Gaming has evolved quite a bit since the golden ages of the Atari and the Nintendo Entertainment system. What was once a fairly niche past time after school for children and adults alike has over the years evolved into a full-scale sport.
With any sport comes competition, and with competition comes the need for a competitive edge. And what gives a competitive edge to gamers? Increased focus, extra energy, alertness, and good reaction time. But how do gamers acquire these things?
Many people’s image of the competitive gamer is a young adult, knocking back red bulls all night, with some pizza rolls and hot pockets close at hand for needed sustenance.
Maybe this image is correct in some regards, but what about the inevitable crash from the red bulls, or even the split second it takes to have a drink from your Energy drink of choice that could make the difference in getting a headshot on the opponent, or making the kill on the opposing team’s Jungler?
With all the advancements in science these days, you would think there must be more efficient options for the hours long competitions where thousands of dollars could be on the line, and you would be right! These days there are many energy and performance supplements available, whether you want the one-time ease of a capsule or a tasty drink that can be chugged down before the finals.
Know What You’re Taking
In the supplement world, many companies get away with not disclosing their full ingredients lists by calling certain ingredients or blends proprietary. Unfortunately, this is completely legal. Make sure you keep this in mind and opt for a supplement that has a 100% open label that fully discloses all of its ingredients.
How Stimulated Do You Want To Be?
This may seem pretty straightforward, but you’d be surprised how many variables factor in to determine how stimulated you really need to be to perform at your best. The are some gaming supplements that are stimulant free, but most of them contain stimulants of varying strength in one form or another…even if it’s only a bit of caffeine.
We determining how much stimulant you need in your supplements, the first factor you need to consider is what type of game you are playing. If you are playing a high-speed, shorter game that requires quick reflexes, than a good burst of stimulation might be just what you need.
However, if you are going to be playing for longer periods of time or you need to be very precise and decisive with even the smallest movements, you may want to look for a supplement that can facilitate that and does not contain any stimulants.
If you stay up late at night playing and need to be able to fall asleep shortly after logging off, then stimulants are probably bad news for you, too. On the other hand, if you can’t sit down to a game without a trusty supply of energy drinks, you probably need a supplement that’s going to fill that need for you, and that means a supplement with stimulants.
What’s Your Goal?
Once you’ve decided that you want to try gaming supplements to give you an edge, there is one more thing you want to figure out before getting started. When you are looking for that competitive edge, what is it that you need to improve on the most? Are you falling asleep after long, late hours at the controller?
Are you having trouble paying attention to detail with all of the other distractions of the game getting in the way? Or are you simply looking to make better decisions when faced with a puzzle or a decision that could win or lose the round?
Every game calls for different priorities to get a leg up, and every gamer has their own strengths and weaknesses. Know yours, and decide for yourself whether you will need supplements to boost your focus, your cognitive power, or your energy levels.
eSports Supplements For Focus
Following are some examples of supplements available to gamers to heighten their focus and give them the edge they need to pull off the win!
C3G
During the Battle of Britain in World War Two, the Fighter Aces that were tasked with taking on the Nazi Air Attacks were all given rations of blackcurrants. This Super Berry that is native to the United Kingdom happens to contain a compound that has special benefits for a person’s eyesight, known as C3G.
This particular compound is capable of improving night vision as well as promoting exceptional visual acuity. If this chemical has the stuff that was able to give the British fighter pilots a positive advantage over their German opponents, then it could be a good idea for gamers, too. One of the more popular C3G supplements is Pure Black Bean Extract.
Specific Gaming Benefits: Accelerated retinal electric transmissions are just one advantage that is gleaned from this very important food supplement. It could even result in heightened reaction time while taking part in games. It also happens to be important in the task of effectively reducing recovery time if one happens to be blinded by a flash.
