Nootropics are any drug, supplement, or other substance that may improve cognitive function, particularly executive functions, memory, creativity, or motivation, in healthy individuals. While many companies and people claim the advent of nootropics, or “smart drugs”, started in the last decade, the term “nootropic” was coined by Romanian chemist and psychologist Corneliu E. Giurgea in 1972. He defined nootropics as agents that should:

1. Enhance learning and memory.
2. Enhance the resistance of learned behaviors/memories to conditions which tend to disrupt them (e.g., electroconvulsive shock, hypoxia).
3. Protect the brain against various physical or chemical injuries (e.g., barbiturates, scopalamine).
4. Increase the efficacy of the tonic cortical/subcortical control mechanisms.
5. Lack the usual pharmacology of other psychotropic drugs and possess very few side effects and extremely low toxicity.

Flow state is a mental state in which a person is fully immersed in an activity, experiencing heightened focus, clarity, and enjoyment, leading to optimal performance and intrinsic motivation. When in this state, people often lose track of time and experience a sense of profound absorption and optimal experience. Flow can be experienced in a wide variety of activities, including artistic endeavors, sports, writing, gaming, or even simple day-to-day tasks. People often seek activities that induce flow because they are inherently rewarding and can lead to heightened creativity and performance. Studies have shown that productivity and performance can be increased 500% when functioning within a flow state.