Here at NootropicsExpert.com, we explore the universe of nootropics. You’ll find all the information you need to get the results you want.
If you’re overwhelmed by the fragmented information for nootropics spread across several websites, you can end your search.
How does one nootropic interact with another? Which one is safe? And which nootropics have side effects? We cover all that here.
Use my Nootropics Guide to get more familiar with the different types of cognitive enhancers and what they do. And you’ll be able to safely build your own stack.
Here you’ll find a comprehensive list of the latest nootropic compounds. You’ll quickly learn what each does along with their side effects. And the ‘mechanism of action‘ or how each supplement works in your brain and body.
You’ll get nootropic dosing recommendations, and interactions with other nootropics and medications. Including what to avoid!
You’ll even learn the history of a nootropic compound. How and why it came into being. And how it’s used by the nootropic and medical community.
Some of the nootropics you’ll find on NootropicsExpert.com are prescription drugs in some parts of the world. These same nootropics are sold as OTC supplements in countries like the United States.
I”m happy you’re here. Because you should be able to find everything you need to know about nootropics on this site. No need to go anywhere else. Armed with this knowledge you can choose the best nootropics for you, and finally start experiencing the benefits you’re working to achieve. Verification
The Definitive Guide to Nootropics
A nootropic is a substance that enhances cognition and memory and facilitates learning.
Neuro-hacking and the research behind brain modulation, nootropics, and biohacking in general is a constantly evolving and improving science.
We cover all that in The Definitive Guide to Nootropics.
The Big List of Nootropics
Nootropics cover a broad category of compounds with cognitive boosting properties.
They have minimal side-effects and are appropriate for long-term use.
The Big List is a quick reference guide for nootropics. Learn what it’s for, how it’s used, side effects, interactions and dosing suggestions.
The Best Nootropics
Achieving brain optimization comes with a lot of trial and error. Experimenting to see what works best for you. But spend enough time in the nootropics community, and you begin to see patterns develop.
After you try the latest edition to the racetam-family of nootropics. Most biohackers settle into the nootropic that works best for each category of; cognition & focus, memory, energy & motivation, anxiety & depression, and brain repair & maintenance.
The “Best Nootropics” page is a distillation of what I have found to be the best nootropics for each category of brain optimization. You’ll find a list of the best nootropic compounds for each category. And links through to more detailed articles for each category.
What is your take on natural micronized Zeolite as a nootropic for metal detoxification?
Sam, I am unfamiliar with Zeolite so can’t comment on its effectiveness.
Glycine will increase my insulin and kick me out of ketosis?
Supplementing with Glycine may increase insulin a little bit. But dramatically if consumed with glucose: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12450897/
Hi there. I urgently need to talk to you. I’ve been suffering from what I believe is BBB dysfunction for several years. Noone believes me. I am totally dysfunctional. I’m taking a lot of the supplements you’ve recommended in your leaky brain video, but it’s not enough it seems. I recently took prednisone for about a month and i feel like my body hasn’t recovered fully, and i don’t know how to get it back. It feels like the effects of the prednisone have prevented a lot of the supplements from working properly. Please help.
Leo, no guarantees that I can help but you are more than welcome to set up a consultation with me: https://nootropicsexpert.com/personal-consultations/
Hi David
Your videos are so informative and so easy to understand…thanks
Have a question regards Phenibut vs Pharma GABA..
.I got problems with anxiety from time to time because of an unfavorable childhood.
And with that going to sleep or staying asleep ..But lately both…I take low dose Ambien 2.5 mg , and Xanax .25 mg .for sleep …nothing during the day ..but still wake up 4 hours later…
Would you recommend Phenibut or Pharma GABA either one at 100 mg .for long term use ..
I also take Magnesium Threonate at bedtime ..L-theanine during the day twice …L.Tyrosine ..during the day twice .5HTP at bed time ..
Thanks
Michael
Michael, definitely NOT Phenibut if you are using Ambien and Xanax. You can try PharmaGABA.
Also consider Lemon Balm extract and if that doesn’t do it then 20 mg CBD Oil.
And 5-HTP may be causing you problems. I’d try switching to 500 L-Tryptophan instead. And see if that works better. 5-HTP works almost immediately and then leaves your system. Maybe that’s causing you to wake up.
Hi David ..
Thanks for the quick response .
