Over the last few months I’ve been focusing on brain health. In fact, my newest “obsession” is a premium CBG Oil for focus and mental clarity (more on that in a bit). With that said, here are my favorite supplements, superfoods and nootropics for brain health.
Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this post, and if you click and happen to purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. I only recommend products that I either use or feel would be helpful to you.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom Powder
I’ve been on a Lion’s Mane kick for a few months when I first tried it as a mushroom coffee (I’ll talk about one of my favorite brands in a moment).
I decided to purchase a bag of TerraSoul Superfoods Lion’s Mane Mushroom Powder to add to my coffee (rather than drinking a pre-made mushroom coffee mix). This way I’m able to control the amount of Lion’s Mane I consume at one time.
It’s been a game changer for my brain functionality.
Lion’s Mane is a mushroom that looks like the mane of a lion with its shaggy appearance.
Lion’s Mane has several health benefits like helping with inflammation, reducing the risk of heart disease and helping manage diabetes symptoms.
However, it’s best known for its brain health benefits.
Lion’s Mane is known for protecting against dementia. It contains a few compounds that help stimulate the growth of brain cells.
In addition to protecting against dementia, studies have shown that Lion’s Mane also helps with mild anxiety and depression.
A little bit of Lion’s Mane goes a long way. The brand I use and recommend, TerraSoul Superfoods Lion’s Mane Mushroom Powder, has a suggested serving size of only 1/3 teaspoon.
It dissolves nicely in coffee, or you can add it to your smoothie or green tea. It doesn’t have a strong flavor. In fact, I’m not sure I taste it much, but I do notice a slightly nutty flavor when I add it to my coffee.
Bend Scientific’s CBG Oil
I love Bend Scientific’s CBG Oil! This, my friend, has been a life saver for my brain health and productivity.
What is CBG?
Most are familiar with CBD, but many may not know about CBG. CBG is short for Cannabigerol, and it’s found in the hemp plant. CBG is the precursor to CBD (Cannabidiol).
In fact, in its acidic form, CBGA (short for Cannabigerolic Acid), is the “mother of all cannabinoids”. This means that all other cannabinoids such as CBD, THC, CBG and the like all start out as CBGA in the hemp plant.
As the hemp plant grows, the CBGA slowly starts turning into other cannabinoids such as CBDA, THCA, CBCA (all acidic forms of CBD, THC and CBC).
Further changes from the acidic forms noted above to the more common cannabinoids, CBD and THC, are typically made via decarboxylation (low heat or pressure usually during the extraction process).
The farm that grows and extracts our hemp grows high-yield CBG plants so we’re able to retain most of the CBG in the plant, rather than the CBG converting to other cannabinoids. Here is a picture of White CBG form the farm.
Now that you have a brief understanding of what CBG is, let’s talk about its benefits.
While there isn’t a ton of research available yet like there is for CBD, some studies have concluded that CBG may be helpful for inflammation, relief from discomfort, nausea, slowing the proliferation of cancer cells, and reducing intraocular pressure caused by glaucoma.
Other studies have concluded that CBG may also be helpful for IBS and Crohn’s Disease.
Benefits of CBG Oil
In addition to the potential benefits listed above, CBG Oil also contains a special blend of other essential oils for brain and gut health.
Oils such as peppermint, lemon, and vetiver along with rosemary extract help calm the mind, ease discomfort and help with digestion.
The oil has a mild peppermint flavor along with a hint of citrus for a palate-pleasing experience.
Overall, Bend Scientific’s CBG Oil has the following benefits:
- Enhances Mental Clarity*
- Improves Memory & Cognition*
- Supports Immune System*
- Promotes Healthy Digestion*
- Helps with Anxious Feelings*
- Calms the Mind for a Better Night’s Rest*
- Aids in Discomfort Relief*
I love taking CBG Oil once in the morning to help me focus so I’m super productive during the day, and once in the evening to help calm my mind so I get a good night’s sleep.
Prior to starting my CBG oil regimen, I had a solid two weeks of being “lazy” and non-productive. I’m not sure why, but I suspect the current state of the world was weighing on me a bit.
As soon as I taking CBG Oil, I saw an immediate improvement in my productivity and I started sleeping better, too!
Oh, and did I mention that my mood has improved, my anxious feelings all but gone and my belly is happy?
