Cognition

As a prestigious adaptogenic herb, Rhodiola rosea has been increasingly studied as a natural treatment for various mental health conditions (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder and moderate depression) with promising results [1].

The roots of Rhodiola rosea are enriched in numerous phytonutrients—notably rosavins and salidroside—that possess many putative health benefits, including:

• Improving cognitive deficiencies and depressive symptoms [2, 3]
  
• Enhancing the immune system [4]
  
• Promoting exercise performance [5, 6]
  

Supporting healthy blood pressure levels and cerebral blood flow [7]

Choline is an essential B vitamin becoming increasingly scarce in the modern human diet [8]. It plays a vital role in acetylcholine synthesis, the primary neurotransmitter governing cognitive function and mental acuity when handling tasks that demand sharp focus and concentration.

While you can find many nootropic supplements with choline, they almost always contain choline bitartrate, which has negligible impact on choline levels in the brain [9].

On the contrary, a recent human clinical trial found that subjects given a CDP-choline supplement experienced a two-fold increase in plasma levels of both choline and uridine for over 10 hours—this improved performance on mentally demanding tasks like memory tests and interpretation [10]. Moreover, choline and uridine work synergistically to synthesize phospholipid precursors that protect brain cells, thereby supporting neuronal function and integrity [11].

Phosphatidylserine is an important phospholipid that protects neurons and glial cells in the brain and acts as a cellular signaling molecule to keep the mind sharp [11].

Recent research reviews contend phosphatidylserine supplementation may help alleviate mild cognitive impairment and improve memory [12, 13]. Further evidence shows phosphatidylserine administration attenuates stress-induced cortisol spikes, thus supporting mood and adrenal balance [14, 15].

On the molecular level, caffeine (chemically known as 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is an alkaline, organic substance derived from xanthine — a biologically important purine base found in many bodily tissues and fluids. Methylxanthines like caffeine stimulate the central nervous system (CNS) and heart to promote wakefulness and motivation.

Numerous studies have shown that taking caffeine can significantly improve overall cognitive performance and may even reduce the risk of neurodegenerative conditions [16, 17].

When combined with caffeine, L-Theanine demonstrates many benefits for cognitive faculties, such as increasing reaction time, attention, and memory [18, 19]. It also reduces jitters in caffeine-sensitive individuals and promotes relaxation without affecting wakefulness and energy [20].

Huperzine-A has long been revered for its ability to boost cognitive function. Research has shown that this alkaloid is a potent inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase, thereby prolonging the actions of acetylcholine [21]. This results in heightened mental acuity and a greater capacity to memorize and recall information.

Clinical research has shown that regular B vitamin supplementation can help protect the brain from neurodegeneration and bolster mental performance, suggesting the role of these micronutrients in long-term brain health [22].