How to Improve Memory and Concentration

Remember getting so lost in whatever it was you were doing that you lost track of time?

Your productivity skyrockets and you feel a real sense of accomplishment for the rest of the day.

Call it concentration, focus, or flow – just the memory of this exhilarating feeling and want more of it.

A variety of techniques have been suggested to help re-create this state of intense concentration and focus. You may have even tried some them; the Pomodoro technique, meditation, technology vacations, and goal-setting.

And yet, this goal seems so allusive.

But experienced neurohackers have discovered another method of supporting concentration and intense focus.

The neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) plays a leading role in concentration and focus. With the added benefit of better memory and mood.

Because ACh contributes to the neuroplasticity that supports long-term potentiation needed to form long-term memory.

The thing is you can’t take acetylcholine as a supplement. There is no such thing as “acetylcholine pills”, or “acetylcholine tablets”.

But certain foods can help boost acetylcholine (ACh) by providing your brain with the choline it needs to synthesize ACh.

Food sources of choline are egg yolks, liver, milk and other dairy products, certain grains like quinoa and amaranth, bacon, edamame and cruciferous vegetables.

The problem is we don’t get enough choline in our diet to produce the acetylcholine we need.

In this post we’ll investigate the best nootropic options available to help increase ACh release in the brain, inhibit its breakdown, encourage reuptake, stimulate ACh neuroreceptors, or provide the ingredients needed to create acetylcholine.

When we optimize acetylcholine use in our brain, we can improve memory and concentration.

Nootropics for concentration

Imagine what your life would be like if you could concentrate your brain power with laser-like focus on whatever you wished to accomplish.

You could boost your reading skills, perform better at work, do better on exams, and life would simply feel smoother and easier.

Laser-like concentration and focus can be supported and fueled with the following nootropic supplements.

CDP-Choline (Citicoline) – is a naturally occurring choline source present in every cell in your body. It enhances the release of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin.[i] And provides the choline needed for the synthesis of acetylcholine.[ii]

CDP-Choline is known for increasing cognition and brain function, improving concentration, focus and motivation, and reducing fatigue.

Gotu Kola – is often called “the student herb” in Bali because it sharpens the mind. It helps prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine (ACh) in the brain. More ACh helps boost cognition, concentration, learning, memory and mood.

Huperzine-A – is a potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor.[iii] Preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine which has a direct effect on improving concentration, cognition and memory.

N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT) – is a highly bio-available form of the amino acid L-Tyrosine. Your brain uses the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase to convert L-Tyrosine into L-DOPA. Decarboxylation of L-DOPA results in synthesis of the neurotransmitter dopamine.[iv]

NALT can boost libido, memory, focus, concentration, mood, offers anti-depressant effects, and improves executive function in those with ADHD.

Phosphatidylserine (PS) – is a phospholipid component of the membrane encasing every one of your brain cells. Supplementing with Phosphatidylserine (PS) keeps brain cells fluid and permeable.

Which is an integral part of the flow of crucial neurotransmitters like dopamine and acetylcholine. Supporting alertness, concentration, memory and mood.

Rhodiola Rosea – is an adaptogen used in traditional medicine in Russia and Scandinavian countries for centuries. Rhodiola Rosea helps improve mental performance under stress. It stimulates your central nervous system to fight fatigue and boost mental clarity.[v]

Nootropics for memory

Memory is fundamental to quality of life. Something as simple remembering where you left your keys. To the recall required for your next exam or board presentation.

Science has now discovered not only how memory works in our brain all the way down the molecular level. But it has also empowered us to be able to select the best nootropics for improving learning and memory.

Each of the following nootropic supplements have been proven to support each area of memory in your brain.

Alpha GPC – helps in the synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh). In your hippocampus, acetylcholine stimulates astrocyte cells which then are induced to release the neurotransmitter glutamate. The released glutamate then activates neurons which inhibit pathways needed for the retrieval of memories.

Ashwagandha – is one of the most powerful herbs in Ayurvedic healing. And as a nootropic helps generate axons, and dendrites, and reconstructs synapses in brain cells.[vi] Critical for the formation and retrieval of memory.

Bacopa Monnieri – bacosides A and B in Bacopa help improve signaling between brain neurons. Improving attention, recall, memory, and focus.[vii]

DHA – is an Omega-3 fatty acid which is an integral part of each brain cell membrane. DHA regulates calcium oscillations which are involved in neurotransmitter release, mitochondrial function, gene activation, oxidative stress and helps activate Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Playing a central role in cognition, learning and memory.

Ginkgo Biloba – acts as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) which boosts levels of dopamine in your brain.[viii] And increases cerebral blood vessel microcirculation (blood flow in the smallest of blood vessels).[ix] Improving cognition, learning and memory.

L-Theanine – an amino acid found in green tea (camellia sinensis), is structurally similar the major neurotransmitters l-glutamate and l-glutamine.

L-Theanine increases Alpha brain waves (8-12Hz) within 40 minutes after taking it as a supplement. Alpha brain waves are called sleep spindles which spike during Stage 2 sleep.

These sleep spindles are critical for transferring information from your hippocampus to your neo-cortex. This process increases the strength of your memories.[x]

L-Theanine also increases Theta brain waves, GABA, serotonin and dopamine levels in your brain. Producing an energizing and calming effect. And improving cognition and memory.[xi]

Pine Bark Extract – is used in nootropic circles primarily to boost cerebral blood flow.[xii] Which has a significant impact on decision-making, focus, memory and mood.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) – is one of the most studied herbs in Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and Chinese healing. And has remarkable nootropic properties. The curcumin in turmeric boosts Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), and the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. [xiii] Improving cognition, focus, learning and memory.

Best nootropic stacks for memory & concentration

Memory touches every aspect of your life. Your heart beating, to remembering your anniversary, to making sure you pick up bread on the way home.

And great concentration and focus encourages better communications in personal relationships, boosts productivity, and improves quality of life.

Searching for “how to improve focus and concentration” will turn up a variety of techniques from the Pomodoro Technique to meditation and goal setting.

But nootropics will provide the foundation of a healthier and optimized brain for any other technique you may want to try for boosting memory and concentration.

Choose two or three nootropic supplements from each of the two categories above. Or try all of them if you like.

Every nootropic recommended in this post is considered non-toxic and safe when following dosage recommendations.

Each nootropic above has a live link through to a full review which dives deeper into what the supplement is, how it works in your brain, how much to use and how often, side effects and even forms or types of the nootropic to buy.

For a deeper understanding on how learning and memory works, please see my post:

Best Nootropics for Learning & Memory

For a deeper dive into concentration and the flow state, please see my post:

How to Hack Your Flow State with Nootropics

Pre-formulated nootropic stacks for memory & concentration

If you’d like to try the nootropics recommended in this post for memory and concentration …

… but don’t want the expense of a lot of individual supplements …

… consider a high quality pre-formulated stack that contains many of the nootropics described above.

For memory, consider trying the bestselling pre-made nootropic stack on the planet Mind Lab Pro^® which contains Vitamins B₆, B₉ and B₁₂, CDP-Choline (Citicoline), Bacopa Monnieri, Lion’s Mane Mushroom, L-Theanine, Phosphatidylserine (PS), N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT), Rhodiola Rosea, and Pine Bark Extract.

For concentration, consider trying Performance Lab^® Mind which contains Citicoline, Phosphatidylserine (PS), N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT), and Pine Bark Extract.

Both pre-made nootropic stacks have great reviews because they really work and will save you money.