Nootropics Benefits - Smart Brain-Boosters, Research-Backed Results

Nootropics do many great things for brain function. Memory, focus, concentration, attention, processing speed and more. This guide discusses the best research-backed benefits of nootropics and how you may achieve them with the right supplements.

Key Takeaways

Top benefits associated with nootropic supplementation include:

• Mood: Supplements like L-theanine, Bacopa monnieri, and Lion’s Mane mushroom help with apprehension, blue moods and stress, supporting healthy emotional well-being.
• Memory: Nootropics that improve both short-term and long-term memory, with supplements like phosphatidylserine, citicoline, and Bacopa enhancing memory retention, recall, and learning.
• Energy: Nootropics like citicoline, caffeine, and Rhodiola rosea enhance mental energy by optimizing brain metabolism, reducing fatigue, and improving stress resilience.
• Focus and Attention: Nootropics such as L-theanine and Rhodiola rosea improve concentration, selective attention, and multitasking by promoting mental clarity and alertness.
• Stress Resistance: Adaptogens like Rhodiola rosea and nootropic amino acid L-tyrosine help regulate stress hormones and restore neurotransmitter balance for sharpness under stress.
• Motivation: Nootropics like L-Tyrosine help dopamine, a neurotransmitter essential for drive and mental engagement. Rhodiola rosea enhances mental energy and focus to help motivation.
• Learning: Bacopa monnieri is an example of a highly regarded nootropic for learning, due to its ability to support multiple aspects of memory plus performance under stress.
• Information Processing Speed: Nootropics like Citicoline may help "accelerate" the brain, allowing for quicker thinking and sharper cognition under stress.
• Multitasking. L-Tyrosine, L-Theanine, Rhodiola and Citicoline support multitasking via working memory, mental flexibility, and focus, for smoother task-switching and sustained performance.
• Language & Verbal Fluidity. Nootropics may enhance language and verbal skills via mental clarity, focus and verbal fluency, helping with word retrieval and smoother communication.
• Mental Clarity. Nootropics support mental clarity by improving focus, reducing cognitive fatigue, and promoting efficient brain energy metabolism. All for sharp, clear and quick thinking.
• Creativity. L-Theanine is one nootropic valued by creatives and creative problem solvers. It raises alpha brain waves to promote a "relaxed but alert" state that's great for creative thinking.
• Athletic Performance. Nootropics may enhance gym performance by improving mental focus, energy, and endurance, helping athletes to push through fatigue and sustain peak intensity.
• Executive functions. High-level cognitive processes that help regulate thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, enabling goal setting, problem-solving, attention control, and impulse management.
• Brain Health and Anti-Aging. Long-term nootropic benefits include neuroprotection and antioxidant support, enhancing brain plasticity and protecting against cognitive decline.

Which Nootropic Supplement has the Most Benefits?

• Mind Lab Pro®. The most cognitive benefits in one formula, including research-backed benefits.(1,2) This 11-in-1 stack boosts the whole brain for better focus, attention, memory, mood, stress resistance, learning, creativity and more. Learn more about Mind Lab Pro benefits and ingredients.

In general, the best research-backed nootropic supplements hold the potential to offer versatile support for your overall cognitive ability. Helping with mental performance, mood, energy, and many more benefits for short-term cognitive performance and long-term brain health.

What Kind of Brain Function Benefits Can Nootropics Offer?

So what are nootropics? Often referred to as cognitive enhancers, nootropics are substances that improve various aspects of mental function, including memory, focus, creativity, and mood. They can be natural or synthetic compounds, designed to enhance brain function with minimal side effects.

The main defining characteristic of nootropics is their ability to support cognitive performance.

This can come in any form; for example, promoting short-term mental clarity and stress resilience or protecting long-term brain health against age-related decline.

If you are new to nootropics and want to learn more about the basics, check out our list of nootropics and Beginner's Quick-Start Guide to Nootropics.

An Important Note on "Smart Drugs"

While "nootropic drugs" and "smart drugs" are phrases used to describe nootropics, this article is covering nootropic supplements only. Stimulant medication and nootropic drugs for certain brain diseases and mental health issues can only be prescribed by a doctor. Nootropic dietary supplement products are widely available; however, they still must be taken under the direction of your doctor.

Now let's dig into all those beneficial cognitive effects associated with nootropics.

Nootropic benefits generally fall under two categories:

1. Short-Term Cognitive Benefits of Nootropics. Enhance cognitive performance in the moment. These compounds improve mental clarity, focus, memory, and stress resistance, helping you perform at their best during high-pressure situations. Ideal for immediate mental sharpness, short-term nootropics provide a temporary cognitive edge without the need for prolonged use.

   Long-Term Cognitive Benefits of Nootropics. Long-term nootropics focus on supporting brain health and cognitive function over time. Promote neuroprotection, enhance memory consolidation, support neuroplasticity, and reduce cognitive decline. With consistent use, they can nourish the brain for lifelong learning, productivity, and healthy aging.

Did you know? The best nootropics often combine a mix: The ability to boost short-term brainpower while actively nourishing, replenishing and optimizing the brain for long-range health.

Let's take a closer look at short- and long-term benefits of nootropics and learn how a scientifically proven nootropic stack supplement may deliver the best of both worlds.

Short-Term Cognitive Function Benefits of Nootropics

Mood

Many people turn to nootropics to help with mood-related issues such as anxiety (including performance anxiety and social anxiety), depression, stress, and emotional imbalances.

This approach may be sensible as mood disorders sometimes stem from unbalanced brain functions like poor circulation, skewed neurotransmitters, low brain energy, and weakened stress resistance.

