If you are new to nootropics, and don’t know where to start, this post is for you.
I’ll not insult your intelligence and suggest starting with something simple like caffeine and L-Theanine. Instead, let’s put together a stack that’s simple, safe and powerful. And won’t crush your monthly budget.
First, let’s lay the ground rules for building a stack. Dr. Giurgea, the chemist who came up with Piracetam in 1963, gave us a list of 5 criteria that a substance must have to be considered a true nootropic.
Dr. Giurgea suggested that a true nootropic:
- Enhances memory and the ability to learn
- Assists brain function under disruptive conditions such as lack of oxygen and electroconvulsive shock
- Protects the brain from chemical and physical toxins like anticholinergic drugs and barbiturates
- Increases natural cognitive processes
- Must be non-toxic to humans, nor stimulate or depress the brain
The bottom-line is this stack must be safe to use even long-term. You’ll make improvements to cognition and mood. And if you decide nootropics aren’t for you, you’ll simply go back to baseline where you started. With no damage done and nothing to repair.
Here we’ll put together a simple nootropic stack based on the above criteria. A stack that will:
- Enhance concentration and focus
- Improve your mood and lower anxiety
- Increase your energy without irritability and avoid a crash when it wears off
- Boost your memory
- Reduce stress and fatigue
- Boost learning ability
Sound good? Let’s get started…
Table of Contents
Nootropic Stack Synergy
It’s important to understand that a nootropic stack should work synergistically. Because each supplement has a different mechanism of action in your brain and body. And each supplement in your stack should support the other nootropics in your stack.
For example, acetylcholine’s function in your brain is needed for encoding new memories, reasoning, concentration, cognition and growth of new neurons (neurogenesis).
Once acetylcholine does its job, the enzyme acetylcholinesterase comes in and breaks down acetylcholine.
You can increase acetylcholine by adding Alpha GPC, CDP-Choline or Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) to your stack.
But if you use more than one acetylcholine (ACh) precursor or supplement, you can boost ACh too much. Excess ACh can cause depression, irritability, muscle pain and a host of other problems.
Also keep in mind that a nootropic like Huperzine-A inhibits acetylcholinesterase. Which increases ACh levels in your brain. So if you are using Hup-A in your stack, you may want to cut back on your dose of Alpha GPC, CDP-Choline or other choline supplement.
Many nootropic supplements either increase ACh or inhibit acetylcholinesterase. If you take more than one choline supplement, you’ll hit a ceiling and not get a synergistic effect. The same goes for other neurotransmitters, and many other supplements in our List of Nootropics.
Cumulative Effect of Nootropics
Keep in mind that the effect of some nootropics can be cumulative. And the effects build up in your brain over time. A good example is Huperzine-A which has a half-life of 24-hours.
Dosing Hup-A everyday means your body never has a chance to get rid of some of the Hup-A, and it builds up over-time. Even in the short-term. Which can be toxic. So you should cycle Huperzine-A and restrict use to every 2nd or 3rd day.
For each nootropic you are considering, always, always read dosage recommendations, side effects and possible interaction with other nootropics or prescription drugs.
Water-Soluble vs. Fat-Soluble Nootropics
Another thing to consider is that some nootropics are water-soluble. And some are fat-soluble.
Water-soluble nootropics are generally easily absorbed. Fat-soluble nootropics however, require a quality fat to ensure they get used by your brain. And can cross your blood-brain barrier and enter brain cells.
This explains why some supplement labels recommend you take their nootropic with a meal. The manufacturer is implying that it’s a fat-soluble supplement. And they’re counting on the fat in your meal to boost bioavailability.
Whenever I’m about to take my nootropic stack, I always precede it with a tablespoon of unrefined coconut oil.
You can also use extra virgin olive oil. But I prefer coconut oil because the MCT’s are like rocket fuel for my brain. In addition to helping my brain absorb whatever fat-soluble nootropics I’m using.
Beginner Nootropic Stack
This stack works well for someone just starting out with nootropics. And it works well for experienced neurohackers as well.
CDP-Choline (Citicoline) 250 mg twice per day taken in the morning and at noon. This highly bioavailable source of choline easily crosses the blood-brain barrier.
