Nootropics and smart drugs are all the rage at the moment.
From CEO’s to BJJ practitioners, people all over the world know that they need to be at peak mental performance if they want to stay at the top of their game.
But until recently, it was hard to achieve this. The only options people really had to get a mental edge were fairly esoteric in nature and often overlooked. But things are changing.
Supplements for physical issues have been around for a long time but industries are only now realising that the mental side of things are just as important, if not more important, as the physical. Many new and exciting companies have emerged and are now producing supplements that can give you focus, clarity of mind and that essential mental energy that we often feel we lack.
We’ve all turned up to class in fine physical form, but mentally we just weren’t there. No matter how hard we try we just can’t seem to focus on what our instructors telling us. It’s like he or she is speaking a different language.
We’re getting caught by submissions that we should have seen coming from a mile off.
You’re trapped under someones crippling side control but you just can’t rally your mind together to think about how to escape. You know the escape but you just can’t seem to remember it.
Physically you feel fine, but inside you might as well be asleep. But with this influx of nootropics, this no longer needs to be an issue.
You can arrive at training and know with confidence that you’ve brought your mental A-game with you. No longer will the prison inside your head be holding your back from everything you can accomplish on the mat.
Below we’ve listed the best nootropics and smart drugs on the market to take you to the next level.
The Best Nootropics for MMA Fighters
- CLINICALLY STUDIED TO BOOST MEMORY, FOCUS, AND CLARITY. Alpha Brain has been shown to support verbal memory, peak alpha brain waves (flow state), and processing speed after just one dose in a study...
- RESEARCH SUGGESTS ALPHA BRAIN WORKS THE FIRST TIME YOU TAKE IT. Alpha Brain is the nootropic of choice of world class performers in sports, entertainment, gaming, and more, including Joe Rogan, Tim...
- NON-HABIT FORMING, ONCE DAILY DOSE. Alpha Brain is safe for daily use, without the risk of dependency associated with pharmaceuticals. Boost cognition, stay focused and alert longer, and retain info...
- CERTIFIED DRUG-FREE BY THE BANNED SUBSTANCES CONTROL GROUP. Alpha Brain is safe for work and compeition, and works by directly stimulating neurotransmitters, meaning you won't experience the crash or...
- NON-GMO | GLUTEN-FREE | CAFFEINE-FREE | VEGETARIAN CAPSULES.
Onnit are pioneers in the field of nootropics and you can say that they’ve definitely been a large force in popularising nootropics and smart drugs in general.
They offer a wide range of products including mood enhancers, MCT oil, workout equipment and other sports supplements/paraphernalia.
But their flagship product is most definitely Alpha Brain.
Alpha Brain is considered by many to be the king of the brain function nootropics.
Onnit claims that Alpha Brain can dramatically increase brain processing speed, memory and that vital focus you need to excel in BJJ, MMA and life.
It is endorsed and encouraged by big names such as Joe Rogan, Duane Ludwig and Tim Kennedy, as well as many people outside of the fitness sphere. People from all walks of life are willing to attest to it’s power.
The product is formulated from earth grown nutrients and is completely free of GMO’s, gluten and caffeine.
Onnit even undertook two double-blind clinical studies to prove Alpha Brains effectiveness. These tests, conducted by the Boston Centre for Memory, showed improvements in memory, brainwave patterns, and focus.
Zhou Nutrition Neuro-Peak Natural Brain Function Support
Zhou nutrition have blended five top individual compounds together to make one stellar product.
Neuro-Peak includes ingredients like rhodiola. Rhodiola is a Russian herb that has been used by athletes for years in order to mentally recharge. Research shows that rhodiola helps support healthy levels of serotonin and dopamine so that your mood stays stable and healthy.
Users of Neuro-Peak have stated that they receive noticeable boosts in cognitive abilities like memory and focus when using the product consistently.
And Zhou make it easy to use this product consistently as it is only capsule to be taken a day. Many of the best nootropic supplements require you to take multiple different pills a day and it can be a lot to manage and keep track of.
