Do esports players take supplements to enhance performance?

November 19, 2025 •

4 min read

According to one study, professional and amateur computer gamers practice for an average of 28 hours a week, with this intense regimen causing increased mental and psychological strain. To combat the effects of prolonged concentration and fatigue, many professional esports players do take a variety of supplements aimed at enhancing cognitive function, improving eye health, and managing stress.

Quick Summary

Esports athletes commonly use supplements such as nootropics, adaptogens, and specific vitamins and minerals to improve focus, reaction time, and manage stress during long gaming sessions. These compounds address cognitive demands, reduce mental fatigue, and support overall health for a competitive edge.

Key Points

Cognitive Performance Boost: Many esports athletes use supplements like caffeine, L-theanine, and Bacopa Monnieri to enhance focus, memory, and reaction time during long gaming sessions.
Eye Health Protection: Supplements containing lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin are popular among gamers to protect eyes from prolonged blue light exposure and reduce strain.
Stress and Fatigue Management: Adaptogenic herbs such as Rhodiola Rosea and Ashwagandha help esports players cope with stress and mental fatigue under competitive pressure.
Improved Hydration and Energy: Electrolyte mixes and B vitamins are used to maintain stable energy levels and proper hydration, preventing performance dips during extended play.
A Holistic Approach: The most successful esports players combine supplements with balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep, viewing supplements as an aid, not a magic solution.
Risks and Regulation: Esports athletes must be wary of contaminated or unregulated products, and many teams work with nutritionists to ensure safe and effective supplementation.

Why esports athletes turn to supplementation

Competitive gaming is a high-stakes, high-pressure environment that requires immense mental acuity, focus, and endurance. Like traditional athletes, esports professionals recognize that peak performance goes beyond innate skill and hardware. The rigors of daily training, scrimmages, and long tournaments place significant demands on cognitive functions and physical well-being. These athletes rely on a range of scientifically-backed supplements to support key aspects of their performance, from enhancing reaction time to protecting their eyesight from hours of screen exposure.

The rise of nootropics and cognitive enhancers

Nootropics, often referred to as 'smart drugs', are a cornerstone of modern esports supplementation. These compounds are designed to improve brain activity, affecting memory, concentration, reaction speed, and overall mental performance. Professional gamers often use these to help them stay sharp and maintain peak cognitive function throughout demanding matches. Common nootropic ingredients found in gaming supplements include:

Caffeine and L-Theanine: This is a popular combination for providing a clean, sustained energy boost without the jittery side effects or subsequent crash often associated with high caffeine intake alone. Caffeine improves alertness and reaction time, while L-theanine promotes a calm, focused state.
Bacopa Monnieri: This herb, used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, is known for its ability to improve memory formation, enhance concentration, and lower stress levels during high-pressure situations.
Choline: An essential nutrient, choline is a precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is critical for nerve function, concentration, memory, and movement coordination. Adequate choline intake can significantly improve mental agility and reaction speed.

Supporting eye health and minimizing strain

Professional gamers spend extensive hours staring at screens, which can lead to significant eye strain, fatigue, and potential long-term vision issues. To protect their vision and maintain clarity, many esports players incorporate specific supplements into their routine. These ingredients are chosen for their ability to combat the effects of blue light exposure and oxidative stress.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin: These potent carotenoids are crucial for eye health, protecting the retina and lens from blue light damage. They improve visual contrast sensitivity, allowing gamers to distinguish between foreground and background objects more effectively.
Astaxanthin: This powerful antioxidant has been shown to reduce eye fatigue and improve visual performance, which is vital for long, intense gaming sessions.

Mitigating stress and enhancing recovery

Competitive pressure and the demanding nature of esports can cause significant psychological stress. Adaptogens are a class of supplements that help the body adapt to stress and anxiety, promoting overall mental well-being and resilience.

