In the competitive world of gaming, finding the best nootropics for gamers has become essential. Gamers often face the challenge of maintaining focus and energy during extended play sessions, leading to diminished performance and frustration. As games become more demanding, the need for quick reflexes and sustained concentration grows, making it harder to stay ahead. This disconnect between the demands of gaming and gamers' mental endurance results in lost matches and a less enjoyable experience.
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
― Mark Twain
Recognizing this issue, it's clear that gamers need a reliable solution to enhance cognitive function and energy levels. The best nootropics for gamers provide a targeted way to boost brain power and stamina. By incorporating these nootropics into their routine, gamers can improve their performance, stay competitive, and elevate their overall gaming experience.
The best nootropics for gamers include N-acetyl L-tyrosine, L-theanine, citicoline, organic huperzia serrate leaf extract, and organic bacopa monnieri leaf extract. These natural brain booster supplements are available in Maximum Mind, formulated in their most refined, purest, and natural forms. This nootropic blend is designed to provide the safest yet most effective ingredients for gaining a competitive edge in professional gaming and sports. Dive in to discover the full range of their benefits.
Some of the top brain supplements enhancers available today can improve cognitive abilities required for sharp gaming performance, including:
- Focus
- Strategy
- Strong memory
- Creativity
- and more.
In this article, we'll discuss the top excellent nootropics for gamers and all the cognitive benefits they offer to help you master any video game.
What Are Nootropics?
“Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.”
― Mary Kay Ash
Let’s start by understanding what exactly nootropics are.
Corneliu Giurgea, a Romanian neuroscientist, introduced the term nootropic (pronounced new-tropic) in 1972. He envisioned smart drugs becoming widely accessible to boost brain health and elevate human intelligence.
Dr. Giurgea's research revealed that nootropics enhance cognition, memory, alertness, concentration, creativity, and attention. These cognitive enhancers amplify the brain's functions and improve how we process information.
Simply put, cognitive enhancers (also known as nootropics or smart drugs) are substances—either prescription or over-the-counter—that boost cognitive functions. While some nootropics support brain health, others can be risky.
At Marco’s Grounds™, we are committed to using only the safest and most natural compounds in their purest forms. Our focus is on natural nootropics that enhance cognition safely and effectively.
Nootropic Benefits for Gamers
“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.”
– Babe Ruth
Don't aim to hack the game; focus on enhancing your brainpower instead.
Clinical trials have shown that Maximum Mind offers a range of cognitive enhancement effects ideal for professional gamers, including heightened focus, enhanced memory, and overall brain health.
In the intense world of competitive gaming, various cognitive functions are pushed to their limits.
Success in gaming hinges on brain function and memory formation, especially in high-stakes environments. Whether competing for substantial prize money or online recognition, your brain cells need to be sharp and responsive.
To outsmart and outmaneuver your online rivals, you need precision, coordination, focus, and mental sharpness.
Nootropic supplements enhance blood flow to the brain, supplying more oxygen and nutrients, which helps sustain cognitive processes crucial for peak gaming performance. Here are the key cognitive benefits:
When competing at a high level, letting your mind wander puts you at a serious disadvantage.
Some attention-enhancing nootropics can help improve concentration, leading to smoother gameplay and quicker responses, giving gamers the edge they need.
Working Memory
Working memory, also known as short-term memory, is crucial for success in all types of video games.
Enhancing your working memory with nootropics can boost your competitive edge by helping you recall previous moves, recognize patterns, and more.
Mental Energy
Active, energized thinking is crucial for effective gaming, especially during late-night marathon sessions.
Nootropic supplements can help you maintain peak performance throughout hours of gameplay, preventing mental fatigue while streaming live on platforms like YouTube and Twitch.
Nootropic supplements can help you stay on top of your hours of gameplay by preventing mental fatigue while streaming live on networks like YouTube and Twitch.
While energy drinks and prescription medications are popular among gamers, certain nootropic supplements enhance the effects of coffee.
Others promote stimulant-free energy within brain cells, providing a healthy competitive edge.
Strategic Thinking
The winning strategy in gaming strategy belongs to the victorious.
Certain Nootropics serve as potent catalysts for cerebral prowess, fortifying the terrain of strategic deliberations. They resolutely enhance cognitive faculties, encompassing learning, memory, and an array of higher-order mental processes. Their efficacy in optimizing cognitive acumen is beyond reproach.
Stress Resistance
Extremely competitive and intense gameplay can lead to stress, which can be detrimental.
Some of the finest nootropics for gamers enhance the brain's resilience to stress, enabling clear and rational thinking even in the most chaotic of professional gaming environments.
Creativity
Games are won through creative problem-solving. In today's complex video games, there are often multiple solutions to the same storyline.
Certain nootropics foster optimal mind-states for creative thinking, allowing gamers to solve puzzles and advance while their opponents remain perplexed.
Boost Your Brainpower with Legal Nootropics
“If people are doubting how far you can go, go so far that you can’t hear them anymore.”
– Michele Ruiz
Video gaming has been around for decades but it has only recently become a legitimate career option.
