Individuals struggling with brain fog often find themselves lost and worn out. This hurts their productivity and as a result, they may not have enough energy and drive to perform any task or do day-to-day activities. This causes impairment in their mental function, which affects their ability to make decisions, think clearly, and concentrate on a particular task at hand.
If you are one of those individuals that are looking for ways to boost their intellectual abilities, then you can make use of nootropic supplements, which are cognitive enhancer drugs that help increase alertness, boost memory function, and improve focus. These drugs enhance wakefulness and increase energy levels.
In this blog, we will have a look at several safer alternatives of drugs that can be beneficial for invigorating your brain power.
Here are some supplements that one can have:
Caffeine
When you feel sleepy in the middle of work, the first thing that comes to your mind is none other than coffee. Coffee contains caffeine, which is a stimulant that is responsible for boosting cognitive function. It gets you going. A warm cup of coffee in the morning kickstarts your day on an energetic note. Caffeine is a part of many energy drinks and beverages, that one can have any time during the day.
Its psychoactive properties block some receptors in your brain which cause you to feel tired and peaks your alertness and improves your attention span. Having around 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day can provide you with the necessary boost of energy. Or you can ask your doctor for the appropriate dose to be taken per day.
Bacopa Monnieri
This is an ayurvedic herb that has been used as a powerful medicine since ancient times for boosting cognitive function. Moreover, This nootropic herb serves as an herbal remedy for longevity along with cognitive enhancement. According to a study conducted by researchers at the National Institutes of Health, this herb has excellent properties that can gear up your mental abilities and memory functions. It has been a part of traditional medicine for a long time.
Panax Ginseng
It is a root herb that has been around since ancient times and is well known for its brain function-boosting qualities. Research studies claim that ginseng is loaded with potent anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce the damage of oxidative stress on brain cells. It helps in improving critical thinking abilities by increasing alertness. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health also suggest that 200 to 400 mg of Panax ginseng can eliminate brain fog or fatigue and improve focus.
Ginkgo Biloba
The leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree contain mental power-boosting agents, that can be extracted and turned into oral supplements. As per the data available on Webmd, ginkgo boosts the flow of blood to your brain. It contains powerful antioxidants that speed up your brain function and is beneficial for individuals suffering from various types of dementia, one of which is Alzheimer’s.
Erectile Dysfunction
Moreover, ginkgo is also preferred by some individuals suffering from erectile dysfunction to overcome their erection difficulties. This herb causes vasodilation and expands the narrowed blood vessels. It does so by increasing the release of nitric oxide in the walls of the blood vessels which is a chemical responsible for causing vasodilation.
This widening of blood vessels allows more blood to flow through the vascular passages of the penile blood vessels. However, the results of ginkgo on ED are not quite significant. Individuals with ED can instead make use of ED medications like Fildena, which can restore their erection function within an hour after its intake.
Modafinil
These are FDA-approved medications that are sold under the brand name Provigil. These medications belong under the class of drugs known as wakefulness-promoting agents. They stimulate that part of the brain that controls the sleep-wake cycle. Moreover, These are prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy and several other sleep disorders.
These can also be helpful in the case of sleep apnea, wherein the individual experiences breathing difficulties in their sleep. Those who feel extreme drowsiness through the daytime can use these medications. They are available on prescription only. Your doctor will recommend an appropriate dose of modafinil according to your condition.
L-theanine
In general, L-theanine is an amino acid that could be found in tea. It can be taken as a supplement as well. It is responsible for improving the nerve signal response in the brain. L-theanine stimulates some hormones in the brain that boosts your cognitive abilities. Its supplementation might lower your stress levels, bring down anxiety, and improves your attention. If you are thinking to use L-theanine supplements, then you must get an appropriate dose of it approved by the doctor.
Final notes
Most of these nootropic drugs still lack sufficient research backing to prove their efficacy in improving brain power. Although there are still inconclusive studies on how these drugs carry out their activities in stimulating brain function, they might even function in different ways.
For boosting mental function, some of these drugs must be capable of increasing blood circulation in the brain, which allows your brain cells to get more nutrition. While some of them might stimulate the chemicals in your brain which control the sleep-wake cycle and prevents you from dozing off during the day. Different drugs work in different ways, however, the purpose remains the same, that is, to avoid daytime sleep or drowsiness.