Supplements and Strategies to Boost Brain Health After Substance Abuse
Explore how B Vitamins, Omega-3s, Magnesium, and other supplements can enhance brain performance. Learn tips on overcoming brain fog, memory issues, and cognitive decline after quitting weed and alcohol.
How to improve brain health/performance
I’ve been abusing weed and alcohol for the past few years and I just feel my brain performance decreased.I am sober now for a few weeks but I just feel that I’ve became dumber in those years.
I have slight brainfog, I am not as good at conversations, I often have trouble finding words and making good sentences, etcetera.
What is available today to improve your brain performance?
Thanks in advance! :)
To improve brain health and cognitive performance, especially after periods of substance abuse like weed and alcohol, several supplements have shown promising results:
- B Vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B8, B9 and B12): These vitamins are crucial for energy production and neuronal function, helping to reduce mental fatigue and improve cognitive functions1.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids (like DHA and EPA): Omega-3s are essential for brain health, aiding in memory and mood regulation while potentially reducing brain fog2.
- Vitamin D: Known to support brain health by promoting brain plasticity and reducing inflammation3.
- Magnesium: This mineral helps improve memory and cognitive function, reduce brain fog, and manage stress4.
- Creatine: Not only for muscle health, creatine supplementation has been shown to improve cognitive function and energy supply to brain cells5.
- Bacopa monnieri: An herb known for its nootropic effects, Bacopa can enhance memory formation and reduce anxiety6.
- Ginkgo biloba: Often used to improve memory and cognitive speed by increasing blood flow to the brain6.
- L-theanine: Found in tea, L-theanine can enhance cognitive function, attention, and relaxation without sedation7.
- Caffeine: In moderate amounts, caffeine can improve focus, alertness, and overall cognitive performance2.
- Probiotics: Emerging research suggests a healthy gut microbiome is linked to improved brain function and reduction in symptoms like brain fog2.
- Nootropics: These cognitive enhancers, including compounds like Rhodiola rosea, Panax ginseng, and Gotu kola, are used to enhance various aspects of cognitive performance, such as memory, creativity, and executive function8.
It’s crucial to pair supplementation with lifestyle changes like a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management for comprehensive brain health improvement. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen to ensure they are appropriate for your specific health needs.
Footnotes
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Anne-Laure Tardy, "Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition," PMID: 7019700. ↩
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Monika Szot, "Can Nutrients and Dietary Supplements Potentially Improve Cognitive Performance," PMID: 8872051. ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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Amy L Roe, "The Safety and Efficacy of Botanicals with Nootropic Effects," PMID: 34315377. ↩
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Samskruthi Madireddy, "Most Effective Combination of Nutraceuticals for Improved Memory and Cognitive Performance," PMID: 7911739. ↩
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Konstantinos I. Avgerinos, "Effects of creatine supplementation on cognitive function," PMID: 6093191. ↩
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Matěj Malík, "Nootropic Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees as Potential Cognitive Enhancers," PMID: 10056569. ↩ ↩2
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María Medrano, "Acute Effect of a Dietary Multi-Ingredient Nootropic as a Cognitive Enhancer," PMID: 9133906. ↩
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Mónika Fekete, "Improving Cognitive Function with Nutritional Supplements in Aging," PMID: 10746024. ↩