Natural Nootropics are substances that enhance cognitive function. Improving memory, focus, attention, creativity… as well as overall brain health.
Enthenogens are substances that affect mental states… inducing altered states of consciousness (psychedelic or spiritual experiences).
Nootropics boost certain cognitive processes without causing hallucinations or significant changes in perception…
Although, a change in thinking could be considered a change in perception, an alteration of consciousness… it’s all about to what to depth...
The term ‘Nootropic’ sounds a bit like sci-fi… but it’s quite simply any substance that causes increased cognitive functioning.
Nootropics work by influencing Neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers between brain cells. Some Nootropics increase or decrease the production of specific Neurotransmitters, while other Nootropics enhance the sensitivity of the Neurotransmitter receptors sites…
Modulating these Neurochemical Pathways can optimise your brain functioning.
Non-Entheogenic Natural Nootropics
One of the worlds most popular Natural Nootropics is Coffee!
Coffee is undeniably a popular choice as a cognitive enhancer… and most of us have experienced the effects of this Nootropic.
The caffeine in coffee acts as a stimulant to your Central Nervous System… blocking Adenosine Receptors resulting in increased alertness, improved focus and an enhanced mood.
But coffee’s effects can be short-lived… it can become very habitual, it’s acidic (4.8-5 PH) and the ‘caffeine crash’ can cause anxiety, insomnia and even digestive issues.
In my 30’s I drank a lot of coffee, it was habitual throughout the day. When I quit the migraines were horrendous and the first double espresso I had hit me like a ‘drug’ with heart palpitations.
These daze I prefer to stick to over more harmonious Natural Nootropics… and a bit of BWE to focus my mind (and boost my cognition).
Five Natural Nootropics & Benefits
There are many herbs, roots, natural vitamins, minerals and micronutrients that have been scientifically proven to support cognitive function. Here are five powerful Natural Nootropics that should be reasonably easy to find:
1. Ginseng – Asian or Panax Ginseng
This one is a Natural Nootropic that’s been used throughout the East and West for some time. Panax Ginseng is commonly referred to as ‘True Ginseng’ ‘Asian Ginseng’ or just Ginseng.
Its roots have been harvested and dried for their medicinal uses for centuries… with one of the first written texts about it’s use in China in 196 AD.
It has many benefits to the whole body, including the promotion of mental alertness and vitality.
- Nourishing your nervous system, helping to balance hormones and alleviate stress
- Increasing your brains capacity for focus, concentration and clarity of thought
- Stimulating neurological activity, improving memory and alleviating mental fatigue
Where to find it: Ginseng can be found in most food stores these days, in a plethora of different digestible mediums from teas, powders to supplements.
2. Ashwagandha – aka Indian Ginseng
Also known as Indian Ginseng, the Ashwagandha root and berries have been used in Ayurvedic Medicines for over 2,500 years.
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic* herb with renowned abilities to help the body manage stress, reducing Cortisol levels (the primary stress hormone), contributing to improved mood and general well being.
*Adaptogens have a ‘Normalising Effect’ by helping bring the body back to homeostasis or equilibrium.
Ashwagandha benefits cognitive functions such as memory, focus and mental clarity and it’s been found effective at regenerating brain cells and reconstructing synapses.
- Regenerating brain cells, reconstructing synapses and improving cognitive function
- Reducing stress hormone cortisol and boosting happy serotonin chemicals
- Reducing anxiety, fighting the effects of stress and regulating your mood
Where to find it: You can usually find Ashwagandha in powdered form in most Health Food Stores. Just add a teaspoon to a glass of water and drink it down, it tastes ok (not amazing, not bad).
3. Gotu Kola: The Herb of Longevity
Gotu Kola, also know as Indian Pennywort, is a herb with a long history of use in both Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicine.
Described as the ‘Herb of Enlightenment‘ for it’s cleansing and nourishing effects on the mind and nervous system… and the ‘Student Herb‘ for it’s ability to boost cognitive functioning.
