Nootropics are known for rapidly increasing focus and concentration.
Students use nootropic supplements to help them get through marathon paper writing sessions, and professional traders are known for using them to stay hyper-focused while staying plugged into the sleepless forex markets.
It’s therefore a pretty reasonable assumption that nootropics would keep you awake.
If something can heighten focus to such a massive degree, and keep you motivated to study all night, then it must prevent you from falling asleep, right?
So do nootropics keep you awake?
Yes and no – it all depends on what nootropics you’re talking about.
Which nootropics keep you awake?
Nootropics do not necessarily keep you awake.
The definition of “nootropic” is a substance which measurably improves several aspects of executive cognitive function without causing serious side effects.
That doesn’t mention anything about keeping you awake!
Lots of widely-used, extremely effective nootropics like Bacopa monnieri, Rhodiola rosea, and Lion’s Mane Mushroom have absolutely no effect on your energy levels whatsoever.
But some nootropics do keep you awake.
Here is a list of the nootropics which can help keep you awake while pulling an all-nighter.
Caffeine
Caffeine is the archetypal “keep you awake” nootropic. It is the first cognitive enhancer that most people use (even if they’re not using it for that reason). It is also one of the most effective and reliable.
Caffeine is an extremely powerful stimulant. It rapidly reduces the perception of fatigue, which means it does not supply you with more energy but merely tricks your brain into thinking you aren’t tired.
Caffeine also sharpens focus, reduces reaction times, and increases motivation.
However, caffeine has some serious downsides. It causes hypertension, anxiety, and dizziness. It may even heighten your risk of developing heart disease if used too much.
Use with caution if doing an all-nighter!
Tyrosine
While Tyrosine may not actively increase mental energy, it has been shown to significantly improve cognitive performance in people who are severely sleep deprived. So Tyrosine doesn’t keep you awake, but it does help you mentally perform while you’re tired. That is what most of you are looking for anyway!
One major benefit of Tyrosine is that it does not come with any of the serious side effects that caffeine does!