18 Best Nootropics For Bodybuilding To Include In Your Diet

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best nootropics for bodybuilding that needs to be in your daily diet. You don’t have to add everything mentioned here, but try to consume as much as you can.

Overview

In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “Your body can withstand almost anything, it’s your mind that you have to convince.” Any bodybuilding success begins in the mind. If the mind is unwilling to make an effort, the body cannot make an effort either.

Bodybuilding nootropics can help substantially for the same. These supplements aid in recharging the brain, which invigorates the body as well. Nootropics help develop motivation, focus, and stamina.

Best Nootropics For Bodybuilding

There is a multitude of nootropics, which are not very common but work effectively. A few of these are listed below.

1. Rhodiola Rosea

This is a herb that acts as an effective mental and physical performance booster. This herb was utilized by the Vikings to help them with focus and energy, and we know how belligerent and powerful they were.

The herb offers increased endurance and improved post-workout recovery while reducing mental lethargy, improving motivation, and promoting a good sense of being. It also increases resistance to stress. Bodybuilders need to keep their cortisol, i.e. stress hormone, in check to perform at peak levels and Rhodiola Rosea wards off this hormone.

2. Phosphatidylserine

This is a fat that coats the brain cells and protects them. This nutrient is known to improve performance in stressful situations and helps keep the mind sharp. It is found in foods like chicken, beef liver, and egg yolks.

Phosphatidylserine helps in maintaining healthy testosterone levels by reducing cortisol and improving endurance. It also removes toxic brain cells, thus improving focus and thinking.

3. Vitamin B6

This vitamin has the highest nootropic benefits of all the B vitamins. It is essential for the production of brain chemicals like serotonin and helps escalate focus and endurance.

It offers physical benefits like reducing estrogen levels, improving testosterone levels, and boosting energy. The vitamin also offers cognitive benefits such as improving mental clarity, reducing stress, and promoting feelings of happiness and satisfaction.

Also Read: Naturally Increase Testosterone In Men

4. Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is a nutritional wonder parading around as a herb. It is filled with alkaloids, steroidal lactones, and fatty acids which increase muscle power, enhance physical drive and regulate stress hormones.

It provides physical benefits of increasing strength, enhancing muscle growth, and boosting endurance and vitality levels. It also helps in reducing stress and combatting anxiety. Ashwagandha can improve upper and lower body strength as well as increase mental stamina.

5. Sulbutiamine

Sulbutiamine is a man-made chemical that is similar to vitamin B1. It dissolves in fats and increases thiamine levels in the brain, leading to a strengthened mind, and enhancement of physical performance through the reduction of fatigue and weakness.

Also Read: Benefits And Side Effects Of Sulbutiamine

6. Theacrine

This is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that is very similar to caffeine. It helps in reducing fatigue and enhances athletic performance. It stimulates the central nervous system and energizes the body and mind.

7. Racetams

Different compounds make up the racetam family. This comprises Piracetam, Aniracetam, Oxiracetam, Pramiracetam, and Phenylpiracetam, among others.

Also Read: Benefits And Side Effects Of Piracetam

The racetam family affects the synaptic messaging in the brain to speed up signal transmission, which causes the consumer to think and process faster. It also enhances the reaction time of the consumer; making them one of the best bodybuilding nootropics.

Also Read: Best Racetams In The Market

8. Cholinergic

Cholinergic increases the levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, in the brain. This compound is essential for muscle contraction among several other functions. Cholinergic drugs are considered to be highly beneficial to healthy cognitive function.

A few cholinergic ingredients are Alpha-GPC, CDP Choline, Huperzine-A, etc. These compounds have become increasingly popular among bodybuilders as it increases focus and drive, and quickens muscle contractions.

9. Cerebral Vasodilators

Vasodilators are used by bodybuilders to expand their blood vessels, which increases blood and oxygen supply to the muscles. Cerebral vasodilators serve a similar function to the brain. When there is more blood and oxygen supply to the brain, the consumer can perform at a higher level of output.

Some cerebral vasodilators are Vinpocetine and Ginkgo Biloba.

10. Nerve Growth Stimulators

These stimulators increase nerve growth in the central nervous system and brain, adding more pathways through which blood and oxygen can be transmitted. Cholinergic drugs are essential for nerve growth to be stimulated.

Some examples of these stimulators include Erinacins and Lion’s Mane (Yamabushitake).

11. Cognitive Stimulants

These stimulants improve concentration and focus, increase energy and power, and enhance performance. Examples of these stimulants would be caffeine and synephrine.

A few of these stimulants can also enhance muscle growth and physical composition through energy pathways, like cyclic adenosine monophosphate which increases testosterone levels.

12. Caffeine

Caffeine helps increase attention, speed up reaction time, improve reasoning, and reduce tiredness. It is found in copious amounts in a lot of pre-workout supplements. It works with the adenosine receptors in the body to delay fatigue.

Caffeine is the most widely consumed nootropic in the world. It is found in coffee, cocoa, energy drinks, and sodas, among several other sources, although these are unhealthy sources.

Also Read: Best Caffeine Pills For Energy

13. Omega-3

Omega-3 are fatty acids that protect the brain membrane and white matter integrity. These acids improve sleep and keep the mind and heart-healthy, leading to a faster-firing brain. Some of these acids include docosahexaenoic acid and eicosatetraenoic acid. It can be found in foods like salmon and olive oil.

14. N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT)

NALT is an amino acid that synthesizes the neurotransmitters – dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. It protects the brain against stressful situations and replenishes the neurotransmitter levels whenever required. It boosts mental performance and increases alertness, both of which are important for working out and improving physical performance.

15. Creatine

It is an amino acid that the body utilizes to make protein. Creatine works as a bodybuilding supplement that promotes muscle growth and benefits the brain by reducing stress.

Creatine helps in generating more energy by producing more ATP. This energy helps enhance executive functions even when the person is sleep-deprived.

16. Noopept

Noopept is a synthetic drug that can be used as a supplement. Unlike some natural nootropics whose effects are felt after several hours, Noopept’s effects are experienced in minutes. It boosts brain function and promotes the growth of brain cells.

17. Modafinil

Modafinil, popularly known as Provigil is a prescription drug that reduces fatigue and enhances executive functioning such as organization, time management, and problem-solving skills, which is helpful to bodybuilders.

18. Amphetamines

Popularly known as Adderall, it helps boost attention and focus. It also escalates the production of dopamine and noradrenaline, which improves brain function and helps people feel optimistic and energetic. Amphetamines help in reducing appetite, which is useful for bodybuilding.

Nootropics For Bodybuilding: Conclusion

Nootropics can be beneficial in improving muscle growth and enhancing brain function. They can help discover nuggets of potential, which were previously unknown. However, these supplements should be used only as an asset to an established schedule of healthy nutrition and exercise.