Hi David, someone recently directed me to this study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12690999, excerpt below) which surprised me given that lavender is a nootropic (enhancing memory, focus, concentration, etc.). What do you make of it? If a nootropic doesn't fully fit the definition of one, as with adaptogens, would it be more of a probable/possible? I'm mostly curious about both the technicalities of the classification as the use still seems (mostly) clear. Thank you! "Analysis of performance revealed that lavender produced a significant decrement in performance of working memory, and impaired reaction times for both memory and attention based tasks compared to controls. In contrast, rosemary produced a significant enhancement of performance for overall quality of memory and secondary memory factors, but also produced an impairment of speed of memory compared to controls."

Nootropics are not a one size fits all category, meaning they have differences. Rosemary is a stimulating nootropic, Lavender is calming one. Both are nootropics but Rosemary enhances memory, alertness and is neuroprotective, while Lavender reduces anxiety, and depression, promotes sleep and relaxation and is also neuroprotective. Interestingly (see your MM sheet) high doses of Rosemary inhibit memory.

Wish I could be your student forever. Thank you!