Lutein & Zeaxanthin
Lutein and Zeaxanthin are two antioxidants that have been connected to better eyesight. These two components can be found commonly in marigold flowers, and have been known to improve vision over long term use. This is very important for gamers, as eye strain is a very common side effect of long hours of gaming. If you can’t see properly, you can’t play well…and you certainly won’t get that head shot you were aiming for.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin work by increasing macular pigments, which outline the retina of the eye and sharpen the user’s vision, thus improving their eyesight for long hours of play.
Specific Gaming Benefits: The eyesight of a gamer needs to be both sharp and resilient. The combination of Lutein and Zeaxanthin achieves this by both improving the vision of sharp details (Zeaxanthin) and keeping vision acute when there isn’t enough light (Lutein).
Astaxanthin
You’ve probably heard that the real reason flamingos are pink is because of the food they eat, like shrimp. But have you ever wondered why shrimp are pink in the first place? The answer is astaxanthin. This antioxidant is the cause of the vibrant colors associated with not only shrimp but also salmon and lobster.
Astaxanthin is yet another supplement that has been shown to improve eyesight. It does this by improving retinal microcirculation, which counteracts free radicals. These same free radicals can damage your eyesight, and without them, your eyes will function at a much better rate.
Specific Gaming Benefits: Astaxanthin can improve depth perception and increase your visual reflexes, allowing you to react faster and make split second decisions more effectively. It also helps your eyes to stay focused when they get tired, which in turn helps you maintain your energy levels and keep playing longer.
Nootropics For Gamers
Nootropics are a class of supplement that is used to improve cognitive function. This class of supplement is popular among those who wish to perform better at work or focus when studying, but the benefits for gamers are just as obvious.
From decision making to memory, nootropics are a great choice to enhance gaming performance. Nootropics can also increase the length of your attention span, hone your concentration, and increase your energy.
Because they boost cognitive function, nootropics are often referred to as “smart drugs”. This is no surprise as they are very effective increasing mental acuity, giving an impression of increased intelligence.
Racetams (Not Including Phenylpiracetam)
The racetam class of nootropics contains a wide range of products, and their ingredients list can show one of many different variations of racetams. If your supplement contains Noopepot, Oxiracetam, or Aniracetam, then you can expect roughly the same results from any of these ingredients. However, keep an eye out for phenylpiracetam. This ingredient is slightly different and is banned in most professional eSports.
Special Gaming Benefits: Every form of racetam has its own special function and specific benefits. Noopept can help improve your memory and thought process. Aniracetam can help to keep you calm and reduce anxiety during high-stress games. Oxiracetam is best at improving cognitive function, so it’s best for puzzle games.
Make sure you check the specific benefits of each form of racetam against the needs for your chosen game before you begin a racetam based supplement.
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine
If the name N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine seems familiar to you, don’t worry. It’s not because you’re doing weird chemistry drills in your sleep. You’ve probably noticed in on the ingredients list of your favorite energy drink. It’s the same ingredient that helps your energy drinks flood you with neurotransmitters like dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.
This makes N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine a great way to keep your mood up and remain mentally alert for changes in your environment. It’s been known to help Marines get through the toughest of combat training, and it can give you the upper hand in your favorite FPS, too.
Specific Gaming Benefits: Improves alertness, memory, and energy. This allows for more efficient multitasking and better response to stress.
Adaptogens
You may be surprised to learn that some of the best gaming performance boosts can be found in ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines. Ingredients like rhodiola, ashwagandha, and ginseng have been used for centuries as stress reducers and energy boosters for soldiers and farmers. We have recently learned much more about these herbal remedies, and have begun using them in sports and gaming.
Special Gaming Benefits: In addition to boosting energy and mental clarity, adaptogens can also help to reduce the fatigue felt over long hours of continuing a game and staring at a TV or computer screen.
Green Tea
Green tea may seem like a plain beverage, more suitable for curling up with a book than for dominating the digital arena, but don’t be fooled. Green Tea contains the ingredients caffeine and L-Theanine, known in the nootropic world as a real one-two punch combo for boosting, energy, focus, and creativity.
