Curcumin is a yellowish-colored compound derived from turmeric (a curry spice within the Ginger family) that is often taken as a dietary supplement and/or utilized as a food additive. It was initially isolated from turmeric in 1815, chemically mapped in 1910, and thereafter formally classified as a “diarylheptanoid” (as a result of its chemical structure …
Creatine is an endogenously manufactured amino acid within vertebrate animals that functions by facilitating the conversion of ADP (adenosine diphosphate) to ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which in turn, delivers energy to cells throughout the body. Within the body, creatine is synthesized via the kidneys and liver, where thereafter, it enters the bloodstream and is distributed predominantly …
Clomid (Clomiphene) is a medication that hit the market in the 1960s for the treatment of oligomenorrhea (light or infrequent menstrual periods). After its approval, medical practitioners discovered that utilization of Clomid for oligomenorrhea increased odds of fertility, principally via induction of ovulation. This finding spurred an investigation of Clomid as a potential treatment for …
Niacin (Vitamin B3), also known as “nicotinic acid,” is a colorless, hydrophilic derivative of pyridine and an essential dietary nutrient for humans. Inadequate dietary intake of niacin is the root cause of a medical condition known as “pellagra,” characterized by a host of neuropsychiatric symptoms including: anxiety, amnesia, brain fog, cognitive impairment, delirium, depression, and …
NyQuil is a popular over-the-counter medication sold under the brand “Vicks” utilized to treat symptoms of the common cold, influenza, and allergies – all while simultaneously enhancing sleep and/or without sleep disruption. The name “NyQuil” is a portmanteau of the words “night” and “tranquil,” effectively reminding consumers that it is intended for nighttime usage and …
Aniracetam is a drug of the “racetam” chemical classification that was initially developed in the 1970s by pharmaceutical company Hoffman-La Roche. Chemically, aniracetam is synthesized via reaction of 2-pyrrolidone with anisoyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine; hence it is sometimes referred to as “N-anisoyl-2-pyrrolidinone.” When administered to humans and animals, aniracetam functions via allosterically …
Nortriptyline (brand name “Pamelor”) is considered the chief pharmacologically active metabolite of the chemical amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant derived from dibenzocycloheptene. Formation of nortriptyline occurs upon hepatic oxidative N-demethylation of amitriptyline via CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 isoenzymes. In the early 1960s, researchers realized a significant portion of amitriptyline’s antidepressant effects resulted from the formation of its …