The 3 Best Nootropics for Focus and Clean Energy

Is it us, or are demands and distractions becoming harder to manage? Whether you live for the hustle or actively work to find balance, there’s still pressure to stay focused and productive. You’re definitely not imagining your mental and physical exhaustion!

Luckily, nature has a solution. For hundreds of years, people have been using nootropics to keep them energized without losing their edge.

Nootropics are substances that help improve focus, mental clarity, and cognitive performance. Many plant and fungi species naturally contain these substances but they can also be made synthetically.

Ethan’s Clean Energy products combine three of the most effective natural nootropic ingredients—caffeine, Lion’s Mane, and Cordyceps mushrooms—to help you clear the mental fog and achieve optimal focus.

Nootropics support focus in a few different ways. They act on the brain to help improve its efficiency in the moment while also protecting it from oxidative damage.

Studies show that nootropics: (1)

• Increase the flow of oxygen and glucose (fuel) to the brain
• Positively impact the metabolism of certain types of brain cells
• Protect brain tissue from neurotoxicity and oxidative damage
• Help reduce effects of hypoxia (reduced oxygen), like what occurs in high altitudes
• Block adenosine, the chemical in your brain that makes you tired

At one time or another, everyone has wished they could become more intelligent, learn more things in less time, think and react faster, and have a better memory. There are compounds currently available on the market that promise various combinations of the benefits mentioned above. This group of substances is known as the nootropics [1].

Thousands of nootropics have been identified. So naturally, some work differently than others. Also, the effects of some nootropics change when combined with others. We’ll go into this in more detail in a bit, but know that it’s common to “stack”, or combine, certain nootropics to enhance their benefits.

This is why Ethan’s intentionally combines caffeine, Lion’s Mane, and Cordyceps mushrooms. On their own, each one of these ingredients exerts a specific action on the brain to improve focus and energy. Together, they’re more effective than if taken individually.

Let’s break down the benefits of each of these key ingredients…

You already know a lot about caffeine. There’s a reason why 80% of the world’s population consumes it! But how it works, and why it’s considered to be one of the top nootropics might be new to you.

Caffeine works synergistically with other nootropics by stimulating the central nervous system and blocking adenosine, the chemical in your brain that makes you want to sleep. 

It also increases production of three important neurotransmitters—dopamine, noradrenaline, and glutamate—which improve mood, excitability, cognition, and memory. (2)

Another great thing about caffeine? Studies show it helps improve focus, alertness and mental energy in sleep-deprived people and those who are well-rested. So even if you get your 7-9 hours of sleep, you may still notice a difference in mood and alertness. (3)

A word about caffeine addiction—the verdict is still out on how much caffeine has to be consumed on a regular basis to develop a dependency. Some of us get headaches and brain fog when going a few days without our morning joe.

But according to a review in the journal Brain and Cognition, the “usual human consumption level” of caffeine isn’t enough to activate the reward system in the brain responsible for creating an addiction. (4) The truth? We’re all unique and it’s reasonable to agree our experiences with caffeine can be different.

Ethan’s Clean Energy products contain 150mg of caffeine derived from green tea and guayusa (so less coffee jitters) in each serving. This is well below the limit of 400mg recommended for healthy adults.

Aptly named—not just for its appearance but also because it’s incredibly revered (the Mufasa of mushrooms!)—the list of benefits attributed to this adaptogenic, nootropic mushroom is quite impressive.

When it comes to improving focus, Lion’s Mane can both preserve and regenerate brain neurons. In studies, it improved memory retainment, prevented loss of spatial awareness, and protected nerves from oxidative damage. (5)

It works by reducing the impact of toxic reactive oxygen species in the brain (the chemicals that cause “oxidative damage”). Lion’s Mane also helps the brain’s natural detox system do its job by increasing production of two antioxidants, catalase and glutathione. At the same time, it increases the activity of mitochondria, aka the energy-producing part of cells. (6)

Lion’s Mane mushroom is used for both culinary and medicinal purposes, showing the ability to enhance the brain through neurological growth. (5)

Here’s the other important perk to Lion’s Mane: it helps maintain and improve gut health. How does this pertain to the brain? We have something called the “gut-brain axis”, and it refers to the communication between the neurotransmitters in our digestive tract and our brain. Believe it or not, 95% of our body’s serotonin is actually found in our gut!

This is important because serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has a direct impact on your mood, appetite, and sleep cycles. It also plays a role in bone density, digestion, and how well your metabolism functions. 

The gut and the brain are in constant communication. So when our gut is out of balance, our brain doesn’t work as well. Microbes in our gut can get thrown off by poor sleep, changes in diet, stress, or antibiotics, for example. When this happens, we can often experience changes in energy, emotions, and thinking.

Research suggests Lion’s Mane, because of its beneficial effect on the gut, can also help reduce inflammation, manage diabetes, lower the risk of a heart attack, and improve digestive ulcers. (5)

With so many benefits and a strong safety record, adding Lion’s Mane to Ethan’s Clean Energy for focus was a no-brainer.

Hundreds of nootropics have been identified and are regularly used in dietary supplements. In fact, you may not have even realized many of the most common ingredients used in supplements have nootropic qualities! 

Ginkgo biloba, salvia, L-theanine, panax ginseng, pine bark—even fish oil and turmeric—exert brain-boosting and energy-enhancing effects. They each have unique compounds that, in theory, do good things for our bodies but in different ways. 

So why not just take them all?

Nootropics are safe and effective, but not all of them are right for everyone’s body. While the National Institutes of Health says side effects are rare and often not serious, taking one that doesn’t jive with your system could cause side effects like sleeplessness, focus on things you don’t want to pay attention to, or a general feeling of intolerance to the nootropic. (8)

Here are important reminders when choosing a nootropic supplement:

Read the label - Since it’s common to “stack”, or combine, nootropics, make sure to read the list of everything the supplement contains. Look for ingredients that may have caused an allergy or sensitivity for you in the past. If you take other supplements or medications, consider if there could be any interactions. Ask your doctor if you’re not sure.

Check caffeine content - Caffeine is the OG of nootropics. But too much can cause unwanted side effects like anxiety, jitters, and worse. Experts say up to 400 mg per day of caffeine is safe for most healthy adults. Ethan’s Clean Energy products contain 150 mg per serving and we recommend up to 2 servings per day. 

Sometimes less is more - Some companies formulate products with a long list of ingredients that seem impressive, but are unnecessary and ineffective. Quality over quantity.

Trust the source - Do you know where ingredients are sourced? How the product is made? If you have a question, can you easily contact customer service to get answers? These are important considerations when it comes to safety and quality control.

All of Ethan’s products are made in the U.S. using organic, non-GMO, vegan ingredients. Formulations are safe (for most), intentional, and free of fillers and unnecessary junk. 

Have a question? Customer service is happy to chat. We want you to find the right product, even if it’s not ours. (Though we’re confident you won’t be disappointed!)