Nootropics - learn all about natural performance enhancers
What are natural nootropics, a.k.a. “smart drugs”?
In short, nootropic supplements are cognition enhancers originally intended to help improve cognitive function in aging individuals and/or those with age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Aside from that, they are used by bio-hackers, entrepreneurs, and other early-adopters looking for natural ways to boost physical and mental performance in everyday life.
Are nootropics for you if you are generally healthy?
To place this trend in perspective, it is the ability of nootropics to improve the prognosis (expected development of a disease) in patients that led to the hypothesis that they could also improve levels of attention/cognition in those who do not have a cognitive disease or have not yet been diagnosed with one.
How do nootropic supplements affect productivity?
Natural nootropics in the form of nootropic drinks or supplements are a great way to maintain productivity levels high, as these supplements are known for their influence on cognition. These sorts of cognitive enhancers can help optimize mental concentration and motivation, by reducing levels of stress and anxiety at the same time.
Anyone who is out to change the culture in some way by making a contribution, be it small or large, to the world around them has got to be interested in productivity, especially those working in highly strategic, mentally engaging professions, be it start-ups, tech, legal, medicine or finance.
Making an impact on the world is not going to happen all by itself, especially as a solo entrepreneur. Instead, it will almost invariably require blood, sweat, tears, moments of existential self-doubt, and a break-up or two. There will likely be caffeine too, lots of caffeine.
Nootropic drugs - the smart drug solution
Enter smart drugs, stage left. Nootropic drugs claim to offer a cognitive edge; even a 5% boost in productivity and concentration can make a big difference over the course of a workday, especially when the number of work hours is limited by another job, relationships, fitness commitments, and so on.
A list of common and best nootropics
Here is a list of common nootropic supplements that we will investigate in a series of forthcoming articles to address their effects as part of a functional health and mental performance program based on natural ingredients only:
L-theanine
Bacopa Monnieri
Ashwagandha
Choline
Gingko Biloba
Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Rhodiola Rosea
Some of these are the best nootropics for energy, some produce the best results when it comes to memory, while some are the best choice when it comes to improving focus and concentration whilst studying. Either way, what all of these nootropics have in common, is that they boost productivity following bio-mechanisms.
Biophilic living and the pervasive effect of nootropics
As we’ve made an introduction to the subject of nootropics, now we will dig deeper into the subject with a look at the more commonly available organic nootropics ingredients. Why should this be of interest to you?
Firstly, these natural ingredients are small bio-hacks to help you live a healthier life and therefore represent a way to integrate nature back into our lives, creating a biophilic lifestyle (earth-friendly, connected to nature, with a focus on improved mental and physical health).
Secondly, anyone with a family history of degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s’ may find some inspiration in the concept of bolstering their brainpower early on in life. It certainly won’t do any harm.
What follows is an explanation of the main and the best nootropics, their history, and traditions, as well as the scientific evidence backing up their claims to enhanced mental and/or physical performance.
The best all-in-one nootropics
Before we dive into our list of the leading nootropics contenders, a short note on how to get started. Various options exist today for easily accessible, online purchases that give you a generalist, quick win nootropic. These all-in-one nootropic supplements cover, to a greater or lesser extent, most bases and are in our opinion a great starting position, and arguably some of the most effective nootropics. Examples include products by the likes of Form for example, or GoPrimal to name but two.
How to build your own nootropic supplements ‘stack“
For newbies to the subject, a simple all-in-one nootropic may be enough to get you started. It requires minimal time and even less thinking. As you start to dig deeper into the subject, however, you may wish to go big on certain doses, doubling down on some ingredients and that will require buying individual, high-dose, and premium quality nootropics. Place several of these together and you have your first ‘stack’, a term borrowed from the tech community, as in a ‘full-stack developer’.
l-theanine - a natural nootropic found in green tea
L-theanine is an amino acid found most commonly in green tea leaves (Camellia Sinensis) and in small amounts in Bay Bolete mushrooms. Reassuringly, it is readily available in both pill and tablet form in your average health food stores.
Research indicates that L-theanine promotes relaxation without drowsiness, reducing stress, and taking the edge off the famous caffeine jitters.
In a 2018 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 46 participants diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), results showed significant improvements in self-reported sleep satisfaction as a result of daily 450-900mg doses of L-theanine over a 10-week period.
Improvements to brain serotonin, dopamine, and GABA levels (neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and concentration) have only been shown in animal neurochemistry trials to date, as far as we can see, which is primarily where L-theanine’s reputation for cognitive enhancement comes from.
Bacopa flower brought to us by Ayurvedic medicine
Bacopa monnieri is a perennial herb native to India with a long history in Ayurvedic medicine linked to cognitive abilities. Ayurveda never set out to be a scientific tradition but we would be amiss to discount this philosophy entirely. Studies have shown that this herb has both antioxidant and cell-protective qualities as well as stimulating long-term increased hippocampus activity, which could equate to overall learning abilities.
Ashwagandha - another natural nootropic introduces by Ayurvedic tradition
Another big gun in the Ayurvedic tradition, also known as Indian Ginseng Ashwagandha is said to have similar properties to Bacopa monnieri. In one double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 50 adults with mild cognitive impairment were treated with 300 mg twice daily or a placebo for eight weeks with significant improvements in both immediate recall and general memory in those treated with the root.
Choline - nootropic brain booster
Essential for the proper functioning of the brain, Choline is thought to improve cognition and is considered to be one of the best nootropics for memory. Studies have shown that ingesting Choline during gestation and early postnatal development in mice helps to protect the brain from neuropathological changes associated with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Ginkgo biloba - the ancient cure
Gingko leaves are an ancient and isolated species, making them something of an anomaly in modern day biology. One double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed 24 participants with improved executive functioning in females especially. Another study on patients with dementia or cognitive impairment showed that a dose of over 200mg per day over a period of at least 22 weeks had potential benefits on cognitive performance.
Lion’s mane mushroom with medicinal properties
Hericium Erinaceus is an edible mushroom with medicinal qualities that belongs to the tooth fungus group. Studies have shown that it can have significant improvements in novelty-seeking behaviors, general locomotor functions, and enhanced recognition memory. The exact mechanism through which it achieves this, however, is not yet fully understood.
Contact us if you wish to know more about biophilic living in conjunction with nootropics
For more information on how we create Biophilic spaces designed to maximize the mental and physical health benefits of connecting with nature, or If you would like to talk to us about how to live a more biophilic life, inspired by natural health principles, be it in diet, fitness training, gyms or lifestyle, simply email us.”
In the meantime, if you are looking for a one-stop-shop to get into them, rather than trying to build your own bespoke ‘stack’ of smart nootropic supplements, check out Earthly Biotics for an innovative, all-in-one solution we have had our eye on for a few months now.
This article will be followed by a series of others addressing each nootropic in turn. Stay tuned!