Rhodiola Rosea: As an adaptogen, Rhodiola helps the body manage stress and combat mental fatigue, which is crucial during tense, competitive moments.
Ashwagandha: This herb is used to manage stress and anxiety, supporting mood and stamina during extended play sessions.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Often sourced from fish oil, these are not only beneficial for brain health but also have anti-inflammatory properties and can help with stress and mood regulation, aiding recovery after a strenuous match.

Supplementing for energy and hydration

While sugary energy drinks are common among the broader gaming community, professional players often opt for more sophisticated, controlled methods to maintain stable energy levels and hydration without the crash.

Electrolyte Mixes: Intense focus can lead to dehydration, which impairs concentration and reaction time. Electrolyte mixes help replace essential minerals lost, supporting nerve function and hydration balance.
B Vitamins: The Vitamin B complex is essential for converting food into usable energy, supporting energy production, and reducing fatigue during long sessions.

Comparison of popular esports supplements

This table outlines the primary function and potential benefits of common supplements used by esports players.


Supplement	Primary Function	Key Gaming Benefit
Caffeine + L-Theanine	Cognitive & energy boost	Enhanced alertness, focus, and reaction time without jitters
Bacopa Monnieri	Memory & stress management	Improved concentration and resilience during high-pressure games
Omega-3 Fatty Acids	Brain & eye health	Supports cognitive function and vision while reducing inflammation
Lutein & Zeaxanthin	Eye health & blue light protection	Guards against eye strain and enhances visual performance
Rhodiola Rosea	Stress management	Reduces mental fatigue and helps adapt to high-stress situations
Electrolytes	Hydration	Prevents mental fatigue and slower reaction times due to dehydration
Magnesium	Nerve function & relaxation	Reduces muscle tension and brain fog

The importance of a balanced approach

While supplements play a role, experts stress that they are not a replacement for a healthy, balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep. Professional esports teams and player foundations work with nutritionists to create holistic routines for their athletes. A diet rich in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates forms the foundation, with supplements filling specific gaps for performance optimization. Moreover, it is important for players to choose high-quality, third-party tested supplements to avoid contamination and accurately control dosing, a risk that plagues the broader supplement market. A conscious, informed approach to supplementation is what truly provides a sustained, competitive edge. More on esports nutrition can be found here.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the practice of taking supplements is very common among professional esports players. Driven by the need to maintain peak cognitive performance, manage stress, and protect their physical health during grueling training schedules, these athletes strategically use a range of products. From nootropics like caffeine and L-theanine for focus to antioxidants like lutein for eye health, supplements are an integral part of modern esports training. However, their use is most effective when integrated into a broader healthy lifestyle that prioritizes balanced nutrition, physical activity, and sufficient recovery. The goal is not a quick fix, but a sustained, science-backed approach to performance enhancement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Esports players commonly take nootropics like the combination of caffeine and L-theanine for focused energy, and herbal extracts such as Bacopa Monnieri and Rhodiola Rosea to improve memory and manage stress.

Not exactly. While some 'gamer energy drinks' contain supplements like caffeine, many are high in sugar and lead to energy crashes. True gaming supplements are often more balanced, scientifically-formulated powders or capsules that avoid excessive sugar and prioritize sustained performance.

Major risks include consuming excessive stimulants, which can cause anxiety and heart issues, and using unregulated products that may contain unlisted or contaminated ingredients. A balanced diet is always the safest foundation for performance.

Gamers often take supplements containing antioxidants like lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin. These compounds help protect the eyes from blue light damage, reduce fatigue, and improve visual acuity after long periods of screen time.

Yes, many professional esports organizations employ nutritionists and performance experts to guide their players on proper diet and supplementation. They advocate for science-backed strategies to ensure their athletes are performing at their best.

Hydration is crucial because even minor dehydration can impair focus and reaction time. Esports players often use electrolyte supplements to maintain proper fluid balance, especially during long gaming sessions where they might neglect regular water intake.

Yes, a healthy diet rich in protein, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and fish is the foundation of good nutrition for gamers. Regular physical exercise and adequate sleep also play a vital role in enhancing energy and cognitive function naturally.