Nootropics are substances that enhance cognition and memory and protect the brain from aging. They can also work as neuroprotective agents and improve problem-solving skills (e.g., gamers). The main objective of this article is to provide a state-of-the-art overview on the effectiveness of nootropics for gamers and their chemistry and mechanisms of action. This article will also discuss the safety and efficacy of nootropics as well as ethical issues, such as security and doping.

Gamers need to make quick decisions based on incomplete information under stressful conditions. At first glance we could say that gamers can rely on their innate intelligence to solve a problem they encounter in a game, but is this really so?

Sharp-mindedness and quick response are mainly dependent on the speed of information processing in the brain. Nootropics for gamers (and in general) increase the working memory capacity by allowing more information to be stored in it. They also enhance learning skills, vigilance, concentration, motivation, sensory perception, logical thinking ability, and creativity.

Gamers usually play for several hours and they need to be efficient and effective at their jobs (e.g., eliminating enemies), so it would only be logical that gamers may benefit from using nootropics. Nootropics for gamers could also help them with stress management, pain reduction, and sleep deprivation recovery. Some of these benefits will also extend to non-gamers, but there are also specific benefits that only gamers will receive.

Specific Benefits of Nootropics For Gamers

Insomnia 

Gamers usually do not get enough sleep and their sleep deprivation recovery is impaired. Nootropics that speed up the recovery process and reduce cognitive stress will help gamers for this reason. The following are some of the ingredients utilized in our sleep/recovery nootropics:

• Melatonin: Most gamers are unaware that the sleep hormone melatonin plays an enormous role in our sleep/recovery process. Melatonin is converted into serotonin which regulates our body temperature during sleep, ensures good deep sleep cycles, and also helps with neurotransmitter recycling. This means you get better quality of sleep besides getting the proper amount of shut eye. To maximize absorption of melatonin it is recommended to take 350 mg before bedtime.  
• Magnesium bisglycinate: This is the most bioavailable form of magnesium, meaning it has low toxicity and high absorption rate. Magnesium reduces cortisol through the relaxation response which helps gamers recover from sleep deprivation stress. Additionally, magnesium regulates neurotransmitters at night to ensure better quality sleep cycles.
• L-Glycine: An amino acid used to reduce stress, restore the brain's homeostasis, and ensure good quality sleep cycles.
• Valerian: An herb that has been shown to improve sleep, reduce stress, and boost cognitive function at the same time.
• Lemon Balm: A herb extracted to relieve stress, improve focus and memory, and also used as an anxiolytic.
• Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA): GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces overstimulation and calms the mind. It has been found to reduce stress and some gamers benefit from taking a GABA supplement before bedtime.
• Venetron: This ingredient enhances the reuptake inhibition of GABA and may be used for extreme relaxation at bedtime. It is great to help you relax when you feel stressed due to lack of sleep.
• Shiitake Mushroom Extract: This ingredient helps improve sleep quality, reduce stress, and boosts the immune system. It's also capable of increasing energy levels in the morning.

While some esports athletes may turn to synthetics for sleep aid, we recommend the above natural alternatives to maximize outcomes.

Problem Solving

Nootropics improve gamers' problem-solving skills by increasing the generation of several ideas and making them work together to develop a solution. Noopept is one of the ingredients that help gamers generate ideas and develop solutions by improving information processing in the mind. This is known as fluid intelligence which reduces decision time between various processes of the mind. In addition, Bacopa (a plant extract) improves cognition and boosts fluid intelligence through the process of neurogenesis, meaning new brain cells are created. 

Memory

Nootropics like bacopa improve memory and learning skills which are important for gamers because they constantly face unsolved situations (e.g., additional enemy attacks or unexpected events) and must be able to use learned information in future challenges.

It is common knowledge that gamers usually play very intense sessions and their brain functions at a high level for many hours. This can cause fatigue due to the lack of energy in the form of ATP, which must be produced by mitochondria. In this case, nootropics will help because they enhance mitochondrial activity and increase glucose uptake into cells that restores depleted energy. This effect will also extend to non-gamers, but the intensity of sessions for gamers is much higher.

L-Glycine and Rhodiola are also key ingredients in our nootropics that help combat fatigue and increase energy levels:

• Rhodiola Rosea: This ingredient enhances mental performance and focus, reduces fatigue and stress, increases physical capacity, and enhances overall cognitive function.
• L-Glycine: An amino acid that increases energy levels by increasing the uptake of glucose into cells which provides an additional source of fuel. L-Glycine is also capable of stimulating the production of growth hormone, which stimulates muscle mass and helps with fat loss.

