Pre-workout is a staple in every rigorous workout regimen. Unfortunately, many pre-workout formulas are loaded with synthetic additives, dyes, and other experimental herbal compounds, leading au naturale fitness junkies to search for something better.
Enter nootropic pre-workout–the fitness-enhancing formula that positively impacts your cognitive performance, too.
Nootropics, otherwise known as "smart drugs," are substances that can enhance different aspects of cognitive function, such as focus and memory. When used strategically before a workout, they can provide numerous benefits to athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
Curious about adding nootropics to your pre-workout routine? Follow us as we explore why nootropics may amp up your workout and how to use nootropics pre-workout to best suit your needs.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
Nootropics, or cognitive enhancing supplements, may help to boost focus, energy, and performance during your workout.
Unlike caffeine-loaded preworkout formulas, they won’t leave you feeling fatigued.
Nootropics may also have additional benefits that positively affect your performance outside the gym.
What are Nootropics?
We called nootropics “smart drugs,” but let us elaborate:
Nootropics are substances that impact the production and regulation of neurotransmitters to alter brain function in a positive way. Each nootropic substance has a unique interaction with the nervous system, so they each offer their own benefits. For instance, some may help to upregulate dopamine to increase focus, while others help to promote GABA production to improve the stress response and reduce anxiety.
Nootropics can be either natural or synthetic. Some synthetic nootropics are prescription medications used to treat ADHD and related conditions, such as Adderall. However, many people are turning to natural alternatives because the risk factors are low and many natural nootropics have been proven effective for improving cognitive performance, memory, and more.
Why Use Nootropics as Pre-Workout?
Nootropics pre-workout are supplements specifically designed to enhance mental performance and physical stamina during exercise sessions.
These supplements combine cognitive-enhancing ingredients with performance-boosting compounds to provide a synergistic effect on both the mind and body. The goal is to achieve a state of heightened focus, improved motivation, and increased endurance to maximize workout efficiency.
Nootropics Pre-Workout Benefits: Which Nootropics are Best for Your Pre-Workout Routine?
Now to the big question–what are the benefits of using nootropics as pre-workout? There are many! It all depends on the specific formula you choose since each nootropic compound has unique benefits.
Below, we’ll cover the most popular nootropics for boosting energy and physical performance, or you can read “Most Effective Nootropics: Which Nootropics are Backed by Science” to learn about other nootropic options.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps is a functional mushroom that’s well known for its ability to promote blood flow in the body, which is usually translated to physical benefits like increased endurance and agility. It has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and is now gaining recognition in the fitness community.
Cordyceps extracts have been shown to improve exercise performance, increase endurance, and reduce fatigue. These effects may be attributed to its ability to enhance oxygen utilization and optimize energy metabolism in the body.
In animal studies, cordyceps has been found to upregulate ATP regeneration, or the primary molecule known for carrying energy within the cells. Cordyceps has also been linked to improved endurance in young adults during high-intensity exercise and in one animal study involving mice.
Overall, cordyceps’ ability to improve blood flow may have many benefits for both the body and the brain, making it a great way to improve both mental and physical energy.
Learn more about Cordyceps by reading:
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane is another medicinal mushroom that may be useful as a pre-workout supplement. It’s known as the “mushroom for the mind” and is easily one of the most popular nootropic mushrooms available. Known for having a positive impact on energy levels, research shows that lion’s mane may help to reduce oxidative stress by acting as an antioxidant, which researchers indicate may be useful in managing chronic fatigue.
Lion’s mane’s active compounds, its beta-glucans, may also help to reduce fatigue by decreasing lactic acid, urea nitrogen, and malondialdehyde, all used as biomarkers for measuring oxidative stress.
Plus, lion’s mane compounds are associated with an increased Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) production, which helps to encourage the growth and health of neurons.
Learn more about Lions Mane by reading:
Alpha-GPC
Alpha-GPC helps to increase acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that helps facilitate learning and memory, but has also been shown to improve cognitive function and athletic performance. It works by increasing the availability of choline in the brain, which is essential for the synthesis of acetylcholine.
Acetylcholine plays a crucial role in muscle contraction, focus, and attention. By supplementing with alpha GPC, individuals may experience enhanced mind-muscle connection and improved physical endurance.
One study found that subjects experienced a significant increase in lower body strength after only six days of Alpha-GPC supplementation. According to one study, it also helps to boost motivation in human volunteers.
In fact, one study suggests that alpha-GP. may have an even wider range of cognitive benefits. More specifically, it found that alpha-GPC may target four primary areas of cognition–verbal memory, visual memory, verbal learning, and executive function. Yet another study comparing the impact of caffeine and alpha-GPC found that alpha GPC supplementation increased mental performance speed in young adults by 18%.
L-Theanine
L-Theanine, an amino acid found in tea leaves, is known for its relaxation and focus-enhancing properties. When combined with caffeine, as is often the case in pre-workout formulations, L-Theanine can provide a balanced and sustained energy boost without the jitters or crash commonly associated with caffeine intake alone.
In fact, research has found an interesting, symbiotic link between L-theanine and caffeine.
For instance, L-theanine may be able to reduce the impact that caffeine has on your blood pressure and anxiety levels, possibly by countering the vasoconstricting effects of caffeine. In other words, L-theanine helps to keep blood vessels dilated to prevent caffeine-induced blood pressure spikes.
