Real-life 'Limitless' pill? Silicon Valley entrepreneurs pursue nootropics or 'smart drugs'

ABC News
30 Mar 201706:47

TLDRSilicon Valley entrepreneurs are exploring the potential of nootropics, or 'smart drugs,' which claim to enhance cognitive functions like memory and focus. Despite the lack of rigorous scientific evidence, startups are rebranding these supplements as part of a booming industry. Concerns arise over the long-term effects and potential interactions with medications, yet enthusiasts like biohackers swear by their benefits, taking multiple pills daily to optimize brain performance.

Takeaways

  • 🧠 Nootropics, also known as 'smart drugs', are bioengineered supplements claimed to enhance cognitive functions like memory and focus.
  • 🚀 The trend is popular among Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, who see them as a way to optimize brain performance and productivity.
  • 💊 Startups like Nutribox, co-founded by Jeff Woo, are part of a multi-billion dollar supplement industry rebranding smart drugs.
  • 🔍 Concerns about nootropics include the lack of controlled trials, rigorous scientific research, and studies on their long-term effects and interactions.
  • 🤔 Some doctors question the validity of the benefits claimed by nootropics, suggesting that the supplements' effects might be too good to be true.
  • 🔬 Nootropics can contain a mix of ingredients, from caffeine and l-theanine to herbal supplements and piracetam, without FDA approval.
  • 💡 Jeff Woo's interest in nootropics started from a competitive desire to be the best version of himself and led to a business venture.
  • 🏭 Inside Nutribox's lab, thousands of nootropic pills are produced daily, claiming various benefits from clarity and energy to memory and resilience.
  • 🛑 Despite claims of safety, the mixture of nootropic ingredients could potentially interact with medications and have unknown long-term effects.
  • 🧐 Biohackers like Megan Clementi experiment with nootropics, sometimes taking multiple pills to enhance focus and cognitive performance.
  • 🔮 The future of smart drugs is uncertain, with proponents believing in their potential to transform human cognition and skeptics calling for more data and research.

Q & A

  • What are nootropics or 'smart drugs' as mentioned in the transcript?

    -Nootropics, also known as 'smart drugs' or cognitive enhancers, are bioengineered supplements that claim to boost brainpower and sharpen focus. They are part of the multi-billion dollar supplement industry and are used by some to improve memory, focus, and cognitive function.

  • Who is Aaron Finnegan and what does he claim about nootropics?

    -Aaron Finnegan is a 30-year-old biohacker who claims that nootropics are the secret to his work-hard play-hard lifestyle. He travels frequently and takes nootropics as part of his routine to maintain his productivity and focus.

  • What is Nutribox and who co-founded it?

    -Nutribox is a startup in the nootropics industry, co-founded by 29-year-old Jeff Woo. It aims to rebrand smart drugs as part of the supplement industry and has attracted the attention and financial backing of top Silicon Valley investors.

  • What are some of the concerns raised by doctors about nootropics?

    -Doctors have raised concerns about the lack of controlled trials, rigorous scientific research, and studies on the effects of nootropics, especially when taken in various combinations. There are also concerns about potential side effects and interactions with other medications.

  • What is the role of the science team at Nutribox?

    -The science team at Nutribox, which consists of practicing doctors and MD PhDs, is responsible for validating the safety and efficacy of the nootropics they produce, ensuring there are no cross-indications that could make the supplements unsafe.

  • How does Nutribox's co-founder, Jeff Woo, describe his interest in nootropics?

    -Jeff Woo became interested in nootropics due to his competitive nature and desire to be the best version of himself. He started experimenting with various substances found online and from laboratories, which eventually led to the establishment of Nutribox.

  • What are some of the ingredients found in nootropics?

    -Nootropics can contain a mix of individual components such as caffeine, l-theanine, herbal supplements, and piracetam, among others.

  • What is the regulatory status of nootropics in terms of FDA approval?

    -Nootropics are not labeled as drugs but as dietary supplements, which means they do not require FDA approval. However, Nutribox claims that all the ingredients they use are 'generally regarded as safe' by the FDA.

  • What is the potential impact of nootropics on brain health according to the transcript?

    -The transcript suggests that while some people believe nootropics can improve brain health, there is a lack of data to support these claims. The long-term impacts and potential interactions with other medications are still not well understood.

  • What is the perspective of the entrepreneur Aaron Finnegan on the necessity of nootropics for his lifestyle?

    -Aaron Finnegan believes that nootropics are essential for maintaining his current pace of life and productivity. He suggests that without them, he would have to make significant changes to his routine to keep up with his demands.

  • What does the self-proclaimed biohacker Megan Clementi do to enhance her focus?

    -Megan Clementi, a biohacker who has been experimenting with nootropics for years, takes a combination of supplements, including modafinil, to enhance her focus, especially on stressful days.

Outlines

00:00

💡 Smart Pills: The Quest for Enhanced Brainpower

The script delves into the world of nootropics, or 'smart pills,' which are bioengineered supplements that claim to enhance brain function, improve memory, and focus. It features ABC's Rebecca Jarvis exploring the use of these supplements by individuals like Aaron Finnegan, who maintains a work-hard-play-hard lifestyle and relies on nootropics for travel. The segment also introduces Nutribox, a startup co-founded by Jeff Woo, which is part of the booming multi-billion dollar supplement industry. The discussion includes the skepticism of some doctors due to the lack of controlled trials and rigorous scientific research on nootropics. The script raises concerns about the safety and long-term effects of these supplements, which, despite their potential benefits, are not FDA-approved and could have unknown interactions with other medications.

