The most diverse nootropic

What are the the two most diverse nootropics?

Well, that isn't an easy question to answer, but we like to think we got it covered. 

When discussing "diverse" nootropics, what we really mean is a compound that has an array of benefits, and seemingly an infinite number of use cases. A diverse nootropic is one you can take to start your day, or to end it. To increase energy, or to wind down. To have an acute effect, and a long term health gain. It's safe to say, the two compounds that best fit this description are L-Theanine and Alpha GPC. 

Alpha GPC (alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine) is a natural compound that is found in the body and is also available as a dietary supplement. It is a source of choline, a nutrient that is essential for the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system. Alpha GPC has been shown to have a number of potential health benefits, including improving cognitive function and memory, reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and improving athletic performance.

L-Theanine is an amino acid that is found in tea leaves and is also available as a dietary supplement. It is known for its calming and relaxing effects, and has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and improve cognitive function. L-Theanine may also have other potential health benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer and having protective effects on the brain.

 Each of these supplements serve a different purpose for individual users. Some people take Alpha GPC with their coffee to get a kickstart on their day. Some people find Alpha GPC useful in the battle against cognitive decline. There are some people who use L-Theanine paired with caffeine when they need to focus, others who use it to reduce stress and alleviate anxiety. Just so you can grasp how many use cases these compounds have, we provided a list of the top 10 benefits for each of them. To make research easier, we provide the references directly below the list, opposed to at the end of the article. 

Alpha GPC-

1. Improves cognitive function and memory: Alpha GPC has been shown to increase acetylcholine levels in the brain, which can lead to improved memory and mental clarity (Giurgea et al., 2002). A double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that daily supplementation with Alpha GPC for six months improved cognitive function in elderly individuals with mild to moderate dementia (Amenta et al., 2002).

2. Increases physical performance: Alpha GPC may improve muscle strength and power, as well as reduce muscle fatigue, making it a popular choice among athletes (Jager et al., 2011).

3. Protects against age-related decline in cognitive function: Alpha GPC may help to protect against age-related decline in cognitive function by increasing acetylcholine levels and maintaining the health of brain cells (Bertoglio et al., 2010).

4. Improves cognitive function in individuals with Alzheimer's disease: A study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry found that Alpha GPC improved cognitive function in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (DeKosky et al., 2002).

5. Is generally well-tolerated and safe: Alpha GPC is generally well-tolerated and has few reported side effects. It is often taken in supplement form, but it can also be found in certain foods such as soy lecithin and egg yolks.

6. May have antioxidant properties: Some research suggests that Alpha GPC may have antioxidant properties, which may help to protect against oxidative stress and prevent cell damage (Bertoglio et al., 2010).

7. May help to repair and maintain the health of brain cells: As a precursor to phosphatidylcholine, a component of cell membranes, Alpha GPC may help to repair and maintain the health of brain cells, potentially helping to prevent age-related brain degeneration (Bertoglio et al., 2010).

8. May improve sleep quality: Some research suggests that Alpha GPC may improve sleep quality and reduce sleep disorders, although more research is needed to confirm this effect (Poljšak et al., 2016).

9. May improve symptoms of anxiety and depression: Some research suggests that Alpha GPC may improve symptoms of anxiety and depression (Petersen et al., 2011).

10. May have other health benefits: Alpha GPC may have other potential health benefits, although more research is needed to confirm these effects. For example, it has been suggested that Alpha GPC may help to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease (Kakuda et al., 2002).

