‘Nootropics' Great Wall: Penetrating the BBB for Peak Performance

The phrase "feed your brain" might ring a bell if you're old enough to remember Jefferson Airplane, the iconic 1960s band, and their hit "White Rabbit." But for health-conscious folks today, "feed your brain" takes on a whole new meaning.

What's your first thought when you look for a quality nootropic? Do you think about feeding your brain cells? Do you think about the neuro-nutrients your brain needs? Or, perhaps you look for a nootropic that may support not just the head-brain, but your entire brain system (head, heart, and gut)?*

All valid concerns. But there may be something you are not weighing in. Do you know that, for most neuro-nutrients, it's quite challenging actually to reach and nourish your brain?*

That "challenge" is known as the blood-brain barrier.*

What is the blood-brain barrier?

The brain is incredibly precious. And its creator has gone to great lengths to protect it from harm. In fact, no organ in the human body is better shielded against intrusive chemicals than the brain. If the body were a temple, the brain would be its holiest shrine.*

But it wasn't until the 1960s that scientists (using powerful microscopes) could actually see the detailed structure of the brain's network of blood vessels standing between the rest of the body and the brain.

Like all other blood vessels in the body, the brain's vessels are lined with endothelial cells that interface between circulating blood and the vessel wall.

However, unlike other blood vessels, the endothelial cells in the brain are tightly wedged together, creating a nearly impenetrable barrier between the brain and the bloodstream.*

Why do we need it?

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is important for protecting the brain from circulating toxins and pathogens that could cause infections.*¹

At the same time, it allows certain nutrients, such as Oxygen and Glucose—the brain's primary energy sources—to pass through freely. However, larger substances (like cells, proteins, or stray neurotransmitters) are blocked.*²

So what happens when the BBB stops protecting the brain as it should? If the tight junctions of the BBB become loose (or damaged), the barrier can become more permeable, allowing potentially harmful substances to leak into the brain.*

(!) This can potentially lead to brain damage, inflammation, or what's often referred to as a "leaky brain."*³

It makes sense, really. A bacterial imbalance in your gut (which may suppress the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin) may result in cognition problems and even emotional imbalance or anxiousness challenges.*⁴

What do all these have to do with nootropics?

As mentioned above, the blood-brain barrier is incredibly effective at protecting the brain from harmful substances.*

However, that comes with a downside: most nootropics (and neuro-nutrients) that aren't precisely formulated or lipid-soluble enough may struggle to get through. Simply put, their ability to support and nourish your brain may be significantly reduced.*

That doesn't mean that ALL nootropic nutrients or compounds found in foods or drinks or nootropics don't have effects on the brain and central nervous system—as anyone who's ever had too much coffee or taken a guarana-based energy drink to try to pull an all-night work marathon can attest.*

→ For example, Omega-3 Fatty Acids like DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) are highly lipid-soluble, making it easier for them to cross the BBB.*⁵

→ Choline—when taken as a precursor to Acetylcholine—may pass through in forms like Citicoline or Alpha-GPC.*⁶

→ Another great example is Phosphatidylserine (which is found in high amounts in brain cell membranes compared to other parts of the body). When taken orally, it may cross the BBB and support healthy brain function (including memory, focus, and cognition).*⁷

→ L-Theanine (a non-essential amino acid typically found in tea) may also cross the BBB. According to research, once L-Theanine reaches the brain, it can increase levels of certain neurotransmitters (such as GABA, dopamine, and serotonin).*^8,9