What are nootropics and are any nootropics worth taking?
Updated: January 4th 2024
Fact Checked: Dr B Lee M.D.
The best nootropics contain ingredients that help boost mental acuity, cognitive function, focus and memory retention. Generally speaking this will be done with ingredients that contain herbal compounds or are rich in essential vitamins and minerals.
Ingredients like L-Theanine and Citicoline being the common amongst all of the best nootropics due to them being the most well researched and clinically evaluated.
Citicoline has been studied and shown to increase brain membrane formation by 26% in healthy adults[1] and increased brain energy by 14% when compared to a placebo group. Brain energy refers to the amount of fuel your brain is able to hold and use throughout the day. Meaning that a 14% increase could lead to increased performance overall, and definitely an increased sustained performance throught the day.
L-Theanine is typically more utilised for mood regulation nootropics, but does make it's way into most of the best ones on this list. It's been studied to promote the production of GABA[2] and other brain calming chemicals, L-theanine elevates levels of GABA, as well as serotonin and dopamine. This was also shown to improve sleep effeciency. Beyond that, it also has been shown to in [3]double blind trials to improve memory, even in those with impared function.
What Are Nootropics? What Do You Need To Know?
Hunter Focus ingredient list is as we've said, excellent ingredients, and where it really shines against other nootropics is the ashwaganda. Typically ashwagandha is used in other supplements, such as testosterone boosters which could lead some people to think that it is a more male focused ingredient, but it is also fantastic at relieving stress and has been clinically proven to reduce cortisol build up[5] (the stress hormone). In fact, outside of the niche supplements industry this is what it was most well known for. It also contains Ginseng, which has been linked to improved mood, and long term brain function protection. The other thing that makes Hunter focus stand out from the crowd is the higher dosages of Bacopa and L-Tyrosine than it's competitors, delivering on the optimal levels, whereas others tend to skimp out on the more expensive ingredients.
Beyond that the formula contains the expected, Pine Bark, Rhodesea Rosea, L-Theanine and Citicoline that we would expect from a good nootropic.
Improving Sleep
Improved Memory.
Enhances learning.
Improvements In Brain Health.
Reduces Symptoms Of Stress.
When we tried Hunter Focus we definitely noticed better as the name would suggest focus, even when compared to other nootropics. It sits at our number one on the best nootropics list for a reason and we'd highly recommend taking advantage of the bulk buy options as individual bottles are rather pricey. From our tests and the ingredients list it is hands down the best nootropic for memory and focus, the only thing that could put some people off is that it contains caffeine, and that it's the highest priced (although only slightly) nootropic on our list.
Below are some of our favourite specialised nootropic supplements that we can't really judge against the top three that are solely designed around improving mental performance. They contain nootropic supplements designed for things like improved vision, long term brain health, rather than those mostly aimed at mental energy and memory retention.
Brain Pill targets itself as an all round nootropic come energy based multivitamin. There's a lot we like about BrainPill for people who aren't taking any other form of supplements. The addition of Vitamins b12 and b6 which are proven to boost energy levels gives it an edge if you're not already supplementing these vitamins. The body can tolerate huge volumes beyond the RDI although it does have diminishing returns. It also has the usual suspects of L-Theanine and Citicoline (Cognizin) which we come to expect in all good nootropics. The downside of brainpill however, is that the dosage is on the small side. Suggesting that you only need one pill per day does mean that there isn't enough of a lot of the core ingredients. However, you can easily use your brain to figure out how you could get around that problem. However, using it in high enough volumes to be effective could prove costly as it's one pill a day dosage is at a similar price point to even Hunter Focus. That said if money's no object and you'd rather not take other supplements, have an energy problem then it's going to be effective.
Most people turn to a nootropic supplement to boost their mental performance beyond normal levels, whereas some people are simply looking for any help they can get to catch up. Some users described Vyvamind as an alternative to Adderall and they've been using that in their marketing ever since. Is this going to improve mental performance and cognitive abilities as much as an amphetamine, well obviously not, but even being compared to one is a good sign that it can dramatically increase focus. It's heavy on the L-Tyrosine and L-Theanine which as far as we're concerned is good. To be honest it's quite similar to Hunter Focus, but with a bit of caffeine and a bit less of the ingredients you can't get in a cup of coffee. So, we wouldn't recommend it over Hunter, as they're about the same price point. But, if you don't drink coffee and still want the stimulant hit, then it's a good option.
There are a lot of ingredients that make it into the best nootropics, and not all are as good or as well researched. Here's a bit more information about the ingredients in the products on our best nootropics list.
1- https://cognizin.com/en/studies/cognizin-citicoline-increases-brain-energy-atp-by-14-and-speeds-up-formation-of-brain-membranes-by-26-in-healthy-adults - Citicoline Increase In Brain Energy
2 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6366437/ - L Theanine Gaba And Sleep Regulation
3 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21303262/ - A combination of green tea extract and l-theanine improves memory and attention in subjects
4 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18296328/ - L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state
5 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32201301/ - Ashgawanda and stress relief
6 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4595381/ - The effects of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine
7 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1609044/ - Effects of phosphatidylserine in Alzheimer's disease
8 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6619435/ - Assessing the Efficacy and Mechanisms of Pycnogenol® on Cognitive Aging From In Vitro Animal and Human Studies
9 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6164534/ - The Effect of Lutein on Eye and Extra-Eye Health
10 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1863555/ - L-Tyrosine to alleviate the effects of stress?
11 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3679686/ -A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Ginkgo biloba in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: From Ancient Tradition to Modern-Day Medicine
12 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4698241/ - Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and meso-Zeaxanthin: The Basic and Clinical Science Underlying Carotenoid-based Nutritional Interventions against Ocular Disease
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6262174/ - Resveratrol Brain Delivery for Neurological Disorders Prevention and Treatment
