Research over the last several years has shown that our brain has the remarkable ability to re-wire itself throughout life.
Every time we have a new thought, encode a new memory or learn a new skill, we are building a new neural network in our brain.
And these tiny neural networks are dependent on an ample supply of BDNF.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a naturally occurring protein that is responsible for the growth, maintenance and survival of neurons.
BDNF prevents apoptosis (brain cell death), induces the growth of new neurons (neurogenesis) and synapses (synaptogenesis), and supports cognitive function.
Higher levels of BDNF can increase cognition, mood, productivity and memory. And decrease the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.
In this post we investigate why BDNF is so critical for optimal cognitive performance. And how you can increase BDNF naturally.
Table of Contents
How BDNF Works in Your Brain
BDNF is a protein that is encoded in humans by (oddly enough) the BDNF gene. BDNF is part of the neurotrophin family of growth factors which are related to Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).
BDNF regulates whether cells live or die, neurogenesis, axon growth, dendrite pruning, and the expression of proteins critical for normal brain function such as neurotransmitters and ion channels.
BDNF also controls the function of synapses and synaptic plasticity. All while continuing to modulate neuron survival.[i]
When BDNF is released, new connections form in your brain by attracting new dendrites from neurons to connect to other neurons or synapses.
This wiring together of new neural networks is how memory is formed and consolidated. A thought, memory or new skill you learn is the result of a new neural network.
When BDNF levels decline, you experience problems with memory and learning, and depression. This is why nootropics like Bacopa monnieri, L-Theanine, and Rhodiola Rosea exhibit antidepressant activity in your brain. They each have the ability to increase BDNF in your brain.
Here we’ll explore many of the nootropics available that can be easily added to our stack to increase BDNF at any age.
Nootropics to Boost BDNF
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is one of the most powerful adaptogens and has been used since ancient times to help the body adapt to stress. In the brain, Ashwagandha has been shown to help regenerate axons and dendrites, reconstruct synapses, and restore neural networks affected by neurodegenerative disease.
Ashwagandha performs some of this magic in the brain by boosting levels of BDNF. And research shows that Ashwagandha can also prevent the decline of BDNF levels in the brain.[ii]
Bacopa monnieri
Bacopa monnieri helps increase levels of BDNF in your brain. Bacopa has been used to boost memory and as an antidepressant for millennia. The ancient Ayurvedic texts recommended Bacopa to devotees to help memorize long passages of text.
Studies show that Bacopa monnieri improves word recall, increases attention, improves focus and reduces anxiety. A study conducted in India showed that Bacopa monnieri extract promoted hippocampus neurogenesis by elevating BDNF levels in the brain. And as an antioxidant defense against oxidative stress.[iii]
DHA (Omega-3)
DHA (Omega-3) helps increase levels of BDNF in your brain. DHA makes up much of the gray matter in your brain. DHA regulates signaling in your brain, and gene expression. DHA influences neurotransmitters which affect memory, learning, focus and attention.
One study conducted at the University of California at Los Angeles showed that DHA could restore BDNF levels to normal, even after traumatic brain injury.[iv]
Ginseng
Ginseng as long been used to improve memory and learning. Most neurohackers using ginseng report feeling more alert. We know that stress can reduce BDNF levels in the brain. This is where ginseng comes in.
One study showed that ginseng extract affected memory and learning by boosting nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurite growth in the brain.[v] Another study showed that ginseng extract (GRb1) prevented a decline in BDNF levels in animal brains that were subjected to stress.[vi]
Gotu Kola
Gotu Kola is often called the “student herb” in Bali because it sharpens the mind. Gotu Kola extract increases dendrite and axon growth in the brain which helps boost memory.
This was demonstrated in a study conducted in China. The researchers found that Gotu Kola extract significantly increased BDNF concentrations in the brain.[vii]
L-Theanine
L-Theanine, which naturally occurs in green and oolong tea, is an amino acid. L-Theanine is used as a nootropic for anxiety, learning, mood, and focus.
