We all feel overwhelmed when an exam month is coming up, and we are studying for 14-16 hours every day, barely finding the time to eat or even sleep. That’s a bummer. Some students get exhausted and resort to overdrinking coffee or tea, while others might start experimenting with other stimulants or even prescription drugs.
Stimulants provide a short-term effect, but they have negative long-term consequences as they interact with neurotransmitters and chemicals in your brain.
Brain health is vital in remembering information, making connections, and retrieving it when needed. That’s why Marco’s Grounds manufactures the best nootropics for studying that act as brain supplements and are safer than synthetic stimulants used by some students.
Nootropics improve cognition, memory, intelligence, motivation, attention, and concentration, according to various studies of which one notably published in the Journal of Engineering and Advanced Sciences [1]. Nootropics are also referred to as smart drugs, memory enhancers, neuroenhancers, cognitive enhancers, and intelligence enhancers in the scientific literature and community.
Study nootropics have proved to be effective for improving your test-taking skills by enhancing your recall and retrieval on exam day and stimulating your brain for late-night studying, as a study initially published in Pharmacopsychiatry could demonstrate [2].
We highly recommend that you go through this guide to understand better the ingredients in our supplements or in general their role in improving your cognitive performance. This post serves as a guide on various nootropic compounds used in Maximum Mind and how you can use them to supercharge your brain for better grades.
In summation, the best nootropics for studying, in no particular order, are organic bacopa monnieri leaf extract, citicoline, N-acetyl L-tyrosine (NALT), L-theanine, uridine, and methylated B vitamins. These nootropics are bioavailable in their purest form in Maximum Mind. Find out how and why they are the best below.
With its trademarked ingredient blends, Maximum Mind helps build an environment in which the brain can operate on all cylinders and protects its functioning for lasting mental clarity while supporting a balanced mood so that you can not only absorb information efficiently but also retrieve and present it while staying cool-headed.
“The Secret of Success Is to Do the Common Things Uncommonly Well.”
― John D. Rockefeller
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 to enhance the general population’s brain health and increase 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, for most of our discussions we will restrain ourselves to natural nootropics that increase cognition safely.
Benefits of Nootropics
“There are two kinds of people in this world: those who want to get things done and those who don’t want to make mistakes.”
― John Maxwell
- Sustained Energy: Nootropics will keep you active for long hours and provide a constant stream of energy to keep your brain wired.
- Increased Willpower: If you feel tired and want to give up even if you haven’t completed your task yet, nootropics will give you a boost in willpower so that you can complete your task.
- Easier to Get into Flow States: Flow states (the feeling of being immersed in your task) are the holy grail of productivity. Nootropics fuel your brain with beneficial neurotransmitters and increase alpha and theta brain wave activity, resulting in more extended states of being in the flow.
- Boost memory: You will be able to recall and remember information for a more extended amount of time.
- Exam day: You will feel an incredible difference on exam day because of enhanced recall. Hence you will have better exam performance. Also, some nootropics help keep a balanced mood, which is perfect when trying to stay even-tempered to answer exam questions effectively.
- Mood and motivation: Nootropics will motivate you to start doing the homework that you have been procrastinating on for too much time.
Best Nootropics for Studying
“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.”
― Beverly Sills
Students should keep in mind that synthetic drugs have various long-term side effects.
You should also note that natural nootropics are legal and approved by most countries around the globe. Nootropics are the reliable and least harmful way for students to excel in their academics and improve their test scores while preserving and enhancing their long-term health.
Nootropics aren’t just supplements to help you achieve your academic goals, but they also make sure that your brain health is maintained in the future, which contrasts significantly with prescription drugs like Adderall.
You may use individual nootropics, but you need to try stacking to achieve their maximum effect. Stacking means combining different nootropics that will accelerate various mental and cognitive processes at the same time.
Students can get maximum benefit by stacking diverse nootropics ingredients hence activating multiple cognitive pathways.
Maximum Mind Cognitive and Mind Enhancing Complex for Studying: Marco’s Grounds developed Maximum Mind to provide the highest safely attainable brainpower enhancement while preserving long-term brain health. We have included the best nootropics in our product, combined in precise ratios to give you the best and safest brain optimization possible.
Organic Bacopa Monnieri Leaf Extract
Bacopa monnieri, also called Herb of Grace in Ayurvedic Medicine, is extensively studied by scientists, and it is widely used in Indian villages to supercharge school-goers.
