Environmental Implications of Nootropics on Daphnia
School Name
D.W. Daniel High School
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Environmental Science
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
In recent decades, the use of nootropic supplements has risen dramatically as individuals seek to gain a mental advantage in school, work, athletics, and other aspects of their lives, causing environmental scientists to wonder about the impact such supplements have on ecosystems. This study aims to test the implications of three popular nootropic supplements: creatine, melatonin, and ashwagandha, on freshwater aquatic environments using daphnia, a species of small filter-feeding crustaceans, to test their biotoxicity. To further investigate potential solutions to pharmaceutical pollution in the environment, the effectiveness of a water filter in protecting daphnia from related health issues was also tested. A significant rise in death rates was found in daphnia exposed to melatonin and creatine, with the t-values being above the critical value of 6.134 or below its negative counterpart of -6.134 for concentrations 1, 2, 5 and 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. When the use of a filter was implemented, the death rates among daphnia exposed to melatonin were significntly lower for concentrations 2, 3, 4, and 5, with no significant difference for daphnia exposed to creatine. With these results, the harmful effects of nootropics, particularly the synthetic form, in freshwater environments can be betrer understood. With this newfound knowledge, better water treatment plans can be implemented to limit the amount of nootropics making its way to the environment through treated wastewater, and natural alternatives to cognitive enhancing supplements, such as sleep, nutrition, and exercize, can be implemented.
Recommended Citation
Tidwell, Lilly, "Environmental Implications of Nootropics on Daphnia" (2026). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 23.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2026/all/23
Location
Furman Hall 208
Start Date
3-28-2026 9:30 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
Environmental Implications of Nootropics on Daphnia
Furman Hall 208
In recent decades, the use of nootropic supplements has risen dramatically as individuals seek to gain a mental advantage in school, work, athletics, and other aspects of their lives, causing environmental scientists to wonder about the impact such supplements have on ecosystems. This study aims to test the implications of three popular nootropic supplements: creatine, melatonin, and ashwagandha, on freshwater aquatic environments using daphnia, a species of small filter-feeding crustaceans, to test their biotoxicity. To further investigate potential solutions to pharmaceutical pollution in the environment, the effectiveness of a water filter in protecting daphnia from related health issues was also tested. A significant rise in death rates was found in daphnia exposed to melatonin and creatine, with the t-values being above the critical value of 6.134 or below its negative counterpart of -6.134 for concentrations 1, 2, 5 and 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. When the use of a filter was implemented, the death rates among daphnia exposed to melatonin were significntly lower for concentrations 2, 3, 4, and 5, with no significant difference for daphnia exposed to creatine. With these results, the harmful effects of nootropics, particularly the synthetic form, in freshwater environments can be betrer understood. With this newfound knowledge, better water treatment plans can be implemented to limit the amount of nootropics making its way to the environment through treated wastewater, and natural alternatives to cognitive enhancing supplements, such as sleep, nutrition, and exercize, can be implemented.