A study in Tokyo investigated the mechanism of action L-Theanine exerts in the brain. And why it provides “antipsychotic-like” and “antidepressant-like” effects. The research team concluded that L-Theanine provides antianxiety and antidepressant effects “through induction of BDNF in the hippocampus and the agonistic action of L-Theanine on the NMDA receptor”.[viii]
Magnesium
Magnesium is critical to all of your body’s electrical and electrochemical activities. It’s involved in muscle contractions, heart rhythm, nerve function and brain cell activity.
Research shows that Magnesium L-Threonate easily crosses the blood-brain barrier (compared to other forms of magnesium). And once in your brain, magnesium increases NMDA receptor signaling, BDNF expression, and synaptic plasticity in the pre-frontal cortex. Increasing learning and memory while impairing fear memories.[ix]
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC)
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) is a powerful anti-oxidant that can boost mood, lower anxiety, improve memory, and reduce compulsive behavior. There is a growing body of scientific literature exploring the use of NAC in the treatment of psychiatric illness.
Research has shown that NAC helps boost dopamine release. NAC reduces inflammatory cytokines. And NAC acts in the process of glutathione synthesis.
Scientists believe this convergence of mechanisms in the brain are due NAC’s ability to promote cell survival and growth factor synthesis, leading to increased neurite sprouting. Partly through activating the BDNF/TrkB signal pathway.[x]
Noopept
Noopept is an ampakine nootropic similar in action to the racetam-class of compounds. And is known for boosting cognition, memory, learning, perception, logical thinking and mood.
A study published by the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences in Moscow shows that Noopept stimulates Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).[xi]
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea is an adaptogenic herb and nootropic that has been used in traditional medicine in Russia and Scandinavian countries for hundreds of years. This herb is known for improving alertness, energy, memory and mood, is anti-anxiety and anti-depressant, reduces fatigue, and boosts cognition and concentration.
Scientists found that Salidroside, the primary bioactive compound found in Rhodiola Rosea extract, significantly increases BDNF levels in the hippocampus.[xii]
Pterostilbene
Pterostilbene (PTE) is a naturally derived polyphenol antioxidant found in blueberries, grapes, and in the bark of the Indian Kino Tree. This potent antioxidant stimulates BDNF, promotes neuroplasticity, is anti-anxiety, boosts dopamine, and helps cognition, learning and memory.
In several studies, Pterostilbene has been shown to modulate gene expression. PTE up-regulates those genes that stimulate apoptosis (programmed cell death). And down-regulates those genes that allow cancer cells for example, to invade and metastasize.
And this gene modulation is linked to increases in CREB and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). An increase in BDNF helps long-term potentiation needed for the development of long-term memory.[xiii]
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a polyphenol stilbenoid and phytoalexin that certain plants produce in response to stress, such as injury or fungal infection. This potent antioxidant boosts BDNF, increases cerebral circulation, improves energy and memory, and potentially promotes longevity.
Researchers in Iran found that Resveratrol significantly boosted mRNA and BDNF in the hippocampus. And concluded “that the neuroprotective effects of Resveratrol may be at least partly due to its inducing effects on the expression levels of the BDNF mRNA”.[xiv]
Turmeric
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been shown to increase Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), fight depression, improve cognition, focus and libido, and protect the brain from inflammation.
Curcumin, the primary bioactive compound found in Turmeric, produces its neuroprotective effects in the brain by increasing BDNF. And mediating the BDNF/TrkB-MAPK/PI-3K-CREB signaling pathway in the brain.[xv]
In this post we’ve covered the nootropics we can use to boost BDNF levels in our brain. But the latest research shows several other natural ways to boost BDNF. And they include:
- Intermittent Fasting
- High-Intensity Resistance Training
- Sunlight or Vitamin D
- Restricting sugar intake
- Socializing
- Sleep
The Optimized Brain
Higher brain levels of BDNF helps support the survival of existing neurons, encourages the growth new neurons (neurogenesis) and new synapses (synaptogenesis), better memory, learning and cognition, and less depression.
