When people think of supplements, generally they think of bodybuilding, weight training, athletics, and other physically demanding activities. While it is indeed true that supplements can provide an athletic edge and can boost performance, recovery, and physiques, they can do so much more as well.
The supplement industry is one of the most lucrative in the world, and is estimated to be worth close to $300 Billion! Needless to say, that’s extremely impressive, especially considering the supplement industry is branching out and getting into the gaming industry of all things.
Gaming supplements are currently in higher demand than ever, thanks partially to a surge in sales during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, when gaming proved the only escape for a lot of people.
But what exactly are gaming supplements, why are they needed, and what can they do? Let’s delve deeper and learn more about the trending use of gaming supplements, shall we?
What exactly are gaming supplements?
Despite video games getting a bad rep over the years and being blamed for virtually every travesty that has ever plagued mankind, they have been found to be hugely beneficial.
Video games not only provide an escape for people, they provide entertainment, they help bring people together, they can improve cognitive health and brain function, they can enhance reaction times and coordination, and much more besides.
Nowadays, gaming is more popular than ever, thanks to sites such as YouTube and Twitch, not to mention games such as Fortnite, Rocket League, League of Legends, Dota 2, and many more besides.
Pro gaming, also known as Esports, is worth an insane amount of money and helps bring in viewers from all over the globe. Gamers take their gaming seriously and spend hours at a time streaming and playing. Needless to say, this can take its toll on the body, physically, as well as mentally.
Gaming supplements are typically nootropics designed to promote cognitive health and function of the brain and CNS (Central Nervous System). Gaming supplements can boost energy levels, increase reaction times, boost hand-eye coordination, and promote all around wellness.
Gaming supplements are similar to energy drinks, except for the fact that they are much healthier and more beneficial.
Examples of gaming supplements
Typically, you will find that gaming supplements consist of products such as the following:
- L-Theanine
- Omega-3 capsules
- Caffeine tablets
- Taurine powder
- Green coffee bean extract
- Vitamin C
- L-Tyrosine
- Green tea extract
- BCAAs (Branch Chain Amino Acids)
- Multivitamins
- Ginseng
- Ginkgo Biloba
What are the benefits of gaming supplements?
Okay, so we’ve looked at what gaming supplements are, but what exactly do they do and what makes them so beneficial?
Here are some of the main benefits associated with gamer supplements.
Enhanced reaction speeds
When gaming, especially competitively, reaction speeds are everything. Every millisecond matters, which is why gaming supplements are so useful and popular in the gaming community.
When your brain is firing on all metaphorical cylinders, it’s easier to make decisions and to react to what’s happening on screen. This means you can dodge attacks easier or take down enemies quicker and get them before they get you.
Increased mental focus and energy levels
Another reason why gaming supplements are so useful is because of the fact that they can increase energy levels and boost mental focus.
Gamers will often spend hours on end gaming, and the longer they go without any sources of energy, the more their mental performance will suffer. Gaming is all about constantly being alert and able to react fast, and Esports supplements can help to achieve exactly that.
Gaming supplements contain stimulants such as caffeine, taurine, L-theanine, and ginseng, which can give you increases in physical and mental energy levels.
Not only are they useful for boosting energy levels, they can also promote wellbeing in general,by providing all the nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, that the body needs to function to the best of its abilities.
Improved memory
Having a good memory is not only beneficial for the outside world, it is also beneficial when it comes to gaming. A good memory can help when solving clues and puzzles, punching in codes, and other things that gamers need to do during a typical session.
Gaming supplements often contain caffeine, which has been found to improve memory, along with physical and mental performance. Omega-3 fatty acids are also used, thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties. These can ease inflammation in the brain and protect brain cells, while also helping to restore and regenerate brain cells.
