No matter what you call it, we're all acquainted with the afternoon slump. It's that sleepiness that sneaks up on us from behind somewhere between 1 pm and 3 pm. We still have loads of work to do and much of the day ahead, but our body just quits, and we find ourselves fighting droopy eyelids.
You may also experience:
- Moodiness
- Changes in vision
- Muscle weakness
- Carb craving
- Headaches
- Stomach aches
These symptoms aren't mild - they're overwhelming and intense. If this has become your daily reality, we have great news for you. It doesn't have to continue.
In case you're curious, there are several reasons you may be experiencing this afternoon slump:
- You aren't getting enough sleep at night
- Eating too many carbs
- Your natural circadian rhythms make you the most sleepy between 2 am and 4 am, and also between 1 pm and 3 pm
- High stress
- Health issues like pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), or reactive hypoglycemia
- Dehydration
There may be other reasons than these for your slump, and if you can adjust your habits, you should. But we have a few nootropics that may remedy your afternoon fatigue.
Related: Great Ways To Improve Your Energy!
What Are Nootropics?
In case you've never heard the term before, what are nootropics? The word was first used by Romanian neuroscientist Corneliu Giurgea in 1972. Nootropics are cognitive enhancers that aim to increase human intelligence and boost focus.
Nootropics claim to improve memory, alertness, creativity, concentration, and other cognitive functions. They may consist of natural ingredients or synthetic pharmaceuticals. While there are some ethical questions about using nootropics, or brain hacking as it is sometimes called, the current research says they're safe and effective.
There is quite a lot of anecdotal evidence for the efficacy of nootropics. And because of their popularity (and arguably, their necessity), there is plenty of ongoing research.
How Do Nootropics Help Boost Energy?
To explain how nootropics help boost energy, we first need to describe nootropic stacking. 'Stacking' is when two or more nootropics that increase energy (or other effects) are combined into one substance for a more remarkable result. The supplements in the stack are proven to work well together, sometimes because they work similarly or because they compliment each other.
Some nootropics work as stimulants, like the most commonly used nootropic - caffeine, which is a vasoconstrictor. But coffee contains chlorogenic acids, which increase blood flow. This boost in blood flow can enhance cognitive performance and increase energy. Unfortunately, caffeine can leave you with jitters. Other nootropics work oppositely but have a similar energetic result. L-theanine (another nootropic) promotes feelings of relaxation and alertness. But when these are taken together, they provide a smooth, relaxed, alert wakefulness.
6 Nootropics for Your Energy Boost!
Here are 6 of the best nootropics for increased energy:
1. Qualia Mind
Qualia Mind is a gluten-free, vegan nootropic stack. This company uses Complexity Systems Science, which interprets, analyzes, and characterizes system behavior. They are currently the only company using this system. This nootropic includes 28 ingredients consisting of vitamins and amino acids, with the intended result being increased mental clarity, long-term brain health, productivity, and focus.
Pros
- 100-day money-back guarantee
- Well-researched product
Cons
- Expensive
- High dosage
- Can cause restlessness
Related: Best Nootropics: Top 5 Nootropics of 2022
2. NooCube
NooCube supports and enhances concentration, mental fatigue, memory, learning, and other brain functions. You can feel the effect of this product in just 30 minutes. NooCube uses no caffeine, so this supplement causes no jitters or anxiety sometimes associated with caffeine use.
Pros
- Clinically-backed natural ingredients
- GMO-free
- Safety is their top priority
Cons
- Begin with two pills, but have to increase to 3 or 4 for the same effect
- Results decrease over time
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3. Modafinil
Modafinil is a pharmaceutical drug that enhances cognitive function. It fits into the general category of 'smart drugs' and is referred to as the real-life limitless pill from the popular movie of the same name. While the effects aren't as profound as those in the movie, this nootropic promotes wakefulness like a stimulant. It works by increasing key excitatory neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, orexin, serotonin, histamine, and glutamate) and decreasing GABA (inhibitory neurotransmitter).
Additional benefits of Modafinil are:
- Motivation
- Concentration
- Wakefulness
- Increased energy
Pros
- Less likely to be abused
- Increases productivity
- Highly effective
- FDA approved
Cons
- Requires a prescription
4. Noopept
Noopept promotes clear-mindedness and focus while it reduces anxiety (mainly, social anxiety). It supports verbal fluency. This synthetic peptide is effective on only a small dose and is much more effective than piracetam. Noopept boosts your production of NGF and BDNF - two neuroprotectors. It also helps with learning, extended focus, and long and short-term memory. Other than increasing your acetylcholine levels and blood flow to the brain, we don't know why it works so well - but it does.
Pros
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Helps with anxiety and depression
Cons
- Could disrupt sleep
- Not enough clinical evidence
5. NeuroFuel
NeuroFuel works quickly to rid you of brain fog and increase energy. Users say they experience improved motivation, mood, focus, and alertness. This product is the world's first open-source supplement company. They give ingredient traceability and third-party lab testing.
Pros
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- The formula is all-natural
- Vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free
Cons
- Ineffective if not taken consistently
6. Brain Powher Advanced
This advanced nootropic improves clarity, energy, motivation, focus, and mood. Brain Powher consists of natural products and plant extracts, including Lion's Mane mushrooms, Ashwagandha, Bacopa Monnieri Extract, and Ginkgo Biloba. These ingredients are proven to improve cognitive function and energy.
Pros
- All-natural ingredients
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
- Contains caffeine
Related: Natural Caffeine vs. Synthetic Caffeine: Which Is Best for Me?
Final Word
While calling it the 'afternoon slump' sounds harmless, it can significantly hinder productivity. The overwhelming symptoms make life stressful when you cannot complete your work or physical activity. These nootropics have been effective for their users at improving not just wakefulness and energy, but motivation, clear thinking, and memory.
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