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 - 1,837 comments
Haider al Shal
August 7, 2019
Dear David Tomen,
I started giving my girlfriend alpha GPC for her cfs like u proposed to me. A miracle happened. She had so much energy after the second day she was very happy and thankful she felt herself cured only after 3 days it stopped working. Right now she is very sad i feel bad for her . Maybe u know why it stopped working?
Kind regards,
Haider
David Tomen
August 7, 2019
Haider, Alpha GPC increases acetylcholine AND boosts dopamine. So it could be that she’s low in dopamine as well. You could try L-Tyrosine which is a precursor to the synthesis of dopamine.
But the thing is that the only way to find out the cause of what is contributing to her issues is trying different nootropics until you find something that works.
Please read this post so you have a clearer understanding of what needs to be done: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-depression/
Yazan
August 3, 2019
Hi David,
1. What can I stack with MLP to kill anxiety and social problems?
2. Is cycling for MLP needed or can I take it every day for very long period?
David Tomen
August 4, 2019
Yazan, I use Mind Lab Pro daily without any problem. Some prefer to cycle two days off per week.
For social anxiety, you can try some of the supplements suggested in this post: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-social-anxiety/
Josh Anderson
July 23, 2019
Hi David,
I’ve been on an antipsychotic, paliperidone, for around 2 years, currently on the lowest dose, am hoping to get off it soon, but am wondering what I can take now that might help the brain recover from it, or to counteract it (one feels zombification, and there’s mention of cognitive impairment, metabolic issues, and even brain shrinkage).
The obvious thing was to reach for a product like Qualia Mind, but it seemed it could be a brain stimulant and I came across a study online (“The Dopamine Dilemma, Using Stimulants and Antipsychotics Concurrently” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2898838/) that said that there were concerns about the combination of stimulant (dopamine agonist) and antipsychotic (dopamine antagonist). It would seem an issue one might want to be careful about while still on the antipsychotic. The product you recommend “Mind Lab Pro” would seem to be less stimulant oriented, which may then be a better alternative to Qualia. In response to another who previously took paliperidone, you suggested Aniracetam and BDNF.
At this point, I’m considering Mind Lab Pro and a Curcumin supplement. Would that be reasonable to take in your opinion, while still on the paliperidone? Or do you think it would be better to wait until the drug is stopped. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Joshua
David Tomen
July 25, 2019
Josh, you could run into problems because paliperidone is a dopamine and serotonin antagonist. And the L-Tyrosine in Mind Lab Pro and Qualia Mind as I recall is a dopamine agonist. You could end up with too much dopamine if taken together. Which can cause problems like irritability and if it affects your heart, then death.
Aniracetam does not directly boost dopamine but does affect dopamine receptors. Which too could cause problems. It’s hard to tell because we don’t have any clinical studies to verify this.
That’s the problem with combining very potent pharmaceuticals with nootropics. It is potentially dangerous and worst case deadly. If I were you I would wait for a couple of weeks at least after your last dose of paliperidone.
david james
July 19, 2019
Hi David,
I have been taking aniracetam for the past two days and it has just made me sleepy. On top of that, I take SNRI, Anticonvulsant, magnesium, turmeric, fish oil, B12. What racetam and supplements do you recommend I have OCD and ADHD.
David Tomen
July 19, 2019
David, this is the stack I recommend for ADHD: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/.
The only reason I can think of that Aniracetam would make you sleepy is you are not using a choline supplement with it. You need Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline with it because it is forcing the use of more acetylcholine in your brain.
Ayush
July 22, 2020
David, pl review for tianeptine.
David Tomen
July 23, 2020
Ayush, I will not be doing a review of tianeptine because I classify this as a “smart drug” and not a natural nootropic. Tianeptine is a controlled substance in many countries and at least on state here in the USA. And there is some concern that it can be abused as well. Not something to be messing with unless it’s prescribed by your doctor for a specific ailment.
Mike Mallows
July 15, 2019
I suffered a brain stem stroke back in January of this year, I have diabetes, I have heart problems, I Suffer from MDD(Major Depressive Disorder) what can you recommend for me, if anything besides a bullet to the brain.
David Tomen
July 15, 2019
Mike, is the MDD as result of the brain stem stroke? Or were you dealing with depression before? What you are dealing with is far more complex than my area of expertise. Best I can offer you for now is read this post for the causes of depression. And natural ways to deal with depression. https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-depression/
Nader
July 11, 2019
Is it safe to mix Resveratrol, NMN and either Aniracetam or Noopept?
i am after optimizing genetic repair, mood, focus, flow and creativity.
David Tomen
July 11, 2019
Nader, it’s safe to stack all of those nootropics as long as you used recommended dosages including using the latter two nootropics with a choline supplement. I highly recommend reading dosage instructions for each of these in the relevant review here on Nootropics Expert.
For flow read this: https://nootropicsexpert.com/how-to-hack-your-flow-state-with-nootropics/
For repair read this: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-traumatic-brain-injury/
For mood read this: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-depression/
Esthy
July 4, 2019
Do you plan to give out translations of your book(German)? Is it available in Switzerland?
Esthy
July 4, 2019
Could you please make a review about Kratom.That would be great.
David Tomen
July 4, 2019
Esthy, Kratom is on my list of nootropics to review before the end of the year. I’ve had several requests so I think I’ll need to move it up my list. And it’s up to my publisher if they want to put Head First out in other languages. Not sure about that one because it’s not my decision.
Esthy
July 5, 2019
Great I am looking foreward to it.I love your reviews they are always packet full of all the information needed and anyway very easy to understand(Even for me whos native language is not english)Thank you so much for all the time and work you put in:
Love Esthy
Esthy
July 5, 2019
Ps: About your Berberin review:You have been right. Berberine alleviates ischemic arrhythmias via recovering depressed I(to) and I(Ca) currents in diabetic rats.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22188769
Arj
August 2, 2019
Hi David,
When was ‘Head First’ book published? Has it gone through any new updates as of 2019?
Thank you
David Tomen
August 4, 2019
Arj, Head First was published early in 2018. I’m working on a 2nd edition but it’ll take another few months before it’s ready. No major changes except more nootropic reviews.