Stacking or Productivity Hacking: Nootropics & CBD

Like lemonade and iced tea or loud music and college fraternity houses, some things are just meant to go together. If you’re at least marginally engaged in the things happening across the United States, you’ve likely seen just how popular it is to utilize various types of supplements and that combining them is even being touted as the “next best thing.” 

While it’s important to heed the old adage about consulting your doctor before trying any new regimens, at least when it comes to the things you ingest, we couldn’t help but wonder… does the act of combining cannabinoids, specifically CBD, and nootropics actually offer anything of value or is it as big of an “oops” as Ohio accidentally legalizing marijuana?

It has the ring of a fancy summertime beverage but nootropics have actually been around for quite some time. Named in 1964 by Dr. Corneliu E. Giurgea, it stems from two Greek words: “noos” meaning mind and “tropein” meaning to turn or bend. So far nootropics sound like a super stellar psychoactive substance, but they won’t get you high in the slightest. 

Many people like to utilize them to enhance the brain’s functionality and often note an array of benefits that include increased cognition, a happier mood, longer attention spans, and much more. We’re not just saying that because seemingly everyone in the Bay Area tech world is a fan, although when highly intelligent people adopt a product so quickly, it’s worth noting.

Asking the 5 W’s will get you far in life, and when it comes to mixing CBD with a nootropic, you should probably ask at least a few of them. Given what we know about nootropics and what they do in your body, it would only make sense to combine them with another powerful substance, right? CBD, or cannabidiol, works with specific receptors in the brain to accomplish a variety of things from anxiety reduction to pain relief. Nootropics also affect one’s brain by either improving oxygen supply, stimulating the nerves, or making more neurochemicals available. 

Although they have a fancy name, nootropics are actually pretty common and you’ve likely come across them already during a regular shopping trip: 

• L-theanine is found in tea but also comes in the form of a supplement
• Creatine, a popular bodybuilding powder, fuels brain cells
• Even coffee, the one thing that many can’t live without, is a nootropic

While the two substances do work in different ways, they’re also quite similar, and when combining nootropics and CBD it’s often referred to as stacking. Depending on your goals for supplementation, you may want to adjust how much you take and when. Mornings are a popular choice as this combo will offer you a bit of extra get up and go, but if you need to be able to focus on a particular project, pretty much any time of day is fine.

Nootropics are substances that can enhance cognitive function, including memory, creativity, and focus. While there are many synthetic nootropics available, natural nootropics can also provide significant benefits without the risks associated with synthetic drugs. Notable ones are:

1. Bacopa Monnieri: A herb used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to improve memory and cognitive function.

2. Ginkgo Biloba: An herb that improves blood flow to the brain and has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function.

3. Lion's Mane Mushroom: A type of mushroom that contains compounds that may help promote nerve growth and cognitive function.

4. Rhodiola Rosea: A herb that may reduce mental fatigue and improve cognitive function.

5. Ashwagandha: A herb used in Ayurvedic medicine that has been shown to reduce stress and improve cognitive function.

6. Panax Ginseng: A herb that may improve memory and cognitive function.

7. Gotu Kola: A herb used in Ayurvedic medicine that may improve memory and cognitive function.

8. Huperzine A: A compound found in the Chinese club moss plant that may improve memory and cognitive function.

9. L-Theanine: An amino acid found in green tea that may improve focus and reduce stress.

10. Curcumin: The active ingredient in turmeric that has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function.

11. Resveratrol: A compound found in red wine and grapes that may improve memory and cognitive function.

12. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: A type of healthy fat found in fish oil that may improve memory and cognitive function.

13. Creatine: A compound found in meat and fish that may improve memory and cognitive function.

14. Caffeine: A natural stimulant found in coffee and tea that may improve focus and cognitive function.

15. Phosphatidylserine: A type of fat found in the brain that may improve memory and cognitive function.

16. Acetyl-L-Carnitine: An amino acid that may improve memory and cognitive function.

17. Vinpocetine: A compound found in the periwinkle plant that may improve memory and cognitive function.

18. Mucuna Pruriens: A plant that contains L-Dopa, a compound that may improve memory and cognitive function.

19. L-Tyrosine: An amino acid that may improve cognitive function under stress.

20. Theobromine: A compound found in cocoa that may improve cognitive function and mood.

We’ll be honest – you may see a major benefit when mixing cannabinoids and nootropics. Your grades could go up, you could get a promotion at work, or you could even win the 2020 election (apparently Barack Obama is a nootropics user). However, there isn’t much in the way of proof to show that stacking really does much of anything. In fact, it might be similar in concept to taking a shower and then following it up with a bubble bath – you’ll certainly feel clean, but essentially you’re getting the same result from both actions.

Our advice? Give it a try and decide for yourself after enjoying one of the more popular blends – many people find that mixing CBD oil with your coffee can take the anxiety out of your morning cup.