The Tim Ferriss Brain Supplements List for Better Cognitive Function

Tim Ferriss is the author of The New York Times bestseller The 4-Hour Workweek, and he is considered one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Business People.” When it comes to performance and biohacking, he is known for being a self-experimenting guinea pig. The entrepreneur is a widely renowned authoritative source on nootropics and cognitive enhancement. While some smart drugs offer short-term gains, the long-term effects aren’t worth the effort. Luckily, Tim has found the solution with supplements that are sustainable and reliable. This article delves into Tim Ferriss’s favorite supplements to kick your brain into high gear.

What Are Nootropics?

Let’s start by answering the first question. What exactly are nootropics?

Nootropics are also known as cognitive enhancers or smart drugs. They refer to any synthetic or natural substance that will have a positive effect on your mental skills. In general, they support memory improvement, brain health, increased processing, better focus, and improved learning.

Simply put, nootropics are brain boosters. They enhance your cognitive function. With the potential to increase mental performance and productivity, you can see why they are rising in popularity. It’s thought that the global nootropics market will reach $5.9 million by 2024.

Top 5 Tim Ferriss Brain Supplements for Cognitive Enhancement 

Tim Ferriss has tried everything imaginable when it comes to cognitive enhancement. Fortunately, that means you don’t have to. The majority of the time, brain supplements are either not sustainable or result in adverse side effects. These five options are great smart drug choices that Tim has found to be highly effective and reliable.

• Creatine and Ubiquinol
• Lion’s Mane Mushroom Extract
• Yerba Mate
• Exogenous Ketone
• Glucose Meter Kit

Creatine and Ubiquinol

If you have a history of Alzheimer’s disease in your family, then EFX Kre-Alkalyn and Solgar Ubiquinol are a great combination. Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinone, is an interesting molecule. Ubiquinol is a reduced form of CoQ10. There has been ongoing research into CoQ10 and creatine and their ability to improve brain genetics.

Creatine is a compound made in your muscles that kicks into gear and helps your muscles produce energy during high-intensity exercise. Studies have found that supplementing creatine, combined with CoQ10, helped improve Parkinson’s disease symptoms.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom Extract

Lion’s Mane is a safe and edible medicinal mushroom. The Four Sigmatic Lion’s Mane Mushroom Elixir Mix contains 1500mg of organic Lion’s Mane mushroom, as well as rosehips for vitamin C and organic rhodiola for memory support. 

Studies show that Lion’s Mane mushrooms support your brain health. They do this by helping to produce two essential compounds: brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF).

If you’re looking to light yourself up like a Christmas tree, then the Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Mix is a game-changer. The combination of Lion’s Mane and coffee can have an extreme impact on your cognitive and mental state. The Four Sigmatic mushroom elixir helps you get things done and clear any mental fog standing in your way. Tim recommends going easy on the coffee mix, especially if you’re sensitive to caffeine. Start by taking it two to three times a week, as needed.

Yerba Mate

Another of the brain supplements on the Tim Ferriss list is Yerba Mate, a traditional herbal tea from South America. It’s used as a natural stimulant to boost focus and increase mental clarity. Yerba Mate is made from the twigs and leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. You have a couple of options when it comes to different brands. The Cruz de Malta Yerba Mate is inexpensive, so it’s an excellent value for your money. You also have Anna Park Yerba Mate, which is certified organic. So, if organic produce is important to you, this brand is a good option.

With Yerba Mate, how you consume it is important. As with anything, the way you consume something can have different effects. The most practical way to consume Yerba Mate is with a gourd. A gourd is a fruit that is dried and hollowed to use as a cup.

Fill the gourd with hot water and let the tea steep for one to two minutes. Then take a few sips and repeat the process. Yerba Mate isn’t something you chug down like a cup of coffee. If you had a project that needed your focus or intended to write for two to three hours, Yerba Mate could help you focus and power through.

Exogenous Ketone

Exogenous or synthetic ketones are supplements that help you achieve a state of ketosis without being as restricted in your diet. The supplements are forms of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), which are the ketones your body would typically produce on its own.

When in a state of ketosis, some people find that they can hold their breath for double the time. The ketogenic diet can improve cognition, as it gives the brain a different energy source: ketones.

The Keto Sports Keto CaNa can have the same effect, even when you’re consuming carbs. It tastes a little like Gatorade or lemonade. It mixes well with water and is easy to drink. Exogenous ketones can also help ease the transition to ketosis.

Another option is Keto Sports Keto Force. It’s very alkaline, so it can taste a little weird, but it has a greater impact on your BHB levels. Your BHB levels are the most accurate measure of ketosis. So, by using supplements that increase your BHB levels, you can achieve a state of ketosis.

Glucose Meter Kit

While not a Tim Ferriss brain supplement itself, this piece of equipment is essential for figuring out your BHB concentration. The Abbott Precision Xtra Glucose Meter Kit comes with ketone and glucose strips. You simply push a new lancet into your finger. You can then measure your ketones. When in a state of ketosis, some people find that they can perform better cognitively. You can mimic that state of ketosis with exogenous ketones.

How to Improve Brain Function and be More Productive

Even something as simple as taking a walk outside can improve your focus and decrease anxiety. There are a ton of mental health benefits of nature. Scientists are finding evidence that nature has a massive impact on your brain. It can increase both your attention and the ability to connect with others around you.

If you were ever interested in how one of the top thinkers in business and life hacking uses smart drugs, now you know. While this list of brain supplements from Tim Ferris is a good starting place, what works for one person may not work for another. The journey to improving brain function, memory, and productivity is an ongoing one. In general, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and proper stress management will create the environment for optimum wellbeing and brain health. But brain supplements may give you the boost you need to perform your best cognitively.