Over the past century, technology has exploded. We've seen rapid progress in all areas of science. And we've also seen more and more things being created artificially.

Now, there's nothing wrong with that. We all benefit from things created artificially. Some of the most effective medical treatments have been created in the laboratory.

But many people prefer to use natural products over artificial ones. That's what today's post is all about: natural nootropics.

We're going to look at the top 5 natural nootropics. They're all plants that have been used medicinally for centuries. But first, let's ask a couple questions about what it means to be natural.

Is Natural Better? Is It Safer?

What does it mean to be natural? That term simply means anything that is found in nature and not created artificially by humans. Fruits, vegetables, plants, herbs, and trees are all examples of things that are natural.

Is natural better? Is it safer? Most people seem to think that natural products are somehow better and safer than man-made products. This, however, isn't always the case.

Cocaine is natural. It comes from the coca plant. Morphine and opium are also natural. They come from the poppy plant. I think most people would agree that cocaine, morphine, and opium are not particularly safe.

The truth is, whether or not natural is better depends on what we're talking about. And what we're talking about is nootropics. Are natural nootropics better and safer than artificially-created ones?

Maybe. Natural nootropics are found in plants, many of which contain a number of active alkaloids. These alkaloids are what gives them their effects. Artificial nootropics, by comparison, generally only contain one active ingredient. Depending on how you look at it, this can be a good thing or a bad thing.

So, what about safety? Are natural nootropics safer? Remember, just because something is natural doesn't mean it's necessarily safe. However, in the case of the nootropics on today's list, they are generally safer.

The natural nootropics on this list have all been around for centuries, have been used by thousands of people around the world, and have excellent safety records.

Whether you're an experienced user or brand new to the wonderful world of smart drugs, the natural nootropics on this list all seem to be effective and safe for most people.

The Top 5 Natural Nootropics

1. Ashwagandha

This is an amazing plant with tons of benefits. Ashwagandha has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It has a long history of safe and effective use all over the world.

Ashwagandha is popular because it is very safe and has a wide variety of benefits. The most common reason why people use ashwagandha is because it can significantly reduce or even eliminate anxiety. Many users find that it is just as effective as prescription drugs but without all the side effects and potential withdrawal.

Ashwagandha can also improve mood and motivation. It works on a number of different neurotransmitters in the brain, giving it a wide variety of effects. Many users find that ashwagandha improves their overall sense of well-being and helps them be productive.

Here are some of ashwagandha's reported nootropic benefits:

• Decreased anxiety
• Decreased stress
• Improved mood
• Increased motivation
• Reduced social anxiety
• Reduced fatigue
• Improved social functioning

As you can see, ashwagandha has an impressive list of potential benefits. And these are just its nootropic benefits. Ashwagandha has also been shown to have a wide range of other health benefits, too.

You can learn more about ashwagandha here: The Many Benefits of Ashwagandha.

2. Mucuna Pruriens

This is another plant that is popular in the nootropics community. Mucuna pruriens extract comes from a bean that grows naturally in different parts of the world. Like ashwagandha, it has been used safely for centuries.

Mucuna is a natural source of levodopa (L-dopa). Our bodies use L-dopa to produce the neurotransmitter, dopamine. In fact, L-dopa is a direct precursor to dopamine. What that means is that our bodies take the L-dopa and convert it directly into dopamine.

Dopamine is known to play an important role in motivation, mood, pleasure, drive, libido, and energy levels. If our bodies don't produce enough of it, we feel tired, sluggish and unmotivated. That's why people who take mucuna pruriens report the exact opposite effects.

Mucuna users often report an increase in motivation, mood, creativity, and energy levels. This makes sense since mucuna is a natural source of L-dopa. It also contains other alkaloids which give this amazing plant a wide variety of benefits.

Mucuna pruriens' reported benefits include:

• Increased motivation
• Increased focus
• Improved mood
• Reduced anxiety
• Increased sense of well-being

This fascinating plant is especially popular amongst people who have trouble getting going, staying motivated, and getting things done. Mucuna pruriens can give you that extra push that so many people need these days.

You can learn more about mucuna pruriens here: Mucuna Pruriens For Anxiety, Motivation, and Mood.

