Have you ever been gripped by performance anxiety’s gut-wrenching, nerve-wracking, sweaty, shaking grip? If this is the case, you are already aware of how this issue might impair your enjoyment of life. No worries, the best nootropics for anxiety can considerably curtail performance anxiety.
You’re undoubtedly also aware of how performance anxiety might impair your ability to think clearly:
A study in Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity found that mental tiredness and brain fog caused by stress are often antecedents to physical performance anxiety symptoms.[1]
To not have you read the whole post: the best nootropics for anxiety are L-theanine, organic ashwagandha root extract, organic bacopa monnieri leaf extract, taurine, and vitamin d. They are to be found in their most bioavailable and purest forms in Maximum Mind. Continue reading to find out more about their benefits in reducing anxiety.
As you know, it becomes more challenging to think clearly when performance anxiety appears, resulting in hesitancy, stammering, and poor decision-making, among other symptoms.
Given the strong link between performance anxiety and cognition, it makes it likely that brain-boosting nootropics could aid in the management of some symptoms.
This guide explores the best nootropics for anxiety and how they may help you overcome anxiety-related self-limitations and live life to the fullest.
— Frank Sinatra
What Are Nootropics?
“The only difference between the master and the novice is that the master has failed more times than the novice has tried.”
―Stephen McCranie
First things first, what are nootropics? Corneliu Giurgea, a Romanian neuroscientist, coined the term nootropic (pronounced new-tropic) in 1972. He believed that smart drugs should be invented and made widely available for the purpose of enhancing the general population’s brain health and increasing human intelligence.
According to Dr. Giurgea’s findings, nootropics enhance cognition, memory, alertness, concentration, creativity, and attention. They became known as cognitive enhancers, substances that amplify the way the brain’s many cognitive functions operate and how we process information.
Simply put, cognitive enhancers (or nootropics or smart drugs) are prescription or off-the-counter drugs or supplements that enhance cognition. Some nootropics contribute to brain health, while others can be quite dangerous.
Since Marco’s Grounds only works with safe and natural compounds in their purest forms, we will restrain ourselves to natural nootropics that increase cognition safely for most of our discussions.
How Performance Anxiety Feels
“Good ideas come from bad ideas, but only if there are enough of them.”
— Seth Godin
It appears to be a perfectly legitimate dread. For example, think: you’re about to take a significant test, such as the SAT or GRE, you’ve been invited to a party with strangers, or you’re scrambling to think of anything to say before your turn at the poetry slam.
Anyone would understandably feel nervous in these situations.
Being in the spotlight can be stressful, and when your brain feels stressed, the “fight-or-flight” mechanism activates, producing stage fright feelings similar to those experienced when you are genuinely in danger.
Physical manifestations of performance anxiety may include the following:
– Dry mouth
– Sweating
– Cold hands
– Trembling
– Nausea
– Racing pulse
– Shallow breathing
– Vision changes
Individuals whose occupations place them in the spotlight frequently suffer from performance anxiety more frequently.
While we cannot see it, some of the world’s most accomplished athletes, actors, musicians, and public speakers experience extreme anxiety before a big performance.
However, for some who cannot regulate their performance anxiety, it might appear to be an insurmountable barrier that prevents us from participating in things we enjoy and even jeopardizes our employment.
Some of the negative self-talk associated with avoiding public performances consistently can manifest as:
– Fear of rejection, judgment, or ridicule Fear of speaking in front of strangers
– Refusing to participate in any type of public performance
– Disappointment fear
– Insecurities
– Insufficient self-esteem
– Opportunities for advancement squandered
Different Types of Performance Anxiety
“Energy and persistence conquer all things.”
— Benjamin Franklin
Entertainment and the Arts
Almost every entertainer has encountered stage fright at some point in their careers. Eminem, described it in the film 8 Mile:
“His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy.
There’s vomit on his sweater already, mom’s spaghetti
He’s nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready.”
Yep. Typical symptoms.