Nootropic supplements with potential to help with mental health and mood include:

• L-Theanine: Encourages a relaxed, anxiety-free state by modulating alpha brainwaves, creating a mental state similar to meditation. L-Theanine has been linked to a calmer heart rate and reduced stress markers.(3)
• Bacopa Monnieri: Acts as an adaptogen; stress-buster suggested to ease anxiety while sharpening mental performance with no sedating side effects.(4)
• Lion's Mane Mushroom: Lion's Mane promotes the release of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which helps regenerate and protect brain cells, potentially improving mood stability. Shown to help with depressive symptoms, with clinically shown benefits for bright and balanced mood.(5)
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids (DHA/EPA): Omega-3s regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are critical for emotional well-being, as well as supporting brain cell function, which may help with issues related to anxiety and blue moods. More on Omega-3s for the brain
• Rhodiola Rosea: This adaptogen improves the body’s stress response by modulating cortisol levels, reducing fatigue, and promoting a more balanced mood. It may be especially good for helping individuals stay mentally resilient during stressful periods.(6)
• Vitamins B6, B9, and B12: These B vitamins play a crucial role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which is essential for maintaining emotional stability. Deficiencies in these vitamins have been linked to mood concerns.(7)
• Vitamin D: The sunshine vitamin helps improve mood by regulating serotonin production and supporting brain function; suggested to help with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).(8)
• Prebiotics and Probiotics: The gut microbiome (colony of probiotics) is increasingly recognized as a contributor to mood health; prebiotic and probiotic nutritional supplements can help.
• Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha is another powerful adaptogen known for its mood-enhancing effects. It helps lower cortisol levels, promoting calmness and reducing stress and apprehension.
• GABA Supplements: GABA, a neurotransmitter that inhibits excessive brain activity, promotes relaxation. Supplementing with GABA can support calm and better emotional regulation

These nootropics work through various pathways—regulating neurotransmitter levels, improving brain circulation, boosting neuroplasticity, and balancing stress hormones—to support emotional well-being. Together, they offer a natural approach to managing anxiety, depression, and stress while promoting overall mental health and resilience.

Learn more about nootropics that help to support mood balance

Learn about nootropics that may help with anxiety

Memory

Memory plays a critical role in learning, decision-making, and daily functioning, with various nootropics supporting both short-term (working memory) and long-term memory consolidation.

Memory functions that may benefit from brain boosting nootropics include:

• Long-term memory - the specific memory stage that holds onto knowledge and experiences indefinitely, over years and decades

• Short-term memory (working memory) - knowledge and experiences held up to about 30 seconds, and in limited quantity – 5 to 10 pieces of information only. Used in reasoning and processing.

• Free recall - Ability to store a set of items, hold onto them for a few minutes, and then properly remember and express those items in any order

• Spatial memory - Brain's ability to store and retrieve information about the physical environment, including the locations of objects and the relationships between them. Enables navigation.

Since acetylcholine is a key neurotransmitter for memory formation and retrieval, nootropics that help with this neurotransmitter are believed to benefit memory performance.

Some of the best research-backed nootropics for improving memory, including additional compounds with promising effects:

Citicoline: Citicoline enhances working memory and recall by boosting acetylcholine levels, which is essential for memory formation and retrieval. It also improves brain energy metabolism by increasing ATP production, helping maintain mental clarity and cognitive function over prolonged period. Some research suggests it improves cognitive function and memory deficits in elderly people.(9)

Bacopa Monnieri: Bacopa supports memory from several different angles; great for people who need to retain large amounts of information over time. It's considered a top memory-booster for students because it helps slow down the rate at which the brain forgets newly learned knowledge.(10)

Phosphatidylserine (PS): PS is probably the best nootropic for memory overall; helps with short-term memory, long-term memory, recall and more.(11) It's a phospholipid that maintains healthy neuron membranes. Research has shown that PS supplementation improves memory retention in older adults, potentially helping with age-related memory decline.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom: Lion’s Mane promotes neuroplasticity by stimulating Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which enhances the brain's ability to form new connections and consolidate long-term memories. It also shows promise in supporting memory recovery in cases of cognitive decline or neurodegenerative conditions.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids (DHA/EPA): Omega-3s contribute to memory in part by supporting brain cell membrane fluidity which in turn helps neurons fire. DHA, in particular, has been linked to better memory retention and is often recommended to prevent cognitive decline in aging populations

Vitamin B6, B9, and B12: Deficiencies in these vitamins are associated with memory impairment, particularly in older adults, making supplementation a key strategy for cognitive health maintenance. Vitamin B6 in particular has been shown to help brain health and significantly improve storage of information in older adults.(12)

Ginkgo Biloba: Ginkgo biloba is suggested to improve memory and cognitive function by enhancing blood circulation to the brain, ensuring better oxygen and nutrient delivery. It may support both working memory and recall, particularly in individuals with age-related cognitive impairment.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR): ALCAR supports memory by improving mitochondrial function, boosting energy production within brain cells, and reducing oxidative damage. Studies suggest it may help with memory retention and cognitive performance, especially in people with mild cognitive decline.

L-Tyrosine: Shown to help enhance working memory performance in multitasking settings with additional benefits for mental agility and cognitive performance under stress.(13)

Of these nootropics, Phosphatidylserine (PS) appears to offer the most evidence-backed benefits for memory. Read more about PS

Mind Lab Pro® Nootropic Supplement: Research-Backed Memory Benefits

Top brain supplement Mind Lab Pro® is one of the very few stacks that has demonstrated real memory benefits in a well-designed clinical research trial.

• In the study, researchers reported that healthy subjects taking Mind Lab Pro® significantly improved memory performance across all subsets, including auditory memory, visual memory, visual working memory, immediate and delayed recall.(2)
• Mind Lab Pro® supplies several top memory nootropics, including Phosphatidylserine (PS), Bacopa monnieri, L-Tyrosine (as NALT), Citicoline, Lion's Mane Mushroom, and Vitamin B6, B9, B12.

