Best Nootropics For Studying, Memory, and Focus

Bacopa is an all-natural nootropic in use for millennia in Eastern cultures. It may be one of the original study drugs.

There is archeological evidence that monks and scholars used bacopa monnieri to help them memorize prayers and manuscripts thousands of years ago!

Nothing has changed all that much, and Bacopa is still a fantastic herb for hitting the books if you’re a modern student. Modern research also suggests that this nootropic is useful for studying.

Bacopa monnieri contains organic compounds called “bacosides” that may speed up mental processing and increase information retention according to research.

As another bonus for students, bacopa is an adaptogen, meaning it can help the body deal with stress and help the anxiety of studying for exams.

Bacopa can keep your hormones in balance so that you can focus effectively on the work in front of you.

We consider bacopa a must-have for any student looking for a calm and collected focus.

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• Qualia Mind's advanced formula includes 28 nootropic ingredients designed to synergistically enhance your focus, concentration, and memory formation abilities.
• It boosts and efficiently synthesizes acetylcholine while increasing mitochondrial function and cellular energy.
• You also get B-vitamins, vitamins C, and D3 as co-factors to optimize neurotransmitter synthesis.
• The caffeine also adds a boost of mental energy. A caffeine-free version is available too.
• This stack is great for any student who needs a boost in brainpower. 
• Caffeinated and non-caffeinated versions are available

Blood Sugar Breakthrough is a complex formula consisting of several ingredients which have been linked to the enhancement of cognitive processes such as memory, concentration and studying.

Ingredients like biotin, chromium, and alpha lipoic acid found in Blood Sugar Breakthrough can improve the responsiveness of the body's cells and tissues to insulin and hence have an overall positive impact on brain health.⁴NIH, Chromium, NIH. 2021⁵Mitra Hemmati, Homa Babaei, and Mohammadreza Abdolsalehei, Survey of the Effect of Biotin on Glycemic Control and Plasma Lipid Concentrations in Type 1 Diabetic Patients in Kermanshah in Iran (2008-2009), Oman Med J. 2013

Some ingredients in the Blood Sugar Breakthrough Formula have antioxidative properties which also aid in the improvement of intense cognitive exercises like studying.⁶Supatra Porasuphatana , Suthi Suddee, Atinuch Nartnampong, Julraht Konsil, Busakorn Harnwong, Adichai Santaweesuk, Glycemic and oxidative status of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus following oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study, Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2012

Oxiracetam is a synthetic racetam-type nootropic, meaning it modulates the AMPA and NDMA receptors in your brain.

It increases the amount of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which can ultimately help you study better.⁷Gouliaev AH, Senning A. Piracetam and other structurally related nootropics, Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 1994

Oxiracetam has clinically proven benefits for cognition, and many users note that it can increase their attention span, information retention, and overall cognitive processes.

In short, it can help you get “in the zone” while studying.⁸Fordyce DE, et al. Enhancement of hippocampally-mediated learning and protein kinase C activity by oxiracetam in learning-impaired DBA/2 mice, Brain Res. 1995

This nootropic also has a mild stimulatory effect that can keep you alert and on task. However, it is not nearly as powerful as a drug like Adderall, so you don’t need to worry about crashing later.

Oxiracetam achieves its effects through much more subtle and sustainable means so that you can take it frequently without fear.

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Magnesium is an essential mineral for various cognitive functions, including studying. We know that studying is an extensive process requiring deep concentration, learning and memorization.⁹Kateba Al-Ghazali, Sana Eltayeb, Ayesha Musleh, Tamara Al-Abdi, Vijay Ganji, and Zumin Shi, Serum Magnesium and Cognitive Function Among Qatari Adults, Front Aging Neurosci. 2020

Research suggests that increasing the intake of dietary magnesium can help in enhancing our cognitive abilities such as learning, focusing and memorization. This postulation is supported by extensive clinical evidence suggesting that insufficient levels of magnesium in the body are associated with cognitive impairment.¹⁰Inna Slutsky , Nashat Abumaria, Long-Jun Wu, Chao Huang, Ling Zhang, Bo Li, Xiang Zhao, Arvind Govindarajan, Ming-Gao Zhao, Min Zhuo, Susumu Tonegawa, Guosong Liu, Enhancement of learning and memory by elevating brain magnesium, Neuron. 2010¹¹Jürgen Vormann, Magnesium: nutrition and metabolism, Mol Aspects Med. 2003

It is well known that different forms of magnesium can have different bioavailabilities; hence, a complex formulation consisting of various forms of elemental magnesium such as those found in Magnesium Breakthrough can significantly increase the likelihood of receiving all the cognitive benefits of magnesium.¹²Abdullah M. Al Alawi,corresponding author,Sandawana William Majoni, and Henrik Falhammar , Magnesium and Human Health: Perspectives and Research Directions, Int J Endocrinol. 2018¹³Jan Philipp Schuchardt and Andreas Hahn, Intestinal Absorption and Factors Influencing Bioavailability of Magnesium-An Update, Curr Nutr Food Sci. 2017

