![5 of the Best Vegan Nootropics [2021]](https://promindbuild.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/5-of-the-Best-Vegan-Nootropics-2021-1024x555.jpg)
Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. It has a powerful nootropic that can help boost brain function and cognition performance. Although coffee can improve your mental focus and energy, it’s short lived. You have to constantly drink it throughout the day or you’ll experience what is known as a crash. If you want to avoid coffee as a source of nootropic, we have some vegan-friendly alternatives that we’ll be discussing today. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to choose the best vegan nootropics suited for your unique needs.
1. Gaia Herbs – Nootropic Focus
The Gingko Biloba extract and spearmint mainly improve blood flow to the brain. The Gingko Biloba also doubles as an antioxidant. This effective combination boosts memory and focus.
On the other hand, saffron and lemon balm are calming agents. Saffron is adept at increasing dopamine levels without affecting serotonin. This helps promote a calm and focused mindset to help you get things done.
It’s also reassuring that Gaia Herbs chose not to include common allergens such as gluten, soy, dairy, meat, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, yeast, or eggs to ensure it’s safe to consume for a lot of people.
Pros
- It comes in capsule form, so it should have a long shelf life.
- When taken at recommended dosage, it can help you maintain mental clarity even on the busiest days.
Cons
- Spearmint can react negatively with statin and drugs used for controlling cholesterol.
- If taken at recommended dosage, you only capsules for 20 days.
2. Rebirth – Natural Nootropic Iodine Supplement
This iodine supplement is designed to support the thyroid gland, located at the base of the neck. Thyroid issues can sometimes cause it to swell and cause headaches and neck pains. It can cause chronic fatigue and general weakness, which affects our decision-making faculties. Rebirth Natural Nootropic Iodine Supplement helps your body produce more T3 and T4 hormones. This is instrumental for regulating metabolism and restoring cognitive vitality.
Rebirth also made sure not to use GMO, animal products, or any common allergens such as gluten.
Pros
- Iodine battles thyroid-related illnesses that cause problems in our decision-making process.
- T3 and T4 hormones also help in regulating metabolism.
Cons
- At its very core, it’s an iodine supplement, not a nootropic supplement as the name suggests
3. NutriChem Labs – Nature’s Burn
They use TeaCrine® as the main nootropic that has a similar effect on caffeine but does not have any adverse side effects. This makes it a favorite among endurance athletes and people who need a long-term focus. It also helps in regulating mood and motivation levels.
Capsimax® aims to improve metabolism so that the body can break down food and produce energy more efficiently. It’s generally found in capsicum extracts from red peppers. This is used as a natural cure for digestive issues and problems of the circulatory system.
Pros
- The two-pronged approach of targeting cognitive and metabolic health makes for a more effective long-term mental deterioration solution.
- Caffeine-free energy means you won’t suffer from a lack of sleep.
- It’s gluten-free and completely vegan.
Cons
- It’s not entirely allergen-free. Some people with nightshade allergies react to red pepper, the primary source of Nature’s Burn’s Capsimax®.
4. Honey Badger – Vegan Keto Alpha-GPC Nootropic Hydration Electrolytes
This drink mainly uses A-GPC as a nootropic substance which is often compared to caffeine. It mainly facilitates neuro-muscular interactions. This makes it the perfect supplement for athletes who train hard.
Honey Badger’s nootropic has an excellent balance of electrolytes and amino acids. It has a three-pronged approach to training that is hydration, recovery, and focus and motivation.
Also, it’s free of GMOs, sugar, and caffeine. You don’t have to suffer from any of the harmful side effects of these substances. To top it all off, they also made sure that it’s completely vegan-friendly.
Pros
- The nootropic drink is for athletes that have a rigorous approach to training.
- It tastes excellent despite not having any artificial sweeteners or flavors.
- Powder supplements tend to have a longer shelf life than other forms.
Cons
- A-GPC might not be the best type of nootropic if you want to increase cognitive abilities.
- It’s not exactly keto-friendly, as the name suggests. Each serving consists of a considerable amount of carbs.
- It takes a long time to dissolve into the water entirely.
- It’s sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.
5. Gaia Herbs – Agile Mind
It still uses Gingko Biloba as a primary source of nootropic stimulation. So, aside from blood flow to the brain, it also functions as an antioxidant. Where it differs from its Nootropic Focus line is in its inclusion of turmeric and bacopa.
For thousands of years now, turmeric has been used for medicinal purposes. A lot of studies now concur that it helps boost memory and aids in perking up. On the other hand, studies tout bacopa as a memory and focus-enhancing substance.
