Increase Your Brain Power
Does it feel like your brain needs a little help? Forgetting things? Stress making it difficult to think? Studying hard to learn something new? There are supplements that may help. Look for formulas which have some of these herbs and nutrients.
Bacopa monnieri is an ayurvedic herb which has shown great promise for overall cognitive abilities. Clinical research has shown that bacopa strengthens the speed of attention, alleviates depression and anxiety, and improves focus.
Coconut Oil, provides the fat your brain needs to function well. Did you know that the brain is 60% fat? Studies have been done with dementia patients, showing increased function with the supplementation of coconut oil. Take it as a supplement; Barleans MCT Swirl tastes delicious! Feed your brain by adding coconut oil to your food: a spoonful on your vegetables or in your coffee for example.
Curcumin, from turmeric, is a super antioxidant and anti-inflammatory herb for the body. There is new technology which makes it more bioavailable and able to cross the blood-brain barrier to help neutralize free radicals and support cognitive function. Not all curcumin is created equal, I recommend Terry Naturally’s Curamed.
Ginkgo biloba provides antioxidant protection against free radical damage to the brain and helps prevent a lack of blood flow to the brain. It helps increase oxygen utilization, cerebral circulation, and the uptake of glucose by brain cells. It helps improve memory, learning capacity, and nerve transmission.
Greek Mountain Tea supports healthy aging, increasing resilience and longevity. Its health benefits include: protection from oxidative stress & damage, healthy inflammatory response, live function and detoxification, digestive support, and cognitive strength during stress. Greek Mountain Tea, Sideritis scardica, has been clinically studied to support concentration, mood, memory, and mental vitality. Plus, being caffeine-free, it gives a sense of calm alertness.
Huperzine is an alkaloid from a plant called club moss, native to India and Southeast Asia. It inhibits the breakdown of a necessary neurotransmitter in the brain called, Acetylcholine, which is responsible for normal neurological, cognitive function, and memory. We tend to produce less of this neurotransmitter as we age.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom is a nootropic naturally enhancing brain function, memory, and focus. I found it to be particularly helpful for the brain fog I experienced post anesthesia.
Magnesium l-threonate is a form of magnesium that readily crosses the blood-barrier to be utilized in the brain. New research shows that magnesium is critical for normal brain health and cognitive function by maintaining the density and stability of neuronal synapses.
Methylcobalamin is a form of B-12 that is bioavailable to the body. Vitamin B-12 deficiency is common among people 65 years and older, and it has been linked to depression and cognitive decline.
Omega-3 fatty acids, usually from fish or flax oil, help in the normal development and functioning of the brain. DHA (docsahexaenoic acid) is the predominant structural fatty acid in the brain and retina and is crucial for brain development. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) appears to be more influential in behavior and mood. Studies have shown that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids significantly improved verbal learning ability, spelling, reading, memory, and behavior in school children.
Phosphatidyl Serine is a phospholipid found in high concentrations in the brain. It supports cell membrane fluidity and neurotransmitter function.
Rosemary improves the memory and combats stress, good for headaches, and high in calcium (a calming mineral). Rosemary essential oil is often used as aromatherapy to help you to remember what you have studied.
Brain Power Tea
2 parts peppermint
1 part gotu kola
1 part rosemary herb
1 part gingko
Mix herbs together and store in a glass jar. To prepare use 1 tsp Brain Power Tea with 1 cup hot water, steep 5-15 minutes. Strain, sweeten if desired, and drink up to 3 cups daily.
Study Time Aromatherapy Blend
5 drops lemon essential oil
3 drops basil essential oil
2 drops rosemary essential oil
2 drops cypress or pine essential oil
Mix together in a spray bottle with water, or add to a diffuser to use in the room while studying.
Beyond feeding your body and brain the nutrients it needs to be at its best, consider these other areas of your health. Blood sugar, blood pressure, and hormones can have a great influence on how your brain functions. Gut health and brain health are tied closely together. Neuroinflammation is a leading cause of neurodegenerative disease, so addressing inflammation at its cause is important.
Another thing to consider are microplastics. Scientists suspect that microplastics may have toxic effects on the brain and contribute to a heightened risk of neurological disease. A study published in Nature (February 2025) revealed that the microplastic concentrations in the brain have increased by 50 percent compared to just 8 years before. Adults had the equivalent of an entire plastic spoon in their brain. That is a scary thought! Do whatever small things you can to begin to reduce the use of plastic in your home. Thankfully, we now have a supplement formula to help the body rid itself of some of this toxic plastic, MP pro Microplastics Defense.
It is important to support the brain at any age: children in school, college students, mom brain, stressed out executives, or the elderly. Stop in to see which products might be helpful for you.