For broader-spectrum memory support, Mind Lab Pro® can be safely and effectively stacked with other top supplements that support memory, including Performance Lab® Omega-3. We detail these supplements below.

Brain Energy

Brain energy is crucial for mental performance. Cognitive tasks depend heavily on efficient energy production and resistance to fatigue. It's one of those brain functions we really feel, especially when we don't have it. Mental energy is peak performance, while brain fog slows you down.

The brain requires a steady supply of oxygen, glucose, and neurotransmitters, as well as optimal mitochondrial function, to sustain focus and clarity throughout demanding activities.

Here are a few of the mechanisms by which nootropics boost brain energy, neutralize fatigue, and promote long-lasting mental endurance:

Supporting Blood Flow: Improved blood flow ensures the delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain cells, essential for energy production and mental performance under cognitive stress.

• Maritime Pine Bark Extract is a nootropic antioxidant complex known for supporting blood flow to the brain.

Optimizing Mitochondrial Function: The brain’s mitochondria act as energy powerhouses, generating ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the primary energy currency used by neurons. Efficient mitochondrial function reduces brain fatigue and supports prolonged mental effort.

Strengthening Stress Resistance: Chronic stress depletes brain energy and impairs cognitive function. Nootropics help regulate stress hormones like cortisol, preventing burnout and mental exhaustion.

Tuning Brain Waves: By increasing alpha wave activity, some nootropics promote a state of “wakeful relaxation,” which restores mental energy and reduces cognitive fatigue.

Key Nootropics for Brain Energy

Citicoline - Cognitive enhancer clinically shown to boost brain energy metabolism by 13.6%.(14) Citicoline raises mental energy by increasing ATP production within brain cells, improving mental clarity, and boosting cognitive endurance.

Rhodiola Rosea: Suggested to increase brain ATP energy and minimize stress-induced fatigue.(15) This adaptogenic herb boosts ATP production in the brain and minimizes stress-related brain fog, making it ideal for individuals needing sustained cognitive energy in high-pressure environments

Vitamin B12 - A key cofactor in brain cell energy metabolism.(16) As a cofactor in energy metabolism, Vitamin B12 supports the production of red blood cells and ensures optimal oxygen delivery to brain cells. It is particularly useful for combating brain fog and fatigue in individuals with B12 deficiencies

L-Tyrosine: L-Tyrosine improves cognitive performance under conditions of sleep deprivation by maintaining dopamine levels, enhancing both mental energy and focus during long periods of wakefulness. Shown to enhance mental performance under sleep deprivation.(17)

Caffeine + L-Theanine: Caffeine - Alert mental state that feels like "energy"; reduce jitters by taking it with L-Theanine. Caffeine boosts alertness and energy by stimulating the central nervous system, but pairing it with L-Theanine smooths out the jittery effects, promoting a calm yet energized mental state suitable for focused cognitive tasks

MCT Oil: Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are quickly converted into ketones, which provide an alternative fuel source for the brain. MCT oil is particularly beneficial during intermittent fasting or low-carb diets, helping sustain mental energy when glucose levels are low.(18)

Magnesium - Essential mineral for cell energy production.(19) Magnesium plays a vital role in cellular energy production by activating ATP. Despite its importance, many people are deficient in this mineral, leading to fatigue and cognitive sluggishness that magnesium supplementation can help reverse

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): Energizing antioxidant compound required for energy in all living things, including the human body and brain.(20) CoQ10 is essential for mitochondrial energy production, supporting energy-intensive tissues like the brain. Supplementing with CoQ10 improves mental stamina and reduces cognitive fatigue, especially in older adults or individuals with mitochondrial issues.

These nootropics work synergistically to maintain optimal brain energy levels, ensuring sustained cognitive performance during extended periods of focus and reducing the risk of burnout.

Whether addressing daily mental fatigue, sleep deprivation, or high-stress workloads, these supplements support mental clarity, endurance, and resilience.

Brain energy is linked to overall brain health. It is also associated with an energized mindset – the capacity to think quickly and have agile cognitive performance. 

Read more about various nootropics that help with mental energy.

Attention and Focus

Attention and focus refer to the ability to concentrate one’s mind on a single task while ignoring other environmental stimuli over an extended period of time.

Nootropics may help with several different aspects of attention, including:

• Focused attention - the ability to maintain focus on a specific sensory stimuli.

• Selective attention - maintaining focus on one stimuli against the background of distraction.

• Alternating attention - brain function flexibility; the ability to switch seamlessly from task to task.

• Divided attention - classicmultitasking, the ability to manage multiple cognitive tasks at once.

Several different types of nootropics have been linked tobenefits for attention and focus:

• L-Tyrosine - Supports dopamine and norepinephrine levels, which are crucial for cognitive activation and sustained attention. Suggested to improve mental performance, especially under stress, helping individuals stay focused during high-pressure situations like exams or deadlines Amino acid suggested to activate cognition and boost markers of attention.(21)
• Citicoline - Helps brain energy and acetylcholine production, which is essential for focus and attention management. Research suggests it improves attentional performance, particularly in tasks requiring sustained concentration, such as those performed by students or professionals. Shown to enhance attentional performance in women and one for younger men.(22,23)
• L-Theanine - By increasing alpha brainwave activity, L-Theanine promotes a relaxed state of alertness, reducing mental distractions without inducing drowsiness. It is particularly effective when paired with caffeine, as it smooths out jittery effects, resulting in steady focus during long work sessions. Promotes relaxed alertness; shown to raise Alpha waves in the brain and improve attention in human research.
• Rhodiola Rosea - Rhodiola supports attention by reducing mental fatigue and increasing cognitive endurance, helping individuals sustain focus over extended periods. Its ability to regulate stress hormones like cortisol makes it valuable for maintaining attention during high-stress or mentally demanding tasks. Research-supported boosts for many aspects of attentional performance.(24)

These nootropics can be stacked to provide targeted support for different aspects of attention, ensuring sharper focus, enhanced multitasking, and improved cognitive flexibility.

