Whether you realize it or not, you probably take plant-based, herbal nootropics daily. That cup of Joe or freshly brewed green tea you enjoy every morning? Yep. Those caffeine-containing beverages are two of the most popular cognitive-enhancers around the world today! But all-natural nootropic supplements go beyond caffeine; several other nootropics can also boost your mental powers naturally. Read on to learn more about the best natural nootropics and how they can form part of your approach to holistic living.
Herbal Nootropics 101
According to an article in the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine journal, nootropics are defined as “compounds or supplements that enhance cognitive performance” from noo = “mind” and tropic = “turning.” The cognitive effects of nootropics are broken down into multiple actions that work together to help you achieve better:
- Memory
- Creativity
- Motivation
- Attention
In a healthy individual, nootropics can give your mental powers a daily gentle boost for a sharper cognition and improved creativity. In the case of those with memory deficit disorders — Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s — nootropic herbs can be used to stimulate the pathways experiencing difficulty, supporting the functions of memory and thought.
How Do Nootropics Work?
It’s all very well to claim that the “best natural nootropics” improve cognitive performance, but any such claims must be supported by clinical evidence. In the case of nootropics, there are two ways that scientists test substances to gauge their nootropic abilities:
- Memory and creativity tests that “measure” and observe the effects on an individual.
- The action of the substance on the brain as measured with EEGs and other tools.
Nootropics and Holistic Living
The best natural nootropics can play an important part in holistic living by boosting your natural capabilities and helping you to get more done. This isn’t necessarily a bad or unnatural thing to want for yourself. After all, mankind has been using nootropics and other natural enhancers since at least the beginning of recorded history!
The Egyptians used blue lotus in their sacred ceremonies for a sense of euphoria and boosted creativity, and coffee has been part of cultures around the world since at least the sixteenth-century C.E.
Ready to boost your brain without the help of artificial substances? Here are some of the top nootropic herbs and plants for enhancing your mental function naturally:
Memory
Memory is key to proper mental functioning — without it, you wouldn’t be able to retain lists of tasks in your head or find the car keys to go to work! Many of the best natural nootropics work on memory while also increasing alertness and reducing processing time. Memory support becomes especially important as people age.
Ginkgo Biloba
A leaf popularly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ginkgo biloba has become popular as a health supplement in herbal traditions around the world. Usually taken as a capsule or extract, Ginkgo biloba has been shown to improve memory and mental processing in older adults when taken for six weeks or longer. As an added side benefit, Ginkgo biloba has also been found to reduce cortisol levels and may be effective for reducing stress.
Creativity
Creativity goes beyond artistic abilities. Creativity can also be defined as the ability to solve problems and come up with new ideas — both of which are important in everyday and professional life. In the brain, creativity has been linked with alpha-wave activity, which is increased with some of the best natural nootropics, including L-Theanine.
L-Theanine
L-Theanine is the primary chemical found in tea and is one of the best natural nootropics for inducing a sense of calm without causing drowsiness. A smaller amount of 50 mg can increase alpha-wave activity, which is associated with creativity. L-Theanine can be taken as a supplement but is more effective when taken together with caffeine. Amazingly, these two plant-based nootropics can both be found in tea!
Attention
Being attentive and alert is essential for completing any task from grocery shopping to filing reports. This is especially true in the case of cerebral tasks such as studying and office work. If you’re feeling a little fatigued and distracted, caffeine really is one of the best natural nootropics for focusing on what you have to do.
Caffeine
Known to increase alertness and decrease reaction times, caffeine is an easy nootropic to add to your routine. One study suggests that the best dosage of caffeine per day is around 40 mg, though optimal benefits extend up to 300 mg. Caffeine can be found in coffee, cocoa, tea, kola nuts, yerba mate, and guarana — among others. If you are pregnant, please consult with your care provider before consuming caffeine or any of the other nootropics on this list.
Motivation
It’s hard to get things done without motivation, and motivation is often closely tied with energy levels. This makes it somewhat complicated to identify plant-based and herbal nootropics for motivation without looking at the energy factor as well.
Kratom
Obviously, one of the nootropics that Kratora customers use and love is Mitragyna speciosa — better known as kratom. Some of the more energizing kratom aromas have been said to help with attention, focus, alertness, and energy, as well as motivation.
For a strong nootropic kratom strain, try:
Mental Performance
Mental performance involves the ability to think clearly and quickly. Panax ginseng has been shown to boost these particular qualities when studied in humans.
Panax Ginseng
Panax ginseng has been used to enhance cognitive function as one of the best natural nootropics of the ancient world. However, the effects of Panax ginseng are only beginning to be understood.
So far, research indicates that taking 200 – 400 mg of Panax ginseng in one go can promote a feeling of calmness and improve a person’s performance on arithmetic problems. However, taking this herb for more than four weeks could result in reduced effectiveness.
Enhance Your Life with Organic Botanicals
Our mission at Kratora is to provide the purest nootropic herbs in the world so that you can enjoy greater vitality as part of a holistic lifestyle. From ethically-sourced fresh kratom varieties to kratom alternative products, we are leading the way in quality for a healthier and more sustainable future.
Shop our best natural nootropics to get free, same-day shipping on orders placed before 3 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday and 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturdays (excluding holidays).
Please note that the US FDA has not approved kratom to be sold for human consumption, sold for external use only. None of the products sold on our website are intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.
Want to learn more about kratom quality and value? Start here:
Why Buying Cheap Kratom Can Be Dangerous
