Supplements for increasing motivation

Motivation and drive
  • While there is no magic pill that can instantly give you motivation to do whatever task you want to, there are some supplements that can increase energy and focus and in turn help increase motivation. Most of us don't have the motivation to accomplish something simply because we lack the energy or focus. Here are some supplements that can increase motivation:

    1. [b]Cordyceps[/b]

    Cordyceps is a fungus that infects several species in the animal kingdom and kills them by utilizing their resources to grow and eventually fruit out or burst from the infected species' body. Cordyceps contains a lot of nutrients and compounds that have been shown to:

    [list]
    []Reduce aging
    [
    ]Increase dopamine production by increase tyrosine hydroxylase
    []Decrease dopamine breakdown by normalizing MAO-B levels
    [
    ]Increase energy
    []Increase focus
    [
    ]Improve ATP energy production
    []Improve athletic performance
    [
    ]Modulate the immune system
    [/list]

    The key thing that Cordyceps does is increase tyrosine hyrdoxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme that produces dopamine in the brain, and also decrease or normalize MAO-B levels. MAO-B is short for monoamine oxidase type B. This enzyme breaks down dopamine and renders it useless. It also breaks down phenylethylamine (PEA) a natural stimulant in the brain. PEA acts like amphetamine by releasing dopamine and noradrenaline but MAO-B quickly breaks it down and renders it inactive. As we age MAO-B levels increase and as a result dopaminergic activity is greatly reduced. Cordyceps can reverse this and even increase dopamine levels above our baseline states.

    I've used the Dr's Best Cordyceps brand and found it very useful in increasing energy, focus, and motivation.

    1. [b]Rhodiola Rosea[/b]

    This herb grows in harsh environmental conditions and so it has to produce compounds that protect it from stress. These compounds act as adaptogens and help the herb adapt to the environment. Many of us lead stressful lives and barely have time to relax. This is not good as chronic stress has been shown to cause depression, fatigue, anxiety, heart disease, and a whole list of other undesirable things.

    Unfortunately, we cannot just stop living our lives because that's not practical. Just having a job can lead to chronic stress for some people. This is why it's important to take adaptogens. Adaptogens will help the body deal with the chronic stress and help it adapt to a new baseline of stress. Rhodiola is perfect for this. What's more is Rhodiola has been shown to:

    [list]
    []Increase lifespan in flies
    [
    ]Decrease stress response
    []Increase dopamine levels in the brain (important)
    [
    ]Increase serotonin levels in the brain
    []Increase energy
    [
    ]Improve mood
    []Increase focus
    [
    ]Decrease anxiety
    [/list]

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    Thank you, that was very helpful.

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    Well, it's certainly a different approach from the one I've been taking. I was trying to motivate myself through discipline, but my willpower isn't very strong. My mind likes to wander a lot. 😊

    The idea of building motivation up like exercising your body to become fit was an intriguing idea. I hadn't thought of it like that before, and I want to try motivating myself like this article explains. It's worth a try at least, and I'm hoping that it will work. 🙂

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    [quote='Azra' pid='34' dateline='1355340077']
    Do you work out? If so, what motivates you keep going?

    I starting working out a few years ago because I was tired all the time, my pant size was getting bigger, and I felt really self conscious. That motivated me to get in better shape and maintain it.
    [/quote]

    There came a specific time in my life, when I really needed a new way around. It all started at Christmas this year. There has been lots of changes in my life, new way of thinking and what I wanted was to get more out of life. First principle was to simply start doing more. Charity, new major, meeting new people. And also new me. I started to work out every day, for about an hour. And it was amazing. I felt better and, what was especially significant for me, was that I had more control of my own body. And as it was, it made me even more enthustiastic person than I was. For now I stopped my training, but I still maintain good eating habits. I always eat regularly and even though I don't work out, I don't gain weight. So it was an important aspect of my new life. And I'm planning to take up a sport again 🙂