Memory is more than remembering more facts and figures. Having a greater memory means having a wider range of ideas, concepts, and figures that can be combined in a new organization…creativity. While memory and creativity are separate cognitive processes, there are overlaps that make the best nootropics for memory far more multifaceted than most would consider. As with any other cognitive process, increasing memory formation and learning ability comes with time, patience, and finesse. Unlike what many people desire, it’s not as simple as taking a pill (or smart enhancer stack) and finding instant memory boosts. Throughout this article we...

Sitting at your office trying to work, there is a “ding”. The phone lights up and displays a text message. Moments later an email pops up on the corner of your computer. “Urgent” it says and despite being in the middle of something, you find yourself pulled from a concentrated state. Our obsession with greater focus and concentration is even more apparent when we consider tea and coffee are some of the most consumed beverages in the world (even above alcoholic beverages). By better understanding how we increase concentration, we will explore some of the traditional lifestyle changes and the...

For all the wealth that exists in the western world, it has come at a cost. The skyscrapers, constant access to information, and social media may all be perks of the first world, but they do not tell the story of how mood issues have become so prevalent in our society. A landmark study in Sebastian Junger’s book Tribe showed that despite poverty conditions, people in Nigeria were less stressed than wealthy suburban mothers living in the United States. It’s clear that we are missing something when it comes to feelings of uneasiness. As usual, people search for the best...

Everyone knows the foods we eat can affect how our bodies look. But can they really affect how we think, too? Scientists believe so. Diets designed to help people lose weight have been around for hundreds of years. However, research has focused the past few decades on promoting healthy function of the body, instead of just shedding pounds. Although experts don’t always agree exactly which foods to include in this category, those foods do have several characteristics in common. Brain foods typically are low-calorie but high in nutrients. Many are natural sources of antioxidants, which help to prevent free radical...

Some think that brain-healthy diets are just a fad, with no scientific backing behind them, however this couldn’t be further from the truth. The brain is the most important organ in the body. Not only do cognitive abilities, such as memory, rely on its health, but every single function of the body is regulated, in some way, by the brain. The Western diet tends to be high in saturated fats and processed carbohydrates, which can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress. Scientists believe these conditions can contribute to decreased memory and other cognitive abilities, but this is difficult to prove...

Gut health has been a recent growing trend in the health and nutrition community, and with good reason. As the age-old Hippocratic saying states, "all disease begins in the gut," and now after years of research we know is partially true. The gut is like a second brain. Its’ health effects your overall health, including your mood, cognition, energy levels, libido, and creative output. To better understand how to improve overall gut health, it is important to know how it functions, and what makes an unhealthy gut. There are approximately 500 species of bacteria that make up “the gut flora.” ...

Many of our family, friends, and customers are looking to get an edge or generally improve cognitive function whether it be memory, focus, or overall cognitive performance. We believe that nootropics (aka pharmacological cognitive enhancers) can help individuals achieve these goals; however we strongly believe that most people should start with basic non-nootropic measures (aka non-pharmacological cognitive enhancers) that, for many, can drastically improve cognitive function. In this guide, we’ll talk about some of the easiest ways to improve cognitive function before considering nootropics. Sleep Lack of sleep has been studied and is shown to impact cognitive function. The conclusion...

We’re all looking for the edge, whether in work or school and if you’re reading this you’ve likely either tried nootropics or are considering it. Here are five tips that can help optimize your nootropic experience. 1. Hydrate and Eat When you’re hacking your brain with supplements sometimes you get some added effects you aren’t looking for. These side effects aren’t always bad but you should be aware of them.   Multiple studies (here and here) have shown that both mood and cognition suffer from dehydration amounts as low as 2% and less. Set a periodic alarm reminder on your...

By: Paul Wilson Most people who take Nootropics are looking for a short-term boost in memory or focus. In fact, the bulk of Nootropic users are students and executives, people who are cramming an abundance of information, and need to retain that information long-term; or simply they are just working gruelingly hours and must remain mentally on top of their game. However, nootropics can also be used long term for neuro-protective value with few short term effects. Neuro-protectants are substances that protect brain cells from damage and neuron loss that could cause a variety of brain disorders. The most widely...

Exercise is the human condition. For much of our species' history, we have been mobile hunter-gatherers fighting off conflicting tribes, wild animals, and foraging for food. Movement is how we evolved to live and thrive. Modern science validates this ancestral approach to movement. Not only will we be happier and healthier with movement, but studies show we can increase our mental performance drastically. Certain movement can enhance our creativity, focus, concentration, and even longevity. As you will soon find out, movement and exercise is not only a way to keep our bodies in shape and looking great, but also an...

Nootropics are a profound tool for exploring optimal human potential. With greater concentration, learning ability, and creativity, we can become more successful and tackle difficult global challenges. We may have a vested interest in nootropics, but that doesn't mean we can't see outside the box. There are plenty of non-nootropic methods of optimizing mental performance and achieving the best version of yourself. Sometimes the methods we will cover in this article are better than nootropics and sometimes they compliment each other. Despite the value of nootropics, we have to make a habit of seeing other tools in our toolbox. As...

Improving mental performance often includes adding things into your daily life and routine, such as the case with nootropics and smart enhancers. Biohackers are notorious for adding new technologies, lifestyle habits, and supplements to improve their mental performance. At times, it is additive to remove things from our daily life to optimize our brain. One practice exemplifies this the most: fasting. Even though fasting has become more popular over recent years, most mainstream adherents follow a process called "intermittent fasting," which entails small windows of daily eating and 16 - 20 hours of fasting per day. This methodology can have...