In the ancient Indian health system, Bacopa Monnieri comes under the category of Medhya Rasayana, which literally means “essence of intellect.” You may not believe in the fantastical element of the ancient Indian health system. Yet, you might be less skeptical about the clinical demonstration of this drug by various scientific studies.
A systematic review of randomized trials published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine indicated that Bacopa leaf extract has neuroprotective, nootropic, and adaptogenic effects, improving memory formation and recall [3].
Bacopa helps with acetylcholine, GABA, and serotonin brain chemicals, which all play a role in focus, attention, concentration, and motivation. It also supports adaptogenic activity by promoting a balanced brain’s response to stress, as researchers showed in a study published in Rejuvenation Research [4].
Below are some of the most commonly accepted benefits Bacopa monnieri has on brain health.
Better retrieval of information: It has proved to increase recall during tests and retrieval of information after a short period of remembering it.
Anti-oxidant effect: It improves the brain’s general cognitive abilities and acts as an antioxidant. It enhances the action of other antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase.
Relaxation: Research studies have proved that Bacopa improves ease. The time required to take maximum effect of this supplement is at least 12 weeks, according to a study published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry [5]. After students took this supplement, they reported having increased visual information processing [5]. It also increased their learning rate and improved consolidation of memory. It also decreased their anxiety.
Decrease in forgetfulness: According to research published in Neuropsychopharmacology, it decreases the rate of forgetting newly acquired information [6].
Anxiolytic effect: Bacopa monnieri also reduces the stress marker HSP70 in the brain while also having an anxiolytic effect hence saving you from exam anxiety the night before your final exam, as also shown in the same study published in Neuropsychopharmacology [6].
For these reasons, Bacopa is of course one of the best nootropics for studying.
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.
Citicoline as Cognizin®
Citicoline is a nootropic compound that displays cognitive-promoting properties. It is composed of two elements called choline and cytidine.
Upon digestion, it breaks down into those two compounds.
Choline: Choline is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist. Choline is a precursor of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the brain associated with memory formation and learning.
Cytidine: It is a precursor of uridine, which is employed in repairing neuronal membranes, and hence, reduces neuronal death and plays a role as a neuroprotective chemical.
Increased motivation for studying: Citicoline has been proven to increase the production of adrenaline and noradrenaline in a study published in Life Sciences [7].
Complexes of choline and cytidine act on dopamine transporters to increase dopamine release, as shown in a publication in CNS & Neurological Disorders-Drug Targets [8]. This increases motivation. It can be particularly interesting for students who want to complete their tasks and also increase concentration.
Boost in energy level: Taking citicoline has been proven to increase the energy level of students overall. This compound has been used to treat memory impairment due to aging because it has a neuroprotective role. Students have famously used it around the globe to enhance their cognitive performance.
You can read more about citicoline here. For these reasons, Citicoline is one of the best nootropics for studying. It becomes even more interesting when combined with alpha GPC like in Maximum Mind.
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.
L-Theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid. It has been used to balance mood. Theanine has been consumed in our diet for a long time in history.
It is part of green tea, which is consumed around the globe. People often consume it in conjunction with coffee to boost their productivity.
Here are some of the most well-documented theanine benefits.
Improved focus: According to a study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, this naturally occurring compound increases alpha brain waves while ultimately increasing focus [9]. Alpha brain waves promote calmness and make the person feel relaxed without getting drowsy.
This lack of sedation is why most students prefer taking it to enhance attention and relaxation. The brain becomes alert and focused after taking commonly accepted doses of L-theanine, as researchers show in an analysis published in Biofeedback [10].
Glutamate is produced after the degradation of theanine. Glutamate acts as a neurotransmitter that increases the rate of information transfer in the brain. Hence, L-theanine creates a double-win effect by both acting in its original form and degrading into a neural accelerator.
Marco’s Grounds has included this ingredient in our Maximum Mind supplements to get your daily dose. Theanine is also known to improve sleep quality.
The theanine included in Marco’s Grounds supplements is extracted from organic green tea leaves and sourced from family-owned farms, non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan. For these reasons, L-theanine makes it to the top of our list of the best nootropics for 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 Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive or find out the best caffeine and L-theanine combination here.
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine
Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid found in diet and precursor molecules for many chemicals in the brain. Noradrenaline and dopamine are produced from L-tyrosine. The acetylated form Marco’s Grounds uses is the superior, more biologically active form that can be easily absorbed.
