What are nootropics and why is everyone talking about them?

Nootropics are the talk of the town right now, but what are they and why is everyone’s suddenly raving about them? Let’s investigate…

• What are nootropics?
• Types of nootropic
• Caffiene
• Ashwagandha
• Lion’s Mane
• Lemon Balm
• Magnesium
• L-Theanine
• Stacking nootropics: how do they work together
• Are nootropics safe?
• The best nootropic products

What are nootropics?

Nootropics is the umbrella term for a (vast) range of supplements that can be taken to improve mental performance – and are most often used to boost memory, focus, creativity, intelligence and motivation.

One nootropic might help to boost your creativity, while another might give you a mega motivational kick up the a$$ and yet another might tell your anxiety it’s time to reign things in a bit.

Thought to help to improve brain function and performance, many people are using nootropic supplement to help to enhance their mood and reduce “brain fog” – and some studies have shown that they can potentially benefit individuals with mental health conditions.

Whilst you might not have heard the word ‘nootropics’, you’ll certainly be familiar with some of the nootropics family. Here’s a look at six of the most commonly used ones:

Types of Nootropic

1. Caffiene

As arguably the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world, caffiene is a nootropic we can guarantee you’ve heard of.

Naturally found in coffee, cocoa and tea, (and added to many sodas, energy drinks and medications) caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in your brain, making you feel less tired.

2. Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha works as both a nootropic and an adaptogen; helping to relieve stress, restore energy and boost concentration as a nootropic, and normalising blood sugar and protecting against inflammation as an adaptogen.

Ashwagandha is also thought to be particularly good at promoting good breast, lung and colon health.

3. Lion’s Mane

Lion’s Mane mushroom is an ancient Chinese remedy thought to improve cognitive performance, and boost overall health. Whilst other nootropics work by modulating neurotransmitters, Lion’s Mane acts at the root of the problem by boosting Brain Nerve Growth Factor (neurogenesis.)

In doing this, Lion’s Mane is said to help improve focus and attention, boost thinking, repair brain cells, and even have a positive affect on depression and anxiety.

Lion’s mane is also, in some cases, used to manage other neurological problems like Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Parkinson’s and muscular dystrophy.

4. Lemon Balm

The scent of Lemon Balm has been used for its anti-anxiety effects for hundreds of years, but as a nootropic, lemon balm is most commonly used for stress relief, and to assist in the reduction of panic attacks.

The minty-esque herb is also thought to help with concentration and focus, as well as potentially reducing irritability.

5. Magnesium

As a powerful nootropic, Magnesium doesn’t always get the acknowledgment it deserves – but inadequate levels of magnesium in your body can result in brain fog, anxiety and depression. Magnesium supplements are thought to help improve memory and cognition, as well as helping to maintain healthy blood pressure.

However, your standard Magnesium supplement doesn’t work too well as a nootropic because they can’t easily cross the blood-brain barrier, so you may hear of a new form of magnesium called Magnesium-L-threonate is recommended for better brain function.

6. L-Theanine

Naturally occuring in green and oolong tea,  L-Theanine is an amino acid nootropic often used for anxiety, learning, mood, and focus.

Since it easily crosses the blood-brain barrier, L-Theanine is thought to worksquickly to increase ‘feel good’ chemicals, such as dopamine and serotonin, in your brain.

Experienced nootropic users often take L-Theanine in tandem with caffeine for a synergistic effect to promote cognition, motivation and attention – the L-Theanine is also said to help reduce the caffiene jitters.

Stacking nootropics: how do they work together?

To better understand how nootropics can work together (or be ‘stacked’) to get the most benefit, we spoke to Zain Peer, Co-Founder of London Nootropics.

Zain explained;

“Nootropics work in different systems within the body. Caffeine, for example, can increase our alertness and attention (it works by blocking our adenosine receptors, which make us drowsy) however a side-effect is it can increase our cortisol levels (our stress hormone) resulting in jitters/anxiety. Ashwagandha and CBD, on the other hand, are both great adaptogens for anxiety: CBD works with our endocannabinoid system, and Ashwagandha works to balance our adrenals.

“Adaptogenic coffee is designed to combine all three specific nootropics to reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm and alertness, giving you all the benefits of regular coffee whilst minimising any side-effects.”

Are nootropics safe?

All Nootropics are categorised differently and each have their own distinct affects on the brain from brain repair and brain fatigue to brain cell health and brain energy, amongst others. 

Doctor Giuseppe Aragona, GP and online doctor for Prescription Doctor said

Taken in moderation, nootropics are safe to use – however there is a lot of stigma around them and some argue that they are in effective. They are usually sold as dietary supplements and can be either prescribed or bought over the counter. A doctor may prescribe a nootropic to treat a medical condition such as ADHD, narcolepsy or dementia. The most common prescribed nootropic are modafinil (Provigil).