CDP-Choline is metabolized in your body to form choline and cytidine. Choline aids in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) in your brain. And cytidine converts to uridine which is important for forming brain cell membranes.
Bacopa Monnieri (24% bacosides) up to 250 mg per day taken in the morning. Bacopa is an adaptogen which helps prevent the chemical and physical effects of stress. Instead of just suppressing them like prescription antidepressants.
Bacopa Monnieri is used to reduce anxiety, depression and stress. And helps boost memory, concentration and reaction time. Bacopa is also used for neuroprotection by helping to maintain a healthy balance of neurotransmitters. Bacopa is also effective in treating many of the symptoms of ADHD.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom 500 mg to 3 gm per day depending on polysaccharide content. Lion’s Mane prevents neuron damage and boosts Brain Nerve Growth Factor which is important to forming new neurons (neurogenesis).
Lion’s Mane can help improve focus and attention, boost cognition, repair brain cells, and help anxiety and depression.
N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine (NALT) 500 mg twice per day taken in the morning and at noon. NALT is a highly bioavailable form of L-Tyrosine which is used in your brain to synthesize dopamine. And the neurotransmitter norepinephrine.
NALT helps alertness, concentration, executive function, focus, libido, memory, and works like an antidepressant.
L-Theanine 100 mg 3-times per day.
Or you can drink 3 or 4 cups of organic green tea during your day. Green tea is an excellent source of L-Theanine. It works quickly and helps increase both dopamine and serotonin. The “feel good” neurotransmitters in your brain.
L-Theanine stacked with caffeine provides a synergistic effect that helps promote cognition, motivation and attention. With no caffeine jitters.
Pine Bark Extract 100 mg dosed up to 3-times per day. Pine Bark extract helps boost cerebral blood flow by increasing nitric oxide which helps dilate blood vessels. And helps repair and maintain the health of blood vessel linings.
Boosting cerebral circulation with Pine Bark Extract increases levels of oxygen and glucose which maintains healthy levels of neurotransmitters. And promotes better concentration, focus and memory.
DHA (Omega-3) 1000 mg per day taken in the morning. Your brain is made up of 60% fat and much of it is in the form of DHA. This fat helps in the formation of brain cell membranes. And plays a vital role in how neurons and synapses function.
Synergistic with CDP-Choline, DHA helps in the formation of phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylcholine (PC). Two important components that make up your brain cell membranes.
Low levels of DHA can lead to ADHD, anxiety, depression, obesity, suicide, and increased risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
B-Vitamin Complex daily in the morning. Make sure you get a formula that is considerably higher than RDA recommendations.
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is essential for producing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It helps turn nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cellular energy produced by your cell’s mitochondria. And contributes to the myelin sheath that protects axons from damage for better brain cell signaling.
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin) is used in the synthesis of Coenzyme-A which helps form Acetyl-CoA. Acetyl-CoA joins with choline (which you get from CDP-Choline) to form acetylcholine. Niacin is also a precursor to NAD and NADH needed for ATP synthesis in brain cell mitochondria. And Niacin stimulates the production of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Neurotransmitters involved in cognition, learning, memory, mood and recall.
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) is required for the synthesis of Coenzyme-A to produce acetylcholine. You may not realize the full benefit of the rest of this nootropic stack containing CDP-Choline, or any of the racetams you may decide to add to this stack, without Vitamin B5.
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) helps your body make serotonin, norepinephrine and melatonin. Your body also requires Vitamin B6 to absorb Vitamin B12 and to make red blood cells and cells for your immune system.
- Vitamin B8 (Inositol) is involved in brain cell signaling, and is a component of brain cell membranes. Inositol helps boost serotonin and dopamine receptor density. Improving the effectiveness of serotonin, GABA, glutamate and dopamine neurotransmitters in your brain.
- Vitamin B9 (Folate) aids in the production of DNA and RNA in your brain cells. And works closely with Vitamin B12 to make red blood cells, and help iron work properly in your body and brain.
- Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) is needed to regulate homocysteine levels which are linked to inflammation in your brain and body. And B12 is a cofactor in the synthesis of neurotransmitters dopamine, GABA, norepinephrine and serotonin.
