Medicine to boost energy and focus starts with a balanced diet, regular exercise, quality sleep and stress management. Supplements like B vitamins, iron or adaptogens such as ashwagandha may be used safely with medical supervision to increase energy.
Stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin are sometimes referred to as “study drugs.” Though these stimulants increase alertness, they don’t directly improve grades or learning abilities.
Maca
The maca plant (Lepidium meyenii) is an Andean herb with long been utilized as both food and dietary supplement for centuries. Also referred to as Peruvian Ginseng, maca has adaptogenic properties which help balance hormones for greater energy. Furthermore, maca also boasts numerous vitamins, minerals, and unique bioactive compounds such as macaenes and macamides which all combine for an extraordinary array of nutritional value.
Early studies on maca have demonstrated its positive effects on hormones in both men and women, including improved fertility and libido, increased sperm motility and concentration, as well as reduced symptoms associated with menopause.
Maca may help improve memory and learning by stimulating mitochondrial functions in the brain. This may be attributed to its abundance of antioxidants which prevent oxidative damage to cells and molecules.
Maca is often touted as an effective remedy against stress by blocking cortisol production and providing essential omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation in the body.
Maca is available as both powder and capsule form. It may also be combined with other herbs and nutrients specifically targeted to assist specific health conditions; Feel’s Menopause supplement features Maca along with adaptogenic herbs designed to ease symptoms associated with menopausal transition.
Before beginning any new supplement regimen, always seek independently tested options and consult with a medical doctor or registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN) prior to making a decision on any new regimen. This is particularly important due to supplements not being subjected to regulation as pharmaceutical medications are; some supplements contain substances which could potentially be toxic at higher doses or during certain points in time in your life; such as MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) which is banned in the US market.
Gotu kola
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is the go-to herb for brain support. This creeping plant features round fan-shaped scalloped leaves resembling the lily pads seen in old Sinhalese proverbs: “Two Gotu leaves per day will stave off aging”. This ancient practice can also be found in traditional Chinese, Indonesian and Ayurvedic wellness practices as it acts an adaptogen and rasayana to rejuvenate body while simultaneously serving as an antioxidative nootropic nootropic protection and cognitive function enhancement.
Gotu kola can aid mental clarity by increasing cerebral blood flow. This increases energy delivery to your brain and ensures it receives all necessary nutrients to function at its optimum.
Gotu kola can also help reduce anxiety and stress. The herb’s adaptogenic properties balance cortisol levels, thus decreasing their harmful effects. Furthermore, gotu kola’s mild sedative properties promote relaxation without making you sleepy, making it ideal for increasing focus and productivity in times of tension.
Studies conducted recently found that those taking gotu kola experienced reduced mental fatigue symptoms and saw improvements on cognitive tests, researchers suggest this might be down to its ability to increase blood flow to the brain preventing mental fatigue while helping you maintain focus for longer.
Gotu kola can also benefit the skin and connective tissue beyond just its impact on mental functions. It has been found effective at healing wounds, burns, fighting inflammation, and speeding healing time for injuries such as arthritis. Furthermore, gotu kola may inhibit excessive scarring while increasing body’s natural ability to repair tissue repair processes.
CoQ10
Coenzyme Q10 is an essential nutrient, essential in providing energy to cells. As an antioxidant, studies show it to be highly protective, helping lower cholesterol levels and improving blood flow while simultaneously decreasing oxidative stress that leads to heart failure. Furthermore, studies indicate it helps alleviate symptoms of angina while improving heart function.
CoQ10 is an organic compound found in our bodies but can also be consumed as a supplement. Available as capsules and tablets, its daily recommended dosage ranges between 60-500 milligrams; its fat-soluble nature means taking it with meals rich in lipids is optimal to maximize absorption. Also important when taking CoQ10 are following label instructions regarding dosing instructions on its bottle.
CoQ10 is not only an energy booster but it is also an extremely potent antioxidant that protects brain function and supports cellular health. Used to treat many conditions including heart failure and high blood pressure; diabetes; periodontal diseases and cancer – CoQ10 has even been shown to reduce oxidative stress while improving cognitive functions in older adults – perhaps preventing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases from emerging!
