Best Nootropics Pre-Work Out Supplements

Last Updated on January 19, 2023 by Jamie

Want to feel more focused and alert while you work out? If yes, this blog post on Best Nootropics Pre-WorkOut Supplement might be exactly what you need.

Pre-workout supplements contain ingredients that boost cognitive function, allowing you to concentrate better and have more energy during your workout sessions.

But, before getting to our point, let’s have a quick recap of what nootropics are.

Nootropics in a Nutshell

Nootropics are the drugs that most people use in an attempt to increase mental alertness, concentration, and memory, as well as for wakefulness and energy boosts. Therefore, these are also sometimes referred to as “smart pills” or “cognitive enhancers.”

Nootropics can be of many different types. From pharmaceutical drugs used to treat conditions such as narcolepsy or dementia to healthy foods and supplements for improving mood, nootropics are beneficial for people of all groups and ages.

Even though it is beyond the scope of this article to cover the vast benefits of these magic pills, these are the best-known advantages of nootropics:

Helps with long-term and short-term memory, storage, learning, recall, and encoding.
Improves mental performance by optimising focus, attention, and speed processing.
Increases creativity and motivation
Maintains overall brain health through brain cell regeneration and protection
Promotes sleep and relaxation
Fights fatigue and exhaustion

Nootropics can show these benefits through multiple mechanisms of action. As proposed by the researchers, the potential methods through which nootropics induce this effect includes:

Optimises Brain Energy: Nootropics facilitate energy production, which supports brain cells and enables their normal functioning.
Regulates Brain Chemicals: The mood-enhancing effect of Nootropics is due to their ability to control brain chemicals, including Serotonin and Dopamine.
Supports Brain Regeneration: Nootropics can also help repair, regenerate and maintain brain cells, leading to improved long-term memory and better brain health.
Maintains Cerebral Blood Flow: These supplements ensure the brain’s healthy functioning by delivering the necessary oxygen and nutrients for energy synthesis.
Fights Oxidative Stress: Some nootropics can reduce the harmful effects of oxidative stress by neutralising free radicals in the body. This preserves brain structures and prevents premature ageing.
Stimulates Alpha Brain Waves: The calming effect of nootropics is produced by raising the alpha frequency, which is associated with creativity and mental clarity.

However, while these smart pills can help fight boredom, fatigue, and procrastination, they certainly cannot increase intelligence. Also, their impact lasts only as long as their use is continued.

Some of these supplements can cause dependence and have a few side effects. In addition, nootropics can harm young people since their brains continue developing into their mid-twenties.

But for the most part, nootropic supplements are safe and effective when used correctly.

How Do They Help with Fitness?

It is pretty common for athletes and sportspeople to take supplements to help with their workout routines. But can these “smart drugs” be used for this purpose?

Health experts do agree that taking an FDA-approved prescription nootropic for gym performance can lead to better gym performance.

But how exactly can these “cognition enhancers” support your workout and performance? Let’s find out!

Enhances Concentration

It is pretty usual for people to lose focus while working out. From checking out their phones to watching other people in the gym, this loss of focus can have an adverse effect on their routine.

Therefore, if you are looking for something to help in this area, it is time to stock up on some nootropics.

Most athletes look upon nootropics to help them push harder, increase their focus, and finish training faster.

Avoiding interruptions and mental drift while doing sets and repetitions is essential for bodybuilders. This assists them in achieving their goal in time and getting a sculpted and toned physique.

Some believe that these supplements aid in bringing a person into a vital mental state that prepares them mentally for hours-long routine. This ultimately leads to faster progress and goal accomplishment.

Boosts Energy

Engaging in strenuous workouts, especially heavyweights, requires loads of energy. And to get that much-needed energy, athletes often switch to nootropics as their pre-workout supplements. A famous example is caffeine which athletes seek as supplemental support for boosting energy levels and mental alertness.

Another perspective of the nootropic-exercise relationship is energy production. According to studies, nootropics can increase energy production through non-stimulatory pathways. This coveted energy boost then leads to better metabolic performance and weight management.

Improves Physical Strength

The fuel provided by the nootropics improves the body’s capability of movement, strength, speed, and overall performance. Nootropic capsules can also help sustain energy for longer periods, preparing your body for continuous exercise. This article shows that as little as 5 milligrams of caffeine, a powerful nootropic, can increase the power output of weight lifters and lead to better performance.

Supports motivation and intensity

Any dedicated athlete knows that workouts can be demanding. And to be their best during these workouts, they turn to nootropics.

Nootropics are believed to regulate neurotransmitters, including dopamine and norepinephrine. These transmitters are linked to motivation and, when increased, can lead to a more intense workout.

Manages Stress

Any activity that exhausts the body can also lead to stress, including exercise. Simultaneously, stress can lead to burnout of the nervous system and cause mental fatigue, leading to poor performance.

Too much exercise can directly affect the body’s cortisol levels. And high levels of cortisol can influence recovery, growth, and fat storage. However, most nootropics contain adaptogenic properties, which help combat the harmful effect of this stress by acclimating our bodies accordingly.

Best Nootropics for Fitness and Their Benefits

Now that you know how nootropics work for fitness let’s take a look at some of the best Nootropics Pre-workout supplements.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a nootropic that athletes widely use as their go-to pre-workout supplement.

Due to its beneficial effect on workout performance, some organisations have even banned it in high doses. However, this study found that moderate doses of 3 to 6 milligrams of caffeine can improve endurance performance. At the same time, another showed that cyclists who consumed 200 milligrams of caffeine completed the trials faster than the ones who consumed the 100-milligram dose.