Our beginner nootropic stack covers all the criteria mentioned in the introduction to this post.
Nootropic Stack Cost
Approximate costs of each:
- CDP-Choline (Citicoline) $19 (60 caps, 250 mg)
- Bacopa Monnieri $18 (60 caps, 300 mg)
- Lion’s Mane Mushroom $30 (60 caps, 500 mg)
- N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine (NALT) $12 (120 caps, 300 grams)
- L-Theanine $18 (90 caps, 150 mg)
- Pine Bark Extract $10 (30 caps, 300 mg)
- DHA $16 (60 caps, 500 mg)
- B-Vitamin Complex $11 (100 B-100 capsules)
For approximately $134 per month you can begin optimizing your brain. I suggest using a tablespoon of unrefined coconut oil each time you take your supplements. To ensure maximum bioavailability and absorption by your body and brain.
Accurately Measuring Nootropic Powders
Nootropic supplements are now easily available in easy-to-use capsules. Your can save some some money by buying bags of powder if you are willing to spend the time making capsules. But dosage recommendations are critical so you must measure accurately. For a more accurate measurement, I recommend using a scale like the American Weigh Scales Digital Pocket Scale.
And you can make your own capsules using a simple tabletop Capsule Filling Machine which you can get usually for under $40.
Try a Professionally-Formulated Nootropic Stack
You may also want to consider trying Mind Lab Pro®, a high quality premade nootropic stack which contains all the supplements in our beginner’s formula. Mind Lab Pro also contains Phosphatidylserine (PS), and Rhodiola Rosea. For only $69 a bottle it’s less than buying each nootropic supplement on its own.
Another good option for a quality pre-made stack is made by the sister company to Mind Lab Pro. Performance Lab® has a complete line of supplements including two nootropic stacks containing the nootropic ingredients featured in this post.
Performance Lab® Mind contains Citicoline (as Cognizin®), Phosphatidylserine (PS) (as Sharp PS® Green), L-Tyrosine (as Ajipure®) and Maritime Pine Bark extract for only $69 per bottle. Supporting focus, mental processing speed, cognition under stress, multitasking, motivation, memory, and brain health recovery.
Performance Lab® Energy contains ALCAR, R-Lipoic Acid (as Bio-Enhanced® R-Lipoic Acid), Coenzyme Q10 (as MicroActive® Q10), PQQ (as BioPQQ®), and Piperine (as BioPerine®) for only $69 per bottle. It’s a caffeine-free method of enhancing energy for body and mind. Supporting cellular ATP energy production, mitochondrial genesis and function, fat metabolism, and overall metabolic efficiency.
For a more personalized nootropic stack, or one tailored to an issue you want to address (cognition, memory, depression, energy and motivation or brain repair and maintenance), see “How to Create the Best Nootropic Stack”.
Each of the nootropics mentioned in the Beginners Guide to Nootropic Stacks has links to individual pages here on Nootropics Expert®. Each nootropic article contains dozens of clinical studies. And much more detail on how each nootropic supplement helps optimize your brain.
If you have any questions about your stack, or comments about the Beginners Stack we covered here, please leave a comment below.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may also contain other affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
Hi David, thanks so much for all the effort you put into this website!
I recently got a heap of nootropics to try out along with my Vyvanse to treat ADHD, as the duration of effect and afternoon crash makes it hard to determine if it’s even worth it for those mere 3-4 hours of focus per day.
So I’m experimenting with the following:
ALCAR, ALA, CDP-Choline, PS, CoQ10, L-theanine & L-tyrosine, along with the fundamentals like multi vitamin/minerals, B-complex, zinc, magnesium, etc.
I believe I took all of the nootropics 2 days in a row and had great results, no downsides. Then I had 4 beers during a concert last Saturday and took a break from Vyvanse on Sunday (was taking a larger dose also due to tolerance buildup through the week) but when I resumed the same supplement schedule on Monday, with only 30mg of Vyvanse (took about 60mg on Saturday) I could focus for about on hour before I started feeling very strange, in a over-stimulated kind of way. Some anxiety, muscle soreness, but my brain seemed to function exceptionally well, if only I could’ve controlled it properly.
