5 Supplements To Give Your Brain A Boost
by Krista Russ
May 30, 2023
In our competitive society with so many of us trying to win in the rat race of life, virtually everyone wants to be smarter, think faster, focus more, and have a better memory. This desire extends to everyone from busy college students to overworked professionals to older adults concerned about cognitive decline and memory loss. In fact, you might be surprised to learn a whole category of products dedicated to enhancing cognition is on the rise. They are called nootropics, often known colloquially as “smart drugs.”
While nootropics won’t give you superhuman abilities, there is plenty of evidence to suggest they can enhance cognitive function, especially in someone who already has a brain-supportive lifestyle like a nutrient rich diet, controlled stress levels, and good sleep habits.
Many nootropics aren’t drugs at all and can be easily obtained by consumers at your local health food store or over the counter at the pharmacy. This is because any naturally occurring or synthetic compound that positively impacts mental capacity is considered a nootropic (per Web MD [1]). They include synthetic compounds, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements.
With all the hype about supplements, you might wonder if they work or even if they’re safe. Fortunately, we will introduce some of the most well-researched nootropics, so you can make an informed decision for yourself.
To find a doctor near you, simply search the Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy (BHRT) Provider Directory.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is perhaps one of the most widely known cognitive enhancers. Ginkgo is one of the oldest species of trees and is one the top selling supplements in both the U.S and Europe (per Mount Sinai [2]). It has been used for thousands of years for treating memory issues, and is best known for keeping one’s memory sharp and boosting cognitive speed. Plenty of lab studies demonstrate its mechanism of action, which includes improving circulation to the brain and opening blood vessels that feed the brain. New research even suggests it may protect nerves that have been damaged by Alzheimer’s Disease, which likely explains why it is widely used to treat dementia in Europe.
Phosphatidylserine (PS)
Phosphatidylserine is considered a phospholipid, which is a fatty substance that coats and protects the cells in your brain that carry messages back and forth from each other (per Web MD [3]). Important for keeping the memory and brain sharp, this substance declines naturally with age.
Fortunately, PS can be taken as a supplement to prevent the memory loss and cognitive decline that typically occurs with age. In fact, studies show that people who took phosphatidylserine scored better on short-term memory, concentration, and mood tests compared to those who didn’t. Other conditions PS has been shown to help include multiple sclerosis and potentially Alzheimer’s Disease, though more research is needed.
Bacopa Monnieri (aka brahmi)
Bacopa is considered to be a traditional Indian herb that grows in wet environments such as the tropics and even underwater (per Healthline [4]). Like many herbs, it has been used for thousands of years and has been shown to help the brain process information more quickly (per Web MD [1]). It works in part by making the branches of nerve cells called dendrites grow longer, with results observed in as little as 4-6 weeks time.
In ayurvedic medicine, it is used to boost memory, treat epilepsy, and reduce anxiety (per Healthline [4]). It contains powerful compounds known as bacosides responsible for most of its beneficial effects on the brain such as reducing inflammation, boosting cognitive function, calming anxiety, and even reducing ADHD symptoms.
Huperzine A
Huperzine A is a compound extracted from the Chinese club moss plant, according to VeryWell Health [5]. It can be purchased as a dietary supplement and is best known as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. It is used in alternative medicine as a cholinesterase inhibitor, meaning it inhibits the enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is important for memory and learning and is often disrupted or in low supply in people living with Alzheimer’s diseases and other disorders that affect memory. Huperzine A is also used to protect against general memory loss and cognitive decline that occurs with age.
Vinpocetine
Similar to Huperzine A, Vinocetine is also isolated from a plant. In fact, it was first extracted from the periwinkle plant by a chemist in 1975, according to the site Nootropics Expert [6]. Soon thereafter, a Hungarian pharmaceutical company called Gedeon Richter began to manufacture it.
To this day, Vinpocetine is a best selling drug worldwide and is available by prescription in many countries including Japan, Mexico, and parts of Europe for treating various cognitive disorders. In the U.S and Canada, it can be purchased over the counter as a dietary supplement.
Vinoceptine works to improve memory and cognitive function primarily by increasing blood flow to the cerebral cortex, protecting neurons from oxidative stress, and enhancing neuroplasticity, which has been recently implicated in many brain related disorders, such as depression and memory loss.
How Do I Get The Most From These Supplements?
Remember to always speak with a healthcare provider before taking any supplements to ensure they are appropriate for you and don’t interact with any drugs you’re taking. While you can follow the supplement bottle instructions for general dosage guidelines, for a more customized dosage and best form (i.e- pill, powder, liquid, etc.) that aligns with your personal health goals, we encourage you to Find an APIM | WLM Trained Provider today. This step is particularly important because the effectiveness of a supplement is largely based on its dosage and form, which can only be determined by seeing a trained provider who understands this in relation to your personal health conditions and goals.
For instance, some forms of supplements are much more bioavailable in the body than others, so this step can help you avoid wasting time and money on forms that may be less suitable for you. Also, not all brands are created equally. Some brands may offer a higher quality supplement with superior absorption over another brand. Testimonials, reviews, and research into the supplement company or compounding pharmacy’s reputation and practices can provide invaluable insight into the quality of their products. For example, do they perform third party/quality control testing to verify their ingredients are biologically active and efficacious? Are they GMP certified or do they hold other certifications that indicate a superior product? These are all important factors to consider as a consumer.
To reap the most benefits from these supplements, it’s important that you know how they work, conditions they help, forms you can take, and other important considerations. You’ll gain all of this critical insight and more by downloading our brain support patient blog today. We will also introduce a few more brain support nutrients that work synergistically with many of the herbs and plant extracts discussed in this blog.
Sources:
Brody B. What Are Nootropics? Web MD. Last Reviewed July 18, 2022. Accessed February 20, 2023. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/features/nootropics-smart-drugs-overview
Ginkgo biloba. Mount Sinai. Accessed February 20, 2023. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/ginkgo-biloba#:~:text=Several%20studies%20show%20that%20ginkgo,easier%20time%20performing%20daily%20activities
Miller K. Phosphatidylserine. Web MD. Last Reviewed on May 18, 2021. Accessed February 20, 2023. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/phosphatidylserine-uses-and-risks#:~:text=Phosphatidylserine%20is%20a%20fatty%20substance,the%20brain%20decreases%20with%20age
Raman R. 7 Emerging Benefits of Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi). Healthline. Updated on Nov 1, 2019. Accessed February 20, 2023. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bacopa-monnieri-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_1
Wong C. The Health Benefits of Huperzine A: A Nootropic Supplement Used to Boost Memory and Fight Alzheimer’s. VeryWell Health. Updated on December 05, 2022. Accessed February 20, 2023. https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-huperzine-a-89464
Tomen D. Vinpocetine. Nootropics Expert. Accessed February 20, 2023. https://nootropicsexpert.com/vinpocetine/
