Have you ever wished there was a magic pill you could take that would give your brain a boost and make your life just a little easier? We’ve all been there. Whether you’re cramming for finals, rushing to meet a deadline, or keeping track of your busy schedule, we all have moments where we wish there was a simple way to make our brains a little sharper.
While there isn’t a magic pill that can do that for us, there is something that comes close—natural nootropics.
What Are Nootropics?
Derived from the Greek words ‘nous,’ which means mind, and ‘tropein,’ which means to bend or turn, nootropics are substances that are known to enhance mental performance. Often referred to as ‘cognitive enhancers,’ these substances have been used in both Ayurvedic healing and Chinese medicine for many years, but it has only been recently that they have started to pick up steam in the health and fitness world.
In a general sense, nootropics work by altering the neurotransmitters, which are essentially chemical messengers for your brain. While each individual nootropic goes about this in a slightly different way, the end result tends to be the same—an alteration of neurotransmitters that results in improved attention, memory, creativity, and learning.
Natural Vs. Artificial Nootropics
Nootropics can easily be classified into two distinct categories—natural nootropics and artificial nootropics. Simply put, artificial or synthetic nootropics are created in a lab and aren’t found in nature; although, these man-made substances are often designed to mimic components that are found in nature.
Meanwhile, natural nootropics come directly from nature. They are herbs, botanicals, extracts, or whole food products that positively impact brain function. They can be consumed in their whole, natural form or formulated into supplements. Since these types of nootropics are derived directly from nature, they tend to have more natural nutrients, minimal side effects, and a long history of use in traditional medical practices than their artificial counterparts.
The Best Natural Nootropics
With all that being said, it’s obvious that natural nootropics are the better way to go, but that begs the question—what are the best natural nootropics out there? While the list of natural nootropics is long, there are a few of these cognitive-enhancing foods and supplements that are well-deserving of a spot in your diet.
Fish Oil
When it comes to brain health, the key ingredient in fish oil is Omega-3. This essential fatty acid has been shown to play various roles in promoting cognitive function by helping to improve the health of brain cells. If you’re looking to reap the benefits of fish oil, you can simply add more fish like salmon, cod, or tuna to your diet. Alternatively, you could turn to natural supplements that are rich in a high-quality source of this important fatty acid.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Wild mushrooms in general are known for their ability to support mental function and help preserve your mind for years to come. One type of mushroom, in particular, is considered a star when it comes to cognitive health—the Lions’ Mane Mushroom. This nootropic mushroom helps to stimulate the creation of compounds that protect and support the health of brain cells. In addition, research has found that lion’s mane mushrooms also help your body create new neurons and can have a positive effect on memory.
Blue-Green Algae
Blue-green algae is a great natural source of important brain-supporting nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. One type of blue-green algae known as Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) or organic Wild Microalgae™ is particularly exceptional as a nootropic. Not only does this rare type of blue-green algae contain plenty of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and other important nutrients, but it also contains phenylethylamine (PEA)—a naturally occurring ‘feel-good’ chemical that helps activate mental energy.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a well-known plant with a rich Chinese medical history. There are a variety of types of ginseng available, but when it comes to nootropics, both American and Asian ginseng are the most popular options. Research has found that ginseng comes with a variety of positive effects for brain health that range from mood improvement to enhanced memory.
Green Tea
Yet another nootropics source with rich Asian roots is green tea. It is rich in a specific nootropic compound known as L-theanine, which is an amino acid that comes with great benefits for the brain. Research has shown that L-theanine can help improve cognitive function and also has positive impacts on emotional functions like mood.
Ashwagandha
Often considered one of the most powerful herbs in Ayurvedic healing, Ashwagandha comes with many benefits for your brain. It has been shown to help reduce feelings of anxiety or depression by reducing the stress hormone known as cortisol. Additionally, Ashwagandha has also been found to help enhance memory, as well as improve learning and cognition.
Give Your Mind a Boost
Sometimes, life can get so busy that our brains have a hard time keeping up. Here at New Earth, we get it. That’s why we have harnessed the power of one of the planet’s most potent superfoods and turned it into Mind—a powerful nootropic supplement.
Designed specifically to nourish and support brain functions like concentration and memory, Mind contains the heart of organic Wild Microalgae, which can only be obtained by removing the cell wall. With the cell wall removed, important nutrients like amino acids become more easily accessible to feed and nourish your brain so that it is prepared to keep up with whatever life throws at you.
What’s more? You can put Mind to the test risk-free with our 60-day money-back guarantee.