ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Natural neuroactive substance

There are some things that we can eat or that are already in our bodies that can help our brain work better. These are called natural neuroactive substances.

Have you ever been sleepy after you ate a big meal? Well, certain foods like turkey, milk, and bananas contain an amino acid called tryptophan. This helps our body make a chemical called serotonin, which helps us sleep better and feel happier.

Another example is caffeine found in coffee and tea. Caffeine is a natural stimulant that can make us feel more awake and alert. But too much caffeine can make us jittery and have trouble sleeping at night.

Some people take supplements like Omega-3 fatty acids to help with their brain function. These are found in fish and other seafood. These healthy fats can help with memory, learning, and even depression.

Overall, our body has many natural substances that can help our brain work better, but we should still be careful and not have too much of a good thing!