Unlock Winter Focus with Nootropics: Natural Brain Boosters That Work

When winter sets in, the battle to stay motivated, focused and on task can become a grind due to winter brain fog – that sluggish feeling that can make productivity a struggle.

Whether you’re a student hitting the books, a professional juggling deadlines, or an athlete striving for peak performance, staying mentally sharp through the colder months is essential.

Nootropics to look for

While research is ongoing, we know that various ingredients included in nootropic supplements work by potentially influencing levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which are important for cognitive function and mood regulation.

For instance, the amino acid L-tyrosine is a precursor of dopamine² and norepinephrine, which may counteract decreases in neurotransmitter function and production.

Another amino acid, L-theanine, changes levels of brain chemicals that regulate neurotransmitters, like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA³. 

Supplementing with products that contain L-theanine can help promote relaxation and feelings of well-being, support healthy sleep cycles, cognitive function and focus, and help manage acute stress.

B complex vitamins are other essential micronutrients needed for brain energy metabolism and neurotransmitter function, helping to reduce mental fatigue and support mood stability – perfect for lifting the winter blues.

B vitamins may help to support cognitive function by promoting healthy nerve function⁴ and playing a role in the production of important neurotransmitters⁵.

A product like Biogen Vitamin B Complex Boost or Biogen Supreme Vitamin-B Complex also supports your energy-yielding metabolism to temporarily promote alertness and wakefulness.

Adding adaptogens like ashwagandha and rhodiola rosea can boost the beneficial nootropic effect, helping promote calm and balance, both mentally and physically. 

For instance, ashwagandha, available in products like Biogen Ashwagandha Root, may improve focus, particularly during periods of prolonged stress by preventing excessive cortisol and adrenaline release.

Rhodiola rosea, found in Biogen Adrenal Assist, stimulates the body’s stress-protection response and helps the body return to a balanced state (homeostasis). It also supports cognitive function, focus and mental clarity.

You can also boost the effects of nootropic supplements with other products that complement their cognitive effects by supporting the brain and nervous system. 

For example, 5-HTP is a chemical that your body makes from an essential amino acid called tryptophan. Your body converts 5-HTP into serotonin, which can support mood regulation, sleep, and appetite, and promotes neural regeneration⁶ to repair the nervous system.

Because it does not directly boost cognitive function, a product like Biogen 5-HTP Neuro is not considered a nootropic. However, its ability to support mood enhancement and reduce anxiousness can create a more conducive mental state for learning and cognitive tasks when you find yourself in a winter brain fog quagmire.