Author: Sean Krivitsky, Class of 2026

Figure 1. Image depicting various marine algae species, namely Chorda filum and Cladophora glomerata.

Video games have always been considered by many as just a trivial hobby. Yet, in recent years, there has been a rise in the popularity of video game streaming, especially in competitive settings. Consequently, in such competitions, players need to prioritize factors like attentiveness and cognitive functions such as executive function, visual selective attention, cognitive flexibility, and task switching, which are extremely important to players to maintain high energy and precision. A research group led by Megan Leonard of Texas A&M University recently sought to address this issue of maintaining the energy and precision necessary to possess strong video game performance by seeking to replace a commonly used supplement employed by competitive gamers: energy drinks. 

The team began by identifying guarana, a natural caffeine source that is commonly found in many energy drinks, as a key ingredient to pair with microalgae extracts high in fucoxanthin, a plant pigment with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. After evaluating trial participants’ screenings of cognitive abilities, weight, food and fluid intake, and various other key factors, participants were given daily dietary supplements with guarana and microalgae extract. In addition to relevant physical and mental screenings, video game performance was also assessed prior to and following treatment. Furthermore, their research demonstrated that the joint use of guarana and fucoxanthin supplements proved to have the same benefits in short-term performance evaluations, with improvements in memory, cognitive abilities, reaction speed, and overall gaming performance throughout the trial. Following thirty days of supplementation, the treatment was shown to have various neuroprotective and nootropic effects, improving cognitive abilities, as demonstrated by cognitive performance screenings and testing video-game-associated skills. 

Ultimately, this study revealed how even minor supplementation with microalgae extract can significantly boost the cognitive performance of gamers. These results are not only important for application in video game competitions, however, but are also promising for athletes, students, and others who would benefit from the energizing and cognitive benefits of paired guarana and fucoxanthin dietary supplementation. 

Works Cited:

[1] Leonard, M., Maury, J., Dickerson, B., Gonzalez, D. E., Kendra, J., Jenkins, V., Nottingham, K., Yoo, C., Xing, D., Ko, J., Pradelles, R., Faries, M., Kephart, W., Sowinski, R., Rasmussen, C. J., & Kreider, R. B. (2023, April 15). Effects of dietary supplementation of a microalgae extract containing fucoxanthin combined with guarana on cognitive function and gaming performance. MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15081918 

[2] Image retrieved from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marine_algae_in_Gullmarsfjorden_at_S%C3%A4mstad_4.jpg