Nootropic

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ËŒnoʊəˈtroÊŠpik/, /ËŒnoʊəˈtrɑːpik/

Origin

Coined in 1972 by Dr. Corneliu E. Giurgea, derived from the Ancient Greek words νόος (noos, "mind") and τροπέω (tropeō, "to turn")

Full definition of nootropic

Noun

1. (medicine) Any substance purported to increase cognitive abilities.
2. (pharmacology) A drug that enhances learning and memory and lacks the usual pharmacology of other psychotropic drugs (e.g. sedation, motor stimulation) and possesses very few side effects and extremely low toxicity.

Synonyms

• smart drug
• memory enhancer

Related terms

• See: nous#Related terms

Hyponyms

• piracetam