Attention plays a key role in our cognitive functioning, but some people struggle more with it than others. Nootropics, natural brain health remedies, can help to improve concentration and focus, which can be a big relief for those who find this a challenge. 

Inattention: Why Does It Matter?

Some people find concentrating hard, others experience inattention as a symptom of a neurological disturbance, such as ADHD. Either way, being unable to focus optimally can have tremendous drawbacks. 

• You might struggle more at school, and find educational achievements harder to reach than your peers.
• You might struggle to hold down a job if it requires extended periods of focus.
• You could potentially be seen as ‘rude’ by others because you cannot focus in groups or 1:1 conversations and ‘zone out’.
• Inattention might make basic tasks like shopping or banking more challenging. 
• You might not sleep well due to having too many ideas and thoughts in your head.

Basically, lack of focus can have prolonged effects on a person’s entire life course. Some people manage it through using life skills or therapies. People with a diagnosis of ADHD (which is thought to be around 10% of us, according to one meta-analysis of 175 different studies) might rely on heavy duty prescription drugs. Nootropics can therefore be a nice alternative if nothing else is working or if you want to move away from medicine with side effects. 

What Causes Inattention?

Nobody knows exactly why ADHD and inattention occur. Some people say it’s down to genetics, others swear it’s our diets or lifestyle choices. But we do know that the neurotransmitter dopamine plays a role. The Catecholamine Hypothesis explains this further. 

The Catecholamine Hypothesis suggests that neurological disorders like ADHD are linked to an imbalance in brain chemicals known as catecholamines. These chemicals are partially responsible for maintaining and processing "excitatory" neuronal activity.

The neurotransmitters emphasized by the Catecholamine Hypothesis include:

• Epinephrine (adrenaline) - a chemical that increases heart rate, blood sugar and blood flow.  
• Norepinephrine - the "attention" chemical linked with sleep-wake cycles and stress.  
• Dopamine - the chemical that facilitates reward-seeking behavior and promotes satisfaction and calm. 

When these chemicals are disrupted or out of balance, symptoms of ADHD can occur. 

ADHD medication (which are stimulants) work with these chemicals to balance and restore the brain. But ADHD medication is only prescribed with a diagnosis, and in adults it is hard to diagnose ADHD due to waiting lists, costs and lack of awareness about the condition. 

More people are therefore looking to nootropics for solutions. 

Nootropics For Inattention

Nootropics can assist us in maintaining focus without the side effects that come with powerful prescription drugs. They are naturally sourced, but by no means weak or ineffective. Nootropics continue to be studied by scientists as valid medicines for numerous neurological conditions. 

There are many different nootropics out there, some of which specifically work in alignment with the Catecholamine Hypothesis. These are listed below.

Citicoline is one nootropic that can help. Citicoline is a mental performance enhancer, helping to boost brain energy and brain functionality, as well as reducing levels of impulsivity. 

Maritime Pine Bark Extract is also a popular nootropic for inattention. It helps with cerebral circulation, hyperactivity and concentration. It is found naturally in red wine, cocoa, berries and other herbs. 

Another nootropic for ADHD and inattention is L-tyrosine, which reduces stress and helps maintain good cognition, while replenishing brain energy and enhancing mental performance. It has also been shown to improve the ability to multitask, sleep better, and focus without distraction. 

Phosphatidylserine is not only a nootropic for better cognition but a cognition forming compound that operates as a fundamental building block in cell development. This incredible chemical supports better brain health, cell membrane fluidity and neural connectivity. This improves focus and reduces inattention. 

Finally, L-theanine is a green tea nootropic that can turn alpha brain waves (those associated with wakefulness) into steady waves promoting relaxation and clarity. L-theanine also promotes better sleep, which is helpful to those with sleep disorders associated with ADHD and inattention. When you have inattention / ADHD, your brain can feel overwhelmed with information and it can be very hard to get out of that wakeful state and relax into a sleep state. That is why insomnia is one of the key indicators that a child or adult has ADHD. L-theatnine is a healthy and non-addictive alternative to sleeping pills or synthetic sleep aids because it helps the brain to do what it should do naturally - rather than sedating you and making you drowsy the next day. 

It’s important to note here that certain vitamins can also be used in combination with the above nootropics, including vitamin B6, B2 and B9 - all associated with brain health and stability. 

Using Nootropics Safely

As already mentioned, just because something is natural, or more gentle than conventional medicine, does not mean it is always safe. Any nootropic you buy should come with instructions for use. Follow these instructions properly and do not guess your dosing. The wrong dose of nootropics can lead to worsening neurological problems and other side effects. 

Always keep nootropics out of the reach of children and store as stated on the packet. 

Nootropics We Provide For Inattention

Searching for a nootropic for ADHD? We have the Lion’s Mane Mushroom Nootropic. This nootropic has been used for centuries to boost brain function, memory and focus. This particular supply will last for around 2 months with regular use, and a single scoop can be added to food and drink as per your preference. 

You can also try the Nootrocan 900mg Full Spectrum CBD Nootropic Capsules (choose the ‘Focus and Memory’ option). This nootropic includes full spectrum CBD, which has its own set of unique health benefits that will enhance your overall health, not just your brain health. Simply take the capsules daily as specified on the instructions. 

To see our full range of nootropics, click here. Remember we are frequently adding nootropics to our range, so keep an eye out for new and exciting products to add to your inventory.