BDNF is Miracle-Gro® for your brain. Use any one or more of the nootropic supplements detailed above to increase BDNF naturally for a highly optimized brain.
Or save some money and get effective amounts of Bacopa Monnieri extract, L-Theanine (as Suntheanine®), and Rhodiola Rosea 3:1 extract in Mind Lab Pro®.
You can get DHA in Performance Lab® Omega-3s (600 mg DHA & 300 mg EPA) which is an ultra-clean Omega-3 made with life’s™ OMEGA algae.
And get Magnesium in Performance Lab® Sleep which contains 100 mg Magnesium (as Magnesium Bisglycinate, Magnesium Taurate, NutriGenesis® Magnesium) combined with 500 mg CherryPURE® Montmorency Tart Cherry, and 250 mg TryptoPure® L-Tryptophan.
[i] Reichardt L.F., Huang E.J. “Neurotrophins: Roles in Neuronal Development and Function” Annual Review of Neuroscience. 2001; 24: 677–736. (source)
[ii] Konar A., Shah N., Singh R., Saxena N., Kaul S.C., Wadhwa R., Thakur M.K. “Protective Role of Ashwagandha Leaf Extract and Its Component Withanone on Scopolamine-Induced Changes in the Brain and Brain-Derived Cells” PLoS One. 2011; 6(11): e27265. (source)
[iii] Kumar S., Mondal A.C “Neuroprotective, Neurotrophic and Anti-oxidative Role of Bacopa monnieri on CUS Induced Model of Depression in Rat.” Neurochemistry Research. 2016 Aug 10. (source)
[iv] Wu A., Ying Z., Gomez-Pinilla F. “Dietary omega-3 fatty acids normalize BDNF levels, reduce oxidative damage, and counteract learning disability after traumatic brain injury in rats.” Journal of Neurotrauma. 2004 Oct;21(10):1457-67. (source)
[v] Nishiyama N., Cho S.I., Kitagawa I., Saito H. “Malonylginsenoside Rb1 potentiates nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth of cultured chick embryonic dorsal root ganglia.” Biological and Pharmalogical Bulletin. 1994 Apr;17(4):509-13. (source)
[vi] Kim M., Kim S.O., Lee M., Park Y., Kim D., Cho K.H., Kim S.Y., Lee E.H. “Effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on the stress-induced changes of BDNF and HSP70 expression in rat hippocampus.” Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2014 Jul;38(1):257-62 (source)
[vii] Xu C.L., Qu R., Zhang J., Li L.F., Ma S.P. “Neuroprotective effects of madecassoside in early stage of Parkinson’s disease induced by MPTP in rats.” Fitoterapia. 2013 Oct;90:112-8. (source)
[viii] Wakabayashi C., Numakawa T., Ninomiya M., Chiba S., Kunugi H. “Behavioral and molecular evidence for psychotropic effects in L-theanine.” Psychopharmacology (Berlin). 2012 Feb;219(4):1099-109. (source)
[ix] Abumaria N., Yin B., Zhang L., Li X.Y., Chen T., Descalzi G., Zhao L., Ahn M., Luo L., Ran C., Zhuo M., Liu G. “Effects of elevation of brain magnesium on fear conditioning, fear extinction, and synaptic plasticity in the infralimbic prefrontal cortex and lateral amygdala.” Journal of Neuroscience. 2011 Oct 19;31(42):14871-81. (source)
[x] Zhou H., Zheng X.Q., Zhang Z.J., Teng G.J. “[Effects of N-acetylcysteine upon methylglyoxal-induced damage in hippocampal neuronal cells].” Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2009 Oct 27;89(39):2789-92. (source).