With the rise of YouTube gamers, Twitch stars, and professional eSports competitors, the question of how to play better is no longer just about impressing your friends or topping high scoreboards. It's now about millions of dollars in prize money.
With so much at stake, the term "gaming" almost feels like a misnomer for the non-casual crowd.
As a result, not all cognitive enhancers are available to all gamers, as the Electronic Sports League (ESL) has started enforcing stricter policies on performance-enhancing substances, partially based on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited Substances List.
Fortunately, most natural nootropics are permissible and, when used correctly, can significantly boost your performance beyond previous high scores.
The gaming nootropics covered in this guide adhere to WADA standards for clean usage. Therefore, you won't find highly stimulative substances or powerful prescription-based performance enhancers. Instead, you'll find:
- Natural nootropic supplements that are safe, legal, and effective for both recreational and professional use.
- Healthy alternatives (and complements) to another gamer staple: energy drinks.
Best Nootropics for Gamers
N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine (NALT)
L-tyrosine hailed as the most powerful anti-stress amino acid, serves as a precursor to neurotransmitters depleted by excessive excitement.
While computer games might help you unwind and release the stress of a long day according to the European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, extended gaming binges can have negative effects on your biological composition, with some research indicating serious structural damage to the brain's dopaminergic circuit.[1]
To break it down: dopamine, the neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward, is released during various activities—like enjoying chocolate, drinking coffee, or discovering something new and exciting. Immersing yourself in the gaming world causes a surge of dopamine, intensifying the urge to keep playing.
Dopamine is often called the Motivation Molecule, driving both motivated "go-getter" behavior and addictive "I need it now" compulsion.
L-tyrosine is crucial for dopamine production because it converts in the brain to L-dopa, the direct precursor to dopamine. This is why taking L-tyrosine, especially with B vitamins, feels good—it boosts dopamine activity.
Tyrosine levels drop when the brain is overly stressed or aroused, as it converts its natural tyrosine stores into excitatory catecholamines. According to the Catecholamine Hypothesis, this could explain why mood, motivation, and concentration decline during stressful situations, such as intense gaming sessions that deplete your excitement reserves.
The active form of L-tyrosine (N-acetyl-L-tyrosine) may help alleviate brain exhaustion caused by excessive gaming by maintaining healthy dopamine levels, thus improving mood and motivation.
L-tyrosine has been found to increase cognitive performance during a "demanding military combat training course." We don't think CS: GO is too far away.
Moreover, L-tyrosine has been found to sharpen thinking in distracting environments, such as exposure to loud noise and immersion in cold water, indicating a high potential for peak performance in chaotic gaming conditions.
For optimal gaming mastery, consider stacking N-acetyl-L-tyrosine with B vitamins, particularly vitamin B6, another key precursor for dopamine production.
Note: there’s an effective dose of L-tyrosine as N-acetyl L-tyrosine in each dose of Maximum Mind
Read more about N-acetyl L-tyrosine on the Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive or find out more about the benefits of tyrosine here.
L-Theanine
The anxiolytic alpha brainwave modulation of L-theanine promotes wakeful relaxation.
L-theanine, an anxiolytic amino acid and an extremely popular herbal nootropic has two key nootropic effects for gamers:
- Modulates alpha brainwaves - which are associated with relaxed but awake thinking and creativity, according to clinical studies published in Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. [2]
- Reduces too-stimulated brain activity - the amino blocks excessive glutamate release, reducing mental overstimulation, according to clinical studies published in Nutr Neurosci. [3]
L-theanine stands out as one of the best natural anti-anxiety solutions, thanks to its ability to promote relaxation and support contemplative brain wave activity.
For gamers who experience jittery trigger fingers from caffeine consumption, L-theanine offers an effective remedy.
While caffeine reliably boosts mental energy, focus, and concentration, it often compromises accuracy and precision. Additionally, excessive caffeine intake can lead to increased stress levels.
Unfortunately, the benefits of pure caffeine are short-lived, resulting in a decline in gaming performance once its stimulating effects wear off.
However, L-theanine mitigates the adverse effects of caffeine jitters while preserving caffeine’s essential properties for enhancing alertness.
In fact, in Nutr Neurosci studies the combination of caffeine and L-theanine not only increases cognitive function, both in terms of speed and accuracy, but it does so above and beyond the putative individual nootropic capacities of each molecule, indicating a high degree of synergy at work.[4]
For the best gaming effect, aim for a 2:1 or 3:2 L-theanine to caffeine ratio, as L-theanine has a considerably shorter half-life than caffeine.
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 Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive or find out the best caffeine and L-theanine combination here.
Citicoline
Citicoline is a nootropic choline donor and cognitive supercharger, making it an ideal choice for gamers seeking stimulant-free mental energy.
While citicoline offers a wide array of brain health benefits, it is primarily a choline donor, providing essential building blocks for key neural compounds:
- Acetylcholine (ACh): A neurotransmitter associated with memory, learning, and neuron-to-neuron communication.
- Phosphatidylcholine (PC): A building block of cellular phospholipid bilayers, crucial for the health and stability of neuronal membranes.
