Competitive gaming and long-form play demand more than fast reflexes. Sustained focus, mental clarity, and dependable energy all matter when someone is grinding through ranked matches, practicing mechanics, or staying sharp during extended sessions. Cognitive supplements provide multiple benefits for gamers and the right combination can help support gamer-performance.
Moreover, today's youth—a substantial segment of the gamer population—are already predisposed to taking nutraceuticals. Consider the April 2026 report in Pediatrics Open Science that one-third of U.S. youth under the age of 19 use dietary supplements (Brandy Recio et al.). Thus, the creation of smart gaming formulas could represent a gold mine rather than minefield for brands.
Four ingredients that stand out for gaming-focused formulas are pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (Alpha-GPC), phosphatidylserine (PS), and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). Each supports performance in a different way, from mitochondrial energy production to neurotransmitter support to cellular energy metabolism. They offer a compelling approach for products designed to support gamers, streamers, esports enthusiasts, and anyone looking to stay mentally engaged for longer.*
Caffeine still has a place in many energy products, but today’s consumers increasingly want more than a short-lived stimulant effect. Many are looking for natural ingredients that support:
That shift is creating space for advanced ingredients that work on deeper aspects of energy metabolism and brain function. What is more, the above benefits appeal to all types of gamers—from competitive to casual, from VR to vintage consoles, from online multiplayer and streamers to tabletop, and from long-session to short-burst play.
Below we share some of the research that reveals why these four ingredients rise to the top when it comes to redefining gaming performance.
PQQ promotes mitochondrial energy production and cognitive support (Chowanadisai et al., 2009; Harris et al., 2013). Because mitochondria are responsible for producing the energy cells use to function, PQQ fits naturally into conversations around sustained performance and mental stamina. PQQ is highly regarded as the molecule responsible for mitochondrial support and energy production.
How does PQQ benefit gamers?
For gaming applications, this matters because extended play sessions require more than a quick burst of alertness. Players often need consistent energy, concentration, and resilience over time. PQQ helps support that more foundational energy story by connecting performance to cellular function.
What’s one key research finding about PQQ?
PQQ is associated with enhanced memory and learning. An exciting 2008 study by Ohwada et al. in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition showed in rodent models that the administration of PQQ-supplements resulted in improved memory and learning rate (see image). For gamers navigating complex environments and building mechanical memory, that kind of cognitive support is directly relevant.
Where can I learn more about PQQ?
Read more about PQQ here.
Alpha-GPC is one of the most bioavailable choline compounds, allowing it to be easily absorbed by the body. It plays a valuable role in the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for cognitive function. This makes it particularly relevant for focus, memory, and mental clarity. Not only does it involve both short and long term memory, but Alpha-GPC has also been linked to increasing oxygenation of the brain through increased blood flow to improve acuity and the ability to concentrate (Strifler et al.).
How does Alpha-GPC benefit gamers?
For gamers, focus is not just about feeling energized. It is about processing information quickly, maintaining attention under pressure, and responding accurately in real time. Kamilov et al. (2016) found that Alpha-GPC has the added benefit of increasing blood flow to the eyes and sharpening vision, enhancing one of the key senses on which gamers rely. Try getting a sharper vision from your typical energy drink and you’ll end up being disappointed.
Alpha-GPC is best for card playing and supports working memory, attention, and mental endurance. These features are important for the abilities needed to track cards, probabilities, and other players’ behavior in real time. Alpha-GPC supports acetylcholine production, a neurotransmitter strongly linked to memory recall and focused thinking, which are central to strategic card games.
Overall, Alpha-GPC is a strong ingredient for nootropic-style gaming formulas. It helps brands position products around precision, attention, and mental clarity rather than generic energy alone.
What’s one key research finding about Alpha-GPC?
One study of college students published by Hoffman et al. in 2010 found that Alpha-GPC was a key component in improving alertness and focus as well as sustaining reaction time performance (CRAM; see image) compared to a placebo (PL; see image). Alpha-GPC is an ideal supplement for students, test takers, and attention-deficit individuals, as well as gamers.
Where can I learn more about Alpha-GPC?
Read more about Alpha-GPC here.
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a naturally occurring phospholipid that plays an important role in the structure and function of brain cell membranes. PS supports healthy neuronal signaling and helps maintain the membrane integrity needed for efficient communication between brain cells. This makes PS especially relevant for cognitive performance, memory, and sustained mental function.
How does PS benefit gamers?
Strong performance depends on more than raw stimulation; it requires sustained attention, quick information processing and reflexes, and the ability to stay mentally sharp from start to finish. PS supports this more foundational side of cognitive performance by helping maintain healthy brain function at the cellular level.
PS is highly relevant in gaming environments where attention, memory, and mental consistency can make a meaningful difference over time. Ultimately, PS is a strong addition to gaming-oriented nootropic formulas that gives brands another way to position products around memory, focus, and reflexes rather than relying on the quick boost from caffeine alone.
What’s one key research finding about PS?
In their 2015 meta-analysis, Glade & Smith concluded this about PS supplementation:
Exogenous PS . . . supports human cognitive functions, including the formation of short-term memory, the consolidation of long-term memory, the ability to create new memories, the ability to retrieve memories, the ability to learn and recall information, the ability to focus attention and concentrate, the ability to reason and solve problems, language skills and the ability to communicate, and locomotor functions, especially rapid reactions and reflexes (p. 784).