[xi] Ostrovskaya R.U., Gudasheva T.A., Zaplina A.P., Vahitova J.V., Salimgareeva MH., Jamidanov RS, Seredenin S.B. “Noopept stimulates the expression of NGF and BDNF in rat hippocampus.” Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2008 Sep;146(3):334-7. (source)
[xii] Yang SJ, et al. “Antidepressant-like effects of salidroside on olfactory bulbectomy-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production and hyperactivity of HPA axis in rats.” Pharmacology and Biochemistry of Behavior. 2014 Sep;124:451-7. (source)
[xiii] Ferrer P., Asensi M., Priego S., Benlloch M., Mena S., Ortega A., Obrador E., Esteve J.M, Estrela J.M. “Nitric oxide mediates natural polyphenol-induced Bcl-2 down-regulation and activation of cell death in metastatic B16 melanoma.” Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2007 Feb 2;282(5):2880-90 (source)
[xiv] Rahvar M., Nikseresht M., Shafiee S.M., Naghibalhossaini F., Rasti M., Panjehshahin M.R., Owji A.A. “Effect of oral resveratrol on the BDNF gene expression in the hippocampus of the rat brain.” Neurochemistry Research. 2011 May;36(5):761-5. (source)
[xv] Wang R., Li Y.H., Xu Y., Li Y.B., Wu H.L., Guo H., Zhang J.Z., Zhang J.J., Pan X.Y., Li X.J. “Curcumin produces neuroprotective effects via activating brain-derived neurotrophic factor/TrkB-dependent MAPK and PI-3K cascades in rodent cortical neurons.” Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry. 2010 Feb 1;34(1):147-53 (source)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may also contain other affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
Good morning David, what are the supplements that help with withdrawal from citalopram, as far as you know, and thank you for the advance from the publication of brain research
You will not be able to completely avoid withdrawal symptoms from these supplements. But you should feel better while doing so.
Restore GABA by using PharmaGABA before bed. And during the day use 1,000 mg DHA (Omega-s), a BioActive B-Complex: https://geni.us/8Ig2A, Vitamin D3 5,000 IU, magnesium Bisglycinate 400 mg before bed, and choose either Valerian root extract, Ashwagandha extract or Rhodiola Rosea extract.
Hello David,
When you say PharmaGABA can you tell me the brand name it appears that there are several brands that make a product called PharmaGABA?
I’ve been taking Theanine and NAC for Olanzapine withdrawal and they have really helped. It seems as though boosting GABA and reducing glutamate is critical to coming off of this medication, would you agree?
Thanks for all you do, you have helped more people than you know sir!!
Thomas you need glutamate because everything happening in your brain depends on it. But glutamate can be toxic as well.
You have a cycle called the glutamine/glutamate/GABA cycle. And when one of those is out of whack it messes with that cycle. See my review of Glutamine (https://nootropicsexpert.com/l-glutamine/) for an explanation on how this works.
PharmaGABA™ is a natural form of GABA made by Japanese company using Lactobacillus hilgardii bacteria. It is the same form of GABA naturally produced in your gut. Manufacturers license that ingredient to use in their GABA supplements. It easily crosses the blood-brain barrier. Much better than synthetic GABA which must be used at much higher doses.
I suggest looking for a “pure” PharmaGABA™ that contains no other toxic “other ingredients”. Avoid things like magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide. There should only be PharmaGABA™ in that capsule. Like this one: https://geni.us/Zz0QwY9 (Amazon)
Hi David,
I have been reading lately that increasing BDNF can cause hairloss in some people, as it shortens the hair cycle, leading to hair shedding.
Are these people taking too much BDNF…i know one friend personally who developed a bald patch in the centre of his hairline from taking a lot of these and Lion’s Mane. It is not MPB, so i feel that hairloss could happen, but i suspect it will probably grow back, as long as the person doesn’t also have MPB on top of the BDNF hair shedding.