I took CBD oil .. but with very little effect . The whole tincture was 1500 mg . I will try Lemon Balm
Last night I used the Rife Frequency machine just before bedtime and used the Insomnia frequency ..for 30 min maybe that also was a problem .. lol
Thanks
The thing is our brain changes frequency throughout the night depending on what stage of sleep we’re in.
Would you recommend adding TUDCA (tauroursodeoxycholic acid) for those instances where you recommend milk thistle as protection for the liver, such as milk thistle used with berberine?
Bruce, I would not recommend TUDCA instead of Milk Thistle in this case because I don’t have any evidence that it would provide the same benefit. The only clinical study I’ve seen about long-term Berberine use and safety was with Milk Thistle f(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21300790/).
If you find any evidence TUDCA does the same thing then please let us know.
Searching for B1 (Thiamine) on your website brings a message stating it has been removed. Will it be restored?
Jeff, my thiamine review is here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/vitamin-b1-thiamine/.
I’ve been meaning to replace the search function on this website. And this has me moving it up the list of priorities. The search function on here sucks and it’s not fair to the 10’s of thousands of people who come here every month.
Thanks for the “kick in the pants” Jeff. Even if it was unintentional. 🙂
David, clicking on the thiamine link in your reply brings up a 404 Error.
Jeff, what thiamine link? There must be dozens of them on Nootropics Expert. I need to know the exact link location so I can correct it.
David, It’s the one you provided in your first reply:
https://nootropicsexpert.com/vitamin-b1-thiamine/
Jeff, I found the problem. For some reason that page was not published but scheduled to go live “5 days ago”. No idea what that means. But it appears that I fixed it.
Thanks for the heads up. I never would have seen that if you hadn’t said something. Much appreciated.
David, I just love your work! You are sure an inspiration to me and I hope I can pay it forward with your generosity, knowledge, and good works.
One quick question I hope would comment on. I haven’t seen Fasoracetam listed on your site or any of the materials I have received? I would sure love to get your take on it?
Bob, for now I consider Fasoracetam a “smart drug” because it has no clinical data demonstrating its effectiveness as a nootropic.
Several large and small pharmaceuticals have abandoned it as a drug because it didn’t show much efficacy in human clinical trials. Only some animal studies.
For example, the only use they found for it was in kids with ADHD. The problem, it only worked in those with mGluR mutations which accounts for around 10% of those with ADHD (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5770454/).
Wow David, it just … well it’s so rare for some who has such an excellent informative website like yours to reply to everyone with such clarity and direct answers to questions too. Please let me know the best way to repay you in kind what what I have benefited from using your site, product suggestions, and links.
One last question and I will be way good to go. I am a 74 yr old guy with just a pristine diet, good exercise and meditation habits, great supplement and noot stacks, do really well with occasional microdosing, and have had exceptional results with occasional low dose phenibut.
I have been “biohacking” for over 60 years now and that has brought me back to pretty close to great health again after suffering major chronic illnesses and injury in my younger years, which doctors felt it was unlikely that I would ever fully recover. I do well with phenylpiracetam but due to the quick tolerance reported I don’t take it very often. Have tried Fasoracetam and Noopept but they don’t seem to affect me at all.
There are two general things I would like to improve a little more if I could:
1 stronger short term memory, bacopa seems to help but not quite as much as I would like.
2. Overall energy. The two things that have helped them most with that are lite coffee; and the occasional microdosing, and especially phenibut always helps, but I want to remain infrequent on using these.
Also, please know I have tried many many popular nootropics, supplements, herbals, etc. I have been on a multi decade adventure of self-trial-error-testing-monotoring-adjusting and have become very good at fine tuning my health. I kind of had to in order to survive!
Okay my last question, is there anything else you might suggest I consider trying for my two objectives?
Nui mahalos for this … and I hope putting all that background in here was not too overdoing it but I wanted you to have a better picture in hope that might enable a better suggestion. Nui blessings too our honored pono friend!
Bob, read this article on aging and the human brain and you’ll see what you’ve missed: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-the-aging-brain/
More huge thanks David!
I did read that article before and like everything else you have written, I thought is was excellent. I have tried most things listed and some have helped but still looking for a little more. So I think I will go ahead and try Aniracetam next.
Will keep spreading the word about your wonderful site, info and service too.
