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 - 1,847 comments
Patricia Baker
April 23, 2019
Any ideas on the best labs to buy pharmaceutical grade Methylene Blue?
David Tomen
April 23, 2019
Patricia, Sigma Aldrich in the US still manufactures pharmaceutical-grade MB as far as I know.
Sam
April 28, 2019
Hi David love your work. I was hoping you could help answer a perplexing email I got from a certain well known nootropics company. I recently got into nootropics because my aunt was diagnosed with early onset dementia , her doctors of course told her that there was nothing she could do. She was given antidepressants and a acetolocholine inhibtor drug , both “treatmenst” where admitted would only help symptoms but do nothing to fight the disease. I am a second year neuroscience major and don’t claim to know much but , I certainty know upon looking at the research there is alot more you can do. NGF and BDNF have been extensively researched for not only being neuroprotective but perhaps even being implicated in stimulating neurogenisus. Long story short , I went and bought Lions mane and Noopet since both appear to be the safest and most effective NGF and BDNF boosters. The nootropics company I was going to buy from said that stacking Noopept with anything was bad , because quote “ Noopept is a stimulant drug that will potentially turn you into a vegatble in the long run” I replied to them that I have read as far as I am aware , all the research on Noopet and if anything it will help stave off becoming a vegetable because it like Lions mane stimulates NGF and BDNF. They did not respond lol. Where are they getting this information from I am confused hahah.
David Tomen
April 29, 2019
Sam, it’s amazing how much false information is out there and how uninformed many people are. Even those you’d think should know what they are talking about.
And is the reason I started Nootropics Expert. To make unbiased, researched information available and easily understandable on what can help the human brain.
I haven’t seen anything yet on Noopept turning you into a vegetable. Let me know if you do find something along those lines.
Nadine
April 22, 2019
Hello,
I have chronic insomnia. Trying to find the right combination of sleep supplements. Doctors told me to play with dossge of theanine and lithium orotate at bedtime for sleep. I tried them together before bed and did not sleep at all. Felt like I was half awake half sleep all night. I like ashwagandha but I do take 5mcg of liothyronine. My nurse said her daughter sleeps well with 60 mg of li orotate. I cannot imagine taking that much. Should I take lithium orotate at bedtime? The 5mg with NAC by Pure during the day works well for me. I am concerned that seroyonin and dopamine are low.
Thank you…Nadine
David Tomen
April 23, 2019
Nadine, the best nootropic supplements I’ve found for sleep are Tart Cherry Juice, magnesium and L-Tryptophan. I explain why it works in this post: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-sleep/
Patrick Williams
April 19, 2019
David,
Thank you so much for all the content you put out there.
I recently watched your video on ADHD. Is there is a preformulated stack you would recommend instead of buying all of the nootropics separately?
Thank you.
David Tomen
April 20, 2019
Patrick, I use Mind Lab Pro as my ‘base’ and build from there. I’ve found that my brain is starved of dopamine and acetylcholine. That’s why ‘staples’ in my stack include more NALT or L-Tyrosine, ALCAR and lately I’ve added Alpha GPC. But for ADHD I’d say the minimum is Mind Lab Pro, ALCAR and NALT. Dosage of the last two depends on your unique issues.
Sam
April 15, 2019
Hi David,
I have a son at university in Edinburgh studying engineering, who is struggling with focus, concentration, motivation and organizing ideas in to any sense of priority. He is easily distracted into doing things of little importance to avoid worrying about these problems. I think he is exactly as I have been all my 64 years. I have moments when things are clear, but just like a zoom lens loosing focus this organization of ideas and thoughts can suddenly melt away. Passion helps us to form goals in life and overcome the obstacles in the way. I think we both lack that emotional drive. Are these elements inherited? We are both dyslexic – I had myself tested after he was diagnosed at school. With the support he had at school he gained very good A level grades in Maths and physics, but not so well in his third choice, economics, which requires more organized written ideas.
He is a good runner, hockey and tennis player and loves the gym. He is also very sociable and well liked and is generous to others. He has an addictive trait and we have had issues with on line gambling, sugar and alcohol. The last two are highly disruptive to his intestinal barrier, which exacerbates his mental abilities. I am considering both of us having a session of IV NAD+. What do you think about this?
I am a UK crop farmer who has had a lot of contact with glyphosate and in recent years, I also trained as an advanced nutritional therapist to help myself and family. I have had problems in organizing myself to make this latter thing into a business. I focus on mitochondrial health, function and communications.