Do you have any opinion on this?
Tom, hair loss and BDNF is news to me. But nothing in excess is good. Too much BDNF will likely backfire on you one way or the other.
BTW, Lion’s Mane does not increase BDNF. It increases Nerve Growth Factor.
hi david, i saw you suggesting lion’s mane in the comments and also stressing the importance of dosages. do you happen to have a recommended dosage for that, more specifically for someone who is recovering from TBI? thank you so much for all the work you do
ilva, standard recommended dosage for Lion’s Mane extract is 500 – 1,000 mg twice per day. It is safe to use up to 3,000 mg per day. But make sure you get a Lion’s Mane extract made from the fruiting body and mycelium. Preferably grown in a liquid medium because otherwise it is difficult to extract erinacines from the grain that most mushrooms are grown in. Erinacines is the compound that boosts Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). And it is only found in the mycelium. Not the fruiting body like other nootropic mushrooms.
Hi I need some help, my father had a stroke and had a small bleeding in the brain. His left side is not moving, it’s been 3 weeks. What would you recommend him to take? I’ve given the hospital lions mane extract which he’s been using for a few days now. Is there something else he can use to help him?
Veronica, some examples of supplements that have been shown to be helpful after a stroke include: Glycine, PQQ, Taurine, and Astaxanthin. But that is just a partial list.
I suggest you do the search of Nootropics Expert using the search function top right of the top menu and search for the keyword “stroke”. You’ll get several pages of search results so it will take some reading.
But I want you to keep this in mind. Some nootropics help post-stroke while others help prevent a stroke. This is important because it is well known there is a high probability that someone who has suffered a stroke will suffer another one and possible more after that.
So if I were you I would do everything I could to find supplements that also help prevent a stroke. And hopefully you’ll beat the odds of this happening again.
Would you ever recommend 9-me-bc, I’ve heard people state that it upregulated their dopamine receptors permanently
Malik, 9-Methyl-β-carboline (9-Me-BC) is a research compound that has only been tested in animals. Count me in when it’s gone through clinical trials with a couple thousand humans and you can buy it at the Vitamin Shoppe.
Hey David with all the research behind Coffee fruit extract being able to increase BDNF, did you feel as if it wasn’t good enough to make it on the list
Malik, I still have an every growing list of supplements that still need to be reviewed. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
Just read that one of the purported actions of Ketamine in reversing quite quickly longstanding depression is via promoting BDNF release. Dendrites are reportedly seen to grow within 15 mins.??!!
Dr. Rotchford, it’s too bad that Ketamine is not covered by insurance and costs several thousands at a clinic if you want to try it.
Hey David, could you please give a list of Nootropics that have to be cycled and those that are safe to take everyday for the rest of your life. Thank you for all you do to help people.
Don, cycling nootropics is a controversial topic in this community. And I’m not a fan of cycling most nootropics I’ve reviewed on Nootropics Expert.
There is one exception I can think of and that’s Huperzine-A which has a 24 hr. half-life. So can only be used every 2nd or 3rd day.
Most other supplements reviewed here can be used daily and long-term IF dosage recommendations are followed. Dosages have a low to high range. Once you find the right amount for each supplement that works for you then you should be fine using that supplement as long as you want and get the benefit.
If you are on my newsletter list I sent an email awhile ago regarding cycling and tolerance. It was sent Sep. 25, 2019. Let me know if you can find that in your email queue. If not can hunt down the URL for that newsletter and post it here. The title of the newsletter was “How to Avoid Nootropic Tolerance”.
Hi David, to Boost BDNF which is the BEST?
Ashwagandha? Bacopa monnieri? Rhodiola Rosea?
Or, would you recommend taking the 3 at the same time?
Thank you!
Best regards
André Leroux
André, magnesium, and DHA are a must because most are deficient in these two nutrients. And not on this list (yet) is Lion’s Mane which arguably is the best way to boost Nerve Growth Factor and BDNF.
