Nootropics and Adaptogens are becoming increasingly popular among people seeking natural ways to improve performance and alleviate stress.
The soaring popularity of nootropics and adaptogens in the supplement industry is proof of their overall health benefits. Adaptogens, found in mushrooms and plants, can help to reduce stress levels, whereas nootropics may support cognitive functioning.
Nootropics, unlike adaptogens, don't just focus on stressors but promote cognitive functioning. Both are available as dietary supplements. They are becoming increasingly popular among people seeking natural ways to improve performance and alleviate stress.
Read on for a comprehensive explanation of adaptogens and nootropics and how to use them daily to promote overall health.
What are Adaptogens?
Adaptogens are plants and roots that help your body cope with mental, physical, and mental stress.
In response to the increasing stress levels, adaptogens restore your body's hormonal and mental balance to a neutral state of "calm."
Generally, these organic foods have a compounding effect which means the more organic foods you consume, the more likely you are to benefit from them over time.
Natural Sources of Adaptogens
Astragalus
Holy Basil
Liquorice Root
Maca
Moringa
Mushrooms
Nettle
Raspberry Leaf
Wild Blueberries
Three requirements must be present in a plant for it to classify as an adaptogen:
It should be non-toxic.
It must support the body’s ability to tackle anxiety and stress symptoms.
Lastly, adaptogens must allow the body to achieve homeostasis; that is, they must return to equilibrium.
What do they Do?
Adaptogens interact with the body on a molecular level by supporting the operations of various areas of your brain, specifically the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands. But how exactly do adaptogens function?
When under stress, the body generates hormones like adrenaline to maintain normal bodily functions. In addition, our body reacts to the stressor by supplying it with different substances to keep it active, alert, and enhanced. But fatigue starts to set in when our body continues to experience stressors for a long time. For instance, suppose the stressor is exercising; then there is only so long that the body can exercise before it grows tired.
That’s when adaptogens play their part: they delay fatigue and interrupt the phase between adrenaline and exhaustion. As a result, adaptogens can help anxiety and stress with their incredible qualities. That’s because it can boost cognitive functioning and prevents fatigue. That’s one of the reasons why the use of adaptogens supplements is popular among athletes and busy professionals. People trying to improve their mental abilities and reduce anxiety or stress can function optimally with supplements containing adaptogens.
Adaptogens help us deal with short-term stress and improve our overall health. The main reason you would want to make adaptogens supplement as part of your diet is to achieve a state of homeostasis within your body.
What are Nootropics?
Nootropics are drugs that enhance cognitive abilities, particularly those related to creativity, concentration, memory, and information recall. Certain nootropics may already be a regular part of your diet. For instance, L-theanine, an amino acid in tea, reduces stress.
They are widely available and come in many forms, including pills, powders, and drinks. Some are even available over the counter. They are generally safe and often used with other supplements for enhanced effects. We also refer to them as cognitive enhancers or ‘smart drugs.’
How do they Work?
Nootropics have a wide range of effects on the brain, from increasing neurogenesis to enhancing neuron activity and cerebral circulation. Generally, nootropics can give the brain the appropriate conditions to function at its highest level, which means that neurotransmitters are balanced and neuronal responses are accelerated.
Nootropics enhance bodily functions by impacting the brain through numerous neural pathways. They specifically target the dopaminergic pathway and can help with focus, energy, memory, and motivation.
Both natural and synthetic nootropics function in the same way. The only distinguishing factor between them is that one occurs in plants naturally while the other is created artificially in a laboratory.
It should come as no surprise that the benefits of nootropics fascinate scientists from around the globe. They are also popularly called 'smart drugs.' Several academic disciplines have investigated the efficacy of nootropics and their effects on cognitive processes.
A thorough review of the literature about nootropics and their effects on the brain, published in the Journal of Experimental Pharmacology, reveals that nootropics are critical in improving cognitive functioning, particularly when recovering from a brain injury.