Here are some of the most well-documented N-acetyl L-tyrosine benefits.
Improvement in mental performance under stress: This chemical is essential for mental strength, especially under stressful conditions. It will give students the boost they need when they have a deadline to meet.
Improved focus and concentration: By producing dopamine, tyrosine is critical for sharpening and strengthening focus, concentration, and resilience.
Dopamine, the chemical for motivation: Dopamine is related to the feeling of motivation, reward, and pleasure. It is what excites us to study and do our tasks and is released on completion of tasks.
Other than these cognitive functions of dopamine, it also plays a role in regulating and controlling human muscle movement.
Research published in Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance showed that placebo participants were found to have decreased cognitive performance after being sleep-deprived for one night. In contrast, those given high-purity N-acetyl L-tyrosine had improved cognitive performance and mental energy [11].
Improvement in working memory: Tyrosine improves brain function, improving your brain’s capacity to retain information and improve working memory. It will also enhance your logical reasoning as well as mathematical processing. It will also help to prevent stress-induced memory and attention deficits.
Thyroid hormone production: Tyrosine is often included in weight loss and pre-workout supplements because they are used to produce thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormone imbalance can cause a myriad of health issues that affect every part of your body.
N-acetyl L-tyrosine used by Marco’s Grounds is the amino acid L-tyrosine in its acetylated form. This acetylated compound is formed to make it soluble in water hence more functional and efficiently processed by the body.
L-tyrosine doesn’t have any side effects as it is generally recognized as safe. For these reasons, L-tyrosine is one of the best nootropics for studying.
Note: there’s an effective dose of L-tyrosine as N-acetyl L-tyrosine in each dose of Maximum Mind.
Other Ingredients
Our cognitive supplement Maximum Mind also contains various other elements that are beneficial for overachieving students.
Uridine: Uridine is a potent cognitive enhancer. It is a nucleotide base. It is a crucial building compound in RNA. We can simply say that life cannot exist without uridine.
Uridine is used to make CTP (Cytidine triphosphate), a potent activator of many metabolic reactions. Uridine can also be converted into cytidine to make CTP. It can also cross the blood-brain barrier due to its phosphorylated form.
Marco’s Grounds supplements contain uridine’s phosphorylated form which makes it more stable and helps it survive through the digestive system. It is also essential for sleep regulation as it supports slow-wave sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
Uridine is a somewhat underground supplement that is generally regarded as safe (GRAS) and that might be one of the best nootropics for studying.
Note: there’s an effective dose of uridine at 99% purity in each dose of Maximum Mind.
Read more about uridine on Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive or dig deeper into the benefits of uridine here.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D is synthesized by our skin when it is exposed to the sun. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. Despite being an essential player in bone function, it also supports cognitive performance and mood.
It is found in our diet in fish and eggs. Vitamin D supplementation has proven to reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, and cerebrovascular diseases.
If you spend a lot of time indoors and live at higher latitudes while having darker skin, you might get deficient in vitamin D. People have noticed an increase in their testosterone after taking vitamin D as well. Sunlight has UV radiations that help convert cholesterol into Vitamin D, so it is recommended to spend time in the sun and participate in outdoor sports. It will not only enhance your bone and immune health but also sharpen your brain performance.
Marco’s Grounds supplements contain Vitamin D in the D3 form (the more bioavailable form), produced from wild 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 Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive or dig deeper into the benefits of vitamin D here
Methylated B Vitamins: There are eight B vitamins. These are named B-1 (thiamine) B-2 (riboflavin), B-3 (niacin), B-5 (pantothenic acid), B-6 (pyridoxine), B-7 (biotin), B-9 (folic acid) and B-12 (cobalamin).
With all B vitamins, the methylation increases the bioavailability of the compounds. All B vitamins contribute to healthy brain function, metabolism, and energy levels. Vitamin B5 is used to synthesize coenzyme A. Vitamin B6 is used to metabolize amino acids and fatty acids. Vitamin B9 and B12 are crucial for brain function.
Vitamin B complexes help prevent infections and promote the cell health of cells and the growth of red blood cells. They also optimize our appetite and improve cardiovascular health if they are in the methylated form. Methylating of B complexes ensures they are easily absorbable and hence usable by the body.
Note: there’s an effective dose of methylated vitamins B5, B6, B9, and B12 in each dose of Maximum Mind.
Read more about methylated vitamin B on Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive and why you should never consider non-methylated B vitamins.