Whether taken alone or stacked together (all are in Mind Lab Pro, for example), they help people stay engaged and productive, especially when working in fast-paced environments or managing complex workloads.

Read more about benefits of nootropics for attention and nootropics for ADHD(attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

Stress Resistance

Chronic stress leads to cognitive impairment by depleting neurotransmitters, impairing focus, and triggering mental fatigue. It also elevates cortisol levels, which can interfere with memory formation, decision-making, and emotional regulation.

Stress can diminish mental performance in the short term and lead to more ongoing issues with your mental clarity, mental health, fatigue andburnout.

Nootropics for stressmay enhance brain performance in a few different ways – including by strengthening the body’s resistance to stress, replenishing brain chemicals and promoting relaxation. Some of the best are:

• L-Tyrosine - Replenishes dopamine and norepinephrine levels, both of which become depleted during periods of stress. This helps maintain focus and cognitive function under pressure, such as during exams or intense work situations. Researchers suggest it may assist brain performance and mental recovery by helping restore brain chemicals depleted by stress.(25)
• Rhodiola Rosea - As a powerful adaptogen, Rhodiola helps regulate cortisol levels, reducing stress-induced fatigue and mental exhaustion. It improves endurance, enabling individuals to stay mentally resilient and focused during prolonged stress. In short, it counters stress hormone, strengthens stress resistance and busts stress related fatigue.(26)
• Bacopa Monnieri - Bacopa has long been used to relieve stress and anxiety while enhancing cognition. Its antioxidant properties protect brain cells from oxidative damage, which is often exacerbated by chronic stress. Bacopa is suggested to prime the brain for active thinking under stress.(27)
• L-Theanine - L-Theanine promotes relaxation by increasing alpha brain waves, which induce a state of calm alertness.(28) It reduces stress without causing drowsiness, making it effective for staying calm and focused during high-pressure tasks.
• Phosphatidylserine (PS) - PS reduces cortisol levels and enhances mental performance under stress, especially in individuals engaged in demanding cognitive tasks. It also supports memory and focus by maintaining healthy brain cell membranes

These nootropics work through complementary mechanisms—regulating neurotransmitters, balancing cortisol, and reducing oxidative stress—making them effective tools for managing stress. Together, they support cognitive endurance, emotional stability, and sustained focus, even under challenging conditions.

Learning & Academics

Learning is one aspect of memory that we're giving extra attention to, primarily because so many college students and other learners are seeking a natural brain-boosting edge these days.

Indeed, between studying and pressure-filled exams, academics face an especially challenging combination of cognitive demands in order to excel, including:

Mental energy

In academics, maintaining high levels of mental energy is key for completing long study sessions, staying productive, and avoiding burnout.

When students lack mental energy, they may procrastinate, struggle to initiate tasks, or find it difficult to sustain effort over time. This can lead to incomplete assignments, diminished learning outcomes, and frustration.

Mental energy also plays a crucial role in maintaining a positive mindset, which helps students stay engaged, motivated, and open to new ideas throughout the learning process.

Focus and attention

In the classroom environments, focus and attention are vital for absorbing new information during lectures, reading comprehension, and effective study sessions.

Without these abilities, students may become overwhelmed by competing priorities or distractions, leading to superficial learning and reduced productivity.

Strong attention skills also allow students to adapt quickly to different cognitive demands, such as switching between mathematics and literature assignments, without losing momentum or clarity.

Memory storage and retrieval

The brain’s ability to encode and retain information are fundamental to academic success, as students must remember facts, concepts, and procedures across different subjects.

Effective memory storage ensures that new information integrates well with prior knowledge, fostering deeper understanding. Meanwhile, retrieval is critical for recalling information during tests or class discussions.

Poor memory retrieval can result in "blanking out" during exams, even when students have studied extensively, highlighting the importance of both encoding and retrieval for academic performance. 

Stress resistance

Academic life can be inherently stressful due to exams, deadlines, and the pressure to perform well. Stress resistance refers to the brain’s ability to maintain cognitive emotional balance under pressure.

Without proper stress management, students may experience anxiety, impaired concentration, and memory lapses, all of which hinder academic success. Stress can also lead to procrastination, avoidance behaviors, and burnout, making it difficult to stay on track.

On the other hand, students with strong stress resistance can approach challenges with confidence, manage their workload effectively, and remain calm and focused during high-pressure situations like exams or presentations.

Two adaptogen nootropics appear to deliver just the right mix memory, energy, attention, stress support and other mental skills that underlie all new learning, including:

• Bacopa Monnieri - the most famous learner’s nootropic, shown to slow down the rate at which we forget new knowledge.(29)

• Rhodiola Rosea - May improve cognition; suggested to have potential for enhancing memory and learning ability.(30)

Read more about nootropic benefits that help college students improve brain function and studying in general.

Motivation & Drive

Motivation is the inner desire or reason for pursuing a goal, while drive refers to the sustained effort and persistence required to achieve that goal. Both are crucial in any area of life, from personal growth to professional success.

Motivation provides the spark—the reason to begin a task, adopt a new habit, or pursue a long-term objective. It shapes our choices, influences priorities, and directs attention toward what we find meaningful or valuable.

Drive, on the other hand, is what keeps us moving forward, especially when motivation dips or obstacles arise. Life is full of challenges, and achieving worthwhile goals often demands consistent effort over time. Without drive, it’s easy to lose momentum in the face of setbacks, fatigue, or competing demands.

Drive ensures that we stay committed to our goals, maintain progress, and continue striving, even when outcomes are delayed or difficult to attain.

