There’s no denying that mental health and physical health are interlinked. If you want to improve your general well-being and reach your fitness goals, being mentally fit is as important as being physically active.
Enter nootropics. Also known as smart supplements, these brain-boosting products have experienced a popularity boom in recent years—and for good reason.
Offering a means of elevating your mind naturally, these brain-boosting supplements can reduce stress and sharpen focus and are beneficial for a wealth of reasons.
But, what’s the science behind them and how can they help you reach your goal of boosting brain performance?
Find out all you need to know here in this Smart Guide.
What are smart supplements?
We’re living in the age of the smart supplement. Nowadays, athletes of all levels use nootropics, also known as smart supplements to gain focus and push their peak performance to new heights.
But, what are nootropics, exactly?
Let’s find out.
The concept of a supplement to improve brain performance….
Nootropics—are substances that are known to support cognitive function, improve mental performance, increase immunity and elevate general well-being.
They generally fall into three key categories…
- Dietary supplements
- Synthetic compounds
- Prescription drugs
Of these three categories, the first is without a doubt the most popular and widely adopted in the health and fitness community.
In most cases, nootropics contain natural ingredients or substances that elevate different brain functions. These brain-boosting substances include green tea, ginger, turmeric, B vitamins, ginseng, and ashwagandha—one of the world’s most mighty ancient herbs.
Most nootropic (or smart supplement) ingredients come from natural sources, including plants or fungi, making them safe, legal, and effective.
The science behind supplements for brain health..
Here’s what you need to know about the science behind smart supplements…
By boosting the blood flow and circulation to your brain (1), nootropics can improve your cognition (brain function) in a number of ways.
As a result of improved blood circulation, ingredients like the ones we mentioned above deliver essential nutrients to the brain, ramping up your cells’ energy in the process.
In turn, taking certain nootropics can lead to a number of pretty amazing brain-boosting benefits—which brings us to our next subject.
The benefits of smart supplements
Without further ado, let’s look at the magic properties of nootropics…
Better focus
First of all, taking the right supplements for brain function will help you focus more—which is essential for staying on track with your goals in a fast-paced digital world.
Nootropics with ingredients like Panax ginseng, Bacopa monnieri, and vitamin B complex work to elevate your mental state, improving your focus in the process.
Whether you need to push for the burn at work, when studying or even in the gym—a daily dose of smart supplements will help you keep your body and mind centred for longer.
More energy
When you’re juggling a million plates at any one time, energy can be a precious commodity. Certain nootropics have energy-boosting properties that will give you the boost needed to move through your days with confidence.
By increasing blood flow and empowering the brain to use more oxygen (2), some supplements will elevate your energy levels before you tackle a big task, while others will give you a sustained boost throughout the day.
Added creativity
Another brain-boosting benefit of taking nootropics is creativity. Ingredients like L-theanine are known to boost alpha wave activity in the brain (3), increasing creativity levels in the process.
This positive cognitive reaction, combined with the focus-enhancing effects of other nootropic substances, will give you the mental clarity to release your creative streak. And, connecting with your creative streak won’t just help you in your professional life—it will also help you manage stress better while improving your overall well-being.
Sense of calm
Life can be stressful at the best of times. But the good news is that there are nootropics and smart supplement ingredients that can help you remain balanced and restore a sense of calm amid the chaos.
Some supplements that focus on improving cognitive function contain the likes of chamomile, lemon balm, lavender, and magnesium help to calm the mind and relax the nervous system. So, taking the right supplements will help you collect your thoughts and remain calm when it counts most.
Better sleep
SmartFact: According to the Sleep Foundation (4), ashwagandha can help people fall asleep faster and enjoy better-quality sleep—which, as you know, is one of the building blocks of general and physical well being.
While following good sleep hygiene is vital for a good night’s slumber, taking an ashwagandha supplement will certainly help with the process.
When you sleep well, you’ll feel calmer, more balanced, and better equipped to reach those all-important health or wellness goals. Throwing the right supplement into the mix is likely to help you with the process.
Brain supplements in the short-term
As an added bonus, here are some of the potential short-term perks of taking smart supplements…
- · Better focus
- · Heightened short-term attention
- · Effective short-term memory
- · Better response to stress
These benefits are perfect for life's productivity-packed moments, including the demands of work, exam pressures, and perpetual plate juggling.
What are the side effects of smart supplements?
While these supplements are generally safe and effective, there are a few mild side effects that you should know about.
Like most supplements, the side effects you may experience will depend on a range of factors, including the dosage, your personal sensitivity to certain ingredients, and existing medical conditions.
These potential side effects include…
- Stomach cramps or digestive problems
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping
Elevate your mind the Smart way
If you’re looking to boost your brain health and achieve the level of wellness you deserve to take something that can help you on your journey.
Coupled with the right diet and a balanced lifestyle, nootropics have the power to make you feel calm, centred, and focused in a whole new way.
If you’re looking to elevate your mind the Smart way, explore our full range of brain-boosting smart supplements today.
Sources
Smart Protein is committed to sourcing only the best and scientifically-backed research in our articles.
1. Ncbi:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9415189/
2. Alcohol and Drug Foundation:
https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/cognitive-enhancers/#:~:text=One%20explanation%20is%20that%20they,brain%20to%20use%20more%20oxygen.&text=Some%20nootropics%20may%20raise%20the,for%20extended%20periods%20of%20time.
3. Nih:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34562208/
4. The Sleep Foundation:
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-aids/ashwagandha#:~:text=unknown%20side%20effects.-,Ashwagandha%20as%20a%20Sleep%20Aid,sleep%20as%20being%2072%25%20better