As for the rest of this list I suggest carefully learning the mechanism of action for each first. Because they do much more than boost BDNF. And the choose 2 or 3 that you think would benefit you most overall.
Thank you, David!
André
How long do you have to take Lions mane and Bacopa to see results? I’ve been taking them for two months now, but haven’t seen anything.
Alex, both Lion’s Mane and Bacopa can take up to 12 weeks before you experience the full benefit of each. Most experience it sooner but some take longer.
Don’t forget that the beneficial compounds in Bacopa Monnieri are fat-soluble. So that supplement needs to be taken with a healthy fat to ensure absorption.
But it is also possible that neither supplement is the right one for you.
On the other hand, Lion’s Mane main benefit is to increase Nerve Growth Factor. The only way you’ll experience that is an eventual boost in memory. Which is difficult to quantify. I personally don’t ‘feel’ anything by using Lion’s Mane. But continue to use it daily because I’m certain it is assisting in brain repair.
Hi David, very interesting. How would you combine these supplements?
Do you take them all together or should you cycle them with each other?
When you cycle supplements, do you alternate with a similar product instead, or do you give your body a rest (and how long)?
When 2 supplements do roughly the same thing, do you take them each at a different time of the day or alternate them entirely for instance every month?
Do you by any chance have somewhere a list saying what is redundant or incompatible with what? For instance if you take noopept is it a waste to take a similar racetam or polygala at the same time? Should you avoid taking them together because they act the same way maybe or are they acting synergetically?
Brigitte, there is no need to use all the supplements I describe in the post above if all you’re doing is boosting BDNF. Two or three would do. For example, you really should be using DHA, magnesium and NAC every day anyway. If you were then you’d have BDNF covered.
But I can’t do all your work for you! 🙂 I do not have a list of redundancies anywhere. But none of them are ‘redundant’ because each has a unique mechanism of action in your brain which provides so many other benefits.
And common sense tells us that using several racetams together is not a good idea. With the exception of a racetam + Noopept.
great stuff — tnxs
Is there any evidence that one can boost their BDNF levels too much?
Can BDNF become toxic at all?
John, BDNF is a protein and while you can’t boost it too much you can overdo it on supplements. Which can work against you. Dosages are key and even more critical when stacking a nootropic with another that has a similar mechanism of action.
Sir, let me cut to the chase. I am facing rad/chemo treatment in the next 10 days on my vocal cords! I want to avoid, as much as possible, the side effects that come with this treatment. Any suggestions for possible alternative herbs. Thank you most heartedly, Nick
Nick, according to integrative medicine doctors you can use:
L-Glutamine – to protect and help repair the lining of your mouth
Milk Thistle – liver health
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) – liver health
Alpha Lipoic Acid – liver health
CoQ10 – for cellular energy
B-Complex vitamins and minerals – for cellular energy
Regarding noopept, I’m curious about its ability to heal the brain. I’ve been dealing with sleep apnea (possibly for years now). It has been accompanied by mental decline, difficulty focusing, difficulty remembering and recalling, etc. I recently started CPAP therapy but I know it can take time to heal. Based on what I have read, sleep deprivation can cause a decline in BDNF, amongst other things. My theory is that sleep apnea can cause the same, hence the reason I want to heal my brain along with CPAP. I’m hoping to speed up the process by increasing BDNF and NGF. I have been taking some of the supplements on this page and added some as well. I’m curious about noopept though. I bought some recently but I don’t want to take it indefinitely. Based on what you know, do you believe that I could use it short-term, say 1 to 3 months to heal my brain and then quit? Maybe another way to put it is: After taking noopept for a time, will I continue to reap the healing benefits after stopping the supplement? Thanks!
Kelly, Noopept has been shown to boost BDNF and Nerve Growth Factor. And I have not come across any evidence that it would be a problem using it daily for the rest of your life.
