Welcome! My name is David Tomen, and I am the author of NootropicsExpert.com, my books Head First 2nd Edition – The Complete Guide to Healing & Optimizing Your Brain with Nootropic Supplements and (FREE!) Secrets of the Optimized Brain, and my Nootropics Expert YouTube channel.
I started Nootropics Expert® in January 2016. You can learn more about my story and why I started Nootropics Expert over on my About Page.
You can quickly see the nootropic supplements that I personally use every day on this page: What I Take
And if you’re in a hurry, go to this page to Buy Nootropics.
I also do Personal Consultations if you could use some help choosing the best nootropic supplements for you. You’ll find my calendar here: Nootropics Expert Consultations
How Nootropics Can Help You
You can end your search now. Because here on Nootropics Expert you’ll find the help you have been searching for. No matter the brain health problem that is making your life miserable.
Here you’ll find information on this List of Nootropics which has dozens and dozens of links to nootropic supplement reviews that I’ve written, and update as soon as new science becomes available. In a language that is easy to understand.
You’ll learn where each supplement comes from, how it works, the benefits you can expect, how much you should use and how often, possible side effects, and how to select from dozens of options – which one to buy.
NOTE: Every single word on Nootropics Expert is written by me. It’s not an AI or a contract copywriter.
You will also discover that everything I write about a supplement is supported by peer-reviewed clinical studies. You will not find links to other websites or blogs.
Instead, you will find dozens of clickable links in each supplement review and article to supporting and relevant clinical studies.
So you have the option of reading the same research I found and used to write my reviews and articles.
My hope is that if you’re overwhelmed by the fragmented information for nootropics spread across several websites, you can end your search on what has become the best nootropics website.
Quickly find out how one nootropic may interact with another. Which ones are safe. And which nootropic supplements have side effects. I will cover all that here.
Use my Nootropics Guide to get more familiar with the top nootropics and different types of cognitive enhancers and what they do. Soon you’ll be able to safely build your own nootropic stack.
I’m happy you’re here. Because you should be able to find everything you need to know about nootropics on Nootropics Expert. 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.
Where to Buy Nootropics
Once you’ve decided which nootropic supplements you’d like to try, how do you know which is the best supplement to buy?
I’ve done the homework for you and put together a list of nootropic brands and supplements. Most of which I personally use and highly recommend.
You’ll find the highest quality, purest nootropic supplements on this page.
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.
Join The Discussion - 1,845 comments
Melissa W.
November 22, 2018
Hi Dave, I used the searched bar for Anhedonia and nothing is coming up. I am looking for something that may help me. I am struggling living like this daily. I feel flat. No emotions at all. I don’t laugh anymore, nor cry.. I just don’t feel no joy out of life at all. I am not depressed though, at least I don’t so, as I do not feel sadness, nor hopelessness. I do however feel I have inner body tension, as my muscles are always tense and I feel as though I am overstimulated and on stimulants… but I’m not. I cannot understand why I have energy, but just don’t have the motivation. I feel like I have too much glutamate or adrenaline. I’m looking for something that may help my anhedonia without making me more stimulated? Any ideas? Thank you so much for your time..
Melissa W.
November 22, 2018
Oh.. I forgot to mention.. Would using something to raise dopamine, also raise norepinephrine and just make me more stimulated? I have been researching neurotransmitters for weeks now and it’s just so confusing to me. I was also wondering if too much serotonin may be causing my symptoms? I’m just not sure which direction to go…
David Tomen
November 23, 2018
Melissa, this subject “Anhedonia” has come up now and again over the last couple of years here. And is something I’ll need to research more before I can offer any recommendations.
It does seem to be related to a problem with dopamine and the “reward system” in the brain which includes brain signaling. You many want to try supplementing with L-Tyrosine and a choline supplement like CDP-Choline at lower recommended doses and see how you react. Dopamine is needed for the synthesis of norepinephrine which you need. But lower doses shouldn’t be a problem.
Melissa W.
November 23, 2018
Thank you for your reply.. I’ll try them at low doses and hopefully it will help.
CY
November 16, 2018
Is gotu kola similar to pine bark extract?