Havasu Nutrition Extra Strength Brain Supplement
- Natural brain supplement; our fast acting brain supplement was carefully formulated with saint john’s wort, ginkgo biloba, and other nootropic brain boosters to help support mental performance,...
- Premium quality ingredients; includes herbs clinically studied for mental performance, as well as ingredients that support focus and concentration including 300mg bacopa, 130mg St. John’s wort, 50mg...
- Caffeine free; this energy supplement is a caffeine free mood booster that helps you stay alert and focused without the jitters or caffeine crash; packed with natural brain booster supplements to...
- Formulated in the United States at an FDA registered facility under good manufacturing practice standards, and third party tested to provide a once daily dose of brain support you can take with...
- Boosts memory, energy and mood; this brain booster and focus supplement is also a natural, caffeine free alternative to energy pills; our brain boost formula will also provide mood support helping you...
Like with most things, mindset is key when it comes to BJJ and MMA.
These sports are tough physically, mentally and emotionally and it can be hard to keep a good, positive outlook when your training and progress appear bleak. This brain enhancing supplement includes a healthy dose of St. John’s Wort, which is sometimes prescribed as a holistic measure to combat depression. This supplement will keep your mood positive so you can focus on what matters.
Like Neuro-Peak, the product is an all-in-one capsule to be taken once daily, so no confusion or frustration like some other products.
Havasu’s formula is made to increase circulation in the brain and thus increase your brains performance in matters like cognition, memory and concentration.
Nutrition Essentials Neuro Clarity Brain Function Booster Nootropic
- 2X gentler dosage: Many nootropics contain too-high doses of St. John’s Wort (300mg–900mg) that can cause side effects like stomach discomfort. Our 200 mg St. John's Wort contains the standard...
- Loved by nutritionists: Our brain supplement has 9 bioactive ingredients, including phosphatidylserine, L-glutamine and neem. We list each ingredient in its exact amount so you know precisely what...
- Better absorption: L-carnitine is a popular brain booster for age-related memory loss and thinking or focus problems. Unlike other brands, we use the N-Acetyl-L-Carnitine form—it’s better absorbed...
- Made in the USA and independently tested: producing in the USA means our nootropic undergoes stringent checks. Every batch is independently tested for potency, and is GMP certified. Our supplement is...
This product by Nutrition Essentials aims to help your lower stress and anxiety as well as increase your brain function.
Rolling and sparring can get tense and it can get stressful. When you’re tense you just can’t feel your opponents moves as well. When you get stressed, you’re not in the moment. Your body is there but your mind is miles away.
When you’re not feeling your opponents moves and your mind isn’t in the moment, you’re going to get tapped out.
This is especially important in competition when nerves and stress can break even the most fierce competitor.
Their formulation will keep you calm and relaxed, but with laser-like focus. You’ll be better able to tune out the intense atmosphere of competition and solely focus on your adversary.
Sports Research Suntheanine L-Theanine 200mg Double Strength
L-Theanine is a compound that helps promote a state of relaxation without the negative aspects like tiredness and drowsiness. You’ll be relaxed and chilled-out but still ready to focus intently on BJJ only.
Think of it as calming the internal chatter in your brain that takes you out of the moment and distracts you from what’s important. It’s also an anti-oxidant too.
Sports Research offer you a hefty dose of 2000mg per serving, which is double the strength of some other weaker and inferior nootropics.
To increase the effectiveness of this double dose product, the L-theanine is also formulated with organic, cold-pressed coconut oil to help increase absorption. You get as much bang for your buck as possible.
They also offer a 90-day money-back guarantee in case the product is not to your satisfaction.
Overall
You likely already take a myriad of sports supplements for your physical needs. Many people take things like creatine to increase strength, Omega 3’s for inflammation and joint health and the ubiquitous protein shakes after training to refuel their muscles.
Which begs the question, why wouldn’t you take the equivalents for your mental side?