Our days are jam-packed with meetings, assignments, and deadlines. In order to maintain high levels of productivity, many are reaching out to the supplement and nootropics community. Since there are literally hundreds of options, it can be overwhelming to find solutions that fit your needs.
If you consume a nutrient-rich diet, then you’re already improving your mental focus each and every day. Although it is important to maintain a balanced diet, it is not typically enough to notice dramatic cognitive enhancements. When you take supplements however, you can help boost concentration levels, focus, and productivity.
The Top Supplements for Focus
Whether you’d like to enhance your focus within the workplace, school, or home; the following supplements can help you improve your level of focus, allowing you to be more productive:
Caffeine
The first option is no surprise, as we consume millions of cups of coffee daily. Coffee is associated with the morning, giving you that extra boost to start your day. Caffeine is most certainly one of the most utilized focus supplements in the world.
Caffeine increases dopamine levels, boosting one’s mental energy, mood, and focus. Depending on your dosage, these effects can be short-lived. When you source caffeine from supplements, some are more effective than others.
Many current caffeine supplements, will be stacked with L-theanine. This helps to minimize any negative side-effects or withdrawals. Some experience ‘jittery’ effects from caffeine. Since L-theanine is known to relax users, it is the perfect combination. You are able to elevate your level of focus, without these unwanted excitatory effects. You can naturally find this stack within green tea, however, supplements provide a more dramatic effect.
Eugeroic Supplements
Think about when you’re extremely tired, are you able to focus? Our ability to concentrate is closely linked to your sleep-cycle and wakefulness. Eugeroics are supplements which promote wakefulness, aiding in one’s ability to concentrate.
When taking these supplements, you stimulate various neurotransmitters. Dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, all support mental energy. These neurotransmitters respond to light, creating a sense of mental energy after you have slept well.
Eugeroics are more tightly controlled than other options, as many require a prescription. The only legal option, that does not require a prescription, is Adrafinil. You may have heard of the prescription brand known as Provigil, which is more commonly known as Modafinil.
When you take Adrafinil, you’re consuming a precursor to Modafinil, which is known for its effects on focus and concentration levels. If you require long lasting attention, then this may be a great option for you. Many use Adrafinil to study, as it has few side-effects and does not interfere with regular sleeping patterns (while taking recommended doses).
Racetams
Within the nootropic community, racetams are the most well-known family of supplements. They were the original focus supplements, stimulating the production of acetylcholine. When taking this class of nootropics, they create the perfect mental effects regarding concentration.
Both nerve function and signalling are boosted, which leads to numerous benefits, including faster reaction times. Although racetams are classed together, each racetam is unique. One racetam will be more potent than the next, creating stronger effects and higher levels of focus.
The most well-known and most highly used, are Piracetam. Not only does it heighten one’s focus, but it also promotes healthy neural growth. You can also access Aniracetam, Oxiracetam, Pramiracetam, and Phenylpiracetam. It is important to note, that these options are more potent than Piracetam. Depending on the racetam you choose, you could also experience improved memory, as well as anti-anxiety effects.
Enhancing Nerve Cell Metabolism
Our ability to focus and concentrate, is closely related to nerve cell metabolism. When single cells exhibit healthy metabolic rates, they are able to intake nutrients, while expelling waste effectively. When metabolism is enhanced, users can experience higher levels of both physical and mental energy.
If you’re looking to boost your nerve cell metabolism, there are supplements that can assist you. For instance, L-tyrosine is an amino acid which promotes nerve transmission. Another option is Acetyl-l-Carnitine, as it binds with choline, increasing levels of acetylcholine.
Since acetylcholine is associated with higher mental acuity, improved memory, and increased communication within the brain, it is a highly beneficial chemical in terms of productivity and focus. These effects on cellular metabolism, are also being discussed within the athletic and bodybuilding community.
Supplements That Increase Dopamine Levels
Individuals that suffer from ADHD, are often prescribed medications such as Ritalin or Adderall. These medications work by stimulating the production of dopamine. With that being said, these medications are technically amphetamine stimulants, creating a list of potentially serious side-effects.
Although these options create a boost in dopamine and mental energy, these effects are generally followed by crashes. Some users experience depression, emotional imbalance, and withdrawals. Due to these effects, addition and dependence are a concern (especially when treating children).
The nootropic community offers alternatives to these drugs. The class of supplements that promote dopamine levels, are known as Dopaminergics. Although they activate dopamine receptors, they do not cause hormonal spikes (as prescription drugs do). Some of the option currently on the market, include Sulbutiamine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, and Phenylethylamine.
What’s the Best Choice?
When choosing any nootropic, it is important to focus on your personal situation and needs. Remember, each individual is unique in terms of their goals, environment, and brain chemistry. It is often recommended that you experiment with low doses, stacking as you become more experienced.
When you become more thoughtful regarding your supplementation, you can most certainly achieve higher levels of motivation, focus, clarity, and concentration. Stacking various supplements, can help you achieve greater results, as the effects are amplified. Although a trial and error approach is common, speak with your healthcare professional, regarding any questions or concerns you may have.