When asked about his advice on dealing with performance nervousness, violin master Itzhak Perlman‘s slightly tongue-in-cheek response boiled down to “know thy enemy.” Even the most skilled artists on the planet can experience a pang of stage fear. Perlman recommends that performers become aware of how their nerves affect them before a performance to make modifications during rehearsal sessions rather than onstage. The best nootropics for anxiety are available for a reason. For one, they are there to help your brain reduce anxiety during live performances or when you are in the spotlight on stage.
Public Speaking
"There are two kinds of speakers," Mark Twain observed. "Those who are nervous and those who are liars."
It makes no difference whether you're speaking to a kindergarten class or a Fortune 500 company's board of directors. When performance anxiety arises, you must get out of your thoughts and confidently deliver your presentation.
According to a study in Public Speaking Anxiety, the fear of public speaking, also known as speech anxiety or stage fright, is characterized by anxiety about being judged by others, as well as physical and emotional symptoms that can substantially impair one's ability to deliver a speech or presentation successfully. [2]
The best nootropics for anxiety can aid relaxation and verbal cognition, making them particularly beneficial for public speaking.
Competitive Sports
Athletes frequently refer to performance anxiety as 'choking' in sports. Athletes face distinct psychological and physical challenges. Not only must they contend with cognitive stress and an overstimulated amygdala, but the high levels of physical exertion and endurance necessary lead cortisol levels to surge, putting the adrenal glands into overdrive.
Headaches, muscle tension, gastrointestinal problems, an accelerated heart rate, and difficulties breathing are all possible physiological indicators of sports performance anxiety.
The best nootropics for anxiety can promote relaxation and physiological cognition, making them especially useful for sports (e.g., bodybuilding).
In the Bedroom
Sexual performance anxiety is at the root of one of the most prevalent intimate relationship problems. Mental state can have a significant effect on sexual arousal. Sexual activity is more than a physical act. It's also emotional. When your brain is too stressed for sex, your body is also unable to get stimulated.
While male sexual performance issues receive greater attention, performance anxiety can also reduce female arousal. A study in JAMA Psychiatry found that stress can prevent women from becoming sufficiently lubricated for love-making and can even eliminate the desire for sex. [3]
This is where the best nootropics for anxiety come in. Ashwagandha, an aphrodisiac nootropic herb, promotes exceptional sexual performance for both genders. This is one among many other benefits of Ashwagandha. It is contained in Maximum Mind in its purest and bioavailable form.
At Work
Anxiety about work performance impacts people in all types of occupations. While the symptoms are similar to those of other types of performance anxiety, the causes might range from visiting the workplace restroom to presenting a boardroom presentation.
This type of performance anxiety can result in missed opportunities for growth, wage increases, and connection building. Performance anxiety's mental fatigue and brain fog can even impair the quality of your job and capacity to fulfill deadlines.
These limitations can easily be eliminated by using the best nootropics for anxiety, such as L-theanine, which significantly reduces anxiety symptoms. We will learn more about this in a later section.
Academic Anxiety
On college campuses, anxiety is a prevalent concern. According to some research in Overcoming Academic Anxiety, 80% of college students report that stress impedes their academic success. [4]
Anxiety is not a terrible thing in and of itself. It can serve as a catalyst for students to study for tests, compose papers, and complete homework in an academic setting. However, another study in Understanding Academic Anxiety asserts that excessive worry impairs focus and memory, both of which are necessary for academic achievement. [5]
Academic anxiety can be significantly lowered by using the purest, bioavailable, and best nootropics for anxiety contained in Maximum Mind. Read on to find out the best nootropics to help you study and excel better as a student.
Worst Nootropics for Performance Anxiety
“Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.”
— Napoleon Hill
While some nootropics and supplements can assist in alleviating performance anxiety, others have been shown to exacerbate both anxiety and performance.
Caffeine
Although caffeine is frequently used as a pre-performance pick-me-up, caffeine is not a true nootropic. However, just because something is popular does not mean it is the best option.
