Recommended Supplements

A short-list of effective, science-backed compounds for cognitive enhancement.

Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola Rosea is a plant that helps your body handle stress. It is known as an adaptogen, which means it helps you 'adapt' to tough situations. It fights feelings of tiredness and burnout, helping you stay focused and energetic during long or stressful periods.

Rhodiola Rosea

The Science

  • It helps your body manage the stress hormone, cortisol.
  • This helps you resist feelings of fatigue and burnout.
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Rhodiola Rosea works by helping to balance your body's main stress response system, called the HPA axis. When you are stressed, this system releases a hormone called cortisol. A little cortisol can be helpful, but too much for too long makes you feel tired and burnt out. Rhodiola helps control this process. Here is what it does: * **It balances cortisol:** It helps prevent your body from releasing too much cortisol when you are under pressure. This stops the long-term damage that chronic stress can cause. * **It protects your energy:** Stress can drain your cells of energy. Rhodiola helps your cells keep making energy efficiently, even when you are stressed. This directly fights the feeling of being tired. Think of Rhodiola as a coach for your stress system. It does not get rid of stress, but it trains your body to handle it better. This makes you more resilient over time.

How It Helps You

  • Fights mental and physical tiredness, especially on stressful days.
  • Helps you feel less burnt out by balancing stress hormones.
  • Lets you focus for longer periods without feeling drained.
  • Can improve your overall mood and sense of well-being.

Recommended Use

  • **Dosage:** 200 to 600 mg of a standardized extract per day.
  • **When to take it:** Take it in the morning or early afternoon, as it can be energizing.
  • **Notes:** It is best to take it on an empty stomach. Some people like to cycle it, for example, taking it for 5 days and then taking 2 days off.

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Creatine Monohydrate

Most people know creatine for helping build muscle, but it is also a powerful fuel for your brain. It gives your brain cells more energy. This helps you think more clearly, remember things better, and fight off mental tiredness, especially on tough days.

Creatine Monohydrate

The Science

  • It helps your brain make more energy, very quickly.
  • This extra energy helps your brain cells work better, which can improve your short-term memory and thinking.
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Your brain uses a lot of energy, about 20% of your body's total supply. This energy comes from a molecule called ATP. When you do hard thinking, your brain uses up ATP very fast. Creatine helps solve this problem. It works as an energy recycler. Here is how: * **It helps make new ATP:** Creatine helps your brain quickly turn used energy (called ADP) back into fresh energy (ATP). * **It gives you a bigger energy tank:** Taking creatine increases the amount of creatine stored in your brain. This means your brain has more raw material on hand to make energy when you need it most. This process is very important when you are tired or stressed. When your brain is low on energy, your thinking can slow down. Creatine helps keep your brain's energy levels topped off, so you can keep performing well.

How It Helps You

  • Gives you more mental energy to reduce brain fog.
  • Helps you remember things better and think faster.
  • Boosts your physical energy for better workouts.
  • Keeps your brain working well, even when you are tired or stressed.

Recommended Use

  • **Dosage:** Take 3 to 5 grams every day. You do not need a 'loading phase' with high doses for brain benefits.
  • **When to take it:** You can take it any time of day. Just be consistent and take it daily.
  • **Notes:** Drink plenty of water when you take creatine. It helps your body use it better.

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L-Theanine

L-Theanine is a natural compound found in green tea. It helps you feel calm and focused without making you sleepy. This makes it a great tool to quiet a busy mind, so you can think clearly and handle stress better during your day.

L-Theanine

The Science

  • It helps your brain make more alpha waves. These waves happen when you feel relaxed but still awake and alert.
  • It also helps balance brain chemicals, which can lower feelings of stress.
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L-Theanine changes how your brain works in a few key ways. When you take it, it easily travels from your blood into your brain. Once there, it helps create more alpha brain waves. Think of these waves as your brain's 'calm focus' setting. It's the same state you might feel when you are concentrating deeply on something you enjoy. This is why L-Theanine helps you feel relaxed without feeling tired. It also works on your brain's chemical messengers. Here is how: * **It boosts calming chemicals:** It increases levels of GABA, serotonin, and dopamine. These chemicals help reduce anxiety and improve your mood. * **It blocks stress chemicals:** It can stop some of the brain's exciting signals that make you feel stressed or anxious. This two-part action helps your brain stay balanced. It quiets the noise so you can focus on what is important.

How It Helps You

  • Quiets a racing mind so you can concentrate.
  • Reduces feelings of stress and anxiety during a busy day.
  • Helps you focus on your work without feeling jumpy.
  • Can help you unwind before bed for better sleep.

