When you’re at the level of gaming where you’re looking to equip yourself with new tools and capabilities, you deserve the best. Yes, you can purchase the best gaming setup for ultimate comfort and reflexology, but even with the most stacked desk and chair, your brain could use an extra edge.
When it comes to gaming; you’re looking for comfortable seating but sharp mental awareness; Ultimate Nutrition has you covered. We’re not talking about rowdy energy drinks or illegal performance-enhancing substances; we’re talking about nootropics.
What Are Nootropics?
Nootropics are a class of substances that have been frequently referred to as “smart drugs,” and with good reason. Nootropics are well known for being cognition and memory enhancers, offering overall brain-boosting capabilities. There are both prescription and non-prescription nootropics.
Prescription nootropics are medications that have stimulant effects. They can counteract the symptoms of medical conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, or Alzheimer’s disease.
Also considered nootropics are non-prescription substances that can enhance brain performance or focus, such as caffeine and creatine. Although non-prescription, these nootropics are still “smart” and may affect thinking, memory, or other mental functions.
Although we will be going over non-prescription nootropics, always consult with a medical professional when adding something new to your routine.
The Best Nootropic Supplements For Every Gamer
Caffeine
Your relationship with caffeine might already exist and be one of your most trusted booster potions, but did you know that it falls under the nootropic category?
Beverages that contain caffeine, such as coffee, soda, and energy drinks, are great for gaming because of their stimulant effects. It’s well-known that caffeine is an excellent choice if you want to stay awake and focused.
What’s not as frequently talked about are the downsides of caffeine. Studies suggest that caffeine is safe for most people in moderate amounts, but gamers who seek external support don’t tend to do things in moderation.
Having a regular cup of coffee may be a good way to boost mental focus, but you’re leaning into a more jittery territory past that first or second cup.
Extreme amounts of caffeine aren’t safe. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends consuming no more than 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day. This is the amount in 4–5 cups of coffee or 1 ⅓ energy drinks.
Although caffeine can help you level up, it can also have you shaking in your seat, twiddling your thumbs, and becoming more overwhelmed than is helpful. It’s best to get your caffeine from supplements that are pre-portioned to offer you a safe and effective dose.
L-theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid found in black and green teas but is growing in popularity as an addition to many health supplements.
A 2016 review reported that l-theanine might increase alpha waves in the brain. It’s been found that the alpha waves in the substance may contribute to a relaxed yet alert mental state. L-theanine can boost your mental awareness, but unlike caffeine, L-theanine doesn't cause jitters.
There’s also evidence that suggests L-theanine and caffeine may be an effective tag team in taking down the next boss. This combination of natural nootropics helps boost cognitive performance and alertness. There are no dosage guidelines for l-theanine, but many health supplement providers recommend taking 100–400 mg per day.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are among the most well-known and well-studied mental performance enhancers. Even for non-gamers, omega-3s are seen as must-haves in anyone's diet.
These polyunsaturated fats are found in your common fatty fish, like salmon and sardines, but they’re also popularly offered in supplements. There are fish oil and flaxseed oil supplements along with just straight-up omega-3 capsules. This type of fat is vital for brain health, and if not from supplements, a person must get it from their diet.
Omega-3s help build membranes around the body’s cells and are essential for repairing and renewing brain cells. A 2015 review found that omega-3 fatty acids protect against brain aging and the symptoms that come with it.
A younger brain has faster reaction times and improved focus in comparison to that of an older adult. If you’ve noticed a downtick in your performance, it may be due to expected aging and a lack of substantial omega-3s in your diet.
Try to re-invigorate your gaming performance by adding omega-3s to your nootropic stack.
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba is a tree native to China, Japan, and Korea. Commonly known as Ginkgo, the leaves from this tree are used to create herbal supplements that might improve your next gaming session.
A 2016 study found that ginkgo Biloba is potentially beneficial for improving brain function. Ginkgo has been repeatedly evaluated for its ability to reduce anxiety, stress, and other symptoms associated with cognitive decline associated with aging. Overall, research results are inconsistent in this area but promising.
A review of 21 studies revealed that ginkgo extract might increase functional capabilities in those with mild Alzheimer’s when combined with conventional medicine. Another review evaluated four studies and found a significant reduction in several symptoms associated with dementia when researchers implemented ginkgo supplements.
Overall, it’s too soon to state that ginkgo improves brain function definitively, but there’s no harm in giving a proper dose a try before your next couple of matches.
Panax ginseng
Panax ginseng is another herb with origins in China but usefulnees in the digital landscape. Panax ginseng’s explored medicinal benefits are similar to those of Ginkgo biloba.
Panax ginseng’s benefits haven’t been clinically confirmed, but the herb may help prevent certain brain diseases. This particular ginseng shrub has been tested in relation to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease.
It’s also believed that taking Panax ginseng by mouth might improve thinking, arithmetic skills, and reaction times in healthy, middle-aged people. Taking Panax ginseng alone doesn't seem to help memory, but taking it with ginkgo leaf extract seems to improve memory in healthy people.
If you’re looking to explore nootropics, it’s best to use supplements that have been thoughtfully formulated to include pairings that work well together, like Ginkgo Biloba and Panax ginseng.
Rhodiola
Rhodiola Rosea is another nootropic that’s been catching buzz as of late. Some evidence suggests that Rhodiola can help with cognitive ability, making it a nootropic you might want to consider adding to your gaming stack.
The supplement has been shown to enhance work performance, relieve fatigue, and improve learning and memory function. Struggling with gaming rage? Rhodiola’s also great for regulating neurotransmitters in the brain, positively affecting mood.
Creatine
Bodybuilders, step aside; creatine isn’t just for you anymore. Creatine is popular among athletes because of its proven performance-enhancing capabilities, but it can also be of use to gamers.
Not only is this popular amino acid great for physical performance, but it may also have some effects on mental ability. A 2018 review found that taking creatine appears to help with short-term memory and reasoning. Some high-quality reasoning could be the missing ingredient in your gaming formula.
Ultimate Nutrition’s Cheat Code
With so many nootropics to choose from, each with its own benefits, it’s no wonder you’re looking for an all-in-one cheat code. Cheat Code Nootropic Esports Supplement by Ultimate Nutrition was designed to let you hack the system and take your gaming to new levels.
The ultimate esports energy, focus, and clarity support. Cheat Code® is powered by caffeine to provide extended energy for gaming sessions, but energy alone isn’t enough to achieve victory anymore. Cheat Code® helps sharpen focus, reaction time, and memory recall with a blend of effective nootropics like L-theanine, Ginkgo Biloba, Panax ginseng, and Rhodiola.
These ingredients combine synergistically to improve all of your cognitive abilities. Unlike sugar-filled energy drinks that rev you up, Cheat Code® keeps you cool when the pressure is on, allowing you to unwind from the stresses of day-to-day life.
Cheat Code® goes beyond the traditional energy-based ESports supplements and is focused on maximizing your gaming experience.