Could it be too much acetylcholine in the brain?
I was taking ALCAR, ALA & CDP-Choline together on an empty stomach, waited about an hour, then took Vyvanse with yogurt + 1/2 banana, teaspoon of fish oil (about 2g EPA, 1.5g DHA) along with B-complex, PS & CoQ10.
With all these supplements, I’m finding it hard to determine which to prioritize upon simplification of the stack. What one, or maybe two, would you personally keep at first to help with the vyvanse’s effective duration and to reduce the infamous crash?
A thousand thanks again for your contributions sir, and greetings from Iceland!
Hákon, both ALCAR and Alpha Lipoic Acid boosts Acetyl Co-A which is involved in acetylcholine synthesis. That combo might be too much for your system. I suggest choosing one or the other and seeing it that works.
I am a student who is new to these nootropics. what should I take to increase my memory, concentration, and focus for long hours of intensive study?
See this article: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-studying/
coffee an theanine feel very good (well, I use a weird formula from the EU with 200 mg of theanine and 500 mg of GABA)
but my question is what should I expect if I sweeten my coffee with both inositol and glycine
note that when go out for a drink, I leave the MCT oil home and take with me a lecithin capsule instead
Mike, read the sections “how does Inositol feel?” and the same for Glycine so you know what to expect if you add them to your coffee. That is assuming you use a recommended dose. A smaller amount is unlikely to have any effect.
Excellent guide! I have some CDP and Lion’s mane coming in soon. Plan to start a low dose (250mg/d) of CDP since I eat eggs every morning and it has a longer half life as well 1g of an 8:1 extract of Lion’s Mane from Nootropics Depot. So far 5g of Creatine Mono, just under a gram of DHA a day, 200mg ubiquinol, and Caffeine+L-Theanine twice a day (200mg each) has done wonders for me on top of diet and exercise changes. Even on my worst days I feel better than I previously did on my best days. Thank you for your work, this site is a treasure trove of information.
Thanks for the report Zach. Well done!
With very big efforts I started learning the website nootropicsexpert.com
Finally, I collected the stack from nootropics and 1 smart drug. My visual short term memory was 50/800 points. Now it’s 463/800 points. It’s magic. Even my eyes changed. They were very depressed but became shining. Everything is working as described. All text is the truth. Nootropics are not scam. I’m sure that Mind Lab Pro will work too. Thank you David!
Even if 1 nootropic is missing I’m not getting full benefits. So it may become really hard work for anyone to test everything.
So this is my daily stack:
1. Good organic multivitamins with enough dosage of B vitamins
2. DHA 500 mg, EPA 250 mg twice per day
3. Methylphenidate 18 mg from morning
4. L-Tyrosine 500 mg twice per day
5. ALCAR 500 mg twice per day
6. CDP-Choline 250 mg twice per day
7. NAC 600 mg twice per day
8. Lion’s Mane 500 mg twice per day
9. Pine Bark Extract 240 mg from morning
10. Green Tea Extract 100 mg from morning
11. GABA 250 mg from morning
Max, good stack. The only change I suggest is adding a 3rd dose of NAC later in the afternoon.
Hi David,
I have recently come across your website and youtube and great contents which helps in saving time and efforts – finding the right stack for each individuals.
I would like to ask and probably this may help the readers, would you suggest any type of blood test or medical tests or even a cognitive tests, to check any deficiencies in our body. Like for an example, we can easily get tested for vitamin deficiencies and know whether to consider them in our daily stack. But are there other tests, which you would recommend to test it prior and after a certain period to check both deficiency and progress.
Thanks for your response.
Edit: I was further going through your website and found a link to what I was asking above.
https://nootropicsexpert.com/neurohackers-guide-to-lab-tests/
Probably above links helps identifying what is required for each individual.
Can I suggest, if you can mention in each or atleast in your main/ important info pages, to try/recommend above blood tests and how to check progress. Thanks
Rakesh, the link you provided to the article I wrote on lab tests here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/neurohackers-guide-to-lab-tests/. includes all of the labs that are useful. You should get a bell curve or low and high levels for each test to compare your labs to.