Plus, the combination of caffeine and L-theanine offers potentially increased cognitive benefits. According to various studies, the combination has been linked to improved reaction times, improved attention, and increased ability to switch between difficult tasks more easily. Subjects were also found to complete difficult tasks with more accuracy after taking the symbiotic combination.
These benefits are the reason that both caffeine and L-theanine make the list of the best nootropics for focus, and L-theanine is easily one of the best for combating stress.
How to Use Nootropics Pre-Workout
To maximize the benefits of nootropics pre-workout, it is essential to use them correctly. Here are some guidelines to follow:
Start with the Recommended Dosage
Always follow the recommended dosage provided by the manufacturer or consult with a healthcare professional. Exceeding the recommended dose does not necessarily lead to better results and may have adverse effects.
Timing is Key
Take the nootropics pre-workout supplement approximately 30 minutes to an hour before your workout. This allows the ingredients to be absorbed and reach peak effectiveness during your exercise session.
Stick to a Schedule
You may find that taking nootropics daily is the best way to reap all of their benefits. Of course, you don’t want to take a product intended specifically for working out if you aren’t planning to exercise, but you can take nootropics daily.
Lucid Coffee is a perfect option for this. Designed for daily use, there’s no reason not to have a cup of Lucid every morning, or thirty minutes before a workout on gym days. It’s ultra-flexible and more delicious than any preworkout you’ve ever tried.
Monitor Your Response
Each individual may respond differently to various ingredients and dosages. Pay attention to how your body reacts to the supplement and make adjustments accordingly. If you experience any adverse effects, discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional.
Conclusion: Which Nootropics to Use as Pre-workout?
Nootropics pre-workout supplements can be a valuable addition to an athlete's arsenal, providing cognitive and physical benefits to enhance overall workout performance. There are countless nootropic options to choose from, but natural options such as cordyceps, lion's mane, alpha GPC, and L-Theanine top the list thanks to their low side-effects profile.
Luckily, you don’t have to settle for just one nootropic pre-workout. Many nootropics are safe to take together. In fact, some nootropics have synergistic effects, meaning they work together to provide increased benefits compared to taking any one supplement on its own.
Nootropic stacks–thoughtful combinations of nootropic supplements designed to help you meet specific health goals–are the best way to go. So, what’s the best nootropic stack for gearing up for your workout? It really depends on what you want out of your daily nootropics pre-workout dose, but we recommend giving Lucid instant drinks a shot.
Lucid Mushroom+Nootropic beverages contain a unique blend of functional mushrooms and nootropics (including many listed above) that help to increase energy levels, support healthy cognitive function, and enhance immunity.
FAQ:
Are nootropics just caffeine?
No, nootropics are not just caffeine. Nootropics encompass a variety of substances that can enhance cognitive function, while caffeine is just one of them.
What are the best nootropics for lifting?
Some popular nootropics for enhancing workouts and lifting include:
Caffeine: Boosts energy and focus.L-theanine: Balances caffeine's effects, reducing jitters.Creatine: Improves strength and endurance.Rhodiola rosea: Reduces fatigue and enhances performance.Alpha-GPC: May boost power output and growth hormone levels.
Remember to consult with a healthcare professional before using any supplements, including nootropics, for exercise purposes.
Are nootropics good for energy?
Yes, some nootropics can be good for increasing energy and alertness, such as caffeine and L-theanine.
Curious to learn more? Read “Why We Chose Our Ingredients: What’s in a Lucid Stack?” Or check out one of our three flavor varieties:
References
- “Impact of polysaccharides from Cordyceps on anti-fatigue in mice” https://academicjournals.org/journal/SRE/article-abstract/DF58A9C19382
- “Beneficial Effect of Cordyceps militaris on Exercise Performance via Promoting Cellular Energy Production” https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/12298093.2020.1831135?scroll=top&needAccess=true
- “Cordyceps militaris Improves Tolerance to High-Intensity Exercise After Acute and Chronic Supplementation” https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19390211.2016.1203386
- “Oxidative Stress is a Convincing Contributor to Idiopathic Chronic Fatigue” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30150620/
- “Anti-fatigue activities of polysaccharides extracted from Hericium erinaceus” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4280918/
- “The effects of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, caffeine or placebo on markers of mood, cognitive function, power, speed, and agility” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4595381/
- “The effect of 6 days of alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine on isometric strength” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4650143/#:~:text=Given%20that%20in%20many%20sports,in%20lower%20body%20isometric%20strength.
- Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine Increases Motivation in Healthy Volunteers: A Single-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Human Study” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8235064/
- “The relation of dietary choline to cognitive performance and white-matter hyperintensity in the Framingham Offspring Cohort” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3252552/
- “The effects of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, caffeine or placebo on markers of mood, cognitive function, power, speed, and agility” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4595381/
- “A double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the effects of caffeine and L-theanine both alone and in combination on cerebral blood flow, cognition and mood” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4480845/
- “The effects of l-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301051107001573?via%3Dihub
- “Acute effects of theanine, caffeine and theanine-caffeine combination on attention” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26869148/
- “Psychological effects of dietary components of tea: caffeine and L-theanine” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18254874/
- “The combination of L-theanine and caffeine improves cognitive performance and increases subjective alertness” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21040626/