While we all begin life with the basic tools needed to reason, remember, and manage stress, targeted brain boosters can raise these cognitive functions to the next level.
We all know that dietary supplements like Omega 3 are supposed to be good for the brain, but if you have ever used a Fish Oil pill you will know that the effects are minimal and can take months before they are noticeable.
However, gone are the days when the only supplement option for the public was a generalized multi-vitamin on a supermarket shelf. Today, decades of research into the nootropic benefits of various natural and synthesized compounds present the consumer with a wealth of choices for cognitive enhancement.
Brain boosters can be broadly defined as any dietary supplement which either stimulates, supports, or inhibits natural brain chemistry in order to improve brain function. Within that broad definition, hundreds of specialized therapies have been developed to improve very specific neural functions.
By building a regimen of these brain enhancing vitamins, you can increase memory, improve learning ability, and protect the brain against degenerative diseases. Here’s a brief summary of some of the top categories of nootropic boosters on the market today.

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Boosting Brain Function with Nootropics
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Nootropics are a class of little-known supplements that have existed for over 50 years in the research community.
Nootropics make up a family of brain pills and nutrients that must adhere to strict requirements related to safety and extremely low risk of side effects.
Nootropics work in various ways to support the processes of the brain that underlie our cognitive activities. This can lead to improvements in attentiveness, perceptiveness, working memory, long-term memory and ability to learn.
They also have to be neuroprotective, meaning the prevent damage from occurring to brain cells and slow down signs of aging.
One of the best Nootropic brain boosters of all time is known as Noopept. This compound can actually stimulate the brain to form new connections more easily and even promotes the growth and maintenance of neurons.
In user reviews, people who take Noopept say that they feel it eliminates any sensation of “mental fogginess” and delivers a clear, focused state of mind. It does this by enhancing signals in the brain so that you are more alert, memories are stored and recalled faster and you feel better emotionally.
There are several other related Nootropics that are often stacked with Noopept including Piracetam, Aniracetam, Oxiracetam and Pramiracetam.
Brain Boosters from Essential Nutrients
Not all nootropic brain boosters are made in a lab. There are a broad range of organic compounds, usually found in common food sources, which can improve neural health by repairing damaged tissue, fighting free radicals, and transforming into vital neurotransmitters.
Among the host of physiological requirements that eating fulfills, food also contains the building blocks to healthy neural function. These nutrients can boost metabolism and provide strong mental energy. They also have the power to impact mood.
Inositol, a B-vitamin found in fruits, is a strong anxiolytic which can also ease the symptoms of ADHD. Magnesium, a basic chemical element, can lower stress levels, induce healthy sleep, and aid in the synthesis of DNA and RNA.
Amino acids like Phenylalanine create a sensation of strong natural energy, while quieting hyperactive thoughts. And Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish, nuts, and poultry can preserve and protect cellular integrity, ensuring long term neural health.
All of these supplements may not provide profound results on their own, but when taken together they synergize and amplify each other’s benefits.
Herbal Brain Supplements
Another star among natural brain boosters are organic herbs and roots. Many regional cure-alls that were once considered mysterious folk remedies can now be rightfully classified as nootropics. These compounds, usually powered by nitrogen-based plant alkaloids, influence brain chemistry by encouraging or inhibiting neurochemicals.
One example is the interaction of Forskolin and Artichoke Extract. Forskolin, an alkaloid derived from the leaves of the Indian Coleus plant, is a key player in Long Term Potentiation, the physical formation of long term memory. Forskolin does this by activating the enzyme adenylate cyclase to generate cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), a crucial cell messenger.
Another plant remedy, Artichoke Extract, is frequently paired with Forskolin to amplify its effects and maintain cAMP levels in the brain. Other examples include grape seed extract for immunity, ginseng for memory, Hordenine for emotional balance, and kava kava for stress relief.
Boosting Cognition With Smart Drugs
One term that’s been widely used (often incorrectly) in the mainstream media is “smart drug.” Not to be confused with illicit designer narcotics, smart drugs are actually compounds which are taken to enhance natural brain chemistry, in order to improve thinking, learning, memory, and protect against disease. They can be natural, or synthesized in a lab to emulate natural chemicals.
Smart drugs are brain boosters which support, inhibit, or alter natural neurochemicals like hormones and enzymes. While many smart drugs are intended for general improvements in cognition, they can be administered as specific treatments for neural imbalances like ADHD or Alzheimer’s Disease.
While Ritalin and Adderall are considered smart drugs due to their specific targeting of dopamine, many people have been finding more success with a new class of smart drugs known as eugeroics. These wakefulness drugs, like Adrafinil, seem to have powerful cognitive benefits beyond mere stimulation. Benefits include sharp mental focus and facility with detail-oriented tasks.
Promoting Mental Longevity
Great cognitive function begins with a calm and balanced emotional state. In the modern world, stress triggers come in many forms.
The average day at work, school, or home produces hundreds of small stressful moments which generate negative repercussions in brain chemistry.
From panic attacks to high blood pressure to fight-or-flight reactions, the perception of stress results in excitatory physical agitation which can lead to heart problems, inflammation, and the inability to think clearly.
The body’s natural chemical mechanism for dealing with stress is GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid). GABA reduces the perception of stress and stops the over-firing of nerve cells. Found abundantly in the cerebral cortex, GABA inhibits the release of excessive amounts of Norepinephrine, Dopamine, Glutamine, and Serotonin, producing calming effects that can stop anxiety in its tracks.
GABA also promotes healthy sleep which is vital for a healthy brain. Sleep is necessary to replenish our supply of neurohormones and perform maintenance tasks to keep neurons functioning properly.
If you do not get enough sleep each night, it can quickly impair your mental capacities. As such, many sleep aids and stress relief supplements also work as long-term brain boosters. GABA supplementation is great way to combat stress, but with one catch – it cannot cross the blood-brain barrier and cannot be directly supplemented.
We call GABA agonist supplements which act as pre-cursors to GABA “GABAergic.” These supplements include Picamilon, Phenibut, and L-Theanine.
Explore More Nootropic Brain Boosters
These examples are only the beginning of the wealth of natural nootropic brain boosters which are currently in use. Typically free of serious side effects or addiction risk, these compounds provide a safe way to boost cognition. Nootropics are a legal, prescription-free to correct mental imbalance and promote optimum brain function.
Article last updated on: April 17th, 2018 by Nootriment