Together, motivation and drive form a powerful combination. Motivation supplies the vision and reason, while drive provides the grit needed to transform ideas into achievements.

Nootropics may help with motivation, potentially by regulating the brain chemical dopamine.

Some top nootropics with the greatest potential benefits for motivation include:

• L-Tyrosine - supports brain chemicals and dopamine levels associated with healthy mental drive.(31)
• Vitamin B9 - a foundation nootropic B-vitamin that is required for dopamine synthesis.(32)
• Rhodiola Rosea - optimizes dopamine plus mind-clarifying, stimulating, energizing benefits that may offer cognitive benefits for motivation.(33)
• Caffeine + L-Theanine: Increases alertness and focus without the jittery effects of caffeine alone, sustaining motivation over long periods.

Whether working toward a fitness goal, mastering a skill, building a business, or advancing in a career, both are essential to staying on course and reaching one's full potential.

Read more about nootropic benefits for motivation and some of the brain chemicals that are involved in mental drive and performance.

Information Processing Speed

Information processing speed refers to the brain’s ability to take in, interpret, and respond to information efficiently. Faster processing speed improves mental agility, enabling quicker decision-making, problem-solving, and multitasking.

Research-backed nootropics like Citicoline and L-Tyrosine may enhance processing speed by increasing the availability of key neurotransmitters.

• Citicoline promotes acetylcholine levels, improving cognitive function and brain metabolism, which helps individuals think and respond more rapidly. L-Tyrosine supports dopamine production, enhancing mental performance under stress or sleep deprivation by improving focus and processing speed.

Rhodiola rosea is another nootropic sometimes associated with quick thinking; it may work by reducing mental fatigue, ultimately helping maintain fast mental performance during demanding tasks.

Finally, caffeine is a tried-and-true "accelerator" when it comes to various cognitive functions, including mental processing.

Researchers have reported that however, caffeine significantly accelerates reaction times (a measure of mental processing speed) in auditory and visual choice tasks. Intriguingly, researchers said that these benefits were stimulated by even low caffeine doses (32 mg), up to much larger doses of 600 mg caffeine.(34)

These nootropics promote the kind of mental sharpness required for competitive environments, such as academic exams or fast-paced work settings.

Mind Lab Pro® Nootropic Supplement: Research-Backed Information Processing Benefits

The "Universal Nootropic" Mind Lab Pro® is the only nootropic stack supplement on the market that has been researched and validated for enhancing mental processing.

• In the study, researchers reported that healthy individuals taking Mind Lab Pro® experienced significant improvements in simple reaction time (SRT), which is a measure of information processing performance.(1)
• Mind Lab Pro® supplies the best nootropic compounds for supporting information processing speed, including Phosphatidylserine (PS), Citicoline and L-Tyrosine (as NALT).

Mind Lab Pro® can be safely and effectively stacked with other nootropics for information processing speed. One of the best to consider stacking with MLP for this purpose is Performance Lab® Caffeine 2.

Mind Lab Pro® helps accelerate the mind without stimulation. Caffeine 2 delivers smarter stimulation: Caffeine in 50 mg increments, stacked with L-Theanine, more L-Tyrosine, and more B-Vitamins.

We'll get more into Performance Lab® Caffeine 2 below.

Alertness

Mental alertness refers to the brain’s ability to maintain a state of heightened awareness and readiness to respond to stimuli. It is essential for staying focused, reacting quickly, and performing well in tasks that require sustained mental effort.

Nootropics such as Caffeine and L-Theanine are well-researched for improving alertness.

Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, enhancing wakefulness and reaction times, while L-Theanine, when paired with caffeine, reduces jitters and promotes calm focus, leading to smoother mental performance.

Rhodiola rosea also supports alertness by combating fatigue and enhancing energy under stress, making it particularly useful in high-pressure environments.

These nootropics work together to sustain mental energy, ensuring consistent alertness throughout the day, even during extended periods of work or study.

Multitasking

Multitasking refers to managing multiple tasks or switching between them seamlessly, requiring working memory, mental flexibility, focus, and stress resilience. The following nootropics are suggested to help enhance these abilities, helping maintain cognitive performance during demanding multitasking:

• L-Tyrosine: Supports dopamine and norepinephrine production to maintain focus and working memory under stress.
• L-Theanine: Promotes relaxed alertness by increasing alpha brain wave activity, aiding in task-switching without inducing fatigue.
• Rhodiola Rosea: Reduces fatigue, regulates cortisol, and sustains focus during prolonged mental effort.
• Citicoline: Boosts acetylcholine production for improved working memory and enhances brain energy metabolism to sustain attention.

These nootropics collectively improve mental clarity, flexibility, and endurance, allowing for smoother task-switching and better management of complex workloads.

Athletic Performance & Pre-Workout

Athletic performance isn’t just about physical strength and endurance—it also relies heavily on cognitive functions. Mental clarity, focus, motivation, stress management, and quick decision-making play critical roles in training and competition.

Athletes need sharp focus to follow strategies, quick reflexes to respond in dynamic environments, and mental endurance to push through fatigue during long sessions. Additionally, maintaining emotional balance and managing stress are essential for peak performance, especially in high-pressure situations.

Nootropics that enhance cognitive abilities like focus, mental stamina, and stress resistance can be taken as pre-workout supplements to complement physical training by improving concentration, boosting motivation, and supporting recovery.

These cognitive improvements help athletes maintain consistency, make better split-second decisions, and sustain performance under pressure, offering an edge both in training and competition.

