Hey friend,

Focus is becoming more scarce than ever these days…

With distractions everywhere—social media, ads, constant notifications—your attention is under siege!

Unfortunately, this has put the majority of us humans in a major pickle.

Our brains are rewiring to cope with modern cognitive demands.

Which seems to be hindering us rather than helping us…

The average attention span has nosedived, largely due to constant digital content, especially from social media.

This flood of engaging, novel information hijacks our focus away from key tasks and leaves us with a fragmented ability to concentrate.

Years ago, I got sucked into the tech trap.

I’d be mid-conversation, and without even realizing it, I’d pick up my phone and start scrolling. How rude is that?!

I didn’t even realize I was doing it. It became automatic—like my brain was on autopilot.

This fractured focus seeped into every corner of my life.

Even simple tasks—like cleaning—turned into an all-day mission because I couldn’t stay on track.

It felt like I was constantly bouncing between distractions instead of getting anything done.

I’d start dusting, lose interest, and grab my phone for “just a minute.” An hour later, I’d snap out of it, forget what I was even doing, and then jump into vacuuming—only to repeat the cycle all over again!

No wonder a task that should take a couple of hours would stretch into an all-day ordeal.

Sound familiar?

I hit a breaking point and realized I had to change.

Fragmented attention wasn’t just messing with my chores—it was holding me back from my big life goals!

I wanted to dive into new education, start a business, and actually achieve something meaningful.

But I couldn't get there with my focus scattered all over the place.

It wasn’t until I tapped into the power of nootropics that my focus did a complete 180!

Nootropics are nutrients, supplements, and smart drugs designed to boost brain performance.

They can enhance memory, learning, intelligence, cognitive speed, verbal fluency, focus, motivation, mood, and energy.

With them, I could lock in on tasks and power through in ways I never thought possible (without feeling so spasmodic all of the time).

I knocked out business work, cut chore time in half, and connected deeply with people—all without interruptions.

Finally, I felt like I was in control of my focus, breaking free from the endless distractions and attention-sucking devices of modern life!

Here are my top 5 science-backed nootropics that sharpened my focus. If your focus and attention feel compromised, these will help you reclaim them...

Top 5 supplements for laser-sharp focus

1. Bacopa monnieri

Bacopa is an aquatic plant native to the wetlands and marshes of India, Sri Lanka, and southeast Asia.

It has a rich history in Ayurvedic and Siddha medicine as a medhya rasayana—a substance that enhances brain function and longevity.

Bacopa contains powerful compounds, bacosides A and B, that are attributed to its nootropics properties. [1]

In a 2008 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 54 volunteers took 300 mg of Bacopa Monnieri daily for 12 weeks (which I would consider a small to moderate dose).

The results revealed boosted word recall, sharper attention, improved memory, and better focus while learning—plus reduced depression, anxiety, and heart rates. [2]

Dosage: The daily recommended dose of Bacopa is an extract standardized to 20% bacosides, 100–200 mg for children and 200–400 mg for adults, divided into multiple doses.

*Get Bacopa here ↘ Double Wood Supplements​

2. Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a key phospholipid in the membrane of every brain cell.

It has a unique bilayer structure in cell membranes that controls what enters and exits the cell.

PS maintains brain cell fluidity and permeability, ensuring efficient transfer of proteins, enzymes, nutrients, and glucose.

This helps brain cells function optimally and communicate more efficiently.

Without proper brain cell signaling, you can kiss sustained attention, concentration, and mental clarity goodbye!

Phospholipid levels start dropping gradually after age 20, becoming more noticeable after 80 [3], and lower phospholipids are linked to Alzheimer's disease. [4]

Dosage: 100—300 mg of phosphatidylserine per day.

• For general cognitive support, 100–200 mg daily is usually recommended.
• Higher doses, 300 mg or more, may target age-related cognitive decline.

*Get phosphatidylserine here ↘ Jarrow Formulas​

3. Rhodiola rosea

Mental fatigue is a killer for focus and attention.

Even when I felt physically energized, there were times when I felt so mentally drained that a single extra bit of stimulation would overwhelm me.

Reducing stimuli helps, but mental resilience and endurance is key for handling information without breaking down. For that, Rhodiola is my go-to herb.

Rhodiola is an adaptogen. Adaptogens are herbs that increase our resilience to mental, physical, and environmental stress.

It was popular among the Vikings for increasing mental and physical endurance.

A clinical trial tested Rhodiola for the treatment of individuals suffering from stress-related fatigue. Those taking the herb experienced major enhancements in mental performance, lower cortisol levels, and reduced burnout. [5]

When Rhodiola is in my system, I feel unstoppable, brimming with energy, and my focus is unparalleled!

Dosage: 200–400 mg of standardized Rhodiola rosea extract (3% rosavins, 1% salidroside) per day.

*Get Rhodiola rosea here ↘ Oregon’s Wild Harvest​

4. Nicotine (microdosed)

I'm not suggesting you smoke, chew tobacco, or ZYN (I think that’s what the kids are dipping these days), I'm talking about using isolated nicotine as a powerful focus and cognitive enhancer.

Just hear me out because nicotine has many brain-boosting benefits!

It has been shown to enhance focus and sustain attention during mentally demanding tasks. [6]

Nicotine significantly improves short-term memory [7] and increases synaptic plasticity in the brain. [8]

Synaptic plasticity is like a muscle that gets stronger with exercise.

