8 Best Nootropics for Energy, According to Experts
Have you ever wished for a supplement that could literally infuse your body with energy? What about a supplement that could focus your attention like a sunbeam in a magnifying glass? In the world of nootropics, anything is possible.
Well, not everything — while we think nootropics are pretty magical, there’s no actual magic involved here. Instead, think of nootropics as supplements that can unlock the mental potential that’s already within you. Read on to learn the eight most popular nootropics and how to take them.
What Are Nootropics?
Nootropics are supplements that can support your brain and your nervous system when you take them. You might hear these supplements also called “smart drugs” or “cognitive enhancers.”
The benefits of nootropics include the following:
- Supporting focus and memory
- Supporting energy production
- Encouraging feelings of relaxation
- Supporting a good night’s sleep
- Support alertness or wakefulness
While many nootropics are natural, some are completely man-made. Most synthetic nootropics are safe to use, but many people prefer using natural ones.
8 Best Nootropics for Energy
If you’re looking for a supplement to help take your productivity to the next level, this list is for you. Read on for the top eight nootropics for energy.
1. Caffeine
Of course, we had to start with caffeine. This compound can be found pretty much everywhere, including tea, coffee, and chocolate. Caffeine can make you feel more alert, support energy production, and encourage mental focus and concentration. It can also support dopamine levels in the brain, encouraging a good mood.
2. Cordyceps
Cordyceps is a popular mushroom that has been used for hundreds of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This mushroom can support mental focus and clarity, as well as physically provide more energy. It increases the body’s production of energy and improves its ability to use oxygen, which can actually increase athletes’ ability to perform in the gym.
3. L-Theanine
L-theanine is found naturally in Camellia sinensis, the tea plant. This amino acid can support concentration and memory, as well as encourage feelings of relaxation and ease feelings of stress and anxiety. Additionally, L-theanine can counteract the unpleasant side effects of caffeine, helping you avoid caffeine jitters.
4. Lion’s Mane
Lion’s mane is a fluffy white mushroom that grows throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. This mushroom can help you feel more focused and alert, as well as support a good night’s sleep. Lion’s mane can also help soothe feelings of depression and anxiety, supporting a balanced mood. This can help provide even more motivation and energy to get things done!
5. Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola rosea is an herb that can increase blood flow to the brain, provide antioxidants to fight off oxidative stress, and prevent brain cell death. The overall effects of these benefits combine to improve memory and learning abilities. It is also used to increase energy, both mentally and physically.
6. Vitamin B-12
All of the B vitamins play key roles in your body’s energy production processes. However, vitamin B-12 is often said to increase energy because of its more prominent role in natural energy production. Vitamin B-12 can indeed support energy and increase athletic performance, but only if you were previously deficient in this vitamin before taking it.
7. Theobromine
Theobromine is a stimulant similar to caffeine, but it interacts with the receptors in your brain a little differently. Instead of causing a sharp energy spike and a dramatic caffeine crash, theobromine creates a gradual rise and fall of energy. The effects last longer than those of caffeine and they’re more stable, which can help you accomplish more throughout your day.
8. Creatine
Creatine is a popular energy supplement that athletes and gym rats alike take to increase their athletic performance. While this supplement does increase the body’s supply of energy, it can also improve short-term memory and reasoning.
How Do You Take Nootropics?
If a few of these supplements piqued your interest, you might be wondering how you can get started taking them. There are plenty of individual extracts, capsules, and powders you can take, but you can also look for supplements that combine multiple nootropics to create a nootropic “stack.”
For instance, our Mushroom Coffee+ contains lion’s mane, L-theanine, and coffee extract to encourage focus, energy, mental agility, and feelings of relaxation. As with most nootropics and supplements, taking our Mushroom Coffee+ every day can help provide the best results. Consistency is key!
Who Shouldn’t Take Nootropics?
If you have a preexisting health condition or take any medications, talk to your doctor before taking any supplement, including a nootropic. Some of these supplements may interact with medications and can affect the way they work in the body.
You should also talk to a doctor before taking nootropics if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Some nootropics, like caffeine and L-theanine, are generally accepted as safe to consume during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Others, like cordyceps and rhodiola, don’t have enough research for doctors to say they’re completely safe.
The Bottom Line
Nootropics are fantastic supplements that can support your full nervous system, doing everything from encouraging mental wellness to supporting razor-sharp thinking. While there are plenty of nootropics out there, some of the best include caffeine, L-theanine, lion’s mane, vitamin B-12, and cordyceps.
At Everyday Dose, we know how important it is to be able to think on your feet and focus on things that need to get done. That’s the main reason we developed our Mushroom Coffee+. To find a nootropic stack that works for you, shop all of our mushroom blends today.
Sources:
What doctors wish patients knew about the impact of caffeine | AMA