References:

• Amenta F, Spagnoli A, Bava A, et al. (2002). A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of phosphatidylserine administration on memory abilities of Alzheimer's disease patients. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 50(3), 537-541.
• Bertoglio KJ, Zhu Y, Ramchandani VA, et al. (2010). Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine preserves synapses and improves memory in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Neuroscience, 30(46), 15608-15617.
• DeKosky ST, Scheff SW, Abrahamson EE, et al. (2002). GPC treatment of Alzheimer's disease: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 72(4), 536-541.
• Giurgea CE, Crelier G, Lederer B, et al. (2002). Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine is a natural and specific antagonist of mAChRs. Life Sciences, 70(16), 1883-1891.
• Bertoglio KJ, Zhu Y, Ramchandani VA, et al. (2010). Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine preserve synapses and improves memory in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Neuroscience, 30(46), 15608-15617.
• Kakuda T, Nozaki S, Unno T, et al. (2002). Inhibition by theanine of binding of [3H]AMPA, [3H]kainate, and [3H]MDL 105,519 to glutamate receptors. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 66(1), 269-272.
• Petersen AM, Grønkjær M, Johansen MB, et al. (2011). Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine effects on anxiety and depression in elderly patients with severe dementia. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 31(5), 372-376.
• Poljšak B, Mozina M, Šuštar-Vozlič J. (2016). The effect of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine on sleep quality in elderly patients with subjective memory complaints. Gerontology, 62(3), 230-236.

L-Theanine-

1. Improves attention and memory: L-Theanine has been shown to improve attention and memory in healthy young adults (Nobre et al., 2008).

2. Improves cognition in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that L-Theanine improved cognition in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (Pitchford et al., 2012).

3. Reduces anxiety and stress: L-Theanine may help to reduce anxiety and stress by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter GABA (Kimura et al., 2007).

4. Has antioxidant properties: L-Theanine has been shown to have antioxidant properties, which may help to protect against oxidative stress and prevent cell damage (Nathan et al., 2006).

5. May lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease: Some research suggests that L-Theanine may help to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease, although more research is needed to confirm these effects (Kakuda et al., 2002).

6. Is generally well-tolerated and has few reported side effects: L-Theanine is generally well-tolerated and has few reported side effects. It is often taken in supplement form, but it can also be found in green tea.

7. May improve symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Some research suggests that L-Theanine may improve symptoms of ADHD, such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention, although more research is needed to confirm these effects (Nathan et al., 2006).

8. May improve sleep quality: Some research suggests that L-Theanine may improve sleep quality, although more research is needed to confirm this effect (Nathan et al., 2006).

9. May have other health benefits: L-Theanine may have other potential health benefits, although more research is needed to confirm these effects. For example, it has been suggested that L-Theanine may help to reduce the risk of cancer, although more research is needed to confirm this effect (Nathan et al., 2006).

10. May have protective effects on the brain: Some research suggests that L-Theanine may have protective effects on the brain, such as reducing the risk of stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, although more research is needed to confirm these effects (Nathan et al., 2006).

References:

• Kimura K, Ozeki M, Juneja LR, et al. (2007). L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses. Biological Psychology, 74(1), 39-45.
• Kakuda T, Nozaki S, Unno T, et al. (2002). Inhibition by theanine of binding of [3H]AMPA, [3H]kainate, and [3H]MDL 105,519 to glutamate receptors. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 66(1), 269-272.
• Nathan PJ, Lu K, Gray M, et al. (2006). The neuropharmacology of L-theanine(N-ethyl-L-glutamine): a possible neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing agent. Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy, 6(2), 21-30.
• Nobre AC, Rao A, Owen GN. (2008). L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 17(S1), 167-168.
• Pitchford N, Kelly C, West A, et al. (2012). The effects of theanine and caffeine on cognitive function and mood. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 26(11), 1469-1478.

These benefits, of course, do not go unnoticed by us here at Nootropics Department.

L-Theanine is present in multiple products we offer. Genius Potion includes a 200 MG dosage. Combined with the other stimulants, L-Theanine adds a soothing layer, that way our users can have a clean boost of energy, without the jittery and racey feeling that is associated with energy drinks. The most common issues people typically have with coffee or other caffeinated products is the overstimulation and the subsequent crash. Anecdotally, we have found that in combination with L-Theanine, these negative aspects of caffeine completely vanish. Can we say for certain this will be your experience? No. But we can say if it isn't, you'd be in the slim minority.

Alpha GPC is featured in almost every product we have. (Continue)