Brain fog, mental blocks, and a general lack of concentration happen to everyone. As we age, a lack of focus can become more and more common. Genetics, everyday habits, and even the physical changes from having a baby can all contribute to a decreasing ability to keep focused. Luckily, there are some daily supplements we can use to try to increase our mental clarity and concentration. Here are five supplements that are backed by scientific research to help your brain reach its full potential every day.
Herbal Supplements for Concentration
While most of us have heard of the medicinal uses for hemp products like stress relief and helping with sleep, another use does include helping with focus and concentration. Natural herbal supplements can interact with the receptors in the brain that help regulate bodily functions that affect mood, metabolism, and even cognitive function. Herbal supplements can help relieve stress and anxiety while promoting feelings of calm that can help us stay more focused on the task at hand. Some studies have also shown that hemp-derived supplements can improve memory and mental processes.
If you’re wary of hemp-derived supplements because of their close association with cannabis, rest assured that hemp does not cause psychoactive effects. While the active compounds are found within the same plant, most hemp-derived supplements don’t inebriate the user. Many people who use hemp products daily swear by their abilities to help improve focus on tasks and decrease mental distractions. Hemp-derived supplements are legal in many states and available in the form of gummies and other edibles, tinctures, topicals, and vapes.
Kratom
Kratom may sound alien to most, but to put it simply, it is the leaves of a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family. There are different strains of kratom as well as types based on how old the plant was when the leaves were harvested. Each has different desired effects. One of the top-selling varieties is red-vein kratom which is known for calming a busy mind to help you focus as well as relieving discomfort. Many people who incorporate it into their daily regimen use kratom as an alternative to coffee to avoid unwanted effects like caffeine jitters.
Kratom is typically sold as a fine powder or capsule made from the dried leaves of the plant, but it can also be purchased as extracts and gummies. Kratom is sold online but is not an FDA-regulated product so no government body checks the quality and safety. Be sure to purchase from a reputable kratom company that gives transparent results of third-party lab testing on every batch.
B Vitamins
B vitamins are an excellent way to support your brain’s health as you age. When you look at your daily multivitamins, you may notice they contain one or more B vitamins. But if you want to give your brain the best chance to ward off mental blocks and stay focused, a B vitamin complex is a better option. A comprehensive B vitamin complex supports cognitive function and focus at any age with a total of eight different types of B vitamins.
As people age, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 deficiencies become common. A vitamin B complex supplement will include these harder-to-come-by B vitamins. Aside from B12, our bodies can’t store B vitamins for long periods, and that’s why it’s important to eat a diet rich in B vitamins or take supplements to boost our intake. Some of the foods that are considered to be high in B vitamins include salmon, spinach, liver, eggs, milk, beef, oysters, clams, mussels, and legumes.
L-theanine
Studies have shown that L-theanine does help improve mental performance. It is often combined with caffeine to get the maximum benefits of mental clarity and focus. Many supplements that claim to improve cognitive function include L-theanine, but if you are looking for a more natural way to include it in your daily health regimen, drink green tea. Green tea contains both L-theanine and caffeine, as well as antioxidants that can have a positive effect on your brain’s health. Be careful how much green tea you drink, however, as too much green tea can cause an upset stomach.
Omega-3
Omega-3s are like the building blocks of the brain that play an important role in its development from a very early age to possibly reducing our risk of dementia as seniors. Our body naturally makes omega-3s, but very slowly. We get most of our omega-3s from our diet by eating things like fish and nuts. Omega-3s help improve memory function, reduce the brain’s oxidative stress as we age, and boost mental health. For those who don’t like fish or can’t eat nuts, omega-3 supplements are an excellent option. Omega-3 supplements can also be made from plant materials which are perfect for a vegan diet.
The supplements we’ve listed above are natural options to help improve your brain’s health while boosting focus and concentration. The best wellness routine is different for everyone, so you may have to do some experimenting to find what is your perfect balance. Exercise is also a great way to improve your body and brain’s health.