The only one I would add and should to this article are the sex hormones for men and women.
Hi, thanks for all the infomation above! Worth experimenting with.
Just to clarify, it’s menioned that MindLabPro contains all the ingredients mentioned in your beginners stack – however – when i checked mindlabpro the folling seem to be missing: DHA, B1,B3,B5,B8 & N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine (NALT).
Can you confirm and is there one that includes everything?
Rose, Mind Lab Pro definitely contains 175 mg NALT, and Vitamins B6, B9 & B12. It does not contain DHA which needs to be taken as a separate supplement.
To get all the vitamins and minerals your body and brain uses every day I recommend: https://bit.ly/2EIyhCA and for DHA 3 gelcaps per day of this supplement: https://bit.ly/3q98chL
Hi David,
is there any substitute for the CDP-Choline (Citicoline)?
Thank you
Jesse, the only other efficient way to increase acetylcholine is with Alpha GPC.
Hi David,
when you state, speaking about the vitamin B complex: “Make sure you get a formula that is considerably higher than RDA recommendations.”
Do you intend something around 130%-300% or 1000%?
Don, it varies from vitamin to vitamin. Life Extension (https://geni.us/8Ig2A) (Amazon) has a good bioactive B-Complex at the right dosage’s. The RDA is the bare minimum of each to keep you alive. Not to thrive.
Very interesting site you have going on here. I’m educated in health care, but this is a relatively new science even among professionals to the degree and scrutiny found on this website. Also, thanks for posting clinical references for studies performed.
I’d like to ask a favor if you may, and that’s to put into quantifiable context (i.e. clinical studies and your own antidotal evidence gathered through the years concerning the general population) the different nootropics listed. Also, your impression of “Bulk supplements” as this is a company that’s quite prominent among the masses for overall supplementation.
An example of what I mean regarding “quantifiable context”; Lions Mane Mushroom: CS (clinical studies) 7.5/10, Antidotal 8/10 – both of which are understood to be your personal opinion, nothing more. This would help so much to gain overall context to what is “sort of worth it” vs. a “no brainer” for supplementation.
ALCAR: CS 9/10, Antidotal 9.5
DMAE: 6.5/10, 5.5/10 (all are just hypothetical examples).
Finally, is DMAE the best supp. for preventing/removing Lipofuscin, as you don’t necessarily recommend DMAE as there are better alternatives. Do those alternatives address Lipofuscin to the degree of DMAE?
Thanks in advance your your responses, I look forward to more insights from you.
Dave, I’m not sure it you a joking or are serious. Every single supplement I have reviewed on Nootropics Expert provides specific benefits. If you are working on developing a nootropic stack for yourself and you need help I am available for personal consultations. Here is a link to my calendar: https://calendly.com/davidtomen/60min
Hello Sir,
I’d like to know your opinion about Brain Pill and Noocube compared to the the ones that you outlined (Mind Lab Pro & Performance Lab).
Thanks!
Mason
Mason, Noocube is basically a slimmed down multivitamin with some Taurine added. Brain Pill targets a couple of specific functions like memory and cognition.
Neither are in the same league as Mind Lab Pro which is considered a “universal” nootropic formula.
As for Performance Lab it depends on which formula you are referring to. One thing for sure is Noocube is not in the same league compared to any Performance Lab formula. Not even the Performance Lab NutriGenesis Multi. And any PL formula uses higher quality ingredients than what Brain Pill uses.
Hi,
I love your passion for your work with nootropics. Big respect.
I’m new at nootropoics and have read a lot.
I like to increase my motivation, energy and libido. Can
L-tyrosine together with iodine and selenium be a good choice? Or should l combine L-tyrosine with cdp-choline?
Or should l try something else?
Thanks
Kenneth, libido is dependent in part on dopamine which can be raised by using L-Tyrosine. Which is also part of the dopamine/reward/motivation pathway.
But to increase motivation you first need to activate AMPA receptors which is explained in this article: https://nootropicsexpert.com/hacking-motivation-with-nootropics/. I have included a list of supplements in that article to activate AMPA receptors.
