Are Nootropics Used By Professional Gamers?
Nootropics and Pro Gaming
Competitive gaming can be extremely…well, competitive! The practice is rigorous, often requiring hundreds and hundreds (sometimes thousands) of hours of unpaid training. The practice hours are hard and require making deep sacrifices. When a professional gamer finally gets to tournament day, they are then up against a lot of gamers who have done the exact same thing, made the exact same sacrifices, and practiced the same number of hours (or more). There is a new way, however, competitive gamers have been getting an extra edge in when it comes to focus and performance. A lot of the top professional gamers have been using nootropics stacks to increase concentration and energy, as well as better hone their skills to win more games and get more kills. And with so many of the top gamers using nootropics daily, it is almost essential these days that a good nootropic or nootropic supplement is taken on tournament day to even be able to compete. But which nootropics are the best? What nootropics are able to help boost a gamers performance the most? Nootropics for Gaming has surveyed and combed through several options to select the most effective options being used by the top professional gamers of today.
What Nootropics Are Used By Professional Gamers?
Although there are a lot of nootropics, these are the most popular found used by professional gamers, in tournaments and for gaming. Many of these nootropics or nootropic complements are often used together in what is called a “nootropics stack” or are found in the better gaming nootropics supplements.
Huperzine A
Huperzine A is an alkaloid that is extracted from a special Chinese firmoss, Huperzia serrata. It is one of the more powerful nootropics, especially when it comes to focus, concentration and mental acuity. Huperzine A is such a powerful neural-influence, that it is even being experimented with as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (as it is helpful in improving the formation of new memories, as well as memory recall). It is one of the most effective nootropics used by gamers for its cognitive enhancements. Many of the best supplements used by professional gamers includes a Huperzine A extraction. Huperzine A is known to increase norepinephrine and dopamine, which means it can help improve physical reflexes and reaction time, decision making and problem solving ability, concentration, and teamwork. The dopamine also helps improve mood, and mood has been proven to affect performance (not only with gaming, but in many skills and competitive activities).
Siberian Ginseng
Siberian Ginseng is far better than Chinese Ginseng. It is a more premium species variation based upon being cultivated in a higher quality, more desirable geographical region. Siberian Ginseng is more effective, longer lasting and more sought after. Some of the best nootropics stacks and supplements for gamers include Siberian Ginseng. It is also an adaptogen, meaning it is also used in gaming nootropics stacks for its ability to help the body reduce mental stress and allow the mind to relax. A relaxed, stress-free mind is able to produce clearer, more precise aim and overall better decisions. Siberian Ginseng is also known to promote overall energy in the body and mind. Being that it produces energy, it helps gamers game for a lot longer while maintaining the highest quality performance.
Guarana
Many people have experimented with guarana and gaming, however, many professional gamers will swear by its effectiveness in improving overall performance. Guarana is a huge energy-boosting nootropic. It also converts into a super beneficial, natural caffeine in the body. Unlike the synthetic caffeine anhydrous, Guarana caffeine does not typically leave a gamer with that horrible crash at the end of the night. Guarana is also known to improve mood, which can help a professional gamer make better decisions, more successfully lead a team, and bring a synergy to the team that everyone can feel. Guarana also promotes an increase in natural alertness, a tremendous gaming benefit. A good nootropics for gaming formula is almost always accompanied by or includes Guarana in some way. It is also worth noting that many energy drinks have been trying to ditch the synthetic caffeine formulas in exchange for a natural Guarana high. Although, nootropics stacks and gamer supplements are a much healthier (and much more effective way) at obtaining the performance benefits of Guarana.
Vinpocetine
Vinpocetine is technically not natural on its own, but a synthetic derivative of vincamine, a vinca alkaloid (coming from a periwinkle plant). It is still often considered a nootropic anyway and is found in many gaming nootropics stacks. It does improve cognitive function and has been beneficial to memory. In fact, many sources consider Vinpocetine most notable for its ability to improve long and short term memory, and as an overall memory enhancer. It can also help improve alertness and awareness, another ideal asset in gaming. Vinpocetine has been suggested to improve vision, literally helping gamers see better. This is especially true in darker settings (it can help improve night vision in the real world too). The light improvement to mood can help a gamer become a better team player, and/or better lead a team to victory.