What would you suggest for my son and myself as helpful neutropics or other interventions? Thanks,
Sam
Sam
April 15, 2019
May I just add that I do not sleep well, waking around 3am each night for maybe an hour, and when trying to read long and complex documents during the day, I simply find my mental energy fades and my eyes close. I jolt back to concentration and continue or start again.
I do use DigiPill’s 15 min power nap app to give me a quick re-charge in the afternoons.
David Tomen
April 15, 2019
Sam, the symptoms sound very much like a dopamine issue for both of you. I suggest you look up the symptoms of ADD and ADHD. And also see if any thing in this post resonates with you: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/.
This is NOT a “one pill” solution contrary to how mainstream medicine has us conditioned to think. For example, motivation is not solely a dopamine issue as many thought until recently. It also involved AMPA receptors. I realize this sounds like Greek to you but read through the following post and you’ll see what I mean: https://nootropicsexpert.com/hacking-motivation-with-nootropics/. This also applies to your question about fading while reading complex documents.
For sleep, please study this: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-sleep/
Enrico
April 14, 2019
Hi David, I’ve tried to use L-Theanine about fifteen times;two-three times it gave me a very good effect of relaxation and mental clarity,but the other times it didn’t work or even gave me a quite strong anxiety effect. Why is this happening? And can i fix the problem with any kind of integration or with another nootropic in stack?
Thanks
Enrico
David Tomen
April 15, 2019
Enrico, what dosage were you using and how often per day? Are you on any other medication?
Marc
April 4, 2019
Hi there. Amazing site! Have you any info on or considered Schisandra?
David Tomen
April 6, 2019
Marc, had not considered Schisandra but it looks promising as a nootropic. I’ll add it to my list to write about this year. Thanks!
Stormy
April 3, 2019
Hi David,
I’m taking Luvox at bedtime and Vyvanse in the morning. A couple months ago, I added 500 mg of L-Tyrosine in the morning and another dosage in the afternoon. This is all working great, although I’m noticing the boost from the Tyrosine isn’t as great as it first was. (I’m still researching all the different Nootropics for motivation/fatigue).
Recently, after a thyroid test, my doctor suggested I take an Iodine supplement.
After a bit of research, I chose Thyroid Support by LES Labs. I take it in the afternoon instead of the second dose of Tyrosine.
Since I’m just starting it and it has less Tyrosine, I switch between the Thyroid Support and L-Tyrosine for my afternoon Nootropic.
I am noticing the next day after I take the Thyroid Support, I wake up feeling extremely groggy for several hours where my Vyvanse and/or Tyrosine (and even caffeine to some extent) doesn’t help me feel awake and alert.
Any ideas on what could be causing the grogginess? Could I try taking the Thyroid Support at a different time or stacked with something else?
My Nootropics journey is a work in progress and I really appreciate all the videos you’ve done and the information you share!! Thank you in advance for any suggestions!
Stormy
David Tomen
April 3, 2019
Stormy, a couple of things … if you need iodine I suggest using a quality iodine supplement and selenium: https://nootropicsexpert.com/iodine/
The LES supplement you mention contains Ashwagandha which doesn’t work for everyone.
And your L-Tyrosine dosage is likely too low for using with Vyvanse. Please see the ADHD protocol I detail on this page: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/
Stormy
April 4, 2019
Thank you. I will take a look!!
bobby
March 20, 2019
Hi David,
I wanted to know if it will be a good idea to mix my supplements and nootropics in a smoothie and drink it all at once?
Also, is it good to take multiple tablets of nootropics, e.g lions man, l-tyronsine, l-theanine, etc, at once when taking them normally or should they be taken separately on their own?
Also I wanted to know if it will be a good idea to get all the supplements/nootropics and just blend them together using the capdsules themseves with water only?
David Tomen
March 20, 2019
Bobby, you can mix the powder in a smoothie. Or create your own mix and make capsules. Whatever is easier for you.
Dosages of each including if they are fat-soluble or water-soluble is found in each nootropic review found here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/nootropics-list/. You’ll also find possible interactions in those reviews. Typically in the Side Effects section if relevant.
All the nootropics you mentioned above can be taken together. And in fact, are included in each capsule of Mind Lab Pro: https://nootropicsexpert.com/mind-lab-pro-review/
bobby
March 27, 2019
Thanks for the reply and info David. Much appreciated.