Caffeine has been shown in Food Additives & Contaminants studies to amplify anxiety symptoms in those who are predisposed to them. Caffeine can produce shaking, muscle tension, and nausea in those who are sensitive to it, even at low amounts. [6] This is commonly referred to as “the caffeine jitters”
However, if you’re a caffeine addict, avoid going cold turkey on the day of a performance – caffeine withdrawal can mirror anxiety symptoms. Simply avoid overdoing it out of nervousness.
Racetams
Racetams are a class of synthetic nootropics that share a similar chemical structure and induce similar biochemical effects.
Piracetam, phenylpiracetam, and oxiracetam are all-powerful stimulants that have been compared to Adderall by some. Racetams may exacerbate performance anxiety symptoms, particularly sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, and dry mouth.
If you suffer from performance anxiety, it is extremely important to avoid any severe stimulants before a presentation. There are nootropics that can help you overcome brain fog and calm your nerves without the racy negative effects that caffeine and other stimulants can cause. These, contrary to racetams, are the best nootropics for anxiety, mainly because they have been clinically studied and proven to alleviate stress and anxiety from our day-to-day performances.
Maximum Mind - Stimulant-Free for Many Reasons
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.”
— Maya Angelou
Maximum Mind is caffeine- and stimulant-free. There are numerous reasons for Maximum Mind’s stim-free status, one of which is that nootropics containing caffeine can actually intensify performance anxiety, which is counterproductive for individuals taking nootropics to help with performance anxiety.
With Maximum Mind's blend, you won't experience the harmful anxiety-worsening side effects that are frequently linked with stimulants. Let's get started with the Maximum Mind list of nootropics for performance anxiety.
L Theanine
In human research, L theanine has been shown to activate alpha brain waves and suppress excitatory neuronal states. The alpha brain wave state is well-known for its capacity to induce sensations of awakened calm and aid in improving attention.
A study in Biological Psychology affirms that L theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in green tea that can help soothe frazzled nerves, slow heart rate, and reduce stress hormone levels, all of which can help improve attention alertness and mood. [7]
L-theanine is one of the best nootropics for anxiety for its calming effects, especially if you are looking for a relaxing experience while working, performing, or studying.
Note: there’s an effective dose of L-theanine from organic green tea leaf extract in each dose of Maximum Mind.
Read more about L-theanine on the Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive or find out the best caffeine and L-theanine combination here..
Organic Ashwagandha Root Extract
Known as "Indian Ginseng," Ashwagandha is a typical Rasayana or medicinal plant in Ayurveda (tonic). Rasayana is regarded as a supplement that can assist performers to feel better physically and emotionally when it comes to their mental and physical wellness.
As one of the best nootropics for anxiety, ashwagandha can considerably aid stress and anxiety relief by decreasing cortisol, the key stress hormone.
As a result, ashwagandha's stress-relieving benefits, paired with its memory and cognition-enhancing abilities, make this ancient root one of the best nootropics for anxiety and stress.
Note: there’s an effective dose of organic ashwagandha full-spectrum root extract, standardized at 10% withanolides, and less than 1% withaferin A in each dose of Maximum Mind.
Read more about ashwagandha on the Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive or dig deeper into the benefits of ashwagandha here.
Organic Monnieri Bacopa Monnieri Leaf Extract
People have used bacopa monnieri to improve memory, learning, mood, studying, and brain health for millennia since its discovery in ancient India.
Memory and learning are crucial for building competence and enhancing performance capacities, given the growth and quest to become a better professional.
According to Neuropsychopharmacology studies, bacopa may aid memory retention by "decreasing the rate at which newly acquired knowledge is lost." [8] This is a beneficial requirement to ensure anxiety is not intensified.
Note: there’s an effective dose of organic bacopa monnieri leaf extract at 50% minimum bacosides, in each dose of Maximum Mind.
Read more on bacopa on the Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive or find out more about the benefits of bacopa here.