Noopept, like many nootropics will help heal your brain which will provide lasting benefits. But once you stop you’ll eventually regress back to where you were.
One of the reasons we use nootropic supplements is because the human brain ages and requires support. We can’t get it from food so we use supplements. In my opinion, if you find something that works and you like it, why would you choose to discontinue using it? Especially when the evidence is that the nootropic causes no harm. Only benefits to your brain.
Hi David,
You have not mentioned Cat’s claw, Artichoke or Lion’s Mane. I see in one of your replies that you say Lion’s Mane is a fungi. But, are there any significant differences in their efficacy or function?
Arj, I’ve been meaning to update this page because I keep on coming across more nootropics that boost BDNF including Lion’s Mane, Cat’s Claw, and not sure about Artichoke Extract. But will look into it. Thanks for the reminder.
Lion’s Mane is one of the most powerful ways to boost Nerve Growth Factor and BDNF. At the top of the list in my opinion and the evidence I’ve seen.
Hi David,
Fantastic site with clear explanations! Much appreciated!
You mentioned restricting sugar as one of the natural ways to boost BDNF. Does it also apply to other sweet sources as in honey, agave, palm sugar, stevia etc. ?
Carmen, refined sugars are the worst. Not sure about palm sugar. But honey, agave and stevia should be OK.
Great! Thank you.
A very low-carb, especially ketogenic, diet has been shown to have numerous benefits. One of them is in promoting autophagy, as it is easier to achieve full autophagy when one is already in ketosis. Autophagy is the body’s way of eliminating damaged cells and replacing them from stem cells.
Other benefits of ketosis are its anti-inflammatory effect and improved neurocognitive health (e.g., drug-resistant epilepsy). It also generally improves metabolic health, such as with reversing insulin resistance and obesity. The keto diet has been widely researched for about a century now.
Hi David , should I use L-dopa for study and learning ?
best regard
Basir, you could use Mucuna for studying and learning. But in most cases L-Tyrosine or NALT may be a better option: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-studying/
Hi David, and what about Astragalus?
Best regards
André, Astragalus wouldn’t be my first choice but I found one study that showed it boosting BDNF in animals: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25272845
Where is Lion’s Mane?
Duane, Lion’s Mane is not a herb. It is a fungi.
Lion’s Mane is a fungus. The word “fungi” is the plural of “fungus.”
Grammatically yours,
Phil Weimerskirch, Smithfield, RI
Thanks Philip.
Thank you for your work in this area, but please recheck your research I’m pretty sure that NAC cysteine does not boost BDNF, it may increase neuroplasticity through anti-inflammatory effects, reducing oxidative stress et cetera but you’re saying it specifically boosts BDNF and quote the reference, neither this reference nor any others I can find site any evidence that NAC cysteine boosts BDNF.
Boosting BDNF is only one aspect of increasing neuroplasticity, I see many people online confusing the two things.
Peter, thanks for your compliment. I think you may be correct. Although I have come across at least one reference to NAC boosting BDNF. But it’s certainly not conclusive. And I won’t even link to it here.
Since you brought this to my attention, I’ve edited the NAC section to “activating the BDNF/TrkB signal pathway” and changed the reference. This study supports what you pointed out. That BDNF works by helping reduce oxidative stress. There is little doubt the NAC “affects” BDNF. But whether it “boosts” BDNF is still open to debate.
I very much appreciate your feedback on this. When it comes to nootropics and optimizing the brain we never stop learning.
My wife developed cognitive impairment She has one APOE allele and is homozxgous for MTHFR. After 3 days on CerfolinNAC (methyl tetrahydrofolate and NAC Her memory came back very rapidly. She still gets confused easily. She also has cerebral ischemia. Fortunatey she is still very functional. She also has neurologically mediated sleep apnea. No financial interest in CerefolinNAC