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 - 1,827 comments
CY
January 27, 2019
Hello
David whats the best nootropics at makeing glucose in the brain? Especially if you got alzheimers?
And is it safe for blood to be in ketosis from coconut oil and still boost brain glucose at the same time?
David Tomen
January 28, 2019
CY, you are getting glucose from the food you eat. Unless you are diabetic or have issues with hypoglycemia I would be more concerned with cerebral blood flow than worrying about increasing glucose. The University of Texas explains how it works in this article very well: https://nba.uth.tmc.edu/neuroscience/m/s4/chapter11.html
You brain will get its fuel supply from whichever is available; glucose or ketones. If you’re in ketosis it’ll be ketones and if not, then it’ll be glucose. It’s one or the other but not both as far as I know.
Darcy
February 9, 2019
Which supplements help with cerebral blood flow?
Separately, did first comment not survive the moderation? (posted around 2.7.19)
Do we get emails if you respond to our comment?
David Tomen
February 9, 2019
Darcy, the best nootropics for cerebral blood flow and circulation are Pine Bark Extract and Vinpocetine. And I honestly don’t know if you get email notification for comments.
michael
January 26, 2019
David , I have a challenging question for you… When I wake up I have this hissing sound in one ear which lasts all day. But the next day it may totally be quiet all day , and the next day..and then it comes back another day… If it is so called ‘inflammation ‘ in the brain..or subcouncious stress which
I have , which Nootropics would you suggest might help with that if any?
I do take l-Theanine 100mg and B-complex 200 mg with no effect..
Thanks you in advance
David Tomen
January 27, 2019
Michael, sound like a symptom of tinnitus. I suggest doing a search of Nootropics Expert using the search function top right for “tinnitus” and see what turns up.
CY
January 27, 2019
Supposedly tebonin helps treat tinnitus. I read positive reviews on amazon as far as the treatment with tebonin for tinnitus goes. Tebonin is ginko bilboa extract
Nick
January 24, 2019
Dear David,
I love your website, Youtube channel and book. Big fan here. I would love your advice on my nootropic stack for (social) anxiety, moderate depression and brain fog.
In the past I tried many nootropics in many different stacks/dosages (from Racetams, Sulbutiame, Noopept, Vinpocitine, Ashwagandha, 5-htp, Tryptofan, DLPA, NALT, ALCAR, ALA, Ginseng, Curcumin, Mind Lab Pro, Performance Lab Energy, Uridine MP, L-theanine, Taurine, Good Multivitamine with extra B-vitamine, Magnesium, DHA, Alpha GPC, DMAE, L-carnosine, Icariin (Horny goat weed), Gotu Kola, Theacrine etc, maybe i’m forgetting a few) but nothing seems to really work and my symptons of brain foq, anxiety and depression are worsening.
Now I would like to start with St John’s Worth (Perika) because I never tried SJW and in the past SSRI’s (8 years on SSRI’s, now around 8 months off) worked for me but with big side effects. I want to combine SJW (starting with 3x 300mg) with the following Nootropics:
Theacrine 2x 100mg, Noopept 3x 10mg, SAMe 400mg (or NAC 1.000mg), L-theanine 3x 125mg, Mind Lab Pro 2x 2 capsules, Alpha GPC 99% 1x 150mg, DHA 1.000mg, Good Multivitamine with B complex, Creatine 3x 1.000mg and Icariin (Horny goat weed) 1x 750 3% Icariin. And maybe later combine it with Curcumin, Ginseng, ALCAR, Taurine.
Love your view on this stack for suggestions/ideas or possible interactions.
You have been a big help and inspiration.
Many thanks.
Nick
David Tomen
January 24, 2019
Nick, the stack you’re suggesting sounds like it may help you. But don’t take it all at once. Split your stack into 2 or 3 doses during the day.
Double check and make sure the multi and B-Complex you are using are all ‘nature-identical’ because your body may be having problems with methylation and converting certain forms to what our body can use.
I suggest checking the “Side Effects” section for each nootropic review. This way you’ll know what to look for if you experience something bad. And double check the “Dosage Recommendations” for each to make sure your are using each nootropic correctly. Especially for things like SAM-e.
Nick
February 7, 2019
Dear David,
Many thanks for your thoughts. The ‘nature-identical’ multi and B-complex is a good one, i will give that a try.
I researched the Side Effects of the nootropics and may have some concerns about the impact on my liver. Do you think the nootropics or the stack can impact my liver negatively?
Many thanks.
Nick
David Tomen
February 8, 2019
Nick, it depends on a couple of things. How healthy is your liver? And are you staying within dosage ranges and not exceeding them?
Nick
February 10, 2019
Dear David
I’m not 100% sure but i think my liver is in good condition (no bad signs or so). I will make an appointment with my doctor to check. And i stay within the recommended dosage ranges.
Many thanks.
Nick
Al
January 23, 2019
Hi David,
Can u please make a video for people with epilepsy what would be a supportive herb for this illness and which herbs are better to prevent?
Thank u so much
David Tomen
January 23, 2019
Al, I’m reluctant to make videos or write posts on specific issues like epilepsy because I’m not a doctor. And legally must be careful that I don’t come across as “prescribing” something for a specific disease.
For epilepsy I suggest using the search function top right and search for “epilepsy” and see what turns up.