According to a study by NMR Biomed, few dietary choline sources can pass the blood-brain barrier, as well as citicoline. And, of the few that can, citicoline packs the most potent nootropic punch, combining several well-researched brain-building properties for a total of 14% enhanced ATP brain energy and 35% increased neural membrane repair. [5]
As one of the best nootropics for gamers, citicoline provides two helpful precursor items:
- Choline: Precursor to acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine.
- Cytidine: Precursor to uridine, an RNA nucleotide base.
Because uridine promotes the development of new synapses, citicoline is not just an acute cognitive enhancer but also a long-term neurodegeneration, improving your ability to process, store, and recall strategic information, according to research published in the J Nutr Health Aging. [6]
The combination of choline and cytidine (ultimately uridine) enhances and energizes cognition, learning, and memory. This supports deeper cognitive paradigms that, while not necessarily relevant to Twitch gaming, benefit more strategic thinking—such as that required for real-time strategy (RTS) gaming and chess.
Training eSports competitors, regardless of the gaming genre, may greatly benefit from adding a citicoline supplement to their nootropic stack.
Note: there’s an effective dose of citicoline as Cognizin® in each dose of Maximum Mind.
Read more about citicoline on Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive and the benefits of citicoline for brain power here.
Organic Huperzia Serrate Leaf Extract
Huperzine A is a naturally occurring compound extracted from the Huperzia serrata leaf. It has been shown to support learning, memory, and neuroplasticity by increasing levels of acetylcholine in the brain.
Gamers perform better when they can focus on their game, which is why huperzine A is a great supplement for gamers. It helps them maintain focus and improves their concentration while playing games.
Huperzine A is a naturally occurring compound called an alkaloid. It's extracted from the huperzia Serrata leaf, which is native to China and used in traditional medicine as a treatment for insomnia and other cognitive disorders.
Huperzine A supports learning and memory by helping your body convert short-term to long-term memory. This means that when you read or study, your brain will be able to store more information than it would have been able to otherwise.
It also supports neuroplasticity by helping your brain change how it responds to stimuli. So if you play video games for a long time, your brain will be better at processing them—and you'll learn new skills faster!
Note: there’s an effective dose of huperzine A at 50% purity in each dose of Maximum Mind.
Read more about huperzine A on Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive or read more about the benefits of huperzine here.
Bacopa Monnieri
The ultimate cognitive enhancer for learners, designed to boost memory and enhance strategic thinking, could potentially benefit gamers. Bacopa monnieri, much like huperzine, is an herbal adaptogen nootropic known for its ability to mitigate the negative cognitive effects of stress.
While bacopa monnieri's stress-reducing properties are advantageous to gamers, its cognitive-enhancing benefits extend beyond stress relief. Studies have shown that bacopa monnieri can delay the rate at which new information is forgotten and enhance working memory.
In gaming, the ability to remember new information and past experiences is crucial for devising strategies and achieving success. Whether navigating a challenging dungeon or anticipating your opponent's next move, memory is essential for reaching your gaming goals.
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 Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive or find out more about the benefits of bacopa here.
Conclusion
“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.”
– Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
By embracing the benefits of the best nootropics for gamers, players can bridge the gap between the demands of gaming and their mental capabilities. With enhanced cognitive function and resilience, gamers can unlock their full potential, outmaneuver their opponents, and conquer the virtual battlefield with confidence. The integration of these supplements represents a transformative step forward in the pursuit of gaming excellence, ensuring that players can thrive in the competitive landscape of modern gaming.
Maximum Mind nootropics contain the most effective performance-enhancing brain enhancers for triumph in any video game. These nootropics are safe, legal, and effective for everyone, from hobbyists to professional gamers. Maximum Mind's non-caffeinated mix allows users to stack its L-theanine with other energy sources.
This list solely includes nootropic supplements that may improve gaming performance; however, competitive gamers may also wish to look at vision enhancer supplements, specifically Zeaxanthin, Lutein, Astaxanthin, and Cyanidin 3-Glucoside (C3G).
Why not benefit from the best nootropics for gamers in their purest form and other clinically studied compounds to increase brain performance and health with Maximum Mind?
Literature
- Tian M, et al. PET imaging reveals brain functional changes in internet gaming disorder. European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. July 2014; 41(7): 1388-97.
- Nobre AC, et al. L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008; 17 Suppl 1: 167-8.
- Yamade T, et al. Effects of theanine, r-glutamylethylamide, on neurotransmitter release and its relationship with glutamic acid neurotransmission. Nutr Neurosci. 2005 Aug; 8(4): 219-26.
- Owen GN, et al. The combined effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance and mood. Nutr Neurosci. 2008 Aug; 11(4): 193-8.
- Silveri MM, et al. Citicoline enhances frontal lobe bioenergetics as measured by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy. NMR Biomed. 2008 Nov; 21(10): 1066-75.
- Wurtman RJ, et al. Synapse formation is enhanced by oral administration of uridine and DHA, the circulating precursors of brain phosphatides. J Nutr Health Aging. 2009 Mar; 13(3): 189-97.