CoQ10, produced naturally by our bodies, gradually decreases with age and can also be depleted by certain medications like statins and antacids. As such, many older individuals find themselves experiencing fatigue as they get older; but don’t realize their low CoQ10 levels may be to blame. CoQ10 can restore mitochondrial balance to boost energy levels; in athletes it helps decrease creatine kinase levels thus decreasing fatigue levels.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha (withania somnifera) is an effective adaptogenic herb that helps the body cope with stress. It promotes healthy energy levels, memory enhancement and focus enhancement – its effectiveness being due to its ability to balance neurochemical environments for an overall peaceful state of mind. Furthermore, ashwagandha also regulates hormones such as cortisol while supporting healthy cellular functioning and overall well-being.
Ashwagandha is one of the best herbal sleep aids and has been proven to increase both duration and quality of restful nocturnal sleep in rodents by increasing time spent in delta (d) wave sleep and decreasing time spent in lighter stages [14, 15]. Ashwagandha can help combat insomnia as it provides non-sedative effects that are far superior to commonly used pharmaceutical sleep aids, which often cause side effects like nausea, dizziness, daytime fatigue and headaches [14-15]. Ashwagandha can treat insomnia while increasing time spent in Delta D Wave sleep while simultaneously decreasing time spent in lighter stages [15, 16]. Ashwagandha also works effectively at treating insomnia by increasing time spent in deepest stage known as delta D Wave sleep [15, 16], which enhances quality restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restorative restor the increasing time spent in deepest stage known as Delta D wave sleep while decreasing time spent in lighter stages [15/16].
Ashwagandha can also offer significant stress-reducer properties. Prolonged stress can drain our energy reserves and compromise cognitive functioning; Ashwagandha helps mitigate this effect by stimulating natural energy production pathways within the body as well as supporting mitochondrial function, the powerhouses that produce ATP, our primary energy currency.
Ashwagandha has been proven to be effective at relieving anxiety through several randomized trials, increasing GABA production as an inhibitory neurotransmitter and contributing to relaxation and calm. Dexamethasone can also reduce anxiety symptoms in a placebo-controlled study and boost mood for those living with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, while studies have demonstrated its ability to enhance athletic performance. Astragandha can increase VO2 max in healthy participants, and has also been shown to enhance strength and endurance among hockey players and elite cyclists [40]. When searching for an ashwagandha product, look for brands known for quality and transparency with third-party testing for potency and purity as well as organic certification so that products do not contain pesticides and herbicides.
Melatonin
Melatonin is an endogenous hormone best known for regulating circadian rhythms and inducing sleep, but it also has many other physiological benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Melatonin works as a free radical scavenger that reduces oxidative stress while improving energy metabolism; additionally it can regulate apoptosis as well as inhibit vasoconstriction of cerebral arteries; it protects against neurodegeneration by decreasing inflammation pathways while increasing BDNF production within brain tissue while improving cognitive abilities in AD animal models (Alghamdi 2018).
Melatonin secretion is initiated by light stimuli in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei and increases at night. Once produced, melatonin is released into cerebrospinal fluid and blood via peptide transporter and later processed through liver into 6-hydroxymelatonin before excreted via urine. Melatonin binds with receptors on its target cells (such as NR1 and NMDA receptors) as well as activate cytokines and biochemicals that inhibit cell death.
Multiple clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of melatonin for treating depression and sleep disorders. It works by improving sleep cycles, mood elevation and suppressing neuroinflammation; furthermore it has also shown to have neuroprotective properties against ischemic stroke due to its ability to regulate circadian rhythm, reduce inflammation levels and promote anti-apoptosis within the brain (Rutten et al 2012).
Although melatonin supplements offer many advantages, there are certain circumstances where its use should be limited or avoided, such as digestive conditions, psychiatric disorders and certain metabolic diseases. Before taking any melatonin-containing products – particularly beta blockers or antidepressants – it is always advisable to consult a health care provider first.
