A lot of people have reported nootropic-like effects from taking various vitamins and minerals. Some people report increased focus and alertness, improved mood and motivation, and reduced anxiety and stress after supplementing with different micronutrients.
Can vitamins and minerals be used as nootropics? That's what we're going to look at in this post. But first, lets examine exactly what vitamins and minerals are.
What Are Vitamins And Minerals?
Vitamins and minerals are essential micronutrients that our bodies need to function properly. If we don't get enough of them, we can experience deficiencies.
Minerals are inorganic (from non-living matter) compounds that our bodies need to function but cannot produce. Examples of minerals are magnesium, copper, and potassium.
Vitamins are organic (from living matter) compounds that our bodies need but cannot produce. Some vitamins, like vitamin D, we can produce, just not in sufficient amounts. Unlike minerals, vitamins have two names – a regular name and an alphabet letter. For example, niacin is also known as vitamin B3. Other examples of vitamins are thiamine (B1) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
When we don't get enough of the vitamins and minerals our bodies need, we develop nutrient deficiencies. They can range from mild to severe and often go undetected. The best way to avoid developing a vitamin or mineral deficiency is to eat a wide variety of foods or, if that's not possible, to take a multivitamin.
Can Vitamins and Minerals Be Used As Nootropics?
As mentioned in the introduction, some people experience nootropic-like effects from taking certain vitamins and minerals. Does that mean that they can be used as nootropics?
The answer to that question: maybe.
Only a small percentage of people who supplement with different vitamins and minerals experience any kind of nootropic effect. Those that do, however, often report major cognitive improvements.
One theory is that the people who experience nootropic-like effects from taking vitamins and minerals are correcting a deficiency they didn't know they had. For example, some people experience increased energy and improved mood from supplementing with vitamin D. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include low energy and depression. When they start taking vitamin D, the symptoms of the deficiency go away, making it seem like it's having a nootropic effect. In reality, it's just the deficiency being corrected.
Another theory is that certain vitamins and minerals actually can have nootropic-like effects even when taken by people without deficiencies. Some research suggests that some vitamins and minerals, when taken in high enough dosages, can improve certain aspects of cognitive performance.
Let's look at a few vitamins and minerals that people often claim to have nootropic-like effects.
Vitamins and Minerals With Nootropic Potential
Our bodies produce this essential vitamin when exposed to sunlight but not very much of it. Although few American are deficient in vitamin D, most do not have optimal levels. Supplementing with vitamin D often results in increased energy, better mood, and more motivation.
If your vitamin D levels are not optimal, supplementing with vitamin D may result in nootropic-like benefits. For guys, it can also raise testosterone levels.
Most people find that taking 1-2,000 IU of vitamin D a day is enough to notice some benefit. Research shows that up to 10,000 IU can be taken safely every day.
Vitamin D is the most common deficiency in developed countries. Magnesium is the second. Most people don't eat enough fruits and vegetables to get enough magnesium every day.
People often report that supplementing with magnesium helps to reduce anxiety and make them feel more relaxed. Many also report that it helps with sleep. If you are even slightly deficient in magnesium, supplementing with it can lower blood pressure, decrease insulin sensitivity, and reduce anxiety.
Magnesium is usually supplemented at a dosage of 200-400 mg per day. Many people like to take it at night, as they find it to be mildly sedating. There are many different forms of magnesium available but they don't all work the same. The best form to take is any chelated magnesium. Magnesium glycinate is one of the most popular, as it absorbs well and doesn't cause upset stomach.
Some people claim that taking a B complex (supplement that contains several B vitamins) helps with energy, mood, and motivation. These B vitamins are often included in energy drinks and bars.
The B vitamins are used by our bodies for a number of biological processes. Among other things, they are used for energy production and cell metabolism.
B vitamin deficiencies are linked to a number of symptoms including depression, anxiety, low motivation, lack of energy, insomnia, and inability to focus. These deficiencies are rare but can happen.
Taking a B complex can help some people feel more energized and motivated. There are a lot of different brands out there but this one is our favorite. It's sustained release and is made by Bronson, a reputable and trustworthy brand.
You've probably heard that vitamin C deficiency can cause scurvy, a horrible disease. It was a common problem that sailors faced when going out to sea for long periods of time. They'd have no energy, problems with their skin, and their teeth would fall out.
Fortunately, vitamin C deficiency is extremely rare nowadays. Most people get enough to avoid developing scurvy and other health problems. But some people report nootropic-like effects from supplementing with vitamin C.
A small percentage of people who supplement with vitamin C say that it improves mood and reduces anxiety. The dosages that people report using vary widely. Some people say that they experience vitamin C's benefits after taking just a couple hundred milligrams. Others take megadoses of up to 50,000 mg a day.
Conclusion
Vitamins and minerals are essential for our bodies to work correctly. Some people find that supplementing with them can have nootropic-like effects.
Most people probably won't notice any major benefits from taking vitamins and minerals. However, some will. The only way to know if they'll benefit you is to try them yourself.
Have you experienced any nootropic-like effects from taking vitamins or minerals? If so, leave your comment in the section below.
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