Some of the best nootropics for athletic benefits include:

• L-Tyrosine: Helps maintain mental sharpness during intense workouts by supporting dopamine levels, which reduces stress and fatigue. May also help you to replenish performance-driving brain chemicals after intense workouts.
• Caffeine + L-Theanine: Boosts physical energy and reaction time, making it a popular pre-workout choice, while pairing it with L-Theanine helps prevent jitters, promoting smoother focus.
• Rhodiola rosea: Known for its adaptogenic properties, improves endurance and reduces fatigue, helping athletes sustain performance under pressure. Prized by bodybuilders and Olympic athletes including biathletes and powerlifters as a natural performance enhancer.
• Citicoline: Supports mental clarity and motivation, contributing to better workout consistency. Its also a well-supported cell energy enhancer, working to boost vitality in body and mind during even the most grueling gym sessions.
• MCT Oil: MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) provide a quick, efficient energy source for the brain and muscles, enhancing endurance, mental clarity, and recovery during training and athletic performance.
• Beetroot: Rich in nitrates, beetroot enhances blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, improving mental stamina and energy. This can support sustained motivation and drive during mentally demanding tasks by reducing feelings of fatigue.
• Electrolytes: Proper hydration and electrolyte balance (sodium, potassium, magnesium) are essential for optimal brain function. They support mental clarity and energy levels, fighting cognitive fatigue that limit drive, especially during intense exercise.

These nootropics enhance both the mental and physical aspects of exercise, helping athletes push through challenging sessions with sustained energy and intensity.

Learn more about nootropics for athletes

Language and Verbal Fluency

Verbal fluency and language skills rely on several cognitive functions, including memory recall, focus, processing speed, and creativity. Whether delivering a presentation, engaging in a conversation, or writing, the ability to retrieve words quickly and articulate thoughts clearly is crucial.

Nootropics that enhance these cognitive processes can improve verbal performance by boosting mental clarity, reducing anxiety, and sharpening focus, making it easier to communicate effectively and express ideas with precision.

The following nootropics may play key roles in promoting language skills and verbal fluency:

• Bacopa Monnieri: Known for its memory-boosting properties, Bacopa supports long-term retention of new information, making it highly beneficial for students and language learners. It slows the rate of forgetting newly learned material, facilitating better recall of vocabulary and grammar structures during language acquisition.
• Citicoline: Citicoline boosts brain energy and supports acetylcholine production, a neurotransmitter essential for learning and memory. This helps improve mental agility and verbal fluency, enhancing both spontaneous speech and structured communication tasks
• Rhodiola Rosea: This adaptogen reduces fatigue and improves mental clarity, allowing for better performance during verbal exchanges or when learning new languages under pressure. Its ability to combat cognitive fatigue makes it valuable during high-stress environments like public speaking or presentations
• L-Theanine: L-Theanine promotes relaxed alertness by increasing alpha brain wave activity, helping with smooth verbal expression and word retrieval. It also reduces anxiety, improving communication in social settings where stress might inhibit fluent speech

These nootropics may aid in the learning of new languages and help maintain clarity and fluency under stress, making them particularly useful for students, professionals, and anyone engaging in complex verbal tasks.

Learn more about nootropics for verbal, language & fluency

Mental Clarity

Mental clarity is the ability to think clearly, stay focused, and process information efficiently without feeling foggy or distracted. It’s essential for making sound decisions, solving problems, and staying productive throughout the day.

Nootropics that enhance mental clarity work by reducing cognitive fatigue, promoting focus, and balancing neurotransmitters, helping individuals maintain sharp thinking and stay mentally organized, even during stressful or demanding situations.

The following nootropics help promote mental clarity by reducing cognitive fatigue, improving neurotransmitter function, and boosting brain energy:

• Citicoline: Enhances brain energy metabolism and supports acetylcholine production, improving focus and decision-making.
• L-Theanine: Promotes alpha brain wave activity, creating a calm yet alert state, reducing stress-induced distractions.
• Rhodiola Rosea: Reduces mental fatigue and enhances stress resilience, ensuring sustained cognitive clarity under pressure.
• Phosphatidylserine (PS): Supports communication between brain cells, improving memory, focus, and mental sharpness during complex tasks.
• Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR): Boosts mental energy and clarity by supporting mitochondrial function and reducing brain fog.
• Caffeine + L-Theanine: Combines the stimulating effects of caffeine with the calming properties of L-Theanine to enhance focus, alertness, and clarity without jitters.
• Bacopa Monnieri: Enhances cognitive processing and reduces mental fatigue by supporting memory retention and neurotransmitter function.
• Lion’s Mane Mushroom: Stimulates nerve growth factor (NGF), promoting neuroplasticity and reducing brain fog, supporting long-term mental clarity.

These nootropics support efficient thinking and sustained focus, making them ideal for tasks requiring high mental precision and prolonged concentration.

Creativity

Creativity thrives in a state of relaxed alertness, where the mind is free to make connections without distractions.

Amino acid nootropic L-Theanine promotes creativity by increasing alpha brain wave activity, which is associated with calm, meditative focus and heightened imagination.

By reducing anxiety and mental clutter, L-Theanine allows for smoother creative thinking and idea generation.

Unlike stimulants that create jittery energy, it supports a balanced mental state, making it easier to engage in brainstorming, problem-solving, and artistic pursuits without stress interfering.

This unique ability to induce a calm yet alert mindset makes L-Theanine a popular nootropic for anyone seeking to enhance creative output.

Learn more about nootropics for creativity

Executive Functions

Executive functions refer to advanced cognitive processes that enable planning, decision-making, problem-solving, impulse control, and mental flexibility.

These functions are essential for managing complex tasks, organizing thoughts, and adapting to changing situations. Certain nootropics enhance executive functions by supporting focus, working memory, and stress regulation.