Green Coffee Bean
This excellent gaming supplement and nootropic stack ingredient is a powerful stimulant and cognitive function booster. It is a natural source of energy too, being that it contains caffeine. It also contains Chlorogenic acid, which functions similarly to caffeine. The antioxidants that are present in Green Coffee Bean makes it a super healthy choice for any respectable nootropics formula. When they come from the right source, or are included in a concentrated (extract) form, they can increase focus and overall mental acuity for gamers. Professional gamers frequently use Green Coffee Bean extract by itself, but more commonly as a part of a stack or in a gaming supplement.
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola is an interesting nootropic as it often can be found used for its relaxing, stress-relieving properties, and also for its natural ability to increase endurance and energy. It can help gamers pull all nighters and keep performance high. Rhodiola naturally combats fatigue too. Professional gamers definitely appreciate having more energy and less fatigue, as they are often required to game for long, consecutive hours. The energy Rhodiola encourages is both, physical and mental.
Honorable Mentions
These nootropics were found in many nootropics stacks and supplements for gaming used by professional gamers as well; however, most of the time these nootropics were only considered complementary ingredients alongside more powerful nootropics.
Ashwagandha
Sometimes sold as purely “Withania somnifera” or “Indian Ginseng,” Ashwagandha is found in a lot of gaming nootropics stacks and supplements. It is an adaptogen, helping the mind better relax and cope with stress. The relaxation and calmness helps improve gaming performance and reflexes. It also helps improve problem solving. Technically, Ashwagandha is a nightshade, which is also pretty cool. While Ashwagandha may be very relaxing, it is often considered most beneficial for its mental and physical rejuvenation effects. Ashwagandha is definitely used by a number of professional gamers.
Gotu Kola
Gotu Kola is well-known in the Asian countries for its ability to relieve stress and relax the brain. It can reduce anxiety and promote a calm, focused, productive mood. Many people actually think Gotu Kola contains caffeine (probably because its name sounds like a soda), but the truth is, its a pure relaxant, not a stimulant. The relaxation is still helpful in gaming. In fact, Gotu Kola is found in many gaming nootropics stacks and supplements because it allows the mind to relax enough for the other ingredients to take mental acuity to new heights. Gotu Kola is a solid honorable mention.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba is often considered a weaker nootropic, however, the truth is it can be very strong when used over time in a regular gaming nootropic regiment. There are obviously stronger and more effective nootropics for gaming than Ginkgo, but there is no denying it is beneficial to healthy brain function. Many sources suggest that Ginkgo Biloba may help with cognitive function, however, there has been little to no evidence supporting this thus far. Still, Ginkgo Biloba is regularly included in gaming nootropics stacks and supplements, and thus earns a spot on the honorable mention list of most used nootropics by professional gamers (whether it actually helps or not, it certainly doesn’t hurt).
Pramiracetam
Pramiracetam is known to be an effective central nervous system stimulant and nootropic. It has been able to improve memory and attention spans, especially in elderly people with neurodegenerative diseases or dementias. Although it has helped improve cognitive function for many people with a number of mental deficits (injury caused or otherwise), little research seems to have been done on its ability to improve gaming. Still, it is often found in gaming stacks and nootropics supplements for gamers, and thus it deserves at least an honorable mention.
Professional Gamers Usually Use Nootropics Stacks or Pre-Built Formulas
Although it is true that many professional gamers use nootropics, up until recently, almost every gamer’s nootropic stack was fairly identical. Today, however, there are more effective formulas than combining a random grab bag full of nootropics to make amateur concoctions. The pre-built nootropic stack formulas that already exist are the best way to fully “light up and turn on” one’s maximum gaming potential. Pre-built formulas are usually in form of a nootropics supplement. Click here for a list of some of the trusted nootropics vendors that work great for gaming.