The primary concern of many who have had a negative experience with caffeine is the jittery feeling they can cause. Luckily, L-Theanine calms these jitters so effectively that the two combined can deliver a smooth and comfortable energy boost.
Special Gaming Benefits: Being able to keep up your energy and alertness without having to worry about jitters and a harsh crash is vital to keep a gamer going strong.
Citicoline
Citicoline is well-known throughout both the US and Europe and is perhaps one of the most efficient nootropics currently available. It can provide amazing benefits not just after long term use but also with short-term usage. Whether your goal is improved short term memory, cognitive thinking, or improved clarity, citicoline can help. Citicoline increases the health of the neurotransmitters responsible for proper brain functioning, allowing it to bring about all of the benefits enjoyed by its users.
Special Gaming Benefits: Citicoline improves the very environment of the brain, allowing more powerful functioning in every area of cognition.
Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa Monnieri is another herbal remedy taken directly from ancient Ayurvedic medicine. One of the best gaming supplements on the market today, Bacopa Monnieri is scientifically proven to increase brain functioning. Students often turn to this herbal remedy for its memory enhancing effects. When looking for a Bacopa Monnieri supplement, be aware that it must contain no less than 40% of bacosides if it is to reach maximum efficiency.
Special Gaming Benefits: Bacopa Monnieri is best used for studying and to increase memory, but it can also be used to improve overall cognition useful for enhancing gaming performance.
Gaming Supplements For Energy
The following are a few supplements that are specifically designed to increase energy levels.
The MOD Gaming Supplement
This encapsulated supplement is one of the best gaming supplements on the market. It is made up of a special blend of ingredients, but one of them truly outshines the rest: theacrine.
Theacrine is a fairly new substance and is functionally and fundamentally similar to caffeine. Many would say it is an improvement on the original, as the effects of theacrine last longer than those of caffeine.
It garners effects that are powerful, but not overpowering, so as to land right in the goldilocks zone for alert activity. Theacrine also does not carry with it the risk of building up a tolerance that caffeine entails.
This product stimulates you just enough without causing jitters or anxiety. It guides enhanced focus and pushes even professional gamers to the limits of their enhanced capabilities and beyond.
Special Gaming Benefits: Perhaps the best gaming supplement available for hardcore gamers, this one is truly for those who want top of the line results for gaming enhancement.
RedCon1 Mental Trigger
This energy enhancing supplement will give you a real kick in the pants, just like pulling the trigger on a loaded gun. This supplement has a huge dosage of caffeine blended with top of the line nootropics to provide a power pack of mental energy.
This particular supplement’s effects are best suited towards players of first-person shooter video games. These are fast paced, immersive environments that require split second decision making to ensure you make your shot without taking fire.
RedCon1 Mental Trigger contains theacrine along with noopept and alpha GPC for an efficient blend of nootropics to ensure you have the upper hand against the enemy team.
Special Gaming Benefits: Want a supplement that will get you geared up and ready for action? This is the best supplement to immerse you in any FPS or other high action environment.
Blue Star Elevate
This is the best option if you are looking for a stimulant that is not caffeine based. That’s especially helpful if you have already overdosed on soda and energy drinks. It is designed to help you keep going strong without a crash, no matter how long the battle rages. Don’t wait until you get tilted and start making mistakes – make a preemptive strike against fatigue and ensure you stay sharp and precise with every shot.
Special Gaming Benefits: The stimulation provided without adding even more caffeine to an already hyped up gaming diet is beneficial to keeping the heart pumping without worrying that it might just explode.
eSports Supplements Final Words
No matter how laid back you usually are, every gamer has a competitive streak. No matter which game brings it out in you, there is a supplement out there that can help you play it better.
From energy boosters and focus enhancers to memory improvers and remedies that sharpen vision and mental endurance, there is something out there for every gamer. So, next time you get stuck on a puzzle you just can’t solve, and boss you just can’t defeat, or a target you just can’t hit, remember this list and choose a natural supplement that can enhance your gaming performance significantly.