Memory Techniques for Studying
“If people only knew how hard I’ve worked to gain my mastery, it wouldn’t seem so wonderful at all.”
― Michelangelo
Pomodoro Technique: Francesco Cirillo developed the Pomodoro technique in the late 1980s. Pomodoro is an Italian word that means tomato because the original Pomodoro timer was shaped like a tomato. It is employed by many students (and entrepreneurs). The technique consists of working for 25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break then repeating the cycle. Repeat as many times as necessary.
Leitner System: It is a method introduced by German science journalist Sebastian Leitner in the 1970s. It employs the concept of spaced repetition. You should learn this method if you want to memorize things quickly.
Using this method, you will gradually expose yourself to the information instead of cramming it one night before the exam. In this specific method, you will sort your flashcards into different boxes. You will move the card to the next box only when you have successfully recalled it. Otherwise, you will have to learn it again.
Exercise and Fatty Acids: We also recommend that you include exercise in your daily routine because training has proved to be very beneficial in improving working memory. Many studies have shown this, notably one published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise [12]. The researchers could indicate that a quick run of 25 to 30 minutes will instantly boost information encoding and recall in the brain.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids are essential phospholipids that we recommend you include in your diet for a healthy brain. These can be found in fish and are also available as over-the-counter supplements. We particularly like this one as it shows excellent synergies with Maximum Mind.
Conclusion
“There are no traffic jams on the extra mile.”
― Zig Ziglar
You will feel energized and less drained at the end of the day. Just like you take care of your skin by using skin-care products and hair-care products to keep your hair healthy, similarly, you should also try these brain supplements to put every chance on the side of your most important asset.
Supplementing your study sessions with Maximum Mind may help you enhance the benefits of your learning by replenishing the nutrients your brain needs, and most importantly, motivating you to continue studying to achieve your goals.
Why not experience the benefits of the best nootropics for studying in their purest form along with other clinically studied compounds for increasing brain performance and health with Maximum Mind?
Happy studying!
Literature
- Joshi Pranav C. A review on natural memory enhancers (Nootropics). Unique Journal of Engineering and Advanced Sciences. 2013;1(01):8-18.
- Franke AG, Bonertz C, Christmann M, Huss M, Fellgiebel A, Hildt E, Lieb K. Non-medical use of prescription stimulants and illicit use of stimulants for cognitive enhancement in pupils and students in Germany. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2011 Mar;44(02):60-6.
- Pase, M. P., Kean, J., Sarris, J., Neale, C., Scholey, A. B., & Stough, C. (2012). The cognitive-enhancing effects of Bacopa monnieri: a systematic review of randomized, controlled human clinical trials. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 18(7), 647–652.
- Aguiar, S., & Borowski, T. (2013). Neuropharmacological review of the nootropic herb Bacopa monnieri. Rejuvenation research, 16(4), 313-326.
- Raghav, S., Singh, H., Dalal, P. K., Srivastava, J. S., & Asthana, O. P. (2006). Randomized controlled trial of standardized Bacopa monniera extract in age-associated memory impairment. Indian journal of psychiatry, 48(4), 238–242.
- Roodenrys S, Booth D, Bulzomi S, Phipps A, Micallef C, Smoker J. Chronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) on human memory. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2002 Aug;27(2):279-81.
- Weiss, G. B. (1995). Metabolism and actions of CDP choline as an endogenous compound and administered exogenously as citicoline. Life sciences, 56(9), 637-660.
- Khosrow Tayebati, S., Tomassoni, D., Ejike Nwankwo, I., Di Stefano, A., Sozio, P., Serafina Cerasa, L., & Amenta, F. (2013). Modulation of monoaminergic transporters by choline-containing phospholipids. CNS & Neurological Disorders-Drug Targets (Formerly Current Drug Targets-CNS & Neurological Disorders), 12(1), 94-103.
- Nobre, A. C., Rao, A., & Owen, G. N. (2008). L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state. Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition, 17 Suppl 1, 167–168.
- Wacker MS. Alpha brainwave training and perception of time passing: preliminary findings. Biofeedback Self Regul. 1996 Dec; 21(4): 303-9.
- Neri DF et al. The effects of tyrosine on cognitive performance during extended wakefulness. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1995 Apr; 66(4): 313-9.
- Pontifex MB et al. The Effect of Acute Aerobic and Resistance Exercise on Working Memory. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009 Apr; 41(4): 927-34.