3. Bacopa Monnieri

This is another plant that is known to work on the neurotransmitter dopamine. Bacopa monnieri is an herb that has been used for centuries to reduce anxiety, improve mood, and boost performance.

It is known to interact with the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine, as mentioned above, plays a role in mood, energy, motivation, and other aspects of mental functioning. Serotonin is known to impact mood, sleep, and appetite, among other things.

It's not surprising to hear that bacopa users often report decreased anxiety, improved mood, and increased motivation. This herb has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries for these reasons and more.

Some of bacopa's reported benefits include:

• Reduced anxiety
• Improved mood
• Increased focus
• Promotes healthy neurotransmitter levels
• Overall cognitive improvement

Bacopa can be highly effective by itself but is often stacked with other natural nootropics, like rhodiola rosea. That's why it is often found in popular nootropic blends, like Mind Lab Pro.

You can learn more about bacopa monnieri here: Bacopa For Memory And Anxiety.

4. Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola rosea is another plant that grows naturally in different parts of the world, especially at higher altitudes. It has been used medicinally for centuries in Russia, China, and other parts of the world.

Like all the natural nootropics on this list, rhodiola has a long history of safe and effective use. It is often used for its ability to improve mood, reduce stress, and improve physical performance.

Not only is rhodiola used by thousands of people around the world, there's also a ton of science to support its safety and effectiveness. It has been extensively studied and shown to be very safe.

Rhodiola rosea is not only popular with nootropics users, it's also used by fitness enthusiasts. Both rhodiola rosea and mucuna pruriens are popular amongst athletes because it can give you energy and boost physical performance, in addition to boosting mental performance.

Some of rhodiola's reported benefits include:

• Improved mood
• Increased physical performance
• Decreased anxiety
• Reduced stress
• Reduced fatigue
• Improved athletic performance

Like all the natural nootropics on this list, rhodiola stacks well with most other nootropics. While some of its effects are noticeable after one use, others can take weeks to fully develop.

You can learn more about rhodiola here: The Benefits of Rhodiola Rosea.

5. Kratom

The last natural nootropic on our list is kratom. Though it's not usually thought of as a nootropic, kratom often has powerful nootropic properties. This is a plant that grows naturally in several parts of the world and is related to the coffee plant. It has a long list of benefits and is used by thousands of people every day.

In lower dosages, most people find kratom to be stimulating. Users frequently report an improvement in mood, significant increase in motivation, and a reduction in anxiety. At higher dosages, kratom can be sedating and is also an effective painkiller.

Unfortunately, this one might not be legal for much longer. The DEA and FDA have teamed up to try and ban this wonderful plant that has helped hundreds of thousands of people. Kratom is a potent painkiller and a lot of people have used it to get off dangerous and often deadly prescription narcotics. Naturally, the pharmaceutical companies that make the dangerous narcotics don't like this because people are buying less of their drugs. So, they've been aggressively throwing money at the government to get them to ban this potentially life-saving plant.

It's sad, really. But that's the way big business and government work. So if you want to try kratom, you should probably do it soon before it gets banned.

Some of kratom's reported benefits include:

• Improved mood
• Increased energy
• Increased motivation
• Reduced anxiety
• Reduced pain (including chronic pain)
• Reduced cravings for opioids
• Increased productivity

Kratom is an amazing plant with powerful nootropic effects. If you want to try it, you should do it sooner rather than later – it might not be around forever.

You can learn more about kratom here: The Nootropic Benefits of Kratom.

Conclusion

For those of you who prefer natural nootropics over man-made ones, the five on this list are all excellent choices. They have all been used for centuries, have a long history of being safe and effective, and stack well with most other nootropics.

But don't let the word natural fool you. Just because something is natural doesn't mean it's necessarily safe. However, the natural nootropics on this list are all used frequently by people from around the world and are generally considered safe.

As with any time you start a new drug, plant, herb, exercise routine, or lifestyle change, you might want to consult with your physician. But keep in mind most doctors don't know very much about nootropics, so you may have to educate yours.

Have you tried any of the natural nootropics on this list? How about any other natural nootropics not on it? Please leave you answers in the comments section at the bottom.

[This article was originally published on April 20, 2018. Updated October 15, 2021.]