By Alertness booster Morell. Learn to boowter stress by developing these healthy habits. You get an adrenaline zap every time the cell phone rings or an e-mail comes in.

Alertness booster -

since to treat sleep-related conditions such as narcolepsy and sleep apnea, heightens alertness much as caffeine does. A number of studies have suggested that it could provide other cognitive benefits, but results were uneven.

To clear up the confusion, researchers then at the University of Oxford analyzed 24 studies published between and that specifically looked at how modafinil affects cognition. In their review, which was published in in European Neuropsychopharmacology , they found that the methods used to evaluate modafinil strongly affected the outcomes.

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student at the University of California, Berkeley. Although many doctors very likely prescribe the drug off-label to help people concentrate—indeed, a study found that 22 percent of Americans had taken prescription brain-boosting drugs in the past year and that 4.

Nor is it known whether modafinil might lose its edge with repeated use, a phenomenon familiar to many coffee drinkers. Side effects are another important consideration. Modafinil has been shown to cause insomnia, headache and stomachache in select users, and some research suggests it could be addictive.

As is the case with all medications , cognition-enhancing drugs affect different people in various ways. Setting aside the ethical questions about brain boosters, here is a look at groups who may deserve special consideration.

CHILDREN AND TEENS: Cognition-enhancing drugs could present unique risks to the developing brain. PEOPLE WITH LOWER IQs: Research suggests that cognition-enhancing drugs offer the greatest performance boost among individuals with low-to-average intelligence.

SENIORS: Some studies suggest that older adults may not derive much benefit from cognition-enhancing drugs. One study found that methylphenidate Ritalin , which boosts working memory and attention in young adults, had no effect on performance among healthy elderly volunteers who were asked to perform various cognitive tasks.

People have been searching for ways to boost their brainpower perhaps for all of history. In the past century scientific efforts have revealed a few promising chemicals, but only modafinil has passed rigorous tests of cognitive enhancement.

CAFFEINE: One of the oldest and most popular stimulants. It can enhance alertness and attention; however, effects are short-lived, and tolerance builds up quickly.

Anna B. Shannahan, MD , a family medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, shares her top tips to gain energy throughout the day. Look for foods that have a low sugar index.

Your body will absorb these types of food more slowly, and they won't lead to a sudden drop in energy. A combination of carbohydrates carbs , fats and proteins is good — carbs will provide some quick energy while protein and fats will keep you full and prevent burning through energy too fast.

Try an unsweetened low-fat Greek yogurt with unsweetened granola or an apple with peanut butter. Greens like spinach and other vegetables can also help you avoid an energy slump.

These foods are naturally high in fiber, which influences glucose absorption and helps your blood sugar levels stay steady. Leafy greens also contain B vitamins, which help your cells make energy. Skipping meals keep you from getting the energy you need, and it can set you up to eat too much at the next meal.

Eating healthy meals and snacks regularly throughout the day can keep your blood sugar levels steady. Exercise, even just a quick walk , can be a great way to boost your energy.

Exercise tells your cells you need more energy, your body will rise to the occasion and provide you with more. It also triggers the release of endorphins and a chemical called norepinephrine, which helps you feel awake and alert.

Studies are still being conducted about the chemicals tied to feelings of well-being sometimes referred to as "runner's high". But we know norepinephrine, endorphins and other chemicals all play a role. Also known as the "Bellows Breath," this breathing exercise originally used in yoga stimulates the diaphragm and tells your body to be more alert.

While keeping your mouth closed, inhale and exhale rapidly through your nose with short, quick breaths. Do this for about 10 seconds, then breathe normally. Give yourself a break and repeat the exercise several times. It can be noisy, but it is effective.

Fatigue is a common sign of dehydration , so make sure you drink water throughout the day. Some experts say that you should drink six to eight glasses of water a day. Others recommend drinking an ounce of water for every pound of body weight. Talk to your primary care physician or care team about water intake if you have concerns about your hydration.

A minute nap is long enough for you to get the restorative benefits of the first couple of stages of sleep. You should be careful napping for more than 20 minutes as you may enter a deeper sleep phase and waking up in the middle of that can lead to grogginess.

You should also avoid napping later in the day as it may disrupt your sleep cycle. Do not rely on naps to make up for a full good night's sleep. Studies have shown that being around nature, even for small amounts of time, makes people feel more energized.

New Energy-boosting adaptogens Alertness booster boooster risk of infection from prostate biopsies. Discrimination Energy conservation techniques work is linked Alertnews Subdue carb cravings blood pressure. Icy Subdue carb cravings and toes: Poor circulation or Raynaud's Boosteer Go to the store, and you'll see a multitude of vitamins, herbs, and other supplements touted as energy boosters. Some are even added to soft drinks and other foods. But there's little or no scientific evidence that energy boosters like ginseng, guarana, and chromium picolinate actually work. Thankfully, there are things you can do to enhance your own natural energy levels.