Best Nootropic Plants (Which One Is Suitable for You?)

Nootropic plants, such as Bacopa monnieri, that enhance mental performance, improve cognitive function, and repair damage to your brain cells without any side effects are considered the best.

This would include most nootropic plants because natural nootropics, by definition, shouldn’t cause any side effects if consumed in the right dosage.

And based on our extensive research, many of the best nootropic herbs are ones that have been used for centuries by various cultures.

That’s because years of observing the positive effects of these herbs have forged a “trust value” in them.

Before we dive into our list of the best plant nootropics, let’s first set our foothold on some basics.

What Are Nootropic Plants?

Nootropic plants, also called nootropic herbs, are naturally grown plants that can enhance cognition and improve brain health. They’re usually parts of plants, like seeds, roots, flowers, leaves, and stems.

Many nootropic plants used today have a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine across various cultures.

Both everyday people and medical professionals have used them for millennia.

Only in the last century has scientific research given us an in-depth understanding of how these herbs work on our bodies and brains.

Some studies have validated the benefits, and others indicate a placebo effect. In either case, scientists are conducting more studies these days to fully understand the effects of herbal nootropics.

Ginkgo is one of the oldest species of trees that still exists today. It's been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat asthma, coughs, swelling of the hands and feet, vascular problems, and age-related cognitive decline [7].

Ginkgo helps increase cerebral blood flow, which improves oxygen and glucose availability to your neurons [8] [9].

As a result, it can improve memory and enhance cognitive function, recall, and learning.

Supplements that contain Ginkgo biloba extract may promote bodily mechanisms that boost dopamine levels, which can reduce depression and assist in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), making it a safer alternative to prescription drugs [10].

4. Saffron

Saffron is one of the world’s most expensive culinary spices native to the Middle East.

Apart from cooking, people use it as an antidepressant, sedative, and anxiolytic (medications that treat anxiety) [11].

As a natural nootropic and potent antioxidant, saffron is used by women to treat PMS symptoms and postpartum depression [12]. It also aids in preventing neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease [13].

Besides its nootropic effects, saffron is prescribed by doctors to alleviate sexual dysfunction and chronic inflammation [14] [15].

Lemon balm is a herb that’s been grown for over two thousand years and is native to the Mediterranean.

It’s most commonly used for its antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects.

Consuming lemon balm enhances dopamine production and boosts GABA and other amino acid levels in the brain, which helps with mood regulation [16].

This herbal nootropic inhibits acetylcholinesterase production, enhancing memory and cognition [17].

6. Maritime Pine Bark

Maritime pine bark is one of the best herbal nootropics owing to its multifaceted nootropic activity. It’s been used as a wellness herb and food for centuries.

Maritime pine bark stimulates nitric oxide production, which relaxes your blood vessels and encourages the flow of blood to the brain [18].

It has several powerful antioxidants that cross the blood-brain barrier and protect the brain from the effects of aging [19].

Research shows that one of the most significant advantages of consuming this nootropic herb is its effect on brain-cell regeneration and improving brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a key molecule for learning and memory plasticity [20].

Lion’s mane mushroom is a mushroom whose use goes back to ancient Chinese medicine.

Traditionally, it's been believed to help with cognitive decline and nerve-related disorders like Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, and depression [21].

However, most research on this effect has been done on animals; more research on human trials is still needed.

Other studies show that two compounds found only in lion’s mane mushrooms — hericenones and erinacines — cross the blood-brain barrier and increase the brain’s nerve growth factor [22].

Another compound in this mushroom — amycenone — may treat sleep disorders, enhance memory, and improve mental function [23].

“[Lion's mane mushroom] has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help with stress and work as an antidepressant.”

- Dr. Alex Dimitriu, MD, Psychiatrist

8. Panax Ginseng

Panax ginseng is an ancient medicinal plant known to enhance brain function.

While more research is needed on how this works, a handful of studies show that ginseng has anti-inflammatory effects that can protect your brain from oxidative stress [24].

One dose of 200–400 mg of ginseng is known to reduce brain fatigue and enhance mental clarity [25]. This makes it especially helpful for students and employees who are under stress and work pressure.

However, some long-term studies show that your body could adapt to its effects over time, rendering its positive effects to a minimum within months [26].

Popularly known as the “arctic root,” Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogen (plants and mushrooms that help your body respond to anxiety, stress, and fatigue) that’s been used in traditional medicine in Russia and Scandinavia.

Rhodiola rosea helps boost overall mood by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain [27].

So it’s more commonly used by people who experience burnout and high levels of stress, such as college students.

Related: Rhodiola Rosea Side Effects

10. Gotu Kola

Nicknamed “the student herb” in Bali, Gotu kola’s ability to sharpen the mind and improve your memory makes it a highly effective nootropic herb.

It does this by increasing dendrite and axon growth in your brain [28].

It may even break down acetylcholine, which can enhance mood cognition, memory, and learning [29].

Consuming Gotu kola every day can enhance cerebral blood flow and may even fight against the onset of degenerative brain diseases [30] [31].