The 9 Best Nootropics For Memory

Magnesium is an important mineral for cognitive function and mental wellbeing.¹Vink R, Nechifor M, The role of magnesium therapy in learning and memory, University of Adelaide Press; 2011 Magnesium promotes both short-term and long-term synaptic potentiation. Hence, it enhances the brain’s aptitude to process new information, and retain old information.²Inna 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. 2010

Magnesium is also proven to minimize synaptic loss, stimulate neuronal electrical activities, and improve spatial memory functions including recognition and memory lapses associated with age.³Michael R. Hoane, Robert Vink , Mihai Nechifor , The role of magnesium therapy in learning and memory, University of Adelaide Press; 2011

It has been demonstrated in many clinical studies that dietary magnesium may improve cognitive performance and benefit elderly population with cognitive impairment, probable dementia or even Alzheimer’s disease.⁴Kenneth Lo , Qing Liu , Tracy Madsen , Steve Rapp , Jiu-Chiuan Chen , Marian Neuhouser , Aladdin Shadyab , Lubna Pal , Xiaochen Lin , Sally Shumaker, JoAnn Manson, Ying-Qing Feng , Simin Liu, Relations of magnesium intake to cognitive impairment and dementia among participants in the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study: a prospective cohort study, BMJ Open. 2019⁵Ying Huang , Xian Huang , Ling Zhang , Fang Han , Ke-Liang Pang , Xue Li , Jian-Ying Shen, Magnesium boosts the memory restorative effect of environmental enrichment in Alzheimer's disease mice, CNS Neurosci Ther. 2018

Magnesium Breakthrough contains different absorbable formulations of magnesium. One of the main components of Magnesium Breakthrough is magnesium L-threonate. Magnesium L-threonate has a unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, optimize neuronal synaptic density and neuronal plasticity; and consequently, promote memory performance.⁶Wei Li, Jia Yu, Yong Liu, Xiaojie Huang, Nashat Abumaria, Ying Zhu, Xian Huang, Wenxiang Xiong, Chi Ren, Xian-Guo Liu, Dehua Chui, Guosong Liu, Elevation of brain magnesium prevents synaptic loss and reverses cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease mouse model, Mol Brain . 2014⁷Nashat Abumaria , Bin Yin, Ling Zhang, Xiang-Yao Li, Tao Chen, Giannina Descalzi, Liangfang Zhao, Matae Ahn, Lin Luo, Chen Ran, Min Zhuo, Guosong Liu, Effects of elevation of brain magnesium on fear conditioning, fear extinction, and synaptic plasticity in the infralimbic prefrontal cortex and lateral amygdala, J Neurosci. 2011

Oxiracetam is a powerful memory-boosting racetam. It is prevalent in the nootropics community for this reason and is the cornerstone of many people’s daily stack.

Like all racetams, oxiracetam increases the amount of ACh in the brain, which is a critical part of the memory system. It can also help repair damaged neurons.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

There is evidence that it can significantly improve spatial memory. It can also preserve memory function after injury or age-related cognitive decline. Oxiracetam may also have some benefits for focus and concentration.⁹Bottini G, et al. Oxiracetam in dementia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, Acta Neurol Scand. 1992

Aniracetam is another extremely popular racetam for memory. It has been around for a while and has clinically proven benefits for memory.¹⁰Sebastian D. Goldsmith and Arlene McDowell. Designing a Formulation of the Nootropic Drug Aniracetam Using 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin Suitable for Parenteral Administration, Pharmaceutics. 2018

Aniracetam is also famous for improving mood. Aniracetam could also have some side-benefits for memory encoding.

It is in many respects similar to oxiracetam, with oxiracetam being better for focus, and aniracetam being better for mood.

Noopept is possibly the most popular nootropic on the market.

While it is not technically a racetam, it is very close and has a similar mechanism of action on ACh.

This supplement also increases Nerve Growth Factor and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor.

These processes link to neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to repair and grow new neurons.

Neuroplasticity is critical for encoding and storing new memories.

So, by increasing these aspects, noopept can significantly improve your overall memory abilities.

Many people swear by this potent nootropic, and for a good reason.

Alpha GPC and citicoline are two nootropics that can help with memory by improving choline levels in the brain. Choline is a precursor for acetylcholine, which is critical to your memory system.

Basically, by ensuring you get enough choline through one of these supplements, you can keep your memory in top shape.

Taking care of your memory is especially crucial as you get older, and your acetylcholine production drops. Taking one of these nootropics can keep your brain humming smoothly into your later years.

While Alpha GPC and Citicoline work in generally the same way, they do have a few key differences.

Citicoline is famous for potentiating other nootropics in your stack. Alpha GPC, on the other hand, may have a more stimulatory effect than citicoline.

Regardless of which you choose, they are both excellent for improving memory.¹¹Canal N, et al. Effect of L-alpha-glyceryl-phosphorylcholine on amnesia caused by scopolamine, Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol. 1991 ¹²Spiers PA, Myers D, Hochanadel GS, Lieberman HR, Wurtman RJ. Citicoline improves verbal memory in aging, Arch Neurol. 1996 ¹³Abad-Santos F, Novalbos-Reina J, Gallego-Sandín S, García AG. Treatment of mild cognitive impairment: the value of citicoline, Rev Neurol. 2002 ¹⁴Fioravanti M, Yanagi M. Cytidinediphosphocholine (CDP-choline) for cognitive and behavioural disturbances associated with chronic cerebral disorders in the elderly, Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005

They are especially useful when stacked with one of the above racetams because racetams can deplete your brain’s natural choline stores.

The racetam/choline combo is one of the most classic stacks in the nootropics world and can provide a ton of mental benefits.

Huperzine-A (Huperzia Serrata) is an all-natural herbal supplement for memory used in Southeast Asian medicine for centuries.

It has neuroprotective qualities and can protect your brain as it ages.

Huperzine-A improves memory by blocking acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which is the compound that breaks down acetylcholine (ACh), and increasing the amount of ACh overall that your brain can use for memory processes.¹⁵Huperzine-A capsules enhance memory and learning performance in 34 pairs of matched adolescent students, Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao. 1999

It is also a powerful antioxidant that can protect neurons from being damaged by free radicals, which can prevent cognitive degeneration long term.