Recommended Use

  • **Dosage:** 100 to 200 mg per serving. You can take this one or two times a day.
  • **When to take it:** Take it in the morning to help with focus for the day. You can also take it in the evening to help you relax.
  • **Notes:** It works with or without food. It is very safe for most people.

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Lion's Mane Mushroom

Lion's Mane is a mushroom used for centuries to support brain health. It is believed to work by helping the brain protect and grow its nerve cells. This may lead to better focus, clearer thinking, and support for your memory over the long term.

Lion's Mane Mushroom

The Science

  • It contains compounds that may help your brain produce more Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).
  • NGF is a protein that helps grow and protect your brain cells.
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The main way Lion's Mane is thought to help the brain is by supporting something called Nerve Growth Factor, or NGF. NGF is a protein that your body makes naturally. It is a key building block for your brain cells. NGF does a few important jobs: * **It helps brain cells survive:** It acts like a protector for your neurons, keeping them healthy. * **It helps brain cells grow:** It helps neurons grow new connections to each other. This process is how you learn new things and form memories. Lion's Mane contains special compounds that are small enough to pass from your blood into your brain. Once there, they are believed to encourage your brain to make more of its own NGF. By helping your brain get more NGF, Lion's Mane may support your brain's ability to repair itself and build new connections.

How It Helps You

  • Helps you think more clearly and reduces brain fog.
  • Supports your ability to remember things.
  • May help you feel less anxious or down.
  • Promotes the long-term health of your brain.

Recommended Use

  • **Dosage:** 500 to 1,000 mg of a quality extract. You can take this one or two times a day.
  • **When to take it:** It can be taken any time of day, with or without a meal.
  • **Notes:** Look for products made from the 'fruiting body' of the mushroom for the best results.

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Omega-3 (EPA & DHA)

Omega-3s are healthy fats that are essential for your brain. Your brain is made of about 60% fat, and Omega-3s are a key part of that structure. Getting enough helps support good mood, clear thinking, and the long-term health of your brain.

Omega-3 (EPA & DHA)

The Science

  • Omega-3s are a key building block for your brain cells.
  • They help reduce inflammation in the brain, which can support a better mood.
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Omega-3s are a family of fats, but two are very important for your brain: DHA and EPA. DHA is a primary building block of your brain. Think of it like bricks for a house. Your brain cells need DHA to be flexible and communicate with each other properly. This is essential for learning and memory. EPA has a different job. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Sometimes, stress and other factors can cause low-level inflammation in the brain, which can affect your mood and energy. EPA helps to calm this inflammation. Here is how they work together: * **DHA builds the brain:** It keeps the physical structure of your brain cells healthy. * **EPA protects the brain:** It helps manage inflammation and supports your mood. Your body cannot make these fats very well on its own, so it is important to get them from food or supplements. They are a foundational tool for keeping your brain in good working order.

How It Helps You

  • Supports your brain's health for the long run.
  • Helps you maintain a stable and positive mood.
  • Reduces brain fog and helps you think more clearly.
  • Can help lower inflammation in your whole body.

Recommended Use

  • **Dosage:** Aim for 1,000 to 2,000 mg of combined EPA and DHA each day.
  • **When to take it:** Take it with a meal that has some fat in it. This helps your body absorb it better.
  • **Notes:** Look for a quality fish oil that has been tested by a third party to make sure it is pure.

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Magnesium L-Threonate

This is a special kind of magnesium made to help your brain. It is one of the only forms that can get into the brain easily. It helps support your memory and can make it easier to fall asleep and get good rest at night.

Magnesium L-Threonate

The Science

  • It is a form of magnesium that can reach your brain effectively.
  • It supports connections between brain cells, which are important for learning and memory.
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Magnesium L-Threonate is different from other types of magnesium because of its ability to pass the blood-brain barrier. This is a protective filter that controls what gets into your brain. The 'L-Threonate' part acts like a key, letting the magnesium through this barrier. Once inside the brain, it increases magnesium levels. This is important for a few reasons: * **It supports brain connections:** It helps increase the number of synapses, which are the connections between your brain cells. More connections can mean better memory and learning. * **It helps your brain's learning switch:** It works with something called the NMDA receptor. This receptor is a key part of how your brain learns and makes new memories. Magnesium helps it work correctly. Think of it as giving your brain the right material to build and maintain its communication network. This helps your brain work better, especially in areas needed for memory.

How It Helps You

  • Helps you switch off your 'work brain' at the end of the day.
  • Lets you fall asleep faster and get more deep, restful sleep.
  • Can help you feel less stressed and anxious.
  • Supports your memory over the long term.

Recommended Use

  • **Dosage:** Follow the directions on the product label. This is usually around 2,000 mg of the total compound per day.
  • **When to take it:** Take it one or two hours before you go to bed to help with sleep.
  • **Notes:** You need to take it every day to see the best results for your brain health.

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