Q:I’m an e-gamer, and I’ve heard a lot about nootropics for focus and better health for e-athletes. What are the benefits and challenges of e-athletes taking nootropics?
A: The term “nootropic” generally refers to a substance that has a positive impact on cognitive function or mental performance. Many people have already used nootropic compounds without even realizing it. Caffeine, omega-3 fatty acids (fish oils), ashwagandha, L-theanine, bacopa, Rhodiola, Lion’s Mane mushrooms, and many more are considered nootropics.
While it’s true that nootropics may be a helpful hack that provides a mental performance edge for e-gamers or anyone else for that matter, before we can get into that discussion, I have to be a bit of a buzzkill. No amount of nootropic supplements can counteract the effects of poor lifestyle choices. Or, put another way, the best nootropics, so to speak, come from healthy lifestyle choices. If you are looking to support and optimize your mental performance, supplements should not be at the top of your list. Here are some of the most important factors to consider.
AFK & Sleep
Even though gaming may be significant to you, going AFK (away from the keyboard) to get restful sleep is even more important. The body typically requires 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. Numerous studies have shown that sleeping less than this amount can negatively impact memory, attention, alertness, judgment, and decision-making. This results in clearly impaired cognitive performance. In a more extreme example, the effects of sleep deprivation have been demonstrated in some research to be similar to the effects of alcohol intoxication. You certainly wouldn’t drink alcohol if you were striving for optimal cognitive performance. Additionally, adequate sleep is required to maximize your cognitive performance.
Your IRL Health Bar
Your character’s health bar may be at 100%, but what about your IRL (in real life) health? The brain, along with the rest of the body, requires the regular consumption of all the essential nutrients. A poor diet may deprive the body of those essential nutrients, preventing the brain from performing at its full potential. It is crucial to avoid the detrimental effects of consuming excessive sugar, alcohol, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods, which can increase inflammation and oxidative stress, which may result in insomnia, fatigue, depression, reduced cognitive function, impaired memory, as well as numerous chronic diseases. By doing so and focusing on a diet consisting of nutrient-dense whole foods, you can optimize your cognitive function, which could up your game.
Don’t be an NPC
NPCs (non-playable characters) can’t do anything. But you can. Want to increase circulation to the brain and promote the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to support your playing prowess? Then, exercise regularly. Both of these mechanisms increase circulation and BDNF levels, which are critical for optimal cognitive function. In fact, low levels of BDNF are associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and more. Many of the most talked about nootropics are sought after because they might increase or prevent the decline of BDNF levels. If there were a supplement or prescription drug that could reliably and consistently boost memory, improve problem-solving, increase cognitive flexibility and thinking skills, and improve quality of sleep while reducing the risk for dementia, depression, anxiety, and its “side effects” were reducing the risk for chronic diseases and aiding healthy weight management, well, it would be the single most successful supplement or prescription drug ever created. However, we don’t need a supplement or drug to realize these incredible benefits. Regular exercise takes care of all of this.
If you have already optimized the three pillars of health—sleep, diet, and exercise—but are still seeking an extra mental performance boost, talk to your healthcare provider. But you might be surprised at how much these simple mods (modifications) can enhance your cognitive function and potentially elevate you MVP (most valuable player) status without needing any nootropics at all.
