Sometimes you need to focus extra hard when working on a difficult project and you just can’t, or you don’t have the willpower to even start. Well, for situation like that nootropics exist. Let’s take a look at the best LEGAL nootropics that will help you switch your mind into a focused laser mode.

Acetylcholine

This is a relatively unknown neurotransmitter, but a very important one. It supports the working memory, your focus and the ability to use your reasoning skills. It also boosts creativity and linguistic skills. Furthermore, it improves your muscle memory, coordination and mobility. Acetylcholine is made from choline, which is present in eggs, meat, milk and yogurt. If you are searching for herbs, then Ashwagandha, Ginkgo biloba and Gotu kola should help with it. Also, nicotine binds to acetlycholine receptors, so any kind of tobacco is useful.

L-theanine

Matcha you must surely know already. This green tea has different growth conditions, which modulate the L-theanine content of the herb. L-theanine protects you from the “mental crash” that would the caffeine contained in the tea cause. That’s why it’s a good idea to use L-theanine with coffee, as a supplement, especially if you are a heavy drinker. For everything else, there is matcha. It’s loaded with anti-oxidants, it’s hepatoprotective and boosts your brain function.

Tyrosine

Tyrosine, or L-tyrosine, is so called pre-cursor to dopamine (the reward anticipation hormone). When ingested, it can get through the blood-brain barrier and provide more dopamine building blocks in the brain. Dopamine is the single most important neurotransmitter for keeping your mind focused and healthy — have too much of it, you get schizophrenia; have too little and you have Parkinson’s. You can get tyrosine in beef, cheese (parmesan), spirulina, soy beans, fish or in a powder form.

Mitragynine

Mitragynine is the main compound of the herb Mitragyna Speciosa (Kratom). Kratom is legal in most European countries and in some USA countries. It increases motivation to work and gives you focused attention. Mitragynine has a very potent opioid agonist properties . It suppresses pain and mental chatter , thus giving free flow to creativity. It’s also used in overcoming addictions — it helps even with the hard drugs! Kratom also releases acetylcholine, mentioned above. Not only that, it also releases dopamine and serotonin, which further help you to finish your tasks and keep long term goals.

Nicotine

Nicotine is a classic. Sherlock Holmes uses it. Carl Jung used it. Freud used it. In many cases, it is just a form of self-medication for lowered brain function, however, it also acts as a perfect cognitive booster. Nicotine binds to your adenosine receptors, thus rendering you unable to feel sleepy. Data have shown that long term smokes are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease — nicotine increases the levels of dopamine in the brain, thus making the task at hand more rewarding. Bear in mind that moderation is always advised, because all of these compounds have quite nasty addiction forming characteristics. None of the withdrawal symptoms will be harder than a headache and a slight depression, but still, use them cautiously.