Even if you’re not running marathons or competing in team sports, gamers still need to have the proper nutrition, physical abilities, and mental skill to excel at their chosen competition. With professional gaming becoming a huge industry, gamers need optimal nutrition to do the best they can. Whether you need a boost of energy, stamina, focus, or clarity - gaming supplements could be the answer.
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What are gaming supplements?Are gaming supplements harmful?Benefits of gaming supplements.Your gaming supplement questions answered.Command gaming supplements.
What are gaming supplements?
Gaming supplements are nootropics that have the power to help you improve your concentration and performance while gaming. From improving your hand eye coordination or boosting your energy, there are various ways that gaming supplements can give you the boost you need to break through. They can give you the competitive edge that you need to focus and break through to the next level - mentally and in your game.
Are gaming supplements harmful?
Supplements used for gaming are often natural substances, but you still want to buy reputable brands that you know are backed by science and well tested. Some supplements can interfere with other medications or health conditions, so it’s important to talk to your doctor if you have concerns. Taken in the right quantities as directed, these supplements are safe.
Benefits of gaming supplements
Gaming supplements have a wide range of potential benefits. Let’s dive in to each benefit and which compounds can be the most efficient at meeting your needs. Let’s break down a few of the benefits gaming supplements could have for you.
1. Improve your memory
Caffeine is a basic example of a supplement that can improve both physical and mental performance. Research shows that it boosts complex cognitive ability, giving you the power to think quickly and remember how to be successful.1 Sure, you can get caffeine from a few cups of coffee or tea, but it can also be a key component of gaming supplement.
Omega-3 fatty acids are another great example of a natural compound that can boost your brain’s health and memory. They work by reducing inflammation and have actually been shown to have protective and restorative effects on brain cells.2 While known for its heart health benefits, don’t skip Omega-3s when thinking about fuelling your memory.
Ginkgo Biloba is another common supplement that has been used for years to support memory and brain function by increasing blood flow to the brain.3 Typically sold as ginkgo extract, this plant-based supplement is easy to find and a popular way to keep your memory sharp. Essential for gamers.
2. Improve your focus and energy
When gaming, you need to constantly be alert and limit distractions by having intense focus on the task at hand. Caffeine can also help in this area, as well as other compounds found in teas, like L-Theanine. Green tea is especially high in L-theanine, and has been used for years to aid in weight loss by providing energy and reducing appetite.4 Similar to Omega-3s, L-Theanine has high antioxidant levels and multiple protective effects throughout the body.
3. Aid decision making
Ginseng is a traditional herbal supplement with multiple benefits for thousands of years for many uses. Many use Ginseng to help combat anxiety and depression, both of which can make it difficult to find motivation, make decisions and take action quickly.5 Ginseng has also been shown to have a protective effect over neurons and works against neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers continue to find interactions between brain health and Ginseng, and it is a popular supplement to enhance cognitive function.5
4. Increase reaction speed
When your brain is energized and your focus is keyed in, it’s easier to make decisions quickly - but you might also experience a level of stress during your gaming experience. Taurine is an amino acid that is found in many animal foods that helps with controlling your central nervous system and modulates the “fight or flight” response - helping your brain determine the best strategy to protect yourself.6
Rhodiola Rosea, an adaptogen made from an herb, is also useful in moderating stress and helping to make quick decisions, so could also be worth a try for serious gamers.7
Your top Gaming Supplements Questions Answered:
Can supplements improve your gaming skills?
If you struggle with low energy, or find it hard to focus, make decisions, and react quickly, gaming supplements could definitely improve your performance. Make sure you are taking good care of yourself like an elite athlete would - with proper rest, nutrition, and exercise - and a gaming supplement can be the extra boost to help you improve.
What’s the best supplement for gaming?
The best supplements for gaming would contain the ingredients that support the areas you are struggling the most with - but a combination of the following ingredients would be ideal to reap all of the potential benefits to improve your gaming.
