for dietary supplements marketed for memory or focus, such as the 103 "memory supplements" reviewed in one study of products sold in pharmacies and grocery stores. [3] | Shoppers |
| Dietary supplement | A US legal term: the FDA says supplements are intended to add to the diet and come as tablets, capsules, powders, gummies and liquids. [4] | Products labeled that way in the US |
Two different questions behind the words
Treatment of a deficit versus enhancement in healthy people. A review says the efficacy of known cognitive enhancers in people with memory or learning deficits is well known, while their effect on non-impaired brains is still to be fully assessed. [2] Evidence from one group should not be carried to the other; see why results do not transfer.Medicine, supplement or neither. Reviews note that some enhancers are available over the counter in some countries, some on prescription, and some through the internet, dealers and diversion from friends and family. [1] Under US law the FDA says a product intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent disease is generally a drug, even if labeled a dietary supplement. [4] The FDA also says the supplement definition generally excludes ingredients approved as new drugs. [5]
Why a "nootropic" label tells you little
- It can cover very different products. The FDA lists caffeine, curcumin, amino acids and herbs among common supplement ingredients. [4] A US FDA alert says tianeptine, which is not approved for any medical use in the US, has been marketed as a "nootropic" cognitive enhancer. [6]
- Labels are not approvals. The FDA says it does not have the authority to approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before sale. [4]
- Counts are small. A systematic review of 54 ingredients marketed for cognitive performance in healthy adults found only nine with at least three published studies. [7]
For where each substance type is covered, see types of nootropics by legal status. For biohacking and brain-stimulation devices, see cognitive enhancement substances: where the guides live in Specialty Topics.
Frequently asked questions
Is a nootropic the same as a smart drug?
They are often used as synonyms, but one review uses "nootropics" for treating deficits and "smart drugs" for use by healthy people. [1]
Is "cognitive enhancer" a medical term?
It is used in research reviews as a synonym for smart drugs and nootropics. [2] The sources we read do not describe it as a legal category.
Are brain supplements regulated like medicines?
In the US, the FDA says it does not approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before sale. [4] Medicines go through a different route.
Can a product be sold as a supplement and also be a drug?
The FDA says a product intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent disease is generally a drug even if labeled a supplement. [4]
What does "neuroenhancement" mean?
A review lists "pharmacological neuroenhancement" as a synonym for the use of drugs to improve mental performance in healthy people. [1]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Limits and uncertainty
Safety and who should ask first
References
- Schifano F et al. Biology (Basel) 2025. Focus on Cognitive Enhancement: A Narrative Overview of Nootropics and "Smart Drug" Use and Misuse (full text via PMC12466949). Read 2026-10-22.
- Schifano F et al. Drugs 2022. Benefits and Harms of 'Smart Drugs' (Nootropics) in Healthy Individuals. Read 2026-10-22.
- Hersant H et al. CNS Drugs 2023. Over the Counter Supplements for Memory: A Review of Available Evidence. Read 2026-10-22.
- US Food and Drug Administration, FDA 101: Dietary Supplements. Read 2026-10-22.
- US Food and Drug Administration, Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements. Read 2026-10-22.
- US Food and Drug Administration, FDA warns consumers not to purchase or use any tianeptine product due to serious risks (content current as of 05/08/2025). Read 2026-10-22.
- Crawford C et al. J Altern Complement Med 2021. Dietary Supplement Ingredients for Optimizing Cognitive Performance Among Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review. Read 2026-10-22.