Nootropics with benefits for executive functions include:

• L-Tyrosine: Increases dopamine levels, improving cognitive control, mental flexibility, and problem-solving abilities, especially under stress.
• Citicoline: Enhances working memory and decision-making by boosting acetylcholine levels, supporting goal-oriented behavior and attention management.
• Rhodiola Rosea: Reduces stress and fatigue, helping maintain focus and impulse control during demanding tasks, ensuring smoother task execution.
• L-Theanine: Promotes calm focus by reducing mental distractions, allowing for better planning, strategic thinking, and impulse regulation.

Executive function nootropics stack together effectively to improve self-regulation, cognitive flexibility, and productivity, making them valuable for professionals, students, and anyone engaging in multitasking or high-stress decision-making.

Long-Term Cognitive Performance Benefits of Nootropics

Smart drugs may help keep your brain healthy in the future. Long-range brain health-supportive bioactivities performed by nootropics hold the potential for significant improvement in:

Anti-Aging

Mental performance tends to decline as we grow older. It may first be noticed as symptoms of mild cognitive impairment, age associated memory impairment or age-related cognitive decline.

Antioxidants may help. Such compounds can freely donate electrons to unstable molecules called free radicals. This stabilizes free radicals; "quenching" them so they no longer smash, damage and accelerate the aging of neighboring cells.

Nootropics with antioxidant benefits that help protect the brain against the effects of aging include:

• Maritime Pine Bark Extract - Potent complex of proanthocyanidin antioxidants that can cross the blood-brain barrier to help fight free radical damage in the brain.(35)

• Bacopa Monnieri - Researchers suggest Bacopa's antioxidant activity may contribute to its beneficial effects, including its researched-backed ability to improve memory.(36)

Neuroprotection

Nootropic brain protectors (distinct from antioxidant brain protectors) include:

• Vitamins B6, B9 and B12 - help protect blood vessels while supporting blood flow to the brain.(37)

• Vitamin B12 - helps form myelin sheathing that protects neurons in the central nervous system.(38)

• Citicoline - May protect the brain against degeneration by reinforcing brain cell structure.(39)

• Lion's Mane Mushroom - promotes nerve growth factor (NGF)that supports brain structure.(40)

• Phosphatidylserine (PS) - helps disposal of toxic brain cells, thereby protecting other brain cells.(41)

• Omega-3 fatty acids - "good fats" that protect the brain by regulating inflammatory responses.(42)

Brain Regeneration

The brain is constantly growing new brain cells, repairing brain cell membranes, and remodeling itself. These brain repair bioactivities may be helped with nootropics:

• Citicoline - shown in human research to boost brain regeneration by 26%.(43)

• Maritime Pine Bark Extract - its flavonoids promote Brain Derived Neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

• Lion's Mane Mushroom - Increases NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) for brain plasticity.

These nootropic benefits are especially important because they underscore a key characteristic of nootropics in general: As they improve brain health, they also influence various aspects of cognitive health.

Tip: Prescription drugs available from a doctor address neurodegenerative diseases in ways that alternative medicine cannot. The nootropic drugs list includes prescription medications that are medically reviewed and backed by randomized controlled trials.

Mind Lab Pro® Nootropic Benefits

Mind Lab Pro® supplies all of the nootropics -- and all of the cognitive benefits -- discussed in this article. This 11-in-1 nootropic stack supplies:

The MLP Formula: Citicoline (CDP Choline) dosage 250mg per serving, Phosphatidylserine (PS) 100mg (from sunflower lecithin), Bacopa monnieri 150mg (24% bacosides, 9 bioactives), Organic Lion's Mane Mushroom 500mg (fruit and mycelium), Maritime Pine Bark Extract 75mg (Standardized to 95% proanthocyanidins), N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine 175mg, L-Theanine 100mg per serving, Rhodiola rosea 50mg (Standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidrosides), NutriGenesis® Vitamin B6 (2.5 mg), Vitamin B9 (100 mcg), Vitamin B12 (7.5 mcg)

As a result of its far-reaching design, MLP functions as a whole-brain optimizer with many benefits. In fact, it is capable of boosting virtually any aspect of cognition, mental wellness, and overall brain health as needed.

Short-Range Mind Lab Pro® Benefits

Mind Lab Pro® short-range nootropic benefits improve mental performance in many ways, and flex to meet various cognitive demands with varied brainpower support:

• If you’re working out, you may feel more motivated and driven to excel.

• At the office, cognitive enhancement for multitasking or better single-task cognitive function.

• Learners may improve studying capacity and calm clarity during exams.

• In social settings, may feel like relaxation, bright mood and fluid verbal skills.

• Others may notice sharper recall, faster processing, and longer attention span.

• Flexible support for memory, focus, attention, learning and more.

• Adapts to shifting brain demands, assisting with stress, mood and relaxation as needed.

Long-Range Mind Lab Pro® Benefits

Mind Lab Pro® is also designed to nourish the brain over time. Mind Lab Pro® long-range nootropic benefits include:

• Promoting sharp memory and mental functions during the aging process.

• Helping manage symptoms related to age-associated memory impairment.

• Supporting antioxidant defenses for healthy brain aging.

Mind Lab Pro® uses 11 safe, effective, premium-quality natural nootropics that target multiple brain pathways to optimize your whole cognitive process while nourishing the brain for health.

Unlike prescription nootropics, this formula is a dietary supplement that can be purchased online.

Mind Lab Pro® Benefits are Backed by Two Clinical Studies

It is the best nootropic stack because it's one of the only ones on the market that has been the subject of rigorous clinical human trials:

1. Researchers reported that healthy individuals taking Mind Lab Pro for 30 days experienced significant improvements in performing information processing tasks.(1)

2. A second study linked Mind Lab Pro to significant improvements across auditory, visual, visual working, immediate and delayed recall memory.(2)

Additional Top Nootropic Dietary Supplements to Consider

The makers of Mind Lab Pro® nootropic stack supplement also make the Performance Lab® line, which includes additional high-quality supplements offering loads of nootropic benefits:

Performance Lab® MCT Energy Oil

Fast brain fuel: Rapidly metabolized into ketones that can cross the blood-brain barrier and fuel brain cells' ATP energy that drives brainpower.