Monitor how they make you feel to make sure the benefits outweigh any potential drawbacks.| Gaming Supplement | Benefits | Potential Drawbacks |
| Caffeine | Energy, focus, attention, memory | Too much can increase your heart rate and make you feel shaky. Not good before sleep. |
| Omega-3s | Memory, brain protection, heart benefits | Consider other medical conditions before using |
| Ginkgo Biloba | Memory and reaction time | Potential stomach discomfort |
| L-Theanine | Focus, energy | Potential reduced appetite |
| Ginseng | Energy, decision making speed | Potential increased heart rate |
| Taurine | Reaction speed, focus | Potential headache, nausea |
| Rhodiola | Reaction speed, calmness | Increased heart rate |
Command Gaming Supplements
We're ready to take your gaming potential to the next level with our gamer specific supplements. The Command line is here to support all of your gamer needs.
Command Energy Cans
Command's energy drinks are packed with 180mg of caffeine to improve alertness and concentration, as well as taurine, and Lion's mane mushroom powder to improve focus.
Also featuring a blend of essential vitamins like vitamin A, B6, and zinc, your reaction times won't miss a beat.
Choose from our two fruit flavours, Blue Raspberry and Grape.
Command Nootropic Powder
Each serving of our nootropic powder is packed with 250mg of cognizin™, as well as 150g of caffeine to keep you alert and focussed. Also featuring essential vitamins including zinc for normal cognitive function, vitamin A for normal vision, and vitamin C to reduce fatigue.
You're also spoilt for choice of flavours, with Grape, Blue Raspberry, Tropical, or Sour Apple.
Take Home Message
If you’re a true gamer, you know the demands that gaming can have on your brain and body. Like other athletes, you deserve to have tools that help you function at your highest levels. Check out gaming supplements to help give you a competitive edge the next time you’re ready to play.Want some more nutrition advice from our experts?
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Our articles should be used for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you're concerned, consult a health professional before taking dietary supplements or introducing any major changes to your diet.
1. Hogervorst, E. E. F., Bandelow, S., Schmitt, J., Jentjens, R. O. Y., Oliveira, M., Allgrove, J., … & Gleeson, M. (2008). Caffeine improves physical and cognitive performance during exhaustive exercise. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 40(10), 1841-1851.
2. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and brain health: Preclinical evidence for the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. Kerdiles O, Laye S, Calon F. Part B, 203-213, s.l. : Trends in Food Science & Technology, 2017, Vol. 69.
3. Specific memory effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 in middle-aged healthy volunteers. R, Kaschel. s.l. : Phytomedicine, 2011, Vols. Nov 15;18(14):1202-7.
4. The beneficial health effects of green tea aminoa acid L-theanine in animal models: Promises and prospects for human trials. Williams J, Sergi D, McKune A, Georgousopoulou E, Mellor D, Naumovski N. s.l. : Phytotherapy Research, 2019, Vol. January.
5. Protective effects of ginseng on neurological disorders. Ong W-Y, Farooqui T, Koh H-L, Farooqui AA, Ling E-A. s.l. : Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2015, Vol. July 16.
6. Lourenco, R., & Camilo, M. E. (2002). Taurine: a conditionally essential amino acid in humans? An overview in health and disease. Nutr Hosp, 17(6), 262-270.
7. Ducharme, Jamie. What Are Adaptogens and Why are People Taking Them? Time. 2018, Vol. February 28.
Claire is a Registered Dietitian through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a board-certified Health and Wellness Coach through the International Consortium for Health and Wellness Coaching. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition from the University of Pittsburgh.
Talking and writing about food and fitness is at the heart of Claire’s ethos as she loves to use her experience to help others meet their health and wellness goals.
Claire is also a certified indoor cycling instructor and loves the mental and physical boost she gets from regular runs and yoga classes. When she’s not keeping fit herself, she’s cheering on her hometown’s sports teams in Pittsburgh, or cooking for her family in the kitchen.
Find out more about Claire’s experience here.
