Boosting Performance With Nootropics:
Nootropics can be broadly defined as natural or synthetic substances that enhance mental skills. The word, ‘nootropic,’ comes from the Greek terms, nous and tropein, meaning ‘mind’ and ‘to bend or turn.’ You may have heard of college students illicitly taking prescription drugs like Ritalin and Adderall for all-night study sessions. While drugs like these can boost concentration and have a stimulant effect, they can be associated with side effects such as insomnia, hallucinations, seizures, and even heart trouble. Users may also find themselves struggling with dependency and withdrawal effects.
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Fortunately, there are various natural nootropic substances that, individually or combined, may enhance cognitive function, boost mood, increase motivation, and even fight stress without addictive potential or serious side effects. For consumers intent on boosting performance with nootropics, the market offers a range of supplements made with potent ingredients that act synergistically to achieve their beneficial effects. We’ll examine nootropics in greater detail, and then we’ll provide our best recommendations to help you get the most out of your brain and perform at your peak.
Boosting Performance With Nootropics is an original (NewsHealthWatch) article.
Boosting performance with nootropics:
A brief history
Romanian doctor Corneliu E. Giurgea famously said, “Man is not going to wait passively for millions of years before evolution offers him a better brain.” Giurgea may have coined the term ‘nootropics’ in 1972, but it’s likely that humans have been using brain-boosting substances for at least ten thousand years. For example, ancient humans may have consumed Ginkgo biloba and coca leaves for their stimulating effects, and the ancient Chinese used tea to boost cognition as they sought physical and metaphysical harmony.
Expected to be valued at $5.26 billion by 2026, the nootropics market is increasing at a compound annual growth rate of 13.2%. Nootropics are now more popular than ever, and not just among college students. From health-conscious millennials to seniors hoping to stave off the effects of aging, members of every age group have shown interest in nootropic supplements.
Boosting performance with nootropics:
Biohacking
Popular among the elite of Silicon Valley for at least a decade, the biohacking movement has changed the way many people approach their health. More a mindset than any particular set of practices, biohacking involves the attempt to optimize physical and mental performance using approaches that lie outside traditional medicine. As they face demanding schedules, long work hours, and high-stress jobs, many biohackers experiment with nootropics to boost their brain power and, consequently, their performance. Biohackers often consume nootropics in ‘stacks,’ or combinations of ingredients that work synergistically to achieve potent, brain-enhancing effects.
Boosting performance with nootropics: some common nootropic options
It may surprise you to find that you’ve already been consuming a nootropic substance as part of your regular routine. Approximately 93% of Americans consume caffeine, which has long been recognized as a nootropic. Many other natural substances offer brain-enhancing benefits without significant side effects if consumed properly. Here, we’ll list a few of the most common:
Caffeine:
This common stimulant is recognized for its nootropic properties, and it can improve attention, learning, and memory. It’s best to consume caffeine in moderation, as excessive use can lead to side effects such as insomnia, irritability, and stomach upset.
L-theanine:
This amino acid found naturally in green tea is known to improve focus as it increases alpha waves in the brain. Alpha waves are associated with a feeling of relaxed alertness that can promote greater productivity and creativity.
Bacopa Monnieri:
This adaptogen has been a part of Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, and it is known for its capacity to enhance memory, thinking, and focus. Bacopa Monnieri has also been used as a remedy for anxiety, and it has very few side effects.
Ashwagandha:
Also known as Withania somnifera, ashwagandha is a plant native to North Africa and India. This Ayurvedic herb can enhance cognitive functions like memory and focus, and it works primarily by lowering cortisol levels. As the body’s main stress hormone, cortisol triggers the ‘fight or flight’ response, and excessive levels of cortisol can lead to inflammation, adrenal fatigue, and neurodegenerative conditions.
B vitamins:
Vitamins in the B complex family, like B9 and B12, can improve memory and protect cognitive function. B vitamins are a common ingredient in many popular nootropic supplements, and they support the health of brain cells as they protect against free radical damage.
Panax ginseng:
Native to China and Siberia, Panax ginseng is an adaptogen that can reduce anxiety and improve working memory. Its positive effects on mood and mental performance may be traced to its capacity to fight the effects of stress. The antioxidant properties of Panax ginseng are thought to give it a neuroprotective effect.
Omega-3 fatty acids:
Commonly found in fatty fish and fish oil supplements, Omega-3s are well-known for their brain-enhancing capacity. These polyunsaturated fats help to build membranes around neurons, supporting brain cell renewal and repair.
Boosting performance with nootropics:
How they work
Nootropics can work in several different ways. They can work by increasing blood circulation to the brain, which helps provide it with glucose, oxygen, and helpful nutrients. Others work by boosting neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine, with positive effects on motivation, memory, and attention. Nootropics can positively affect cognition, mood, and energy by fighting inflammation and combating the negative effects of stress. Some nootropic substances even boost neuroplasticity, the brain’s capacity to form new synaptic connections in response to external stimuli and learning experiences.
Boosting Performance With Nootropics is the (NewsHealthWatch) report.
Boosting performance with nootropics:
Choosing the best nootropic products
If you’re already experienced with nootropics, or you’re hoping to try them for the first time, it’s important to choose quality products based on sound research. Evolvere is the maker of a standout nootropic supplement called QUANTUMiND, a blend of performance-enhancing ingredients, including B vitamins, L-tyrosine, alpha lipoic acid, ashwagandha, L-theanine, Panax ginseng, and many other complementary brain-boosters. Promising to increase focus, deliver jitter-free energy, eliminate stress, and reduce brain fog, this product offers a full arsenal of benefits in a single, convenient package.
Founded by former collegiate athlete and health coach Neal Thakkar in 2016, Evolvere seeks to facilitate human transformation, and its products are favored by athletes, entrepreneurs, and other high-achievers. QUANTUMiND is available in a Classic form, which contains caffeine, as well as a Non-Stim, caffeine-free version. QUANTUMiND Non-Stim is designed to help you take regular, weekly breaks from caffeine (which helps maintain its effectiveness as a nootropic), while still nourishing your brain with the nutrients it needs to function at its best. Evolvere also offers a premium product called QUANTUMiND Gold.
The best ways to boost brain power
For those interested in boosting performance with nootropics, there are plenty of high-quality options available; however, it’s also important to focus on optimizing your overall health if you want to conquer within your chosen arena. While nootropic supplements offer some very promising ways to enhance your brain function and boost your mood and motivation, it’s also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle if you want to perform at your best.
Getting regular exercise and quality sleep, following a healthy diet, and managing stress are all behaviors that can keep you functioning at your best, whether in the boardroom or at the gym. If you aspire to be the next great high-achiever, you now have more tactics and tools than ever to help you realize your true potential.
Further Reading:
National Library of Medicine: Nootropics as Cognitive Enhancers: Types, Dosage and Side Effects of Smart Drugs
Vox: The all-too-understandable urge to buy a better brain
Psychology Today: 5 Science-Backed Nootropics for Improved Focus
Important Note: The information contained in this article (Boosting Performance With Nootropics) is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
