Nootropics can be defined as any kind of supplement or drug that improves cognition by altering your brain chemistry to improve memory, attention, or motivation. I will briefly review some nootropics and their state of research in aims to figure out their risk versus effectiveness. First, we have Meclofenoxate, which is an ester of dimethylethanolamine (DMAE) and 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (pCPA) and in clinical trials has been shown to enhance cognition and quicken memory in older patients.\cite{MARCER_1977} Researchers found that the drug increased learning outcome in rats and concluded that the drug increases the phospholipids in the cellular membrane.\cite{Becker_1995} The same result occurred when they tested the rats with vinpocetine and piracetam, other types of drugs, which act as nootropics that decrease learning deficits. Like many nootropics, more research needs to be done in regards to their time delay and effects on humans. Caffeine is the most commonly used nootropic today and best understood in terms of its effects on mental and physical processes including mood and alertness.\cite{2013} It is obvious that this nootropic enhances these functions when given in modest amounts with the massive number of people that consume caffeine daily for its beneficial effects for study and work. Next, ephedrine is commonly used as a stimulant and concentration aid and is similar to caffeine some people say the nootropic boosts their energy.\cite{1988} Ginseng is another nootropic that is claimed to act like caffeine. While ephedrine may also increase specific neurological functions of feeling alert, the information that ginseng has equivalent properties and effects is shaky at this time.\cite{Lieberman_2001} Theophylline is a bitter crystalline compound found in small amounts in leaves of tea and is similar in effects to bromantane. Bromantane is a stimulant and a specific stimulant, labeled an immunostimulant, with effects that promote long term improvements to concentration as well as relaxation and long term memory fortification. Other than caffeine, the most popular cognitive stimulant to increase attention and productivity for learning has been other forms of stimulants such as the commercial drug named Adderall or other forms of stimulants such as Ritalin.\cite{Lakhan_2012} These medications can be addictive in adults or teenagers, but they have not been deliberately proven to be addictive in children with ADHD, and researchers say that 9 out of 10 children improve cognition and attention on one of these stimulants.\cite{Baehne_2009} Finding the correct dosage of each stimulant for each child is imperative in treating the ADHD symptoms, although these effects are not limited to people without ADHD since there have been reports that they may also respond to stimulants and find that their attention and level of focus will increase drastically. We must distinguish that people responding to the stimulants positively in terms of cognition does not mean these responses indicate that they have ADHD and is not suggested that people without a clear diagnosis of ADHD to use these drugs. It is not known if stimulants have long term effects, or time delays, and all drugs should be thoroughly tested for long term effects before allowing people to obtain them over the counter or through pharmacies. After reviewing a selection of nootropics, it is very clear that is is much of a gray area to consume these different drugs or substances to increase cognition and learning abilties due to the lack of research on their adverse effects on human health. This is only the tip of the iceberg for humans to engage with nootropics in efforts to increase memory, learning, and overall intelligence.