Whether you’re a student struggling with test anxiety, a stressed professional who needs relief without harmful substances, or you’re just having some mild depression that you can’t seem to shake, nootropics might be just what you need to get your mood back on track.

Although nootropics used to refer to certain chemicals that met specific criteria, it’s now used to describe any natural or synthetic substance that can boost mood or enhance cognitive abilities. They may help with everything from concentration issues and memory problems to anxiety, depression, stress, sleep problems, and more.

Nootropics fall into three categories: synthetic compounds, dietary supplements, and prescription drugs.

However, some prescription nootropics — such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Modanfil, which are intended to treat neurological conditions like ADHD — can be addictive, not to mention dangerous when abused.

Luckily not all nootropics are pharmaceutical products that have frightening consequences. Many are natural substances that can be found all around us or in the aisles of your local health food store.

There are so many on the market that it can be hard to know where to start, so here are 6 of the best natural nootropics that can help with your mood.

1. Saffron

One of the most widely studied nootropics in the world is Saffron. It comes from the dried stigma of the Crocus sativus, a native plant of the Middle East.

It takes three years for Saffron to flower and then must be harvested by hand, making it the world’s most expensive spice.

Since ancient times, Saffron has been used as an anxiolytic — a type of supplement that reduces anxiety — an antidepressant, and a sedative. Today, Saffron is used to control appetite, boost stamina, and control anxiety.

Recent studies have confirmed that Saffron can be just as effective as some antidepressants in addition to alleviating the sexual dysfunction that can be a side effect of such medications.

Interestingly, Saffron is also now being used to prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Research suggests that Saffron protects the substantia nigra, an area of the brain associated with Parkinson’s.

2. L-Theanine

L-Theanine is an amino acid that can be found in green, black, and white teas as well as some types of mushrooms. It’s also a natural anxiolytic.

Unlike most amino acids, L-Theanine doesn’t act as a building block to create protein in the body. Instead, it’s a non-dietary amino acid that is hard to find in most foods and isn’t required for the body to survive.

Even though people have been drinking green tea to focus and relax for thousands of years, scientists didn’t isolate the compound until 1949.

In a study in the journal Nutrients, a group of people who took 200mg of L-Theanine for a month showed significant improvements in subjective measures of stress and anxiety.

Additionally, L-Theanine has been found to increase the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, chemicals in the brain that promote relaxation, improve one’s mood, and lower overall stress response.

3. Ginkgo Biloba

Usually referred to as simply ginkgo, this nootropic is a type of tree native to China that has been used in Chinese medicines for centuries.

Extracts from its leaves have several bioactive compounds that are known to have neuro-regenerative effects, such as improving your memory by accelerating the distribution of oxygen and nutrients to the brain.

In a 2010 analysis of nine clinical trials, patients with dementia were administered a ginkgo extract — it was more effective than a placebo.

In a 2015 article in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Care & Sciences, the authors reported that “taking a 240mg daily dose of ginkgo biloba extract is effective and safe in the treatment of dementia.”

4. Withania Somnifera

Commonly known as winter cherry and ashwagandha, Withania somnifera is a shrub mainly found in the dry regions of India.

Used in Ayurveda, a form of traditional Indian medicine, this herb is known for improving social cognition — the ability to remember, process, and use information in social situations.

In 2021, eight Scientists from some of the most respected universities in America found that nutrients in Withania improved attention, general memory, and information processing speed in people with mild cognitive impairment.

Scientists in Singapore determined that people taking ashwagandha showed a good tolerance for the herb and had minimal side effects.

5. Salvia Officinalis and Salvia Lavandulifolia

More commonly known as sage and Spanish sage, Salvia officinalis and Salvia lavandulifolia have been used as memory enhancers for thousands of years, going all the way back to Ancient Greece.

In a series of clinical trials, a single dose of Salvia or its essential oil almost immediately exhibited significant neuro-enhancement benefits. After first consuming Salvia officinalis, people showed improved memory and attention for a total of six hours.

Still, other studies show that officinalis and lavandulifolia prove to be effective at enhancing cognitive performance in healthy subjects as well as people with dementia or cognitive impairment.

6. Curcuma Longa (Turmeric)

Curcuma longa (turmeric) is a plant within the ginger family that has historically been used as a culinary spice.

For years, neuroscientists have been studying turmeric because Indians, whose diet is rich in turmeric, are four times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than people in the Western world.

Curcuma, like Withania somnifera, is an anxiolytic nootropic that can boost your mood and potentially help with anxiety and depression.

Extensive research has determined that Curcuma is beneficial for cognitive function as well as treating symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

In addition, there is compelling evidence to suggest that Curcuma is a powerful antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory.