New to nootropics? Not to worry. We are explaining everything you need to know about these powerful brain-sharpening supplements.
Being able to focus or think without feeling constantly distracted is essential for living a life of purpose and meaning. Nowadays, many of us feel pulled in a hundred different directions at the same time secondary to the fast paced life of our modern world. Between social media, the news, traffic jams, work expectations, and family obligations... it can leave your brain feeling completely fried and foggy. This is where considering a time-tested natural product like nootropics can help support better brain health and keep you thinking more clearly when it matters most.
Haven't heard of nootropics? Not to worry. We are explaining everything you need to know about nootropics, their brain-sharpening benefits, and how you can easily incorporate them into your daily diet.
A Little History of Nootropics
Interestingly, this word nootropics is derived from the Greek language meaning “toward the mind.” With ancient European cultures like Greece always focusing on building their civilizations through new innovations and art, it makes sense that such a word and product would exist to boost thinking and creativity.
What Exactly are Nootropics?
Nootropics are often found in supplements and have been found to boost your overall mental performance when consumed regularly. By definition, nootropic is a compound that increases mental functions including memory, motivation, concentration, and attention. (1) They work by stimulating the brain and body and therefore, supporting a state of focus. There are two types of nootropics — prescription and nonprescription.
Natural nootropics help to support brain health without a prescription, and are also beneficial when it comes to overall health and wellness. Examples of natural nootropics include L-theanine, creatine, omega3 fatty acids, ashwagandha, panax ginseng, and rhodiola. (2)
A nootropic supplement can help manage the everyday stressors in life that affect your ability to think, remember, and be creative.
The Benefits of Nootropics
When nootropics are used in adequate doses (and consistently), they can help you in reaching your brain health goals (3). As an added bonus, naturally derived nootropics tend to offer further benefits outside of brain health, such as heart health. The primary benefits of nootropics for supporting the brain include (4):
- Enhanced overall mental performance
- Supporting maintenance of cognitive capacity, something that commonly declines with aging
- Boost memory capabilities for recall and learning
- Increased wakefulness and ability to focus on the task at hand
- Improved creativity and interest
- An increased sense of motivation for daily tasks or activities
Natural Nootropic Options
If you are interested in boosting your brain capability, there are several natural options. The simplest way is to add some brain boosting foods to your diet, such as eggs, spinach, salmon, avocados, nuts and blueberries — to name just a few. (5) However, it can sometimes be difficult to consistently include these foods in your diet for various reasons. This is when a high quality supplement can help support your brain health goals.
Adaptogens
The term “adaptogens” has been used for centuries to refer to plant-derived supplements that promote a state of balance within the body. These traditional herbs and roots are well-known for supporting the body in managing everyday life stressors to help maximize health and well-being.
Daily Adrenal is a unique blend of adaptogen superfoods and amino acids meant to support and boost your body’s own natural energy and brain power. Surprisingly, it does not include any stimulating ingredients like caffeine. Instead, it includes pure and natural ingredients that support the body at a cellular level. This enhances energy levels for reducing both mental and physical fatigue from the bottom up.
The adaptogenic compounds found in this supplement work as a nootropic, such as ashwagandha, panax ginseng, rhodiola rosea, and astragalus root. Additionally, L-tyrosine, an amino acid that plays an important role in nerve pathways commununciation, is also included for further brain boosting nootropic power. (6)
Omega-3s
Regular consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids should be a part of a healthy diet. They have been found to support systemic organ function, including cognitive health. (7)
Getting your daily omega-3s from a Krill Oil supplement is an excellent way to boost both your brain and heart health. These necessary fatty acids support normal brain function primarily by promoting blood flow and supporting a healthy inflammatory response. Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant also found in krill that further boosts neural and full body health by balancing free radicals. Regular intake of krill oil can help maintain your memory, understanding, communication, and focus.
CoQ10 (Ubiquinol)
Ubiquinol is the active form of CoQ10, which is a nootropic that the body can also produce. (8) It’s brain-boosting power is mostly due to how it fuels your mitochondria — cellular energy. Brain cells require more cellular energy than most other cells in your body. (9)
Ubiquinol supplementation is up to eight times more absorbable than ubiquinone (CoQ10), and is known to be more effective in supporting brain health. Ubiquinol is responsible for 95% of the body’s cellular energy production, allowing organs like your brain to perform. Our body’s natural ability to produce ubiquinol decreases as we age. Factors, such as stress, can contribute to the accelerated depletion of your normal CoQ10 levels as well. Supplementing with ubiquinol can help your mind stay sharp in your day to day activities, as well as supporting cognitive function the natural aging process.
Final Thoughts on Brain Health
We live in a world that values the ability to learn quickly and multi-task. Currently, as a society we are shifting away from hobbies and jobs that require physical strength to activities that require mental strength. Feeling burned out and flustered can quickly affect your ability to concentrate on the task at hand. While it’s important to know your limits and take time to relax, having a nootropic for brain support can help you feel in better control of your life and focus. Choose lifestyle factors and supplements that support your brain and the life you wish to live to the fullest.
It’s always important to discuss your options with your doctor before introducing any new supplement into your wellness routine. Speak with your health practitioner today to see what nootropics can do to enhance your brain power.
QUICK DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Readers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither the author(s) nor the publisher of this content take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All readers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
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