Nootropics are known for their role in enhancing diverse areas of cognition, including alertness, memory, motivation, creativity, response speed, critical thinking, and concentration. It’s the reason they are also called brain boosters or cognitive enhancers.
However, It may look weird to think of Nootropics in the light of weight loss. Still, as a rule of thumb, both organic and synthetic compounds usually have several benefits. So nootropics may be able to help in losing weight. But can they? Let’s see.
Relationship Between Weight Loss And Cognitive Function
A lot of evidence shows a link between obesity and cognitive decline. Losing weight is linked to significant improvements in attention, memory, language, and executive function.
However, to lose weight, the following factors have to be in place :
- Concentration
- Motivation
- Focus
- Willpower
- Drive
All of these factors require good cognitive capability. So, if you don’t have a fully functional brain at a high level, you won’t be able to maintain a consistent weight loss plan. But, another aspect exists.
Current research shows that working memory is a vital cognitive process that fosters diverse facets of appetite control. There is a link between Deficient episodic memory ability, diminished responsiveness to internal states of hunger and satiety, and an elevated tendency towards overeating.
At this point, nootropics can intervene, boosting all facets of cognitive function to aid those contributing to weight loss.
Can Nootropics Help With Weight Loss?
Nootropics don’t directly trigger weight loss, unlike fat burners, and they don’t regulate appetite or stimulate lipolysis like supplements for weight management. Instead, they fuel your drive to be consistent with your weight loss goals.
Motivation is crucial to remain consistent with your weight loss goal. If we can’t see any visible progress and lack motivation, it will be challenging to stick to the plan.
Studies show that one of the significant reasons why obese people find it challenging to adhere to their weight loss treatment is that they lack motivation. In the long run, “self-motivation” and “inner motivation to cut down weight are two suggested factors that can accurately predict effective weight control.”
However, a critical thing about motivation is that the reason will diminish regardless of how badly you want to lose weight if you’re lazy and lack focus. Studies even explain that persistent fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness are connected to obesity and can significantly influence the well-being of an individual.
In addition, persistent fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness mainly arise from imbalances between hormones like dopamine, melatonin, and cortisol inside the brain. So, battling these imbalances using supplements that stimulate brain health and promote balance between neurotransmitters can aid in the fight against fatigue and revive your motivation.
Nootropics in Maintaining Focus and Attention During Workout
Another area of weight loss that Nootropics can be effective is focus and concentration. We have to admit that daily workout requires intense focus and drive.
And in the course of following your workout plan, there will be days when you won’t have the drive to train, and your focus will be unstable.
However, Nootropics are among the most effective supplements for improving focus and fostering concentration, eventually producing more productive performance within and outside the gym.
In all, Nootropics aren’t a straight path to weight loss, but they have strong potential to aid weight loss by enhancing the mental aspects required to achieve it.
Top Nootropics For Losing Weight
Just like there isn’t any magic pill for boundless performance, no magic pill exists for burning fat. That said, you must make a weight loss plan, aside from nootropics which would include a decent diet, random detox, regular exercise, periodic fasting, etc.
Nootropics can assist you in judiciously following this plan while aiding the brain and the burning fat process.
Let’s now examine the top Nootropics for weight loss.
Omega-3s
Omega-3s have a history of improving brain function. The brain contains over 60% fat, and DHA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid, is among the vital fats for aiding cognitive function and preserving brain health.
Regarding weight loss, mechanisms have been put forward for omega-3 effect against obesity, high adiponectin levels in plasma, increased death of fat cells, and altered breakdown of fats.
Although there hasn’t been any confirmed concrete mechanism yet, studies affirm the link between the omega-3 supplement and reduced abdominal fat, primarily when used in tandem with lifestyle adaptations.
Mucuna Pruriens
Mucuna Pruriens is a fully organic single nootropic with an abundance of L-Dopa. L-Dopa is the precursor to the hormone dopamine and crosses the blood-brain barrier. So, L-Dopa plays a vital role in mood regulation and libido.
Using Mucuna Pruriens supplements indirectly can help you maintain consistency with your weight loss plan by enhancing your mood. When used directly, Mucuna Pruriens can boost dopamine levels, resulting in quicker fat burning and advancement in muscle mass. In addition, Mucuna Pruriens can also increase epinephrine and norepinephrine levels which fosters your metabolism.
L-Theanine + Caffeine
L-Theanine is a single nootropic prevalent in green tea leaves and helps in relaxation. Conversely, Caffeine is a stimulant that may cause unpleasant side effects, like jitters, headaches, etc.
Hence, the reason Caffeine and L-Theanine work together :
First, caffeine energizes you and aids in burning fat while improving fat metabolism. Then, L-Theanine combats the Caffeine’s side effects, encourages focus, and promotes brainwave stability.
Remember that weight loss isn’t all burning fat alone; it also entails dealing with stress. And this is where L-Theanine also intervenes.
In closing
No scientific evidence supports the claim that nootropics can directly trigger weight loss. However, some of the cognitive benefits of nootropics could indirectly lead to weight loss by helping to improve focus and motivation, for example. To lose weight, it’s essential to focus on healthy lifestyle habits like eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. Nootropics may have some potential benefits for cognitive function, but they are not a magic bullet for weight loss.