Exhausted Moms Are Getting A Second Wind Every Day Thanks To Nootropics

Are you interested in finding the best nootropics to try? Moms are starting to test the waters with them and it’s no secret that made-to-order vitamin subscriptions and adaptogenic herbs are having a moment right now. Photogenic supplements pepper your social feeds almost as often as cheesy engagement pictures (gag) and birth announcements (we’re not crying, you’re crying). From mushroom coffees that are brewed to ease anxiety to powders you can spoon into smoothies for a heightened libido, there’s a supplement to solve everything these days — even Mom Brain. (We’re #blessed that OTC nootropics are being sold on Amazon now.)

Brain boosters, or nootropics, are “natural or synthetic chemicals that are meant to enhance brain performance,” according to expert Erica Armstrong, functional medicine MD, IFMCP, and founder of Root Functional Medicine. They aren’t necessary for cognitive function or focus by any means, but nootropics can be helpful for moms, specifically “young mothers with adrenal issues due to lack of consistent sleep, stress in the postpartum period, and [mothers] trying to manage too much on their plate,” Armstrong explains.

How do nootropics work?

Gail Clayton, DCN, CNS, MS, RPh tells Scary Mommy that one of the main reasons why anyone experiences a cognitive decline (aka brain fog) is “neuroinflammation,” or swollen nerve tissue. Ergo, the purpose of the nootropic is to lower said inflammation so your brain can function properly.

Nootropics work in different ways to ultimately achieve the same goal — to increase your mental clarity and focus, Armstrong explains. Some nootropics work to decrease levels of cortisol in the body, and some encourage cortisol production, Armstrong says. Others, Clayton adds, increase blood flow.

What are the different kinds of nootropics?

The most common nootropics are things like caffeine, ginger, mushrooms (rhodiola, reishi, etc.), Panax Ginseng, and L-theanine.

Another popular nootropic is creatine, an organic compound found in the cells of your muscles. The magic of creatine is that it recycles the energy that already exists in our body. So you’re not necessarily adding anything into your system, you’re using what’s already there.

Some nootropics can only be prescribed by a physician. These types of supplements are different than nootropics sold over the counter.

“[Examples of] over the counter stuff would be like some amino acids, theanine or nicotine, or caffeine — just the natural stuff,” Clayton tells Scary Mommy. “The prescription ones, they’re narcotics. Adderall is an amphetamine and methylphenidate, [which are] stimulants. Those can be quite addictive, and they can be quite dangerous. People can overdose on those.”

So do you need nootropics to think more clearly?

The short answer: No. Just like you don’t need to hop on a celery juice cleanse to detox your gut, your body doesn’t need nootropics in order to clear away the fog. Things like exercise, eating “brain foods” like fish and blueberries, and meditation, can also help you reduce stress, and live more mindfully. No medication necessary.

However, nootropics can help speed things along. Popping a nootropic pill, or adding nootropic powders to your morning smoothie can help you get back on track, organized, and feeling capable of tackling whatever’s on your plate. Even if that just means cooking dinner an extra night a week, folding the laundry, or not mixing up your kids’ schedules.

To get better acquainted with these supplements, here are a few nootropics on the market worth experimenting with for a quick fix.

Sakara Life Nootropic Chocolates

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Not only will Sakara Life’s Nootropic Chocolates sharpen your focus throughout the day, they’ll also curb your mid-afternoon sweet tooth. Each delectable bite has been infused with the nootropics L-Theanine, green tea extract, Lion’s Mane, and the adaptogens Gotu Kola and Bacopa. The delicious combination is said to reduce stress, boost cognitive focus, alertness, mood, and regulate your body’s stress responses. Mamas can enjoy these brain-boosting bites up to twice daily, but be advised nighttime snacking is not recommended due to their caffeine content.

Moon Juice Organic Brain Dust

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The Moon Juice Organic Brain Dust is described as “edible intelligence.” The mixture is an adaptogenic blend of super herbs and mushrooms said to combat stress. The results? Enhanced mood, mental clarity, concentration, and stamina. Add a scoop to smoothies, coffee, or hot cocoa for a cognitive boost whenever you feel a slump coming on.

Havasu Nutrition Extra Strength Brain Supplement

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Maybe you prefer vanilla to chocolate (lol why). Maybe you hardly have time to breathe, let alone a few minutes to concoct brain waves in a shaker bottle. The Havasu Nutrition Extra Strength Brain Boosting Supplement offers similar results, for way less work. Just pop the natural, caffeine-free oral supplement for a boost in mental clarity that lasts all day long. There are over 3,000 Amazon reviewers who swear by this stuff.

The Genius Brand Genius Mushrooms

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Not on ‘shrooms? Maybe you should be. Each of The Genius Brand’s Genius Mushroom capsules contains the big three — Reishi, cordyceps, and lion’s mane. These adaptogenic mushrooms are considered super herbs, plants that benefit your mental health. These capsules are also said to help boost your immune system, so the more in tune you feel physically, the more in tune you’ll feel mentally.

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