It’s also called the ‘Herb of Longevity’ because of it’s benefit to health. Gotu Kola contains Triterpenoids compounds which are responsible for many of it’s beneficial Immunomodulating* Effects.
* Something that stimulates or suppresses your immune system, helping to suppress infections and diseases.
Although modern research is still in it’s infancy, positive studies and ancient wisdom suggests that Gotu Kola is a powerful Natural Nootropic.
- Stimulating the growth of brain cells, boosting brain plasticity and communication between neurons
- Enhancing mood, cognitive function, improving memory and aids learning
- Alleviating mental fatigue, anxiety, depression, memory loss, insomnia and more
Where to find it: You can often find Gotu Kola as fresh salad leaves which are really delicious, I’d call it a pleasant a peppery taste and in this form it’s so easy to add to a healthy diet. It can also be found in powder and supplement form at most Health Stores.
4. Maca Root
Also known as ‘Peruvian Ginseng’ the Native Peruvians have been cultivating and using Maca Roots for over 2,000 years.
This Natural Nootropic is DELICIOUS, tasting a bit like butterscotch!
It’s another adaptogen, like Ginseng but different, boosting the brains ‘Bliss Molecule’ Anandamide and increasing positive emotions…
- Beating fatigue, increasing both physical and mental energy and endurance
- Improving academic performance, cognitive functioning and increasing memory
- Well known to improve your mood, increase your libido and overall quality of life
Where to find it: You can find Maca in powdered form in most Health Stores and many Supermarkets. It’s such a delicious and easy powder to use in smoothies, energy balls and baking. We sometimes mix it directly into peanut butter for an instant treat.
5. Reishi Mushroom
Reishi mushrooms have been used for their medicinal properties for centuries in traditional Chinese Medicine.
The term ‘Reishi’ doesn’t actually refer to one specific type of fungi… but to a large group of mushrooms that grow on trees.
Reishi mushrooms are large, ‘woody’ fungi characterized by their distinctive kidney or fan-shaped caps that range in color from reddish-brown to black.
They are primarily found growing on decaying logs and tree stumps in forests across Asia, although they can be found all over the world, with estimates suggesting there are as many as 2,000 separate species.
Reishi Mushrooms are another Apadotgen with one of the most celebrated benefits of Reishi being its ability to enhance immune function. Reishi contains bioactive compounds called beta-glucans and polysaccharides which have immunomodulatory effects.
And as a Natural Nootropic Reishi Mushrooms…
- Act like a cognitive conditioner, boosting the energy levels in the brain
- Stimulating cognitive activity and boosting neuroprotective effects
- Improving sleep, reducing anxiety, fatigue and depression, and promoting calmness
Where to find: Reishi can be found in a wider geographic range from South America to Asia, if you are in the right area, it is common to find in wet-ish woodlands and easy to identify yourself. We often find them on our walks. I just take one and dry it in the sun for a few days, then make into tea.
You can also find Reishi Mushroom available in various forms including dried slices, powders, extracts, and supplements. Dried slices are great for teas and powders a easy to add to smoothies.
Natural Nootropics: Botanical Brain Mixes
These FIVE Natural Nootropics are easy to find in your local shops and easy add to your diet, with HUGE potential benefits to your Cognitive Functioning and general health.
Give them a try yourself and let us know how you get on in the comments.
If you’re looking for a Natural Nootropic blend direct to your door, then the below is our, John & Heloise’s Botanical Brain Mix…
A synergistic blend of herbs, roots, natural vitamins, minerals, micronutrients for Boosting Your Brain Power (including all five of the Natural Nootropics mentioned above and more).
“It combines important nutrients and nutraceuticals that support hormonal and adrenal health, allowing users to better manage their stress responses on a day to day basis, adapt to their environment and better deal with stressful situations. Normalising and regulating the body’s functioning.”
Read more from Heloise at MoreVeganLife.com