Taurine
Taurine is another nootropic associated with memory. It is an amino acid that is involved in a variety of chemical reactions in the human body.
Because taurine preserves the neuronal membrane, it increases the cell's stability. When neurons are not damaged by stress, they retain more information. As a result, you will feel more energized and alert after consuming this taurine.
Supplementing with taurine can help improve short-term memory by increasing the efficiency of neurotransmission. A study found in Taurine regulation of neuroendocrine function explains that it enhances long-term memory by assisting in maintaining neuronal integrity [9].
Forgetting a line or not being able to hold a proper verbal fluency can dramatically increase anxiety. That makes memory a significant cognitive function needed to reduce stress and anxiety when you are under the spotlight.
Taurine possesses a number of beneficial properties, ranging from enhancing permeability by boosting the rate of absorption of other chemicals to acting as a potent antioxidant. However, its memory-enhancing properties are taurine's primary advantage as one of the best nootropics for anxiety is its memory-enhancing properties.
Note: there’s an effective dose of taurine in its free form at 99% purity in each dose of Maximum Mind.
Read more about taurine on the Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive or dig deeper into the benefits of taurine here.
Vitamin D
Our skin produces vitamin D when it is exposed to the sun. Vitamin D, on the other hand, is a fat-soluble vitamin. Despite its critical role in bone health, it also contributes to cognitive performance and mood, making it one of the best nootropics for anxiety.
It is also found in fish and eggs in our diet. Supplementing with vitamin D has been shown to lessen anxiety for its role in nerve and brain health.
Maximum Mind contains Vitamin D3 (the most accessible version), which is derived from natural lichen.
Note: there’s an effective dose of vitamin D3 extracted from North American wild lichen in each dose of Maximum Mind.
Read more about vitamin D on the Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive or dig deeper into the benefits of vitamin D here.
Conclusion
“Make today worth remembering.”
― Zig Ziglar
Performance anxiety is a very common occurrence among performers of all types, regardless of the size of the audience or level of acclaim.
Stress and anxiety are natural feelings to have before performing in front of an audience. However, if left unchecked, it can be costly.
Performance anxiety is a mental state that is frequently brought on by fear of failure and self-talk. Confronting your fears and vulnerabilities, accepting yourself for who you are, embracing your strengths and weaknesses, and repeatedly putting yourself out there can help you overcome performance anxiety.
Bear in mind that stage fright is typically worst prior to a performance and frequently subsides once you're on a roll.
The best nootropics for anxiety can help alleviate some of the symptoms of performance anxiety and improve your brain's ability to perform well under duress.
However, keep in mind that there is no substitute for proper self-care, which includes proper nutrition, an active lifestyle, and adequate sleep.
Why not benefit from the best nootropics for anxiety in their purest form along with other clinically studied compounds for increasing brain and physical performance and health with Maximum Mind?
Literature
- Mousumi B, Blanca O, Blandine L. Stress and obesity: the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in metabolic disease. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2009 Oct; 16(5): 340–346.
- The Board of Regents. Public Speaking Anxiety. The University of Wisconsin. 2018.
- Meston CM, Frohlich, PF. The Neurobiology of Sexual Function. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2000;57(11):1012–1030.
- Office of Student Success. Overcoming Academic Anxiety. Louisiana State University Shreveport. 2017.
- Learning Strategies Center. Understanding Academic Anxiety. Cornell University. 2018.
- Nawrot P, et al. Effects of caffeine on human health. Food Addit Contam. 2003 Jan;20(1):1-30.
- Kimura K, Ozeki M, Juneja LR, Ohira H. L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses. Biol Psychol. 2007 Jan;74(1):39-45. Epub 2006 Aug 22.
- Roodenrys S, et al. Chronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri) on human memory. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2002 Aug;27(2):279-81.
- Idrissi, A. E. (2019). Taurine regulation of neuroendocrine function. Taurine 11, 977-985.
