The fast-paced nature of our society can cause serious wear on the body and the brain.
The first thing many of us do when we wake up reaches for the phone to check notifications and updates that may have come through while we slept. It’s this stress and overstimulation that can lead to increased anxiety and depression and decreased productivity.
Many people are turning to nootropics to maximize productivity and reduce stress and anxiety.
Nootropics are a wide range of supplements and medications that many believe may improve the brain’s cognitive functioning including thinking, memory, executive function, creativity, and motivation.
Keep reading to learn more about the 4 best nootropic supplements to boost your cognitive functioning and productivity.
Adaptogens
Adaptogens are herbs or mushrooms that may help your body adjust to physical, chemical, or biological stress. Some also boost immunity and overall well-being.
Research shows adaptogens may combat fatigue, enhance mental performance, decrease depression and anxiety, and help you thrive rather than just survive. Below are some common adaptogens used to increase mental clarity and productivity.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps are a medicinal mushroom in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine. Cordyceps have been shown to improve many aspects of cognitive performance including learning capacity and memory. This in turn can help to increase mental clarity, banish brain fog, and improve productivity.
Reishi
Reishi mushrooms are another fungi that have medicinal uses in traditional Eastern medicine. Reishi is best known for its immune benefits, but it has other potential advantages as well. These include reduced fatigue and depression . With less mental fatigue, focus and productivity can be improved.
Lion’s mane
Lion’s mane is another mushroom with potential medicinal properties. Research shows some cognitive benefits of taking lion’s mane including improved memory and focus. Studies have found that lion’s mane mushrooms contain two compounds that can stimulate the growth of brain cells: hericenones and erinacines.
Lion’s mane is also believed to help with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression can often get in the way of productivity and daily life. Research done in animals shows that lion’s mane may help relieve mild symptoms of anxiety and depression, but more human research is needed to better understand the correlation.
How to Take Adaptogens?
You can take adaptogens as herbal supplements in capsule form, added to smoothies as powders, or made them into teas or soups.
Naked Recovery, an adaptogen supplement from Naked Nutrition includes the brain-boosting mushrooms cordyceps, reishi, lion’s mane, plus other adaptogens that may help boost immunity and reduce inflammation .
Optimize your energy levels, mood, and performance with the all-in-one supplement that balances physical and cognitive stress and promotes rest and rejuvenation.
L-theanine
L-theanine is a compound that is found in green tea and other plants. Some research shows that taking an L-theanine supplement may help increase men tal alertness, and improve reaction time, and memory.
L-theanine may also reduce stress and increase relaxation. One study showed that supplementation with 200 mg of L-theanine per day improved sleep and other elements of brain health.
Improving sleep quality, decreasing mental stress, and supporting brain health may all help increase mental clarity and boost productivity.
Caffeine
Caffeine has the ability to inhibit the brain-signaling molecule adenosine . This causes an increase in other signaling molecules, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. This alteration in brain chemistry is believed to benefit your mood and brain function.
A systematic review of evidence reported that after participants consumed 37.5–450 mg of caffeine, they had improved alertness, short-term recall, and reaction time.
Drinking 3–5 cups of coffee daily or greater than 3 cups of tea daily may also lower the risk of brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s by 28–60%.
Studies have shown that caffeine may improve mood, decrease the tendency toward depression, quicken brain function, and protect against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Alpha GPC
Alpha-GPC is a choline-containing supplement used to improve cognition, memory, and focus. Choline is needed to produce acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in regulating memory and mood .
Observational research has linked choline intake and blood levels to better brain function, including improved memory and processing . Some studies suggest that lower blood levels of choline may play a role in the development of certain mental health disorders.
Choline is believed to boost memory function, improve brain development and treat anxiety and other mental disorders. Alpha GPC is one way to increase your choline intake through supplementation.
Summary
If you’re looking to improve mental clarity, reduce brain fog, and boost productivity, consider including these nootropic supplements in your daily routine. There are several supplements that can help manage stress, improve sleep, and increase mental focus. Better sleep, lower stress, and a healthy brain may all increase mental clarity and productivity.
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