Researchers surveyed 152 physically active people to find out which brain-boosting supplements they take and why. They discovered that caffeine is by far the most popular choice, followed by creatine and omega-3 fatty acids. Most people use these supplements to get more energy and motivation for their workouts, not just to think better. The study shows that supplement use is very common among active individuals, and people have different reasons for choosing what they take. Understanding these patterns helps us know what active people believe will help them perform better.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Which brain-boosting supplements do physically active people take, how much they use, and why they think these supplements help them?
  • Who participated: 152 active people (86 men, 64 women, and 2 others) with an average age of 27 years old who exercise regularly
  • Key finding: Caffeine is the most popular supplement used by 80% of participants, mainly because people want more energy and motivation. Weight lifters especially prefer amino acids and similar muscle-building supplements.
  • What it means for you: If you’re active and considering supplements, know that many people use them—but the most popular choice (caffeine) is something you probably already consume in coffee or tea. Talk to a doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you have health conditions or take medications.

The Research Details

Researchers created an online survey and asked 152 physically active people to answer questions about which supplements they take. The survey asked about specific supplements, how much people use, how often they use them, why they use them, and whether they noticed any effects. The researchers then looked at the answers to find patterns—like whether certain types of exercise were linked to certain supplements, or whether men and women chose different supplements.

This type of study is called a ‘cross-sectional survey,’ which means researchers took a snapshot of what people were doing at one point in time. It’s like taking a photo rather than making a movie—it shows what’s happening now but doesn’t follow people over time to see if things change.

This research matters because so many active people use supplements, but we don’t always know what they’re actually taking or why. By surveying real people about their real habits, researchers can understand what’s popular and what people believe works. This information helps doctors, trainers, and supplement companies understand what active people want and need.

This study has some strengths: it surveyed a decent number of people (152) and asked detailed questions about their supplement use. However, it has limitations: people answered questions online, so the results might not represent all active people everywhere. Also, the study only shows what people reported using and what they believed helped them—it doesn’t prove that the supplements actually work the way people think they do. The study is descriptive, meaning it describes patterns but doesn’t test whether supplements actually improve performance.

What the Results Show

Caffeine was by far the most popular supplement, used by about 8 out of every 10 people surveyed (80%). The next most common supplements were creatine (used by about 1 in 10 people), omega-3 fatty acids like fish oil (used by about 1 in 14 people), L-theanine and nicotine (each used by about 1 in 15 people), and ashwagandha (used by about 1 in 16 people).

The main reason people gave for using these supplements was to increase energy and motivation—about one-third of all users mentioned this reason. This makes sense because caffeine is the most popular supplement, and caffeine is known for boosting energy.

Interestingly, the type of exercise people did seemed to matter. People who did weight training were significantly more likely to use amino acids and similar muscle-building supplements compared to people who did other types of exercise. This suggests that people choose supplements based on their specific fitness goals.

The study found that men and women had some different patterns in supplement use, though the details weren’t fully explained in the abstract. The research also noted that people reported various perceived positive effects from their supplements, though the study didn’t verify whether these effects were real or just what people believed. Some people also reported negative effects, though these were less common than positive reports.

This study adds to what we already know about supplement use in America. Previous research showed that about half of all American adults use dietary supplements. This new study shows that active people follow similar patterns—they use supplements frequently—but they may choose different types based on their exercise goals. The finding that caffeine is most popular aligns with general knowledge about supplement use, but the detailed breakdown of which active people use which supplements provides new information.

This study only surveyed people online, which means it might not include people who don’t use the internet or who weren’t interested in answering surveys. The study also relied on people’s memories and honest reporting—people might forget what they take or might not want to admit certain supplement use. Additionally, the study only shows what people reported using and what they believed helped them; it doesn’t actually test whether these supplements work. The study is also a snapshot in time, so we don’t know if people’s supplement use changes over months or years.

The Bottom Line

If you’re physically active and considering supplements: (1) Caffeine appears to be the most popular choice among active people, and it has solid evidence for boosting energy and alertness—but you might already get this from coffee or tea. (2) Creatine has good scientific evidence for helping with muscle strength and power, especially for weight training. (3) Omega-3 supplements may support overall health, though the evidence is mixed. (4) Always talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you take medications or have health conditions. (5) Remember that ’nootropic’ is a marketing term—just because something is called a brain-booster doesn’t mean it actually works that way.

This research is most relevant to physically active people considering supplements, fitness trainers who advise clients, and people interested in understanding supplement trends. It’s less relevant to people who don’t exercise or who have no interest in supplements. People with certain health conditions, those taking medications, or pregnant/nursing women should definitely talk to a doctor before using any supplements.

If you start using caffeine, you might notice effects within 30 minutes to an hour. For supplements like creatine, it typically takes 3-5 days to a few weeks to notice potential effects. For omega-3 and other supplements, benefits might take several weeks to months to appear, if they appear at all. Remember that individual results vary greatly.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily supplement intake by logging which supplements you take, the dose, and the time. Also note your energy levels, workout performance, and any side effects on a scale of 1-10 to see if there’s a pattern between supplement use and how you feel.
  • If you decide to try a supplement, start with one new supplement at a time and track it for at least 2-4 weeks before adding another. This helps you understand which supplement (if any) actually affects how you feel. Use the app to set reminders for taking supplements at consistent times.
  • Create a simple tracking system: log your supplement use daily, rate your energy and motivation each day, and note your workout performance. Review your data monthly to see if there are real patterns or if you’re experiencing a placebo effect (feeling better just because you expect to). Share this data with your doctor if you have concerns.

This research describes what active people report using and believing about supplements—it does not prove that these supplements actually work as people think they do. Supplements are not regulated as strictly as medications and may contain unlisted ingredients or contaminants. Before starting any new supplement, especially if you have health conditions, take medications, are pregnant, nursing, or under 18 years old, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian. Some supplements can interact with medications or cause side effects. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.