These make for an excellent combination of benefits to memory, focus, and mood.
Pros
- It’s a pure nootropic supplement that focuses on enhancing brain functions.
Cons
- It should only last for 20 days if the recommended dosage is followed.
- If you take more than the recommended dosage, turmeric and bacopa have some serious adverse side effects.
What Should You Look For in Your Nootropic Supplements?
There are plenty of choices for nootropic supplements in the market. However, finding the right one for you can be like trying to find a needle in the haystack. They come in too many forms, and there are too many varied forms of nootropic substances. It isn’t easy to choose which one that’s precisely the right one for you. So, let us help you narrow it down for you.
Mode of Delivery
There are two main modes of delivery of nootropic supplements: powder and capsule. Both delivery modes have the same absorption rate as they’re both ingested. The bloodstream only absorbs them in the gut. However, where it differs is in its palatability. Do you really want to pop pills every meal?
Powder
Honey Badger is the only nootropic supplement that comes in powder form from this list. It dissolves in water, and it’s consumed like a beverage. And the flavor is pretty amazing. In this form, you’re not going to think that you’re drinking your supplement.
Capsule
The rest of the supplements in this list, however, come in capsule form. They’re ingested orally, which feels like you’re taking medicine.
Ingredients
Nootropic substances are not made equal. Some are better than others at certain things. For example, caffeine might be an excellent focus-enhancing nootropic for short bursts, but it can leave you with a crash afterward. That’s why it’s essential to take note of the benefits of each nootropic included in supplements. Here are a few of the most prominent nootropic ingredients in our top five list:
Gingko Biloba
It increases cognitive function by improving blood flow to the brain. Plus, it reduces stress hormones such as cortisol, which could significantly improve decision-making.
Bacopa
It’s mainly used for increasing memory retention and speeding up information processing. This is an incredibly potent combination for improving the brain’s capacity to learn.
A-GPC
This substance is proven to stimulate acetylcholine production in the brain, which aids in memory and learning.
Iodine
While not exactly a nootropic, iodine helps achieve some of the same benefits. It’s known to alleviate thyroid-related issues that impair cognitive function.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do nootropics have side effects?
There side effects when consuming nootropics, mainly if the dosage isn’t regulated. For example, consuming turmeric is generally considered safe, but too much can cause dizziness, diarrhea, and vomiting. The general rule is to stick within the recommended daily dose written on the package or as prescribed by your doctor.
What are nootropics?
Nootropics are substances that can enhance brain functions to ensure they are optimum. They’re great for stimulating the mind for creativity, productivity, and tranquility.
Are nootropics addictive?
Nootropics can be addictive. Caffeine, for example, is known to cause withdrawal in some coffee-drinkers who refrain from drinking coffee. Some even actively stay away from caffeine as an ingredient precisely because of its propensity to cause addiction. However, nootropic supplements are generally free from addictive substances. Stick to the recommended dosage, and it should not cause any addiction.
Can I purchase nootropic supplements over-the-counter?
Yes. Nootropics supplements don’t require prescriptions. However, some states might interpret nootropic supplements as synthetic stimulants which are illegal.
Best Brands
Gaia Herbs
There are two nootropic supplements from the brand in this top five list as a testament to Gaia Herbs’ excellence. The brand has a total of three nootropic supplements that are all highly regarded in the industry.
Honey Badger
As a fitness brand, it’s surprising to find Honey Badger on this list. But their A-GPC-based nootropic electrolyte hydration drink is just too good at what it does to ignore. It has the perfect combination to promote focus, recovery, and hydration to support even the most intense workouts.
NutriChem Labs
From the packaging down to the product offering, it’s pretty apparent that NutriChem Labs have their eyes set on a mature audience. They specialize in products for casual athletes who play sports to keep fit, not to compete. They’re a relatively young company and have only one other product offering, a joint-pain relieving supplement.
Conclusion
Among the best vegan nootropics, two brands stand out – Honey Badger and Gaia Herbs. They offer the most specialized nootropic supplements among all of the ones we’ve picked out.
Honey Badger is an excellent choice for athletes trying to squeeze the most out of themselves from each training session. In this regard, it does its job very well. It’s got an excellent balance of ingredients that help athletes get to that coveted next level. However, it can be a bit too specific in its goals.
However, Gaia Herbs’ expertise in the field of nootropic supplements is quite evident. Specifically, their Nootropic Focus variant is head and shoulders above the rest. It provides anyone with mental clarity and focuses that can help in day-to-day activities. It is much less activity-specific than Honey Badger, which is why it’s the one that has our seal of approval.
