Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists01:30

Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists

155
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function.
155
CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents01:22

CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents

183
Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelic drugs, are a class of substances known for their ability to alter perception, cognition, and emotions. Despite their profound effects on the mind, these drugs are non-addictive, setting them apart from many other abused substances. The mechanism of action of these drugs lies in their impact on the 5-HT2A receptor in the brain. Upon activation, this receptor couples to Gq-type G proteins, triggering a cascade that releases intracellular calcium. This...
183
Stimulants01:29

Stimulants

245
Stimulants are substances that enhance neural activity and elevate dopamine levels in the brain, leading to their highly addictive nature. These drugs include cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA, caffeine, and nicotine, each with distinct mechanisms of action and varied health implications.
Cocaine can be administered via snorting, injection, or smoking. It primarily functions by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high characterized by an intense sensation of happiness and...
245
CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids01:24

CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids

235
CNS stimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabinoids, have varying structures and mechanisms of action that lead to different therapeutic effects and side effects. Cocaine, with its molecular formula C17H21NO4, is a tropane alkaloid and a tertiary amino compound. It has two chemical forms: the hydrochloride salt and the "freebase." The former is in powder form, while the latter involves removing the hydrochloride salt to create a form that can be smoked. Cocaine exerts its...
235
Natural Selection and Adaptation01:15

Natural Selection and Adaptation

249
Natural selection, a fundamental concept in evolutionary biology, is the mechanism by which evolution is driven, favoring organisms that are best adapted to their environments. This process enhances their chances of survival and reproduction. Adaptation, a key outcome of this process, involves genetic modifications that optimize an organism's functionality under specific environmental challenges, such as extreme cold or thinner air at high altitudes.
Beyond physical adaptations,...
249
What is Natural Selection?01:32

What is Natural Selection?

115.6K
Natural selection is an evolutionary process in which individuals with survival-promoting traits reproduce at higher rates. These favorable traits become more common within a population or species. Naturally selected traits initially arise via random genetic mutations. In order for selection to occur, there must be variation within a population, the trait controlling the variation must be heritable, and there must be an evolutionary advantage for variation in the trait.
115.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Tracking changes in body composition in athletes: are rapid four-compartment models valid?

The British journal of nutrition·2026
Same author

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Reward-Based Eating Drive Scale (RED-13) and Its Brief Version (RED-5X) in Three European Countries.

Nutrients·2026
Same author

Glycemic Control and Quality of Life Among People with Type 1 Diabetes: Relationships with Insulin Therapy and Carbohydrate Counting.

Nutrients·2025
Same author

Chronotype, Lifestyles, and Anthropometric and Biochemical Indices for Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Among Obese Individuals.

Nutrients·2025
Same author

Adolescents' Perceptions About Healthy and Sustainable Diets: A Qualitative School-Based Study in Portugal.

Ecology of food and nutrition·2024
Same author

Association between nutrition self-efficacy, health locus of control and food choice motives in consumers in nine European countries.

Journal of health psychology·2024
Same journal

Fructooligosaccharide Upregulates Colonic Vitamin D Receptors and Modulates Inflammatory Status in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Male C57BL/6 Mice.

International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition·2026
Same journal

Effects of Dietary Peptides From Essence of Chicken on Neuroinflammation and Their Synergism in Neuroprotection.

International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition·2026
Same journal

The Protective Effect of Vitamin C Targeting Oxidative Stress on Renal Function in Patients with Septic Acute Kidney Injury: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled, Pilot Study.

International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition·2026
Same journal

Potential Effects of Chia Seed (<i>Salvia</i> <i>hispanica</i> L.) on Adipose Tissue Gene Expression and Obesity Indicators in Cafeteria Diet-Fed Rats.

International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition·2026
Same journal

Spirulina Supplementation Can Reduce Serum Levels of C-Reactive Protein: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Randomized Clinical Trials.

International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition·2026
Same journal

Short-Term Turkish Coffee Consumption Elevates Cardiovascular Risk Markers, Decreases Leptin Levels, and Impairs Sleep Quality in Healthy Young Women: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers
06:01

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers

Published on: November 9, 2019

8.1K

Nootropic supplements for esports.

Fernando J Ribeiro1,2, Rui Poínhos1

  • 1Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto (FCNAUP), Porto, Portugal.

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. Internationale Zeitschrift Fur Vitamin- Und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal International De Vitaminologie Et De Nutrition
|August 11, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This review explores how dietary supplements affect esports players. Caffeine shows mixed results, while arginine silicate may improve cognitive performance in gamers.

Keywords:
cognitive enhancementdietary supplementsesportsnootropicsvideo games

More Related Videos

Vision Training Methods for Sports Concussion Mitigation and Management
12:54

Vision Training Methods for Sports Concussion Mitigation and Management

Published on: May 5, 2015

17.5K
A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes
11:32

A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes

Published on: December 8, 2014

12.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers
06:01

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers

Published on: November 9, 2019

8.1K
Vision Training Methods for Sports Concussion Mitigation and Management
12:54

Vision Training Methods for Sports Concussion Mitigation and Management

Published on: May 5, 2015

17.5K
A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes
11:32

A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes

Published on: December 8, 2014

12.8K

Area of Science:

  • Sports Science
  • Nutritional Science
  • Human Performance

Background:

  • Esports, or organized video game competitions, are rapidly expanding globally.
  • The use of dietary supplements by esports players is prevalent but lacks robust scientific evidence.
  • Understanding the efficacy of supplements for enhancing gamer performance is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review clinical trials on dietary supplements and video gaming performance.
  • To summarize findings regarding cognitive and performance effects.
  • To identify research gaps and guide future investigations in esports nutrition.

Main Methods:

  • Searched major databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar) for English-language clinical trials from 1990-2023.
  • Included studies assessing dietary supplement effects on cognitive performance in video gamers.
  • Utilized PRISMA (2020) guidelines for study selection and data charting.

Main Results:

  • Sixteen studies were analyzed, predominantly randomized, acute, and crossover designs.
  • Caffeine (40-200 mg) showed mixed effects: positive impacts on cognition (attention, processing speed) and gaming performance (reaction time, accuracy) in some studies.
  • Arginine silicate (1500 mg) consistently improved cognitive functions (reaction time, attention, spatial planning).
  • Sucrose yielded no significant benefits, while glucose showed positive effects on processing speed and sustained attention.

Conclusions:

  • The current literature on esports supplements is limited, with a strong focus on caffeine.
  • Caffeine may offer benefits but also carries risks for esports players.
  • Further high-quality research is essential to establish evidence-based supplement recommendations for gamers.