Just as lifting weights builds muscle strength, repeated use of neural pathways strengthens connections between brain cells, making it easier for the brain to adapt and learn new skills.

Did you know nicotine is that powerful???

However, the only downside is that nicotine can be addictive, so use it with caution and in moderation.

Dosage: As a nootropic, nicotine is typically dosed at 1–2 mg per day.

The only company I trust for quality nicotine microdoses is NicNac, offering lozenges without added sugar or artificial sweeteners like aspartame.

*Get microdosed nicotine lozenges here ↘ NicNac​

5. Caffeine + L-theanine

Caffeine is the world's most widely used psychoactive drug, so it's often overlooked as a therapeutic tool.

However, it boosts reaction time, alertness, memory, and mood!

While caffeine often gets criticized (like the beloved nicotine), it can be a top cognitive enhancer and attention booster—if used correctly.

Caffeine is powerful, so it makes sense to balance its effects with a yin-yang approach.

That’s when L-theanine comes to the rescue! 🦸

L-theanine, an amino acid in green tea, reduces mental stress and overload while enhancing relaxation and concentration. It does this by boosting alpha brain waves [9] and increasing neurotransmitters like serotonin, GABA, and dopamine. [10]

When caffeine and L-theanine are combined, magical things happen.

A review of 49 studies on the acute effects of caffeine and L-theanine on mood and cognitive performance concluded:

This is saying that L-theanine cancels out caffeine's jitteriness and excess stimulation while boosting its cognitive- and attention-enhancing benefits—a major win-win!

Dosage: Caffeine at 200–400 mg combined with 200 mg of L-Theanine daily. (You can probably use less caffeine thanks to the synergistic effect with L-Theanine.)

A product I’ve been loving and utilizing a lot lately is NeuroGum. With caffeine, L-theanine, and B-vitamins at therapeutic doses, it's my go-to—that I keep handy on my work desk—for a quick, minty-flavored focus bump!

*Get caffeine + L-Theanine mints here ↘ NeuroGum​

Focus is one of the most powerful tools to cultivate in the modern age, helping you stand out because it’s so scarce today!

Focus is key to success and life satisfaction.

It helps you attend to what matters, slow down, and savor life, making you more present and aware of the blessing of being alive.

These nootropics have been a game-changer for me (and many others) in boosting focus. I know they can do the same for you.

You can take one, three, or all five (okay six) for a potent focus-hacking nootropic stack!!!

I’m curious—have you tried any of these focus-enhancing compounds?

If so, hit reply and let me know.

If you have any questions, send them my way. I'll be checking my inbox for the rest of the day and would love to chat about nootropics!

Thanks for reading and see you next Saturday,

Onjae

PS. Happy Birthday, mom!!! 💛

* = I am NOT affiliated with any of these products or companies.

References:
[1] Singh, H. K., and B. N. Dhawan. "Neuropsychopharmacological Effects of the Ayurvedic Nootropic Bacopa Monnieri Linn. (Brahmi)." Indian Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 29, no. 5, Sep.-Oct. 1997, pp. 359-365.

[2] Calabrese, Carlo, et al. "Effects of a Standardized Bacopa Monnieri Extract on Cognitive Performance, Anxiety, and Depression in the Elderly: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, vol. 14, no. 6, 2008, pp. 707-713, https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2008.0018. Accessed 12 Sept. 2024.

[3] Svennerholm, L et al. “Membrane lipids of adult human brain: lipid composition of frontal and temporal lobe in subjects of age 20 to 100 years.” Journal of neurochemistry vol. 63,5 (1994): 1802-11. doi:10.1046/j.1471-4159.1994.63051802.x

[4] Kosicek, Marko, and Silva Hecimovic. "Phospholipids and Alzheimer’S Disease: Alterations, Mechanisms and Potential Biomarkers." International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 14, no. 1, 2013, pp. 1310-1322, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms14011310. Accessed 12 Sept. 2024.

[5] Olsson, Erik M et al. “A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of the standardised extract shr-5 of the roots of Rhodiola rosea in the treatment of subjects with stress-related fatigue.” Planta medica vol. 75,2 (2009): 105-12. doi:10.1055/s-0028-1088346

[6] Mancuso, G., P. Andres, M. Ansseau, et al. "Effects of Nicotine Administered via a Transdermal Delivery System on Vigilance: A Repeated Measure Study." Psychopharmacology, vol. 142, 1999, pp. 18–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130050857.

[7] Phillips, S, and P Fox. “An investigation into the effects of nicotine gum on short-term memory.” Psychopharmacology vol. 140,4 (1998): 429-33. doi:10.1007/s002130050786

[8] Quik, Maryka et al. “Chronic oral nicotine normalizes dopaminergic function and synaptic plasticity in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-lesioned primates.” The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience vol. 26,17 (2006): 4681-9. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0215-06.2006

[9] Song, Chan-Hee et al. “Effects of Theanine on the Release of Brain Alpha Wave in Adult Males.” The Korean Journal of Nutrition 36 (2003): 918-923.

[10] Nathan, Pradeep J et al. “The neuropharmacology of L-theanine(N-ethyl-L-glutamine): a possible neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing agent.” Journal of herbal pharmacotherapy vol. 6,2 (2006): 21-30.

[11] Dietz, Christina, and Matthijs Dekker. “Effect of Green Tea Phytochemicals on Mood and Cognition.” Current pharmaceutical design vol. 23,19 (2017): 2876-2905. doi:10.2174/1381612823666170105151800