Nootropics are the latest buzzword in wellness. They can be taken as supplements and are used to improve all aspects of cognitive function from boosting memory and mood, to focus, creativity, motivation and concentration.

Nootropics have been shown to improve reaction time, lessen fatigue and even enhance intelligence. They are at the cutting edge of wellness innovation and, if you haven’t already, it’s time to see what nootropics could do for you.

So what are nootropics? And which ones should you take if you want to improve your memory?

Nootropics are a form of ‘smart drug’ which, when taken by a healthy person on a regular basis, can have an incredible effect on your brain health. You can view them as a way to administer a micro-boost to your brain. By supplementing with nootropics you can expect to experience enhanced cognitive performance in both the long- and short-term.

Nootropics work across multiple brain pathways, helping neurons to communicate more effectively and optimising the brain's structures, networks and nodes. They work in complex ways to improve brain energy, support the production of brain chemicals and hormones, increase blood flow to the brain, enhance the intensity of brain waves, protect against neuronal damage, regenerate neural pathways, or a combination of the above.

What are the 7 best nootropics to boost memory?

Cognizin® , as formulated at 250mg in LYMA, has been scientifically proven to improve concentration and enhance memory. Supplementing with Cognizin® is a surefire way to keep your brain balanced, supple and sharp no matter what life throws at you

For memory to flourish your brain requires sufficient energy: Cognizin® encourages a healthy oxygen supply to the brain and efficiently transports nutrients from one neuron to the next.

Cognizin® is a patented form of citicoline. Choline levels in the brain naturally decline with time and their depletion can contribute to age-related memory loss. Supplementing with Cognizin® can help to replace choline that is naturally lost, and can even help to prevent the related breakdown of cell-membranes that is implicit in the onset of Alzheimer’s.

Your morning coffee does, indeed, count as a nootropic that enhances memory. Caffeine can also be found in foods and beverages besides coffee including green tea, some black teas, chocolate, and even some fizzy drinks.

Caffeine blocks your brain’s adenosine receptors, making you feel more alert and better able to absorb and, crucially, to retain, information. Moderate consumption is encouraged - no more than 300mg is the general recommendation - for optimal memory-boosting effects.

Abundant in tea but also available in supplement form, L-Theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid that increases alertness whilst simultaneously promoting a sense of calm.

L-Theanine is a great supplement to be taking if you want to boost your creativity; just two cups of tea contain enough L-Theanine to discernibly increase alpha-waves and improve lateral thinking and innovative reasoning.

When combined with caffeine the brain-boosting effects of L-Theanine are intensified.

You might associate creatine with protein shakes and bars, but the amino acid is good for more than just building muscle. When consumed at a recommended dose of 5g per day, it has powerful memory-augmenting properties too.

Creatine, when combined with the body’s naturally produced phosphate, provides a source of quick-release energy for the brain. The bioavailability of creatine has been shown to be a lifeline for people looking to improve their short-term memory. Results have proven particularly stark in vegetarians who supplement with creatine. High stress levels are a leading cause of memory lapse, and people who are very stressed may find that supplementing with creatine makes a noticeable difference to their ability to retain information.

Bacopa Monnieri is an Ayurvedic herb that’s well-known in eastern medicine for its ability to help promote memory function in humans.

Bacosides - the active compound in Bacopa Monnieri - are antiinflammatory and antioxidant, and help to protect the brain against stress.

Supplementing with Bacopa Monnieri has been shown to support memory by boosting the efficiency of the hippocampus; the area of your brain responsible for processing information and downloading it to memory.

Bacopa Monnieri needs to be taken consistently over several months to see results.

The nootropic Ginkgo Biloba has been shown to enhance some of the brain cognitive functions. Increasingly popular over the years, it slows down age-related decline in brain health and improves memory and thinking skills.

Ginkgo Biloba can improve short and long-term memory, learning abilities, problem solving skills, and mental focus.

However, it may come with some risks and side-effects and if you consider taking this supplement you should consult with a General Practitioner or a qualified health professional first.

The Ginkgo leaf supplements' side-effects include headache, nausea and dizziness, heart palpitations, rashes, and diarrhoea. It is advised not to take Ginkgo Biloba if you have any medical conditions such as diabetes or epilepsy.

Phosphatidylserine is a fatty substance in the brain that protects brain cells fluidity and permeability so they transfer proteins, enzymes, nutrients, oxygen and glucose efficiently into and out of each cell. It has a great role in keeping your memory sharp but, unfortunately, its levels decrease with age.

Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid (also referred to as the “molecule of life” as it is one of the most important structural components of cell surface membranes) that can improve problem-solving abilities, memory, learning, attention, mindfulness and stress management.

Phosphatidylserine was originally taken from cow brains but it can now be made from soybean lecithin. Side effects are more common in doses exceeding 300mg per day and may include gas and upset stomach as well as trouble sleeping.