05:02

🛠️ Biohacking and the Pursuit of Cognitive Enhancement

This paragraph introduces Megan Clementi, a self-proclaimed biohacker who has been experimenting with nootropics for years. It discusses her routine of taking a variety of supplements, including modafinil, to enhance focus. The script also features Eric Maps, the 29-year-old founder of New True, who takes over 60 supplements daily and believes in the proactive approach to improving one's cognitive abilities. The segment highlights the community of biohackers who are taking their health and cognitive enhancement into their own hands, despite the lack of comprehensive data on the long-term effects and efficacy of these supplements. The narrative concludes with a reflection on the potential future of smart drugs and the ongoing debate about their role in personal and societal advancement.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Nootropics

Nootropics, also referred to as 'smart drugs,' are a class of substances that purportedly enhance cognitive function, particularly executive functions like memory, creativity, and motivation. In the video, they are presented as bioengineered supplements with claims of boosting brainpower and sharpening focus, illustrating the main theme of the video, which explores their efficacy and popularity among Silicon Valley entrepreneurs.

💡Biohacking

Biohacking, in this context, refers to the self-experimentation and self-optimization of one's body, often through the use of supplements, to achieve peak performance. Megan Clementi, a self-proclaimed biohacker in the video, exemplifies this by experimenting with nootropics to enhance her focus and cognitive abilities, showcasing the broader trend of individuals taking control of their own health and performance.

💡Supplements

Supplements are products, such as vitamins, minerals, or herbs, intended to be consumed to supplement the diet and improve health. In the script, nootropics are discussed as part of the multi-billion-dollar supplement industry, emphasizing their role as a new category of products aimed at cognitive enhancement.

💡Cognitive Function

Cognitive function refers to the processes by which the brain processes information, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving. The video's theme revolves around the idea that nootropics can enhance these functions, as suggested by the claims made by various entrepreneurs and users about improved memory and focus.

💡FDA Approval

FDA approval is a process by which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration evaluates the safety and efficacy of drugs before they can be sold to the public. Nootropics, being classified as dietary supplements, do not require FDA approval, which raises concerns about their safety and effectiveness, as discussed in the video.

💡Dietary Supplement

A dietary supplement is a product intended to supplement the diet, often containing vitamins, minerals, or other ingredients. Nootropics are labeled as dietary supplements, which means they are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as drugs, leading to a lack of standardized oversight and potential risks, as mentioned in the script.

💡Innovation

Innovation refers to the process of creating new methods, ideas, or products. The video suggests that if everyone were to use nootropics to become 'super smart,' there would be an exponential increase in innovation, reflecting the optimism of some individuals about the potential of these substances to drive progress.

💡Long-term Consequences

Long-term consequences refer to the effects or outcomes that occur over an extended period. The script raises concerns about the potential long-term effects of using nootropics, particularly given the lack of extensive research on their safety and efficacy over time.

💡Placebo Effect

The placebo effect is a phenomenon in which a patient experiences a perceived improvement in their condition due to their belief in the effectiveness of a treatment, rather than the treatment itself. While not explicitly mentioned in the script, the concept is implied when discussing the subjective experiences of nootropic users and the lack of rigorous scientific evidence supporting their claims.

💡Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley is a region in California known for its high-tech innovation and entrepreneurship. The video highlights the interest of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs in nootropics, suggesting a cultural trend within this community to seek out and invest in technologies and substances that promise to enhance cognitive performance.

💡Efficacy

Efficacy refers to the effectiveness of a treatment or intervention. The script discusses the efficacy of nootropics as a point of contention, with some individuals claiming benefits and others questioning the validity of these claims due to the lack of scientific research.

Highlights

Silicon Valley entrepreneurs are pursuing nootropics or 'smart drugs' with claims of boosting brainpower and focus.

Nootropics are bioengineered supplements that some claim can enhance brain function and improve memory.

Aaron Finnegan, a 30-year-old biohacker, relies on nootropics for her bicoastal, work-hard-play-hard lifestyle.

Nootropics are part of a multi-billion dollar supplement industry, rebranded by startups like Nutribox.

Jeff Woo, Nutribox co-founder, believes nootropics can lead to an exponential increase in innovation.

Doctors are concerned about the lack of controlled trials and rigorous scientific research on nootropics.

Nootropics can include a mix of caffeine, l-theanine, herbal supplements, and piracetam.

Jeff Woo's interest in nootropics began from a competitive desire to be the best version of himself.

Nootropics are not labeled as drugs but as dietary supplements, avoiding the need for FDA approval.

Despite claims of safety, there are concerns about the long-term consequences and potential side effects of nootropics.

Nootropics may interact with other medications, such as blood pressure medicines, causing health risks.

Aaron Finnegan finds nootropics helpful in reducing the time needed to switch gears mentally.

Megan Clementi, a self-proclaimed biohacker, uses nootropics for additional focus during stressful days.

Eric Maps, founder of New True, takes over 60 supplements a day, including nootropics.

The future of smart drugs is being shaped by biohackers and entrepreneurs who proactively enhance their cognitive abilities.

Rebecca Jarvis reports on the new type of science where individuals take cognitive enhancement into their own hands.