And energy is dependent on the ATP which is created in your mitochondria. How do do that is in this article: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-energy-supplements-to-buy-2/
This Spring (2021) you helped me get started with Nootropics through a consultation. Wanted to say thank you and tell you and your followers how well I have progressed. I started with basics like Alpha GPC, Lions Main, L-Tyrosine, Pine Bark, Phenylpiratem, Tart Cherry, Lemon Bark, L-Tryptophan and probably something else. I have since added Rhodiola, Vinpocetine and Polygala. After fighting depression for so many years and being lethargic and sleepy, I am a new person because I’m happy, productive and not taking long naps as I used to. I started off taking Adrafinil but don’t need that any longer. Had tried anti-depressants, all SSRi’s, with no luck and now I understand why they didn’t work after reading your material and listening to your podcasts and doing some of my own research.
I’d still like to try other (maybe all!?!) nootropics like some of the other racetams and bacopa. Don’t care for Ashwaganda nor L-Theanine. I do have to be careful though to not push myself too hard due to some health issues.
Thanks again and good luck to everyone else out there. I promote Nootropics to family and friends but unfortunately they are too pessimistic.
Cindy, that is great news and thank you for the report. Much appreciated.
David –
Thank you for the thousands of hours of research and publication on this site!
I’m looking to start my first stack (I imagine there will be ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ that will adjust this list). Would you recommend starting each supplement one at a time to determine possible side effects? Or are there some from this list I can join together will relative ease?
My main purpose is to reduce anxiety / increase stress resistance and improve cognition / memory:
Day Time:
CDP-Choline
Lions Mane
Pine Bark Extract
DHA (not from fish oil)
L-Theanine
Phosphatidylserine
Aniracetam
Bacopa Monnieri
Sulbutiamine
Complex B (3,6,9,12)
Night time:
Lemon Balm
Passion Flower
Chamomile
Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks!
Joe, that’s a great start but you are right. I do not suggest taking them all at once if you’ve never used any of these before. Because if anything goes wrong you’ll never know what caused it.
Doing it this way will take you a week or more to get through the list the first time. Try one for a day and if it works without any side effects add the next one the next day. If here are not problems then add the next one the next day. Etc.
The key to making this work getting the dose right and the timing. Some of these supplements need to be used 2 or even 3-times per day to get their full benefit all day long.
And some are fat-soluble so take your stack with a tablespoon of unrefined coconut oil another healthy oil to ensure absorption of the fat-soluble supplements.
Hello fellow brain hacker! Question: Where do you buy your nootropic supplements from? I’m looking to create custom stacks and want to buy each supplement in my stack individually to create it.
Dallas, this article will help you select the highest quality supplements: https://nootropicsexpert.com/7-tips-for-choosing-the-highest-quality-nootropic-supplements/
It’s not so much where I buy my nootropics but who the manufacturer is and are they trustworthy and do they sell pure supplements.
Has anyone combined modafinil, uridine monophosphate and alpha GPC together? If so, what was your experience and what were the dosages?
Hi David,
I have been trying a few nootropics out for sleep, anxiety and healthy brain/memory and recently depression but I’m haven’t totally sorted the problems yet. My question is how long do I take a nootropic before I know if it works for me?
Debbie, great question and it depends on the supplement. You should feel the effects of amino acids such as L-Tyrosine or L-Tryptophan within 30 mins. of taking the supplement.
But adaptogens often take much longer. A couple of them take consistent daily use for up to 3 – 4 weeks before you get its full benefit.
Nutrients like vitamins and minerals are dependent on effective levels present in your system. For example, if you are deficient in magnesium it may take a few days of consistent use before you get your levels to where they should be and maintain that level after that.
But to complicate things even more for you there is no ‘one pill’ solution. It often takes a combination or ‘stack’ of supplements to reduce your symptoms depending on the cause.
So it may take you experimenting for 2 or 3 months using various supplements and combinations before you nail it. It took me 2 1/2 years to fully recover from my bottom about 7 years ago.