Reishi is a medicinal mushroom with many therapeutic effects ranging from improved cardiac function to enhanced cognitive abilities.¹⁴Sissi Wachtel-Galor, John Yuen, John A. Buswell, and Iris F. F. Benzie, Chapter 9Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi), CRC Press/Taylor & Francis. 2011

The most appealing feature of Reishi is its neurostimulating effect on intense cognitive processes such as memory building, concentration and studying.¹⁵Karen S Bishop , Chi H J Kao , Yuanye Xu , Marcus P Glucina , R Russell M Paterson, Lynnette R Ferguson, From 2000 years of Ganoderma lucidum to recent developments in nutraceuticals, Phytochemistry. 2015

Studies have demonstrated several positive cognitive effects such as improvement of mood, boost of focus, increase in clarity, ability to concentrate for long hours and ability to grasp concepts quickly among users of Reishi.¹⁶Najeeb Khatian & Muhammad Aslam, Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on memory and learning in mice, Clinical Phytoscience. 2019

Freshcap Mushrooms provide the highest percentage of beta glucans and fruiting body nutrients, making this mushroom product my preferred choice for Reishi.

Aniracetam is a cousin of oxiracetam and is also a racetam. It works through a similar mechanism, but it does have a few distinctions.

Like oxiracetam, many people say that aniracetam is great for stimulated-but-controlled focus and memory. And, there are plenty of clinical studies to back this up.¹⁷Shirane M, Nakamura K. Aniracetam enhances cortical dopamine and serotonin release via cholinergic and glutamatergic mechanisms in SHRSP, Brain Res. 2001 ¹⁸Ingvar M, et al. Enhancement by an ampakine of memory encoding in humans, Exp Neurol. 1997

It is also famous for elevating mood. Feeling an emotional boost could put you in a better headspace to crack open the books and get to work. Keep in mind this is not the manic high of a drug like Adderall, but a more gentle effect.

Aniracetam and oxiracetam are both great choices, but aniracetam might be better if you are looking for a mood boost as well.¹⁹Nakamura K, Tanaka Y.. Antidepressant-like effects of aniracetam in aged rats and its mode of action, Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2001

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Citicoline is the perfect addition to your studying stack if you are going to use oxiracetam, aniracetam, or noopept.

Those nootropics can use up the choline stores in your brain, meaning it’s a good idea to supplement with an additional source.

The racetams can then turn it into acetylcholine, improving your focus and memory in the process.

Also, if your brain starts running low on choline, you run the risk of a headache. This pain is obviously something you DON’T want while studying for an important test.

We recommend always combining racetams with something like citicoline for this reason.

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Noopept is very similar to the racetams listed above, in that it’s a synthetic nootropic that can improve studying through the acetylcholine system.

It also stimulates what’s called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF).

BDNF and NGF are the processes that grow and repair new neurons.

Building and repairing neurons is critical for maintaining the health of the brain and forming new memories.

By increasing these abilities, noopept can help you retain whatever you’re learning so you can recall it easier come exam time.

Noopept is also famous for its stimulating effects. It is one of the most potent nootropics out there, increasing the energy even in minimal doses.

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Adrafinil is an excellent alternative to Adderall if you are looking to stay up all night cramming.

This nootropic is actually a prodrug of the prescription drug Modafinil meaning that your body turns adrafinil into modafinil, but you do not need a prescription to buy it.

Adrafinil was initially created as an anti-narcoleptic drug to keep people up and alert for long periods.

This nootropic is used by militaries around the world to stay focused during taxing operations, and these effects can translate to studying for exams.

Adrafinil works by mildly stimulating your dopamine receptors (among others), although not nearly to the degree of Adderall.

This stimulation can give you an increase in focus and motivation while you study for long periods.

Adrafinil is legendary for its anti-fatigue effects, and it can help you power through a last-minute crunch.²⁰Battleday RM, Brem AK. Modafinil for cognitive neuroenhancement in healthy non-sleep-deprived subjects: A systematic review, Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2015 ²¹Milgram NW, et al. Oral administration of adrafinil improves discrimination learning in aged beagle dogs, Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2000 ²²Müller U, et al. Effects of modafinil on non-verbal cognition, task enjoyment, and creative thinking in healthy volunteers, Neuropharmacology. 2013

It is also pretty sustainable, without any serious crash to worry. Be mindful that it can cause insomnia in too high doses or taken too late at night.

Adrafinil has a relatively low side-effect profile for the most part.

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