The Best Nootropic Supplements to (Maybe) Boost Brain Power

What is the most effective nootropic?

The most effective nootropic supplement varies based on the effect you’re looking for and the type of supplement. Lion’s Mane can help promote long-term brain health, and supplements like creatine can have more than one benefit. , Talk with a healthcare professional to see which supplements, if any, could be best for you.

Do any nootropics actually work?

There is some research that shows nootropics actually work, however, the studies have been mostly done on animals. There needs to be more human-based trials to determine the effects, both positive and negative, that nootropic supplements may have on our bodies.

Can nootropics help with dementia?

Some nootropics may help slow cognitive decline; however, they are not a cure for dementia. Some nootropics work by promoting brain metabolism, increasing blood flow, and helping improve overall brain health. However, more research is needed to understand its full effects.

What are the downsides of nootropic supplements?

One of the major downsides of nootropic supplements is that researchers still do not fully understand its effects on people with health conditions, or folks who take prescription medications. Drug interactions could be possible., Another downside is that supplements themselves are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so the quality of ingredients is harder to monitor than prescription medications., Also, because nootropic supplements are still understudied, it could be possible that the benefits from taking these supplements are temporary, and abuse of these supplements could leave the user vulnerable to cognitive impairment or psychological disorders.

The Fast Facts

• Nootropic are a type of supplement that may have beneficial effects on brain function.
• More human research is still needed to confirm the benefits; however, it can help boost general cognitive function.
• Fish oil, mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, and ginseng are a few nootropic supplements that may help boost brain function.

Nootropics are a category of supplements or drugs linked with beneficial effects on brain function.

Supporters of nootropics say they can boost memory, motivation, creativity, alertness, general cognitive function, and may also reduce age-related decline in brain function. That said, more research is needed to understand how many of these supplements affect overall brain health.

There is a lack of evidence to support many nootropics as both beneficial and safe. It’s important to discuss adding any supplements to your diet with your trusted healthcare professional.

We’ve dug into some research and suggested some potential options, but it’s crucial to read about any potential side effects before you start adding them to your regimen.

Here is more about the best nootropic supplements and what current scientific evidence says.

Fish oil supplements are a rich source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), two types of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids have been linked with many health benefits, including possibly improving brain health.

DHA plays a vital role in maintaining the structure and function of your brain. In fact, it accounts for around 40% of total omega-3s in the brain’s tissue.

A 2022 systematic review showed that taking DHA supplements was linked with improved thinking skills in study participants. The average age of study participants was 45 years.

Older research suggests DHA supplementation may help improve memory and reaction times in healthy young people with low DHA intakes. DHA has been shown to be promising for people experiencing a mild decline in brain function.

EPA, the other omega-3 fatty acid in fish oil, has anti-inflammatory effects that may protect the brain against damage and aging.

Unlike DHA, EPA isn’t always linked with improved brain function. Research is mixed. However, in people with depression, it has been associated with benefits like improved mood.

Research looking at taking fish oil, which contains both of these fats, suggests it may help reduce the decline in brain function associated with aging.

Overall, the best way to get the

If you can’t manage this, then taking a supplement could be beneficial. If you’re considering supplementation, be sure to talk with a healthcare professional first to determine if it’s right for you.

Creatine is a natural substance that plays an important role in energy metabolism. It’s found naturally in the body, mostly in muscles and in smaller amounts in the brain.

A 2024 research review showed that creatine supplementation improved memory and processing time but did not indicate significant improvements to overall cognitive function.

A 2020 review of research evaluating creatine use in vegetarian and omnivorous athletes showed that creatine supplements improved memory and thinking skills in the vegetarian athletes. Researchers noted that the review studies likely had a reasonable to higher level of bias, indicating that more research is needed.

Although creatine is a popular supplement, it’s also found in some foods, namely animal products like meat, fish, and eggs.

If you wish to try supplementing, this is one of our top picks.

Ginkgo biloba is promoted as beneficial for short-term memory and thinking skills, and preventing age-related decline in brain function. However, results are inconsistent.

Ginkgo biloba is thought to work by increasing blood flow to the brain, but there’s no conclusive evidence that ginkgo is helpful for brain function.

A 2021 study in mice supports claims that the herbal supplement may act as a protective measure that can help improve brain functions like focus and memory.

A 2023 research review evaluated 1,642 participants across 18 randomized controlled trials. Results indicated that ginkgo biloba used alongside dementia medication, specifically donepezil, may improve vocabulary. But more research was recommended.

An older study evaluated the use of ginkgo biloba supplementation in cognitively intact older adults ages 60 years and older. The study involved participants taking ginkgo biloba supplements. Results indicated the supplementation helped

An updated 2020 research review concluded that 240 mg daily for 24 weeks may improve cognitive function in people with mild dementia.

However, when looking at preventing dementia,

Lion’s Mane is one of the many widely studied mushrooms that has been used for medicinal and culinary purposes.

Lion’s Mane contains hericenones and erinacines that may help stimulate brain cell growth. In some studies, even, this mushroom and its extracts have been shown to

There was also a study from 2020 that studied people with mild Alzheimer’s Disease, and it found that 1 gram of Lion’s Mane daily for 49 weeks improved cognitive test scores compared to those taking a placebo.

However, it’s important to note that research is still limited, especially in humans. A majority of studies have been conducted on mice or in test tubes.

Ginseng may also help improve brain function like memory, mood, and behaviors. A

A review from 2024 discussed a number of other studies that have shown that ginseng improves cognitive functions, however, the extract and strain of ginseng need to be further studied.

Panax ginseng is one of the

However, ginseng is still understudied in humans, as most research has been conducted in test tubes and animals.

Some supplements show promising results for improving and protecting brain health.

However, it’s important to remember that many brain-boosting supplements are only effective for people who have a mental health condition or have a deficiency in the supplemented nutrient.

The most effective nootropic supplement varies based on the effect you’re looking for and the type of supplement. Lion’s Mane can help promote long-term brain health, and supplements like creatine can have more than one benefit.

Talk with a healthcare professional to see which supplements, if any, could be best for you.

There is some research that shows nootropics actually work, however, the studies have been mostly done on animals. There needs to be more human-based trials to determine the effects, both positive and negative, that nootropic supplements may have on our bodies.

Some nootropics may help slow cognitive decline; however, they are not a cure for dementia. Some nootropics work by promoting brain metabolism, increasing blood flow, and helping improve overall brain health. However, more research is needed to understand its full effects.

One of the major downsides of nootropic supplements is that researchers still do not fully understand its effects on people with health conditions, or folks who take prescription medications. Drug interactions could be possible.

Another downside is that supplements themselves are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so the quality of ingredients is harder to monitor than prescription medications.

Also, because nootropic supplements are still understudied, it could be possible that the benefits from taking these supplements are temporary, and abuse of these supplements could leave the user vulnerable to cognitive impairment or psychological disorders.