Fortunately, it shouldn’t take you as long because I and the rest of the nootropics community have learned so much since then. And you can use the information you find here on Nootropics Expert to reduce your overwhelm. And use a more targeted approach to solving your issues.
Hi David
I started the nootropic stuck for bigenner 1 months ago and recently i start taking CDP choline + NACLT twice per day morning and afternoon and because i am not getting results as well and feeling so lazy during the day i start dividing the nootropics like this:
Morning. CDP choline + NALT+LION’S mane +DHA+B complex
afternoon:CDP choline + NALT
evening: l theanine + Bacopa
Night: l tryptophan
Because i still feel weak and lasy i add Taurine but not succes yet.
Recently i got liver reflections and some pain in this area and black or dark color under my eyes i think i am experiening a kind of toxicity because i start to use liver support which have milk thrislt and getting better.
I don’t know what to do i don’t want to stop and go back to doctors 8 year i was talking medications and no benefits when i stop i go back worst than before which this medications lead me to have ADD that killed my life i decide to start here to understant more about nootropics the shift to add and adhd stuck but seems more complicated i don’t know what to do???
I am thinking to get the mind pro lab but i know it will not help by it self what you suggest for me to add to mind pro lab as simple as you can please can you help me?
Regarding the what cause toxicity for me i review all nootropic many time and i used them one by one still i can’t figure out????!!!!
Aniracetam i can’t buy because not allowed in UAE
regarding my life i eat very health following ketto and IF but i want something help my memory my active life just i don’t want to give up.
Note: lion’s mane cause etching for me but still feel the effect exactly when i stuck it with CDP choline + NALt.
Sorry for the long story GOD BELSS YOU and all regards
I forget to mention vipocetine which i use too.
Vinpocetine is an excellent choice and one of my favorite nootropics for increasing blood flow.
Dr. Tamer, looks like you are on the right track and taking steps towards getting better. You don’t mention your age. So I’m assuming you’re mid-life and for that reason I am directing you to a post on taking care of the “aging” brain. https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-the-aging-brain/
If you are 45 – 50 years or older, choose two nootropic supplements from each of the categories on that page. You should begin to feel results within 2 – 3 weeks or sooner if taken daily and you follow dosage recommendations. The intent of this stack is to tame oxidative stress and inflammation and begin to restore what’s been lost by decades of living.
You should also try to bring your energy levels up. And this is done by providing our mitochondria with what they need to produce ATP. Which is our basic source of energy. You can learn more about energy restoration and maintenance in this post: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-energy-supplements-to-buy/
Are you taking the recommended dosages for the nootropics you are already using? The B-Complex you are using is important. But with a Keto diet you should likely also be using a good, high quality multivitamin. More on that here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/how-to-select-the-best-multivitamin-for-brain-function/
Finally, liver support is critical as is the rest of your body. Because our brain and body must work together if we want the energy needed to get through the day. And to feel good as well. But keep in mind that this takes time. Your are repairing decades of wear on your body and brain. It will NOT take decades to fix but will take some time.
So be patient, stay with it, and be willing to experiment until you find the perfect combination of supplements for your unique situation.
Thank you very much i really appreciate it.
I am a dentist 31 years old and when i am taking the NALT + CDP CHOLINE + lion’sman before the my the work i do such creative amazing results within short time but why i got dark or black colour under my eyes???
iam folowing the recommendations doeses as well but i’m taking NALt + cdp choline twice per day morning and early afternoon.
If i add gingko it will be good idea or not????
And if i get mind pro lab what should i avoid from this nootrpic stuck????
Thank you so much again for everything and the spport and hope that you give it to all this people around the word such an amazing work God bless Mr.David
Dr. Tamer, your comment about “why I got dark or black color under my eyes” is not a know side effect of any of these supplements. Only thing I can think of is you’re not getting enough sleep? 🙂
Ginkgo Biloba may be a good addition to your stack. But it all depends on what you’re trying to do. It will amplify the effects of NALT so watch you do not raise dopamine too much. And it increases blood flow in your brain which is a good thing.
If you really get stuck set up a consultation with me. And we’ll spend a quality hour getting you sorted out.
Thank you very much i really appreciate it.