Ingredients: Purified C8+C10 MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) from 100% organic non-GMO coconuts. Per tablespoon: 8.6 g C8 MCT (Caprylic Acid); 4.2 g C10 MCT (Capric Acid).

Performance Lab® MCT Energy Oil supplies medium-chain triglycerides that work like fast-acting fuel for peak metabolic performance. This high-quality supplement formulated with premium MCT oil sourced from 100% organic coconuts provides rapid energy, enhances cognitive function, and promotes overall physical and mental performance.

The MCTs in this formula can also promote fat breakdown and optimize body composition. A versatile supplement, MCT Energy Oil can be added to smoothies, coffee, shakes, salad dressings and more.

More on Performance Lab® MCT Energy Oil

Performance Lab® Omega-3

Supplies vegan Omega-3 fatty acids from life’s™OMEGA Algal Oil, 2000 mg. Supplies DHA, the most important Omega-3 fatty acid for overall brain wellness.

Today's most advanced Omega-3 supplement: Ultra-clean and vegan "good fats" sourced from eco-friendly marine algae -- not fish.

Ingredients: Each serving of vegan-friendly, carrageenan-free NutriGels® supplies 1800 mg algal oil (540 mg DHA [Docosahexaenoic Acid]) and 270 mg EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid).

Omega-3s are among the most versatile nutrients for human health, assisting with brain function, joint comfort, bone density, eye wellness, immune performance and more across many systematic review studies.

But Omega-3s are often sourced from fish. Performance Lab® Omega-3 instead supplies Omega-3s from algae -- not fish -- so you get all those great benefits without "fish burps," gastric distress or concerns about toxic contaminants.

More on Performance Lab® Omega-3

Performance Lab® Energy

Next-gen formula for caffeine-free, jitter-free energy. Produces a clean cognitive lift with no crash.

Ingredients: CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10), PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone), Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR), Black Pepper Extract (95% piperine), R-Lipoic Acid, 150 mg.

Performance Lab® Energy enhances energy production at the cellular level, particularly targeting organs and tissues with high energy demands such as the brain and muscles.

Energy primarily works by supporting cells' powerhouse mitochondria. It's an ideal formula for powering-up mental function, exercise performance, and overall daily vitality without any caffeine or stim-related side effects.

More on Performance Lab® Energy

Performance Lab® Caffeine 2

This "smart caffeine" delivers precision stimulation in a cleaner, healthier format.

Ingredients: Natural Caffeine (from Coffea robusta seeds), L-Theanine, L-Tyrosine, NutriGenesis® Caffeine Balance B-Complex.

Caffeine 2 enhances all caffeine advantages and benefits -- increased alertness, mental clarity, physical and mental energy -- while reducing jitters, crashes and other unpleasant side effects.

The end result is performance-tuned stimulation: Cleaner, healthier, sharper vitality that's easy and convenient to take every day. 50 mg caffeine for stimulation control. If you prefer higher doses of caffeine, take 2 or more capsules.

More on Performance Lab® Caffeine 2

Pre Lab Pro®

“World’s smartest pre-workout drink": Nootropic-driven gym stack for smooth energy, focus and peak performance with no jitters or crashes.

Ingredients: Red Beetroot Powder; Setria® Performance Blend; Natural Caffeine; L-Theanine; L-Tyrosine; Vitamin D3, Potassium and Iron (all as NutriGenesis®), Himalayan Pink Salt. Delicious natural berry flavor.

Pre Lab Pro® is a nootropics-enhanced pre-workout formula. It supplies a moderate dose of sport-tuned caffeine with amino acids that enhance cognition while balancing energy with calm control.

With an additional nitric oxide boost for blood flow plus natural hydration support, Pre Lab Pro® enhances intensity, motivation and mental sharpness throughout your session -- for better gym performance, muscle growth and muscle gains overall.

More on Pre Lab Pro®

Performance Lab® Prebiotic

Clean prebiotic fiber to nourish the probiotics in your gut, amplifying their benefits for mood, immune function, nutrient absorption and more.

Ingredients: Each Prebiotic serving (2g) supplies Inulin-FOS (as Orafti® Synergy1) (FructoOligoSaccharides from Chicory Root).

In recent years, the gut microbiome – a colony of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) that lives in in the GI tract – has been increasingly linked to mental performance, especially in the context of mood.

Performance Lab® Prebiotic is a fiber supplement nourishes the microbiome for peak performance. Prebiotic offers novel brain chemical support for anyone seeking help with mood, motivation, and feelings of satisfaction.

It does way more, too – if you want ultramodern gut health support for digestive, immune, cardiovascular and metabolic health, Prebiotic is a great choice.

More on Performance Lab® Prebiotic

Summary

Dietary supplements have become a key player in complementary and integrative health, used to boost a healthy diet. When it comes to brain health, nootropics as individual nutrients and stack supplements offer a wide range of cognitive benefits.

Cognitive enhancers assist with both short-term performance and long-term brain health. These supplements improve cognitive function in many ways. They enhance memory by supporting both short- and long-term recall, optimize attention and focus by promoting mental clarity, and improve mood by regulating neurotransmitter activity and stress levels.

Nootropics also boost mental energy through better brain metabolism, helping to reduce fatigue and maintain motivation. Additionally, they promote resilience to stress, allowing for better mental performance under pressure.

Over time, nootropics may contribute to brain health and anti-aging by supporting neuroprotection, preventing cognitive decline, and enhancing brain plasticity and regeneration.

With their versatile effects, nootropics provide essential support for productivity, stress management, and cognitive well-being throughout life.

References