How is this explanation of PS’s benefits not compelling to gamers?
Where can I learn more about PS?
Read more about PS here.
NMN is a nucleotide derived from vitamin B3 and serves as a precursor to NAD+, a compound involved in cellular energy production and metabolism. Increasing NMN levels can help raise NAD+ levels in the body, which is significant because NAD+ is one of the key factors involved in supporting metabolic activity. Opportunities exist to provide NMN as an “all-natural” supplement that is not synthetic. Users may prefer a natural NMN source, and a good ingredient supplier will have all options available.
How does NMN benefit gamers?
For brands formulating for gamers, streamers, and high-engagement consumers, NMN can add depth to a formula’s positioning by reinforcing a story around cellular energy, metabolic support, and performance over time. NMN offers a forward-looking and scientifically relevant addition to modern gaming formulas.
In gaming-focused applications, NMN is especially convincing because it connects energy support to physical endurance. In healthy adults, NMN supplementation was found to improve muscle function and stamina (Igarashi et al., 2022). Moreover, Mills et al. highlight an anti-aging function of NMN that is an added benefit gamers can appreciate.
What’s one key research finding about NMN?
In 2023, Yi et al. published results from a clinical trial of NMN supplementation in healthy adults that found the supplement increased physical endurance and speed of the participants when compared to the placebo. Moreover, they concluded that the body can safely tolerate doses up to 900 mg a day. For gamers, having endurance and speed for long sessions is a tangible benefit that NMN supplements can provide.
Where can I learn more about NMN?
Read more about NMN here.
In summary, PQQ, Alpha-GPC, PS, and NMN create a well-rounded platform for gaming-oriented supplements:
These features allow brands to move beyond generic “energy” messaging and instead build a more sophisticated positioning. Gaming supplements remain a growing category, and consumer expectations are evolving.
Today’s audience is more informed, label-aware, and interested in ingredients with a clear functional purpose. That creates opportunity for brands to differentiate with formulas built around credible, functional ingredients. Indeed, brands can even tout how the benefits of these ingredients extend beyond gameplay and into everyday life.
Contact Vesta® Nutra to consider how PQQ, Alpha-GPC, PS, and NMN can help support product concepts such as:
At Vesta® Nutra, we offer an entire portfolio of nootropic supplements that can improve gaming performance:
Whether you are looking for a contract manufacturing partner, a supplier for one of the ingredients above, or formulation guidance for a new product, we're ready to support your next step. For more information, contact us at marketing@vestanutra.com.
References:
Brandy Recio BS, Li Q, Guadamuz J, Mazen Qato D. Changes in Dietary Supplement Use Among Children and Adolescents in the United States, 2015–2016 to 2021–2023. Ped. Open Sci. 2026, 2: 1-4.
Chowanadisai W, Bauerly K, Tchaparian E, et al. Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Stimulates Mitochondrial biogenesis through cAMP Response Element-binding Protein Phosphorylation and Increased PGC-1Alpha Expression. J Bio Chem. 2009, 285: 142-152.
Glade MJ, Smith KDC. Phosphatidylserine and the human brain. Nutrition 2015, 31: 781-786.
Harris CB, Chowanadisai W, Mishchuk DO, Satre MA, Slupsky CM, Rucker R. Dietary pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) alters indicators of inflammation and mitochondrial-related metabolism in human subjects. J Nutr Biochem 2013, 24: 2076-2084.
Hoffman JR, Ratamess NA, Gonzalez A, Beller NA, Hoffman MW, Olson M, Purpura M, Jäger R. The effects of acute and prolonged CRAM supplementation on reaction time and subjective measures of focus and alertness in healthy college students. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2010, 7: 39-47.
Igarashi M, Nakagawa-Nagahama Y, Miura M, Kashiwabara K, Yaku K, Sawada M, Sekine R, Fukamizu Y, Sato T, Sakurai T, Sato J, Ino K, Kubota N, Nakagawa T, Kadowaki T, Yamauchi T. Chronic nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation elevates blood nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide levels and alters muscle function in healthy older men. NPJ Aging 2022, 8.
Kamilov KM, Kasimova MS, Makhkamova DK. Analysis of choline alfoscerate effectiveness in chronic ocular ischemic syndrome. Vestn Oftalmol 2016, 132(2): 73-76.
Mills KF, et al. Long-term administration of nicotinamide mononucleotide mitigates age-associ-ated physiological decline in mice. Cell Metab. 2016, 24(6): 795-806.
Ohwada K, Takeda H, Yamazaki M, et al. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) prevents cognitive deficit caused by oxidative stress in rats. J Clin Biochem Nutr 2008, 42: 29-34.
Strifler G, Eszter T, Görbe A, Boros M, Pécz D, Hartmann P. Targeting mitochondrial dysfunction with L-Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine. PLoS One 2016 11: 1-14.
Yi L, Maier AB, Tao R, Lin Z, Vaidya A, Pendse S, Thasma S, Andhalkar N, Avhad G, Kumbhar V. The efficacy and safety of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation in healthy middle-aged adults: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-dependent clinical trial. Geroscience 2023, 45: 29-43.
* The statements in this post have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.