Aditya
January 22, 2019
I have been diagnosed with Obsessive compulsive disorder . Have been on SSRI and improved over years with medications and healthy lifestyle . My current medications are Escitalopram 5 mg every alternate day . I am also taking Brahmi tablet twice daily . But I can say that I am controlled but not completely relieved of anxiety symptoms . I want to feel more calm and stable . Please suggest
David Tomen
January 23, 2019
Aditya, it depends on what is causing your anxiety. Please see this post to understand what I mean and for ideas on what you can try: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-social-anxiety/
But please make sure that you do not use nootropics that act as MAOI or boost serotonin while using Lexapro because you could cause Serotonin Syndrome. Which can be deadly.
Aditya
January 23, 2019
Thank you for your information . I shall definitely follow that . I want to know can I take citicoline and piracetam with Brahmi tablet .
David Tomen
January 23, 2019
Yes, you can stack Brahmi, Piracetam and Citicoline. Please follow the dosage recommendations included in each review. Just scroll down this list to find the nootropic here > https://nootropicsexpert.com/nootropics-list/
Aditya
January 24, 2019
I usually take Brahmi tablets twice daily . When I tried piracetam and citicoline yesterday for the first time I could feel the heightened response but there was mental fatigue and had spent the whole day feeling fatigued and had depressed mood and panic sort of feeling why did it happen I should have felt much better but I experience the opposite .
David Tomen
January 24, 2019
Aditya, this is taken from my Piracetam review, “Your brain needs some time to adjust to the new change in acetylcholine (ACh) levels and how it uses it. Increased cerebral blood flow takes a while to bring up levels of oxygen and nutrients. And for your neuronal cells to respond. Your mileage may vary depending on your own neuro-chemical makeup.”
It will take awhile for your brain to adjust so you’ll need to be patient. But that’s only if you are willing and able to give this combination a chance. If not then maybe Piracetam and Citicoline are not for you.
Scott
January 21, 2019
David,
I take an array of meds/supplements for anxiety, ADD, depression, etc. It’s not really ADD but major executive function problems. I believe I’m Gluten sensitive as used to have stomach issues and brain fog pretty regularly. I should mention that I don’t feel the combination of meds/supplements I’m taking is working.
One supplement the doctor highly recommended was NAC. I’ve been taking it for a while, 3 twice a day, but don’t feel that it’s doing much. I also take GNC’s DHA. I’ve just discovered you through Dr. Parker’s Core Brain Journal podcast, which I thought was great, and have been looking around your site. I haven’t noticed you mention NAC at all. What are your thoughts on this?
David Tomen
January 21, 2019
Scott, you’ll find the review for NAC here > https://nootropicsexpert.com/n-acetyl-l-cysteine/
Issues with executive function typically have to do with dopamine and brain cell signaling. I suggest using the search function top right for “executive function” and see what turns up. You’ll need to scroll through a number of posts to get some idea on not only what you are dealing with. But also some ideas on what may help.
One word of caution … please always check the “Side Effects” for drug interactions as well as recommended dosage recommendations which are often different than what is on the manufacturer’s supplement label.
Matt
January 17, 2019
Love your information! I am big on supplementation and herbs. I have a couple questions on the cocktail of supplements and medication I take. For starters i suffer from depression and anxiety. I take effexor and lamictal which works well for me for the most part. The below are the supplements i take before I go to sleep:
-Cordyceps Extract
-Vitamin D3 with fish oil
-Solaray – Sharpmind – includes – ginkgo, l-dopa, huperzine A, and more for healthy brain
In the morning i take:
-Gabatrol which includes – Phenyl-GABA, L-Theanine, Taurine, Glycine and L-Tyrosine
– Creatine, amino acids, glutamine
I have order the following for the first time:
– Bacopa M
– S-Acetyl L-Glutathione
– CoQ10
– PQQ
What are your thoughts? Am I safe taking all of these? I’ve had good results but I want to add more nootropics because I have very bad short term memory loss, concentration problems etc. My main goal is cognitive thinking and ability to retain information since I work a 9-5 job that demands attention in Finance.
Hopefully I’m no inundating you with all of this!
Thank you:)
Matt
David Tomen
January 18, 2019
Matt, you’re definitely on the right track and it’s good that you are concerned about prescription drug contraindications. I suggest you check the “Side Effects” section of each nootropic reviewed here on Nootropics Expert just to make sure you are safe. You’ll find all of the nootropics you mentioned by scrolling through the Nootropics List tab in the menu up top.
Be careful with the Solaray supplement you are taking because it contains Huperzine-A. While this is a good nootropic for boosting acetylcholine, it should not be used every day because it’s half-life is 24 hours. You would be much better off and a much safer choice with using something like Mind Lab Pro in the morning.
And please read through this post I did wrote on memory for ideas on how to boost it > https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-learning-and-memory/
Bobbie
January 14, 2019
I’m glad that i found this website and you tube channel. I thought you might include DMSO to your stroke recovery segment. It is used right after a stroke and many people have recovered. I’m assuming that it would help with traumatic brain injury also. It’s amazing for tissue repair!!
David Tomen
January 15, 2019
Bobbie, I would consider Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the pharmaceutical category of compounds and not a nootropic supplement. It’s use in alternative medicine is controversial. Not the type of thing I would encourage anyone to try without the help of a very qualified integrative medical professional.