I should have also replied that your Faso suggestion is just great, makes total sense, and including the link too … well here’s another one from that is way beyond expected and greatly appreciated! More wows too!
Sorry, I was also meant to add, I have Hypothyroidism too. I don’t know how such those 2 effect that. Thanks 🙂
Hi David. Firstly, I just want to thank you for all your amazing work, guidance, and for sharing it all with the world. There will be so many people learning and making steps to improve their wellbeing from the information and knowledge that you provide. Ive been on your YouTube channel this evening, and I’m learning sooo much! I can’t thank you enough.
I was wondering what your opinion is of Ginkgo Bilbao and L-Theanine being used together for aid with depression? Is this a good combo?
I’m hoping one day, in the not too distant future, to have a 1-2-1 consultation with you, which I will book in.
Thanks again for all you research and contribution to this field.
Daisy, Ginkgo Biloba and L-Theanine work fine together. But will they work for you? It all depends on what is causing your depression.
If you try them and they don’t provide any benefit, I suggest you learn everything you can about those two supplements. Then choose another supplement that is completely different. And doesn’t work on the same neurotransmitters as the first two.
You may need to continue experimenting until you find the perfect combo of nootropics that work for you.
Thank you David. Very much appreciated
David,
My wife (current age 63) has ben on a downward spiral for about 5 years. First acute angle glaucoma treated with iridotomy and acetazolimide, then sinus infection treated with broad spectrum antibiotics. The she had a small bowel overgrowth treated with broad spectrum antibiotics. All the while through this she had terrible IBS. Then she developed a systemic candida infection, which finally manifested as a vaginal yeast infection before anyone would acknowledge candida was a problem and treat it. Her brain fog started during the small bowel overgrowth, worsened during her candida problem. After the yeast infection was treated with creams and finally defeated with a couple of rounds of diflucan (she speaks often of how black and tarry her stools were for a week after the diflucan was taken, along with flu like symptoms,) her fog improved for a while. She then had serious depression which led to panic attacks, high blood pressure, more brain fog (to the point her neurologist prescribed aricept) different doctors, cognitive behavioral therapy, etc. During the two years she developed burning and tingling in the hands and feet and pain in the back of the arms.
She had genetic testing which showed her dopamine and serotonin systems are dysfunctional. She is now on trintellix for depression which seems to help, along with NAC, L-methyl folate and alpha lipoic acid supplements as well as invega for mood stabilization. Oh, and cholesterol is a problem too. She can’t take statins, of courser since they cause brain fog, so she is on a prescription dose of fish oil. The tingling and numbness in the feet and hands has mostly disappeared as has the pain in the back of the arms.
Her neurologist (new who prescribed that listed directly above) indicated that he did not see alzheimers in her. She clearly has cognitive decline and an attention problem. He indicated he did not want to look at aderall or ritalyn yet.
My wife can function around the house, but has no drive to do anything. her attention span is almost nonexistent. Her executive function is very poor. Neuropsych testing was worthless because she couldn’t concentrate long enough to complete it.
I am looking for a good nootropic to try for her.
Anthony, just from the history you describe it sounds like your wife’s problems started with “broad spectrum antibiotics”. That type of antibiotic is like carpet bombing your microbiome. You may have heard of the “gut-brain” connection. It’s real.
Here are a couple of articles I’d like you to read to get a better understanding of what needs to be done:
https://nootropicsexpert.com/psychobiotics-gut-brain-connection/
https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-supplements-for-brain-fog/
If that seems a little overwhelming to you I suggest scheduling a consultation with me. Because this is far to important to try and address in a comments thread.
https://nootropicsexpert.com/personal-consultations/
Hi, I live in the UK and I am interested in trying some nootropics for anxiety and depression. I ordered phenibut recently and it was seized at the border. I was sent a letter to say that the matter wouldn’t be pursued further but that if I did something like that again, it could be escalated to a criminal matter.
My question is, I am nervous to buy anything that could be considered a psychoactive substance. I heard Agmatine and ashwagandha might be illegal to import into the UK. I have looked and cannot find a list of prohibited items.
Could you help me with this so I know what I can order safely?
Thank you!
Celeste, please see the section “UK” in this article for more information on the legality of nootropics in the UK: https://nootropicsexpert.com/are-nootropics-legal-in-my-country/