Eating a balanced diet and getting enough exercise play a huge role in making your brain function. Once you’ve got a solid, healthy foundation, though, there are some extra nutrients you can add to your routine to support brain power and boost your mood. Nootropics, which are nontoxic compounds that improve memory, focus, mood, or information processing speed, are surging in popularity. But what exactly is a nootropic, and how does it make your brain function better?
Nootropics increase the brain’s performance by stimulating specific neural pathways, and improving the interactions of corresponding neurotransmitters. When the brain’s signalling along specific pathways is improved, this can provide benefits ranging from improved memory to relaxation. These nootropics have a long history of safe and reliable cognitive enhancement in addition to the support of modern science.
Ashwagandha is an herb with a storied history in Ayurveda. The benefits of Ashwagandha are wide-ranging. It can improve stress levels, strength, and endurance. It was also shown to significantly reduce food cravings, possibly by reducing the levels of cortisol, the potent stress hormone.
Rhodiola is a plant native to the arctic regions of Asia and Europe. It has a rich history of medical usage dating all the way back to 77 C.E. Also known as “golden root,” this plant is used for stress relief, energy enhancement, and to improve mood. Rhodiola’s ability to help people deal with fatigue has been studied for years. Research has found rhodiola provides profound benefits to people fatigued by performing complex mental tasks.
Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant that gives salmon and shrimp their coral color and gives our cognitive function a little boost. We can’t produce astaxanthin ourselves, but we get some in our diet when we eat fish. Studies have shown that astaxanthin supports short term memory function and boosts cognitive performance. It has also been found to have neuroprotective effects in ischemic mice.
In general, it is recommended that you only begin use of one nootropic at a time. This will prevent unwanted side effects, and also allow you to observe how a particular nootropic affects you.