Natural Sources of Nootropics
Bacopa Monnieri
Choline
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginseng
Green Tea and L-Theanine
Lion's Mane Mushroom
Piracetam
Rhodiola Rosea
Not that certain drugs, like Siberian ginseng, can be classified as both adaptogens and nootropics. Some people may also use the terms interchangeably.
What are the Benefits of Adaptogens and Nootropics in Dietary Supplements?
In an ideal world, our diet would provide all the health advantages and nutrients required to function optimally. However, individual preferences or a poor diet can lead to different deficiencies. That’s why most people prefer adding supplements to their diet to achieve their health and wellness goals. These supplements may also feature adaptogens and nootropics for combating stress and boosting cognitive functions.
What are the Benefits of Nootropics in Supplements?
While natural nootropics can significantly improve our mental performance, nootropics supplements also offer the same benefits. That is due to the interaction between their substances, such as omega-3 and ginseng, with the brain's nerve cells. That improves the speed and quality of the brain’s output. However, there are several other advantages, including:
Better Focus
Certain nootropics improve the brain's alpha waves, thereby increasing the brain's chemical messengers and neurotransmitters, improving concentration and alertness.
Better Cognitive Ability
Again, nootropics can improve our mental cognition by raising alpha waves in the brain. Also, they support healthy brain cell regeneration and enhance transmissions between nerve cells.
Better Memory
Nootropics both protect and encourage the production of neurons in the brain. They are also referred to as nerve cells because they aid in strengthening our memory by sending messages around the body.
More Efficiency
Nootropics ensure optimal brain health by reducing inflammation and cell damage in the brain. Not only that, but it also protects against potential harm. Even better, they accelerate and enhance protein synthesis, further promoting the brain's health.
What are the Benefits of Adaptogens in Supplements
Adaptogens are potent relaxants that relieve mental and physical tension to help us deal with stressful conditions. Some other significant benefits include the following:
Reduced Stress and Anxiety
The ability of adaptogenic plants like Ashwagandha to relax the brain, lower cortisol levels, and regulate blood pressure levels is one of its most well-known advantages. If we reduce the psychological effects of stress, we can also prevent the physical impact of stress.
A Stronger Nervous System
Thanks to the anti-fatigue and antidepressant properties of adaptogens, they significantly benefit the neurological system. In addition, adaptogens can increase the resilience of our body and mind by enhancing internal bodily functions and regulating stress levels.
Better Sleep
Another excellent benefit of adaptogens is that they can improve our sleep patterns, given their unique effects on our mood and stress levels. They help switch off our brains and promote a sense of calmness, making falling asleep easier.
Improved Mental Health
Some researchers also conclude that adaptogens can increase neuroplasticity, blood flow, learning capacity, and brain cell proliferation.
One of their best features is that adaptogens and nootropics can be consumed together. Some substances, like ginseng, have dual functions as nootropics and adaptogens.
Get in Touch with Gummi World Today
Supplements are often used to fill in gaps in the diet, as many people don't get the recommended daily levels of vitamins and minerals from their food.
Both adaptogens and nootropics are becoming increasingly popular in the dietary supplement industry. They are generally considered safe and offer a range of potential health benefits. As such, it is essential to research the safety and efficacy of any supplement and speak with a healthcare provider before taking any dietary supplement.
Gummi World is an inclusive source for manufacturing custom supplements for your customer. We take care of the entire production cycle, from concept to commercialization. Gummi World is home to expert and seasoned in-house researchers working closely with clients to create gummy vitamins in a USDA Organic-certified cGMP facility.
Gummi World enjoys an excellent reputation as an FDA-registered company and cGMP Certified Dietary Supplement Manufacturing Facility. We take immense pride in being a reliable third-party authentication entity and adhere to strict quality standards for manufacturing and packaging gummies.
Our Research and Development team are experts in food chemistry, nutrition, organoleptic evaluation, and quality control collaborate to provide premium quality to our customers.
Ready to get started?