And is pine bark extract better than tebonin egb 761 to treat alzheimers? Maybe ill switch. Im. Afraid to put mom on too many nitric oxide boosters
David Tomen
November 16, 2018
Cy, I encourage you to read each of the individual reviews for the nootropics you mentioned. Click the “List of Nootropics” at the top of this page. Scroll down to locate each review. Clearly understand the mechanism of action for each and see the “Research” section if there is anything associate with Alzheimer’s.
CY
November 16, 2018
Does Gotu Kola reverse brain shrinkage? I read by increasing neuron growth it helps reverse brain shrinkage?
And do you know any seller that sells standardised gotu kola?
Standardised gotu kola should have 40% asiaticoside, 29 to 30% asiatic asid, 29 to 30% madecassicacid and 1 to 2 % madecassoside. Perhaps better with an 30% alcholol tincture.
CY
November 15, 2018
David
Of those seven nootropics you suggested to me to combat alzheimers and dementia which brand names would you go with? Id like to know youre suggested ones for pine bark extract, berberdine, curcumin, resveratrol , huperzine a, piracetam and b complex?
And i currently have my mom on tebonin egb 761. Is it bad to mix this with the 7 you mentioned?
David Tomen
November 16, 2018
CY, I’m about to publish a post on how to determine dietary supplement manufacturer reputation. But you can get started with this post on choosing the best here > https://nootropicsexpert.com/7-tips-for-choosing-the-highest-quality-nootropic-supplements/.
And EGB 761 is a Ginkgo Biloba extract so should not have any problems with this stack.
For Piracetam, Nootropics Depot as a pretty good reputation these days for quality product.
CY
November 12, 2018
If you could choose five to fight and combat alzheimers and dementia which five would you personally choose?
David Tomen
November 12, 2018
CY, that is such a great question. I’ve been asked to come up with suggested nootropic stacks for all kinds of ailments. Which is being worked on now.
For dementia and Alzheimer’s I suggest reading the review for each of the following and using ALL of the nootropics on this list including the recommended dosages and correct types:
Pine Bark Extract
Berberine
Huperzine-A
Resveratrol
Piracetam
Curcumin
B-Complex supplement
You can easily locate each review by scrolling through the list here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/nootropics-list/
CY
November 12, 2018
What herbs or nootropics or vitamins reverse brain shrinkage in alzheimers/dementia? And if there is one, which one is most effective?
David Tomen
November 12, 2018
CY, you have several options available to you to help prevent and possibly reverse brain shrinkage.
Please see my post on nootropics for the aging brain including dementia here > https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-the-aging-brain/
Vinetta Woodward
November 11, 2018
David,
Thank you so very much for sharing your information on Nootropics, this is the type of straight forward information I need. I am looking to stack PEA, Hordenine and L-Tyrosine as a substitute for the weight loss aid Phentermine (Adipex, Fastin). Phentermine is a prescription drug with a lot of side effects and I wanted to try to find a good Nootropic stack that will have similar effect…. minus the major side effects. I will watch the dosage and keep track of my heart rate (500 mg PEA, 50 mg Hordenine, 250mg L-Tyrosine)–at the most twice a day—starting with once a day. I already wear a Heart Rate monitor as part of my work outs. Do you think this will be a successful stack or if you have any recommendations for a stack that would mimic Phentermine. Also Adding Mucna and/or Bacopa and/or 5-HTP is an option.
Thank you for your time. Your You tube videos are great.
Ms V
David Tomen
November 12, 2018
Vinetta, PEA activates TAAR1 and TAAR2 receptors similar to Phentermine. Try the stack you’ve already suggested and see how it works for you. And your plan is sensible as well. Let us know how it works for you.
You’ll find the review for PEA here > https://nootropicsexpert.com/phenylethylamine/
Andrew
November 1, 2018
Sorry David…I forgot to include L Tryptophan to the list in my last post. Is it okay to take with all those nootropics? In particular…is it safe to use it with Rhodiola Rosea? Thank you – Andrew.
David Tomen
November 5, 2018
Andrew, yes that is a safe stack you’ve put together. Well done. As you long you follow dosage recommendations and don’t try to mix anything with SSRI’s you should be fine. For cerebral blood flow you can try Vinpocetine or Pine Bark Extract. If you are in the USA I’d try Vinpocetine first.