I am a dentist 31 years old and when i am taking the NALT + CDP CHOLINE + lion’sman before the my the work i do such creative amazing job and results,within short time but why i got dark or black colour under my eyes???
iam folowing the recommendations doeses as well but i’m taking NALt + cdp choline twice per day morning and early afternoon.
If i add gingko it will be good idea or not????
And i am wondering if adding ALCAR to this nootropic stuck it will not boost the acetylcholine so much no side effect???? Regarding B complex i got B100 from now company.
And i will get mind pro lab and choose 2 nootropic from each category that you recommended for me.
Thank you so much again for everything for the spport and hope that you give it to all this people around the world work God bless you Mr.David
See my earlier comment to your questions. ALCAR and Mind Lab Pro would be good additions as well. But again, it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. The key to success with nootropics is experimenting until you get it right for you.
Hi David,
I am new to this and have started with the CDP choline, Nalt, some vitamin B’s, a product called Gold which is liquid turmeric with black pepper, pine bark, st. john’s wort(minimal) and DHEA(25mg’s) at 1 time weekly. What do you think about adding Phenibut twice or once a week to that stack? I have a faster than normal brain and experience a racing mind and anxiety easily! Thank you.
Adrian, I cannot recommend using something like Phenibut especially with someone new to using nootropics. It’s far to easy to misuse and takes a disciplined and experienced neurohacker to use Phenibut successfully and safely.
Something like Picamilon would be safer. And even safer are nootropics like L-Theanine, Gotu Kola, Lemon Balm and maybe even GABA to tame anxiety. Each of these are powerful supplements when used as recommended.
I came across your website and began reading and watching some of your videos. I was wondering if you might have some advice for someone with seizures. They started when I was 13 years old and I have been on every anticonvulsant drug out there with no luck. I’ve been taking dr schulzes superfood everyday for the last 10 or 12 years and recently started eating a couple of tablespoons of organic sauerkraut or beet kvass before every meal. The sauerkraut and beet kvass have done wonders for my digestive system. From watching some of your vids, I’m beginning to think I might have a vitamin d3 and magnesium deficiency. The Drs keep telling me that the only thing that they can offer me is brain surgery. Something in my gut tells me that is not the way to go. The Drs don’t want to hear anything about diet of supplements. I would go ahead with surgery if they actually could find an abnormality or tumor or something in my brain that was abnormal but it all looks fine on the countless mris and other scans I’ve had over the years. Any advice on a good place to start ?
Joe, most people in our modern society are deficient in Vitamin D and magnesium. You’ll find dosage recommendations for all of these supplements by scrolling down this list and clicking through to each review: https://nootropicsexpert.com/nootropics-list/
The only thing I’ve found the was consistently successful for seizures is here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/cbd-oil/
You may want to get a copy of my book Head First because it’s nearly 600-pages of suggestions on how to get well: https://nootropicsexpert.com/store/
And I do offer personal consultations if you think it would help: https://nootropicsexpert.com/personal-consultations/
Hi David,
Thank you for creating this site. I believe you are really helping people.
I have ADD, depression and anxiety and I’m about to start building my first stack and experimenting.
I just wanted to mention a couple of aversions I’ve had in the past and hopefully get your advice on where to start.
I’ve tried high quality fish oil a couple of different times in the past and it exasperates my depression and anxiety.
Also, my naturopath gave me vitamin b12 shots a couple of times over a week and it totally floored me. I’ve never been so depressed and it took around 3 weeks to get back to normal.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Jerad, your reaction to both of these supplements is so unusual as to not show up in any of the research I’ve done on Side Effects for either.
But “fish oil” is not a good idea to begin with. Please see this post on DHA and what you really need for cognitive health: https://nootropicsexpert.com/dha/
And not sure what the cause of your B12 reaction was: https://nootropicsexpert.com/vitamin-b12-cobalamin/
One thing you’ll learn as you get more experience with nootropics is there is no “one pill” solution. And using standalone supplement like B12 is not as good as a high quality, bio-identical B-Complex supplement.
This Beginner’s Guide is a good place to start. For more ideas on how to deal with more specific issues, please scroll through the posts here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/category/guides/