Vitamin D3 with Coconut Oil
Now you might be asking why I chose to include Vitamin D3 in this blog post about brain health.
While Vitamin D3 is mainly known for helping the absorption of calcium and preventing osteoporosis, I chose to highlight this particular brand of D3 because it’s made with coconut oil!
If you’re going to add any supplement to your daily wellness routine, and there’s a choice to use a brand with coconut oil, then why not! This is the main reason I use Sports Research Vitamin D3.
Coconut Oil is known to boost brain power. It also helps your body burn fat, helps with heart health and much more.
I’m likely not getting enough coconut oil from this particular supplement to help with brain power, but it all adds up throughout the day!
Pumpkin Seeds
The most common nut for brain health is the walnut. While I love walnuts, I wanted to share with you my favorite seed that also helps your brain!
TerraSoul Superfoods Pumpkin Seeds are my go-to for healthy seeds for brain health, energy, and healthy fats!
I use them in my salads, my homemade granola, smoothies and for simple afternoon snacks.
They are filled with fiber, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals.
If you have trouble sleeping, pumpkin seeds can be very useful! Pumpkin seeds are a natural source of tryptophan, which helps promote sleep!
From Healthline:
The zinc in these seeds can also help convert tryptophan to serotonin, which is then changed into melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleep cycle.
I love the TerraSoul Superfoods brand because the seeds are high quality. Most pumpkin seeds are brittle and crunchy and lack flavor, but these seeds have a great texture and yummy flavor and they seem much fresher than most brands!
So if you have trouble sleeping, try a small serving of pumpkin seeds before bedtime to see if it helps!
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee
When my partner developed a sudden sensitivity to caffeine, I found Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee to help give him a bit of brain power in the mornings with added mushrooms and about half the caffeine he was used to drinking.
And he’s been drinking it ever since!
This particular brand contains Lion’s Mane and Chaga for a brain boost.
We’ve talked about the benefits of Lion’s Mane, so let’s focus on Chaga for a moment.
Chaga is a mushroom that grows on birch trees. It doesn’t look like your typical mushroom, but it contains a TON of vitamins and minerals.
Chaga helps with inflammation, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, helps support the immune system and more.
This Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Mix is perfect for getting your brain to work! It has a great coffee flavor, you get the added benefit of caffeine, and you don’t taste the added mushrooms. Win-Win in my book!
Genius Matcha Green Tea Powder
I follow Rachael Deveaux, a registered dietician, on Instagram. When she announced her collaboration with the Genius brand for her new Genius Matcha Green Tea Powder, I knew I had to share this “genius” (pun intended) product with you!
Matcha is jam packed with benefits – it’s high in antioxidants and helps with brain function, losing weight, helps prevent cancer and a whole host of other benefits.
L-Theanine, which is found in matcha, helps sustain your energy levels so you don’t experience that crash you’d normally experience after consuming caffeine.
What I love about this particular brand is that Rachael also included some wonderful superfoods like Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps mushroom powder to help boost brain function.
The Genius Matcha Green Tea Powder can be used in your favorite drink or smoothies.
Let’s Recap My Favorite Supplements, Superfoods, & Nootropics for Brain Health
As you can see, I have a good variety of my favorite supplements, superfoods and nootropics for optimal brain health and function. Some of these overlap, and that’s OK. What works for one may not work for another, so options are always welcome!
My Favorite Supplements, Superfoods & Nootropics for Brain Health
Here are a few of my favorite supplements, superfoods and nootropics for optimal brain health and function.
TerraSoul Superfoods Lion's Mane Mushroom Powder
Lion's Mane Mushroom Powder is a brain booster you can use in your coffee, smoothie or green tea.
Bend Scientific CBG Oil Tincture
Bend Scientific's CBG Oil Tincture is specially formulated for focus and mental clarity.
Sports Research Vitamin D3 Made with Coconut Oil
Vitamin D3 made with Coconut Oil is an added brain boost.
TerraSoul Superfoods Pumpkin Seeds
TerraSoul Superfoods Pumpkin Seeds are filled with vitamins and minerals and are great for helping you sleep better!
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee has Lion's Mane and Chaga Mushrooms for an added brain boost.
Genius Matcha Green Tea Powder
Genius Matcha Green Tea Powder with Lion's Mane and Cordyceps Mushroom Powder for extra brain fuel.