When the coffee just isn’t cutting it and you need a brain pick-me-up, here’s some tips for boosting your brain power.

1. Increase your morning consumption of good, healthy fats. Building a smoothie, packed with greens, protein, and fat can help stabilize your blood sugars, leaving a hearty supply of glucose for your brain to use. The fats and protein will help slow down the digestion of the nutrients allowing you to sustain the satiety sensation until lunch.
   • Hack: You can add fish oils, avocados, or nut butters (skip the sugar laden kind!) to increase the fat content!
2. There are many herbs that will increase the blood flow to your brain, commonly called nootropics.
   • A notorious herb named Ginkgo biloba has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain (potentially by turning off signals that cause inflammation in the brain), and can help increase focus, and protect your brain from damaging free radicals.
   • Another herb named Panax ginsing has been researched extensively and shown that it can increase brain firing power and enhance your mental functioning.
   • Rosemary is considered a circulatory stimulant with a specific affinity for the brain. It helps drive more blood to your head and improve cognition, and memory. Try applying the essential oil topically to the inside of your wrists as you work to passively enjoy these benefits.
   • Bacopa monnieri is a fantastic herb that covers most of your bases! It is a nootropic and nervine, so it calms you down while increasing your brain power! It rejuvenates the mind and allows for improved memory capacity, learning ability, and concentration.
3. Phosphatidylcholine is an integral part of the neuron’s cell membrane, and with your brain having a large concentration of these messenger highways this addition is sure to make your brain power increase! Not only is it a part of the cells membrane, but when your body breaks down phosphatidylcholine it creates acetylcholine, a very important messenger molecule that increases the transmission of information in your brain! You can find phosphatidylcholine in foods such as eggs, peanuts, liver, cauliflower, grape juice, and cabbage. There are also many supplemental forms available for purchase.
4. Phosphatidylserine, another molecule that is rich in the brain, has shown to improve memory, learning capacity, concentration, word recall and mood. This compound is also a major component of nerve cells and has a positive impact on neurotransmitter production.
5. Overall, clean up your diet! Eliminate processed foods, decrease added sugars, and increase your green leafy vegetables! It is no secret the bacteria that live in our gut have significant influence on our brains, and synthesize about 90% of our brains chemical messengers. Give your bugs some love, and they will reward you with a brain boost.
6. Get more sleep! Making sure you are getting adequate amounts of restful sleep is extremely important in maximizing brain function.

*This article is intended for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any medical conditions. Always consult your health-care provider before starting on any new treatments.

Dr. Cassie Wilder

Dr. Cassie Wilder is a registered Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD) and founder of MIMC. Her passion is empowering her patients through education, understanding, and support through their healing journey. After graduating from Iowa State University with a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology and Health, Dr. Wilder earned her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences, a fully accredited and nationally recognized institution in Phoenix, AZ. During her clinical training, she received extensive hands-on training with many leading experts in the field of functional medicine and developed a passion for treating hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, cardiovascular concerns, and adrenal fatigue.