
Nootropics Tea: Benefits & How to Brew Your Own
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Time to read 9 min
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Time to read 9 min
Nootropics are becoming increasingly popular as people look for natural ways to combat brain fog and boost energy. So, what’s nootropic tea and what are its benefits?
Nootropic tea combines brain-boosting compounds with traditional teas like green tea to enhance focus, memory, and cognitive function. It's a simple, natural way to enjoy the benefits of nootropics.
In this article, we’ll explore how to make your own nootropic tea, the potential nootropics benefits, and why it’s worth adding to your routine. Keep reading to learn how homemade nootropics can transform your daily cup of tea!
Table of Contents
Brewing nootropics into tea is a great way to create a diverse, potent dose of these brain boosting compounds.
Different nootropic compounds have different benefits, so you can stack them together to create a dose that uniquely meets your needs.
Buying a premade nootropic tea takes the guesswork out of extraction and dosing.
Before delving into the specifics of nootropics tea, let's briefly understand what nootropics are. Nootropics, also known as "smart drugs" or "cognitive enhancers," are substances that have the potential to improve cognitive function, memory, creativity, motivation, and overall brain health. Nootropics include natural compounds like herbs and botanicals, along with synthetic substances.
Nootropics work by affecting neurotransmitters, increasing brain blood flow, promoting neuroplasticity, and reducing oxidative stress. This leads to better memory, focus, and mental clarity.
No wonder nootropic tea is gaining popularity among professionals, athletes, and anyone seeking enhanced cognitive function.
Teas are historically medicinal. Almost every natural medicinal compound was originally taken as a tea. Why? Because brewing something in water is an extraordinarily simple and effective way to extract its active compounds.
Tea made from nootropic foods is no different. (Though, nowadays, many people opt for a premade nootropic tea supplement, which we will discuss more below.) Nootropic tea is easy to make, effortless to ingest, and offers increased bioavailability and significant benefits.
So, what are the actual benefits of nootropic tea?
Unfortunately, this is where it gets tricky. The benefits you will experience depend on the specific nootropic compounds you ingest. That means that different nootropic tea blends will have different benefits. This offers an amazing opportunity to fine tune and diversify your nootropic experience, though. And, liquid nootropics are generally absorbed better than other dosing methods, so you have a leg up when drinking your nootropics instead of taking supplements.
Let's discuss the most prominent benefits and the most common nootropic compounds behind them:
One of the primary benefits of nootropics tea is its potential to enhance cognitive function. Certain herbs and botanicals used in nootropics tea have been traditionally associated with improved mental performance. Some of the most popular nootropics for general cognitive enhancement include:
Nootropics tea can also help improve focus and concentration. Here are the most popular nootropics compounds for enhancing focus:
Nootropics tea can also offer potential neuroprotective effects, and various nootropic compounds may improve neuroplasticity, which can help the brain heal. More specifically, certain compounds found in tea, such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), have been shown to protect neurons from damage and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Some nootropics with similar effects include:
Many nootropics teas contain herbs rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants help protect brain cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals, potentially reducing the risk of cognitive decline and improving overall brain health.
Teas that are rich in antioxidants and may also have nootropic benefits include:
Read “Nootropics in Food” to learn more about foods that may work well to create your own nootropic tea brews.
Now that you understand the potential benefits of nootropics tea, let's explore how you can brew your own at home. Follow these steps to create a delightful and brain-boosting cup of nootropics tea:
Start by selecting a tea variety that suits your taste preferences and desired effects. Green tea, black tea, white tea, or herbal teas like chamomile or rooibos can serve as a good foundation for your nootropics blend.
Research and choose herbs that align with your cognitive goals. Some popular nootropic herbs include cordyceps, lion’s mane, ginkgo biloba, bacopa monnieri, alpha-GPC, rhodiola rosea, and others. You can use a single herb or create a blend of different herbs based on their individual properties.
Combining nootropics is called “stacking” and nootropic stacks are the most popular form of nootropic supplements available.
Once you have chosen your base tea and nootropic herbs, gather the necessary ingredients. You will also need a teapot or a tea infuser, boiling water, and a cup or mug.
Mix your chosen base tea and desired herbs in the desired proportions. You can start with a teaspoon of tea leaves and a half teaspoon of dried herbs per cup of water, adjusting the quantities based on your taste preferences.
Heat the water to the appropriate temperature for your chosen tea variety. Different teas have different temperature requirements, so refer to the specific instructions for your selected tea.
Place the tea blend in the teapot or tea infuser and pour the hot water over it. Allow it to steep for the recommended time, usually between 3 to 5 minutes. Adjust the steeping time based on your taste preferences and the strength of the herbs.
After the steeping time, remove the tea leaves and herbs from the water. You can strain the tea into a cup or mug using a tea strainer or remove the infuser from your teapot. Sit back, relax, and savor the flavors and potential cognitive benefits of your homemade nootropics tea.
While nootropic teas offer various benefits, safety precautions are essential. Some nootropics may cause side effects, drug interactions, or allergic reactions. For example, medicinal mushrooms in nootropic teas can be harmful to those with mushroom allergies, and certain nootropics may interfere with medications like antidepressants, blood thinners, or diabetes treatments.
Always consult a healthcare professional if you have underlying conditions, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on medications. Start with low doses of nootropics tea to gauge your body’s response, gradually increasing to find your tolerance while monitoring for side effects.
Nootropic teas can be a natural and enjoyable way to enhance cognitive function, memory, and focus. Brewing your own nootropic tea allows you to customize the blend to suit your preferences and goals. However, there are a few things to consider:
First, sourcing high-quality nootropic compounds can be tricky. You’ll need to carefully evaluate the quality of each ingredient.
Additionally, not all nootropic compounds are suitable for simple hot water extraction—you'll need to know how to properly extract the bioactive components from each nootropic herb or food.
If you're willing to put in the effort, brewing your own nootropics tea can be rewarding. Alternatively, premade nootropic tea blends are increasingly available for a more convenient option.
Our Lucid Matcha and Chai, for instance, contains the following compounds and is prepared by simply adding it to hot water:
For an ultra convenient, instant dose of nootropics that you can serve hot or cold, check out one of our three flavor varieties:
Nootropic tea refers to herbal teas specifically formulated to enhance cognitive function, focus, and mental clarity. Ingredients often include adaptogens and nootropic herbs like Ginkgo biloba, Rhodiola rosea, and L-theanine, which support brain health and improve cognitive performance.
Teas like green tea and matcha are excellent for combating brain fog due to their high levels of L-theanine and antioxidants. These teas help improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance overall cognitive function, making them ideal for mental clarity.
Teas rich in L-theanine, such as green tea and black tea, are among the best for boosting brain power. Additionally, ginseng and peppermint teas can enhance memory and cognitive performance, helping to sharpen mental acuity.
L-theanine is often regarded as one of the best nootropics for alleviating brain fog due to its calming effects combined with improved focus. Other effective options include Rhodiola rosea, Bacopa monnieri, and Ginkgo biloba, which support cognitive function and reduce mental fatigue.
The strength of nootropics can vary based on individual needs and responses, but substances like racetams (such as Piracetam) and modafinil are often considered among the strongest. However, natural options like Lion's Mane mushroom and L-theanine also offer significant cognitive benefits without the potential side effects of stronger synthetics.
Curing brain fog naturally can involve lifestyle changes such as maintaining a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins; staying hydrated; managing stress through mindfulness or yoga; and getting regular exercise. Additionally, incorporating nootropic supplements like L-theanine, Rhodiola rosea, and Ginkgo biloba may further enhance cognitive clarity.