Nootropic Supplements and Exercise: Patterns and Perceptions of Cognitive Enhancer Use in Physically Active Individuals

‘Nootropic’ describes compounds that enhance cognition. Dietary supplement companies leverage this concept as a descriptor for product marketing. Given that half of all American adults, as well as many active individuals, use a dietary supplement, the purpose of this study was to explore nootropic use in physically active individuals. Nootropic use was evaluated via an online survey. Preferred nootropics, dose, frequency, reasons for use, and perceived effects were evaluated. In total, 152 individuals (men n = 86, women n = 64, other n = 2; mean ± SD age = 27.42 ± 7.66) were eligible for analysis. Means, standard deviations, and percentages were determined, and chi-square (χ2) tests of independence were used to determine significant associations related to nootropic type, exercise characteristics, use tendencies, and perceived positive or negative effects (p < 0.05). Thirty-six nootropics were reported, with caffeine (21.7%, n = 122), creatine (9.8%, n = 55), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, Omega 3) (7.0%, n = 39), L-theanine and nicotine (both 6.6%, n = 37), and ashwagandha (6.1%, n = 34) the most frequently used. The most common reason for use was to increase energy and motivation (34.8%, n = 81). Those who predominantly engaged in weight training were more likely to use amino acids, peptides, and their derivatives (p < 0.001). Those who use their respective nootropics more frequently perceived the nootropic to be more effective (p < 0.001). This survey suggests that nootropic use is common in active individuals for diverse reasons that go beyond cognition enhancement.