Stress

Nootropics can also be used by gamers in stressful conditions when their ability to think analytically and logically breaks down. In this case they can use nootropics that help them recover from stress which have been shown to improve cognitive function under stress. The following are some of the ingredients utilized in our stress/anxiety nootropics:

• Ashwagandha: This ingredient enhances cognitive function under stressful conditions, reduces cortisol levels (stress hormone), reduces anxiety, and induces sleep.
• L-Theanine: Contains anti-stress properties which work by reducing stress reactions including high blood pressure/increased heart rate while increasing attention span under stress. L-Theanine also works well with caffeine to improve cognition and prevent stress-related symptoms including headaches.
• Chamomile: Calms the mind and reduces anxiety; helps improve focus under stressful conditions without causing drowsiness. Chamomile also has antioxidant properties which help remove free radicals from the body (a harmful byproduct of stress).
• Tulsi: This ingredient helps reduce and regulate stress and anxiety levels and has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Rhodiola Rosea: This ingredient enhances mental performance and focus, reduces fatigue and stress, increases physical capacity, and enhances overall cognitive function.
• Maitake Mushroom Extract: This ingredient has been shown to reduce cortisol levels (one of the stress hormones) and helps increase energy under stressful conditions.

Decision Making

Nootropics help gamers to make better decisions regarding their gaming strategies because they expand their knowledge base. For example, studies have shown that Lutein can help gamers to make decisions faster and with less information (e.g., bigger picture, understanding the purpose of objects) while also helping them ignore distractions. In addition, Astaxanthin is an ingredient that will help gamers make decisions more quickly and with better precision which is crucial in moments of high stress (e.g., life or death, time limits). It also helps to improve focus under normal circumstances.

Motivation

Nootropics have also been shown to improve gamers' motivation which will allow them to continue playing even after many hours of intense sessions. For example, phenylpiracetam has been shown to reduce fatigue and increase motivation which can be very helpful for gamers who need to play in an extended session. This effect will also benefit non-gamers, but the intensity of sessions for gamers is much higher which may cause them problems with concentration during their activities.

Despite the common perception of gamers, energy drinks are rarely the be-all and end-all answer to increasing attention. Energy drinks are packed with sugar and other unidentified chemicals. They may give gamers a short-term boost in energy, but they can have negative long-term effects. This is where nootropics come in useful - because they provide a safer and healthier alternative to energy drinks by enhancing cognition and increasing mental performance. For example, Caffeine and L-Theanine are a superior substitute to energy drinks  because they provide gamers with the same cognitive benefits in a healthy, non-addictive combination.

These smart drugs are especially effective when they are used by gamers in a stack. In this case they will synergize and produce a greater effect than when taken individually. For example, oxiracetam + pramiracetam in the ratio 2:1 (2 parts of oxiracetam to 1 part of pramiracetam) has been shown to increase memory capabilities. This effect is very useful for gamers who often must remember many facts regarding the story, geography of the game world, architecture of certain buildings or layouts of their enemies.

Mood

Nootropics can also be used to improve gamers' mood which will allow them to play more relaxed and develop better decision making processes. For example, below is a list of ingredients (mentioned previously) that we include in our nootropics stack, which are proven to reduce anxiety and improve mood:

• Noopept
• Bacopa
• Ashwagandha
• Tulsi
• Rhodiola
• Ventetro
• Magnesium
• L-glycine

In addition, they work to promote neurogenesis, which can be helpful in gamers because they constantly face new challenges that require the brain to adapt and form new connections between neurons for this purpose. This is often referred to as "brain plasticity" and it allows better learning and faster development of strategies under stress when gamers face new, exciting challenges.

Nootropics can also help gamers by improving their digestive system and allowing them to play long sessions without the risk of developing stomach problems like bloating or indigestion which may lower their motivation. This is because there are nootropic supplements (e.g., colostrum) that increase the production of digestive enzymes.

In addition, nootropics can help gamers to recover faster from their playing sessions by increasing blood flow and oxygen transport which will allow them to continue playing without problems (i.e., headaches, fatigue). For example, citicoline has been shown to increase production of neurotransmitters and improve brain oxygen balance which might also benefit other gamers. In addition, it can also increase motivation and reduce fatigue which will help gamers to continue playing after long, intense sessions.

It is clear that nootropics have the ability to create a significant impact on player performance on multiple levels, and help them unlock their true talent capacity.