What’s the Buzz About Nootropics?
Posted: June 9, 2025 | By: Shanon Peckham
As we get older, our brains get smaller, slower, and less efficient, affecting everything from our reaction times and learning speed to memory and general cognitive function.1 Thankfully, we can fight back against deficiency, chronic diseases, and premature cognitive decline with healthy lifestyle and diet choices. Regardless of what life chapter you’re in, the right nutrition can help you feel your best.
Need a mental boost? Nootropics may be a good fit for you and your holistic health journey! Let’s get into what makes this trendy category of nutrients so promising.
What are nootropics?
Nootropics are substances purported to enhance cognitive performance. They can be either synthetic (formulated in a lab) or natural (plants, mushrooms, and other organic compounds). You may recognize names like Adderall, Ritalin, or Modafinil – these are some of the best-known synthetic nootropics.2 Nature-derived nootropics, which we’re going to focus on today, include: Lion’s Mane, Bacopa Monnieri, Rhodiola Rosea, Panax Ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba, Ashwagandha, Omega 3, Theanine, Creatine, and natural caffeine.2,3,4,5,6 You’ve probably seen these in a number of Youngevity’s new offerings already! Many of them are also considered adaptogens, offering even more unique health benefits.
What do they do?
Nootropics are often called “smart drugs”, and while that’s an exaggeration, there’s some truth to it. Studies show nootropics can help improve learning, memory, and cognitive function, especially for those with neuron damage or degeneration in the brain. They may also impact mood, energy, focus, and other areas of health. As far as how they work specifically, research is ongoing, but studies appear to attribute these benefits to increased brain blood flow/energy/neuroprotection, an overlap with the benefits/effects of natural caffeine (which many nootropics contain), and the modulation of neurotransmitter systems (potentially increasing adrenaline and dopamine levels).7,8,9,10
In essence, nootropics won’t necessarily make you “smarter”, but they can support healthy cognition, attention, and brain longevity. Curious to try for yourself? Click here to read more about the amazing benefits of the nootropic and adaptogenic mushrooms we use in our products: The Magic of the Mycelium
How to use them
Step 1: Check in with your doctor
As always, before you try any new supplement for the first time, we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider and doing your own research to make sure it’s a good fit for you. While nootropics are safe for most people (especially in smaller amounts like we use), they may not be a good match for those who take medications and people with certain health conditions (mental or physical). That being said, nootropics have been used to address ADHD and narcolepsy symptoms,7 so it’s worth a discussion with your doctor.
Step 2: Try a product from a trusted source
Here at Youngevity, we’re committed to developing high-quality, highly absorbable formulas for each of our product lines. We’ve been researching and purity testing for decades – and we’re only improving our quality control as time goes on. We continue to honor Dr. Wallach’s mission for nutrition by upholding these high standards, so we can all enjoy a healthier world and happier lives.
Here are some of our nootropic offerings to get you started!
3.0 Rise & Restore™ – A new dual supplement system is here! 3.0 Rise™ helps you fuel your day with essential nutrients, natural caffeine, and nootropics, while 3.0 Restore™ helps you recover at night with pre-and-probiotics, amino acids, detoxifying nutrients, and more.
Renu iQ™ – Formulated with key adaptogens, nootropics, vitamins, and phytonutrients, our proprietary Renu iQ™ nutrient blend is made to give your brain a pick-me-up when you need it most.
Tazza Di Vita™ Café Ganoderma – Enriched with 10 beneficial mushroom extracts, this delicious instant coffee blend offers you more energy and a cognitive boost with less caffeine than a basic cup of coffee.
SMART Stiks™ – These nootropic hydration drink stick packs are packed with beneficial amino acids, botanicals, and natural caffeine to help you channel clarity and focus on the go.
Step 3: Commit to a healthy lifestyle
If you do decide to try nootropics, keep in mind that they’re not a cure-all for feeling your best or boosting your brain’s longevity. In addition to addressing your health with targeted nutrition, you’ll also need to ensure a strong nutritional base with Dr. Wallach’s 90 essential nutrients, a balanced diet, regular exercise, plenty of sleep, and a solid mental health routine. If you’re committed to a healthy lifestyle and aren’t seeing the benefits you expect, remember – some nootropics only work after you’ve been taking them consistently for an extended period of time,10 so stick with the routine! You can always meet with a professional to discuss increasing or adjusting your dose.
Read Next: How to Keep Your Brain and Memory Sharp with Age
SOURCES
1 How the Aging Brain Affects Thinking, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging
2 What are nootropics, or ‘smart drugs’?, Medical News Today
3 The 14 Best Nootropics and Smart Drugs Reviewed, Healthline
4 Nootropic potential of Ashwagandha leaves: Beyond traditional root extracts, 2016
5 Omega-3 Fatty Acids, National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements
7 What are nootropics?, Alcohol and Drug Foundation
8 Plant-derived nootropics and human cognition: A systematic review, 2022
9 Nootropic Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees as Potential Cognitive Enhancers, 2023
10 Nootropics as Cognitive Enhancers: Types, Dosage and Side Effects of Smart Drugs, 2022
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