Supplementary are fine to take if you feel you need them and are having trouble concentrating or with your mood. However you must ensure that you read the instructions to understand how much you can have. They should not be relied upon however for fixing mental health condition’s such as anxiety or depression. Speak to your GP if you are concerned.

The best nootropic products for 2023

DIRTEA Lion’s Mane Powder | £39.99

Developed for focus, memory and digestion, Dirtea’s pure and potent Lion’s Mane mushroom powder is known to stimulate the growth of brain cells.

It can boost your memory, dial in your focus and improve your mood, whilst supporting digestion.

To make:, simply add 1 tsp of DIRTEA Lion’s Mane Mushroom Powder to 200ml of hot water for a Lion’s Mane mushroom tea experience, to your smoothie, coffee (mushroom coffee), or whatever you’re drinking – then mix well, and enjoy!

Brite Drinks | £2.50 per bottle

Backed by research from leading neuroscientists, Brite drinks have been designed around the nootropic synergy of combining 150mg of natural caffeine (stimulant) with 150mg of L-theanine (relaxant), to give us a long lasting energy boost without energy spikes and crashes.

In order to increase alertness and optimise mental performance, Brite combines these two powerhouse ingredients alongside natural superfoods such as Matcha, Guarana and Guayase to increase productivity and a gradual, longer-lasting boost.

With a flavour reminiscent of your favourite fruity cocktail, this is a great way to get your daily dose of adaptogens without compromising on flavour.

(Brite nootropic drinks are available to purchase via the Brite website, WH Smith, Sainsbury’s and Planet Organic.)

Puresport Nootropic Capsules | from £30

Puresport’s Mind & Body mushroom blend capsules contain six of the most powerful medicinal mushrooms; Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Reishi, Maitake, Shiitake and Cordyceps. the benefits of these nutritional powerhouse ingredients include immune and nervous system support, and they’re said to help to improve cognitive function, reduce cortisol levels and increase energy.

Available alongside their ‘Clarity Capsules’, which have been designed to enhance brain function improvr mental focus as well as reducing stress and anxiety. this range from Puresport makes getting your daily dose of nootropics super easy and 100% flavour free!

‘Mind’ by Indi Supplements | £40

Indi supplements offer potent blends containing plant-based ingredients such as:

• Brain-enhacing Adaptogens, which help the body resist physical, chemical and biological stressors
• Nootropics, which improve cognitive function, particularly memory, creativity and motivation
• Beta Glucans, a special fibre found in the cell walls of bacteria, fungi and plants such as oats and barley
• Anthocyanins, a class of the most powerful antioxidant compounds.

Indi’s four plant-based blends; Body, Mind, Tone and Build, are designed to help us achieve an optimum diet in order to improve our health.  Each blend is bioavailable, meaning it can be easily absorbed by the body, and has been rigorously developed and tested by a team of nutritional experts and food technologists. 

Recyclable packaging features colourful stripes that illustrate the proportions of the ingredients inside and there are no synthetic preservatives or bulking agents. 

Do be aware that the Indi powders have a very distinct, earthy taste – so are best mixed into a smoothie. I’d recommend a chocolately/nut based recipe for the MIND blend.

Hifas da Terra mushroom superfood powders| £18

Hifas da Terra, one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of medicinal mushrooms, have launched a range of organic mushroom superfood powders harnessing the incredible benefits of some of the most powerful varieties, including lion’s mane, reishi, and cordyceps, for better immunity, anti-aging, good digestion and more energy.

By adding just a tablespoon or two to your smoothies and hot drinks, you can start to feel their incredible benefits.

Again, the mushroom nootropic blends fro Hifas da Terra have a distinct earthy taste, and are best enjoyed in a heavily flavoured smoothie if you’re not yet used to the taste.

XITE nootropics energy drink: £1.49

XITE is the first range of nootropic energy drinks to drop in the UK, and contains three active nootropics including Tyrosine, Carnitine and Vitamin B that help support mental performance. As well as being zero sugar, vegan and diabetic friendly, unlike traditional energy drinks, XITE uses natural green bean caffeine to energise and power up without the dreaded crash afterwards – and can be enjoyed at any time of day!

This is a great choice if you’re not a fan of the distinct flavour of some of the other nootropic supplements.

London Nootropics Zen Coffee | £15

This balancing and calming blend of adaptogenic coffee with CBD & Ashwagandha is designed to promote a sense of peace, combatting the effects of stress, tension and irritability – making them the perfect choice if you’re looking for a way to add some wellness benefits to your morning ritual.

These also taste great, so you don’t need to worry about compromising flavour for focus.