The stimulating effects of this nootropic are no secret. Caffeine can speed up the reaction time, lowers fatigue, and give athletes the energy to perform their best. Combined with a good safety profile, all these benefits render caffeine one of the best nootropics for fitness.

Cannabidiol (CBD)

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is another popular choice among sports enthusiasts and athletes wanting to improve their performance while abiding by anti-doping laws.

For gym fanatics, CBD can be a practical addition to a training regime for multiple reasons. Firstly, it aids in reducing inflammation and pain associated with athletic irritation or injury. This can lead to faster recovery with increased comfort.

Likewise, CBD is also a great alternative for athletes who stress out before their event or game. As stress can adversely affect performance, CBD can be a good option for mitigating its symptoms.

Active people and athletes need to get sufficient sleep after a tiring day. This gives their body the fine to heal on its own. But, sometimes, heightened stress levels or other sleep issues can lead to inadequate sleep. And this is where CBD comes in. This chemical interacts with the endocannabinoid system to help you get a good night’s sleep and stay active during the day.

CBD can either be applied topically as a lotion or cream or taken through sublingual methods like a tincture or oil.

These are made while keeping professional athletes in mind, the scientific formulation of CBD oil helps regulate the sleep cycle and alleviates stress. While the muscle rub reduces the sensitivity of pain receptors and helps with sore joints, muscles, or ongoing injuries.

Omega 3

Omega-3 fatty acids, in particular EPA and DHA, are considered vital for brain health. They are used in the regeneration of brain cells, their synapsis and the synthesis of mood-regulating neurotransmitters. This leads to more dedicated exercise with a focused mind.

Omega 3 has been long believed to enhance sports performance. Research shows that omega-3 supplements can counteract muscle loss and improve anabolic metabolism. Omega-3 can also act as a natural remedy for the delayed onset of mumble soreness (DOMS) and its negative impacts.

L-Tyrosine

After good old caffeine, Tyrosine is another common ingredient that you might have seen over and over again in your pre-workout supplements.

L-Tyrosine is great for people who work out regularly since it can increase their energy and endurance. This study shows that people who consumed L-tyrosine supplements had increased stamina and could perform at the top level.

Tyrosine acts as a precursor to catecholamines, including adrenaline and dopamine. Since these chemicals are linked with stress, their high levels result in more strenuous workouts without succumbing to stressors and their detrimental effects.

Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola Rosea is a powerful adaptogen that can aid your mind and body cope with stress. It has been shown to improve cognition, reduce fatigue, and enhance feelings of well-being under stressful settings.

Cortisol is a hormone that increases in time of stress, instigating muscle breakdown by inhibiting the action of testosterone on muscle cells. Taking a nootropic, such as Rhodiola Rosea, can help prevent this by inhibiting the rise of catabolic hormones. This results in greater gain in strength and muscle size. In addition, this adaptogenic herb also works by increasing creatine phosphate and ATP levels, which results in not only muscle strength but also greater muscle endurance.

L-theanine and other key adaptogens, can work great as a pre-workout supplement by minimising the effect of stress on your training or games.

B Vitamins

B vitamins are essential for proper cellular function since they are involved in multiple metabolic reactions. Vitamin B6 and B12 are of particular importance, with research backing up their health-promoting effects.

Vitamin B6 plays a role in the positive mood by regulating the synthesis of the “feel-good” neurotransmitters. Additionally, it is also responsible for the formation of glucose, our body’s primary energy source.

Vitamin B12 also have a major hand in preserving our brain health by supplying it with the required energy. This, along with B12’s use in energy metabolism, leads to better physical and mental stamina and endurance.

Phenylpiracetam

Unlike the former pre-workout supplements, Phenylpiractem falls under the “synthetic nootropic” category. Yet, it has proven to produce the same impressive benefits in the sports and fitness realm.

Users report this powerful stimulant can enhance energy, mood and concentration within minutes. However, research regarding the safety of Phenylpiractem is still limited. Therefore, it is better to consult your doctor if you decide to use it.

How Long Should You Take Nootropics Before Working Out?

Nootropics for fitness deliver a much “cleaner” and smoother energy boost that lasts longer than the typical pre-workout supplements. They do not get you “hyped-up” but instead help you stay focused and motivated on your game or training.

However, the key to acquiring all these benefits is to use them at the right time before working out. We advise taking nootropics 30-60 minutes prior to your training. This can give them enough time to get absorbed into the bloodstream and show optimum results.

Are Nootropics Beneficial for Athletes?

If you are still wondering if nootropics can assist you in your gym sessions, then we have some good news!

These “cognition enhancers” can indeed bring many windfalls for athletes and prove to be their long-lasting gym buddy.

Some believe this is due to their brain empowering abilities, while others lean more towards the energy generation hypothesis. But, regardless of their mechanism of action, it is no doubt that nootropics can help gym athletes in improving strength and focus and completing their workout regime faster.

Are Nootropics for You?

If you are someone who is looking to improve your focus and performance in school or want to take your workout regime a step higher, then nootropics can surely help you out!

Nootropics as pre-workout supplements can improve mental clarity, reduce fatigue, and increase energy levels. This ultimately results in better performance in both, gym and your day-to-day life.

Taking too many nootropics, however, can result in side effects such as headaches, nausea, and anxiety. To ensure that you use them safely and effectively, it is advised to sit down with your healthcare professional to find a suitable dose. Generally, people start with smaller amounts and work their way up until they get their desired results.