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 - 1,739 comments
Beza
October 27, 2017
Thank you a lot a David . I will definitely buy the DHA 1000 mg and the high quality fat Also high standards bit B and the other supplements you suggested.
I ordered a capsule containing alpaha gpc 300mg + PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE 50 , i guess it’s safe to take it with concerta
David Tomen
October 28, 2017
Yes, Alpha GPC and PS are safe to take with Concerta.
zabe
December 8, 2017
hey David . hope you doing well
i have tried the supplements as you suggested above and i am seeing much better improvements . things are getting easier now i guess compare to the days before nootropics .
saying that i wanted your opinions on some matters .
first i was thinking when taking supplements like NALT and lions mane in relation to time when i take concerta . because i read that its not good to take stimulants with concerta. so should i make some time difference in between ?
also i was thinking to mix the powder form supplements and pour it in to capsule maker and take it as one capsule , does that make any difference ?
and recently i will visit the usa so i will have a chance to buy and take home some racetam family . which racetam do you suggest?
hoping for your expert opinion .
David Tomen
December 8, 2017
Zabe, neither NALT or Lion’s Mane have stimulant qualities so taking them with Concerta should not be a problem. In fact, NALT will likely support what your brain is doing with Concerta.
I make my own capsule for several nootropics I use. But I’ve never bothered trying to “mix” them before putting them in capsules. It’s more capsules but I find it easier to dose when I have each nootropic in individual capsules.
As for racetams, what are you trying to achieve? The most popular racetams are Aniracetam, Piracetam, Oxiracetam, and Phenylpiracetam. But each have their own characteristics and benefit that each provides. Do some research on this site for the racetams I’ve reviewed and select one or two to try.
zabe
October 26, 2017
hi david
i am truly amazed how much inkformatioin you have put here in yhis website . its very organized and extremly informative . i have make it a bookmark on my pc as a got to information site when i look for nootropic information .
saying that I have one question, I have been diagnosed with inattentive ADD, thank god there is an explanation for all those years of misery and confusion why I am always underachieving in everything, and was put on medication concerta 36 mg daily.
but I also wanted to enhance my cognitive and memory problems. the brain fog and lack of motivation are my main problems.
I was reading through this website and wanted to try some supplements but not sure if it works well with the concerta . I wanted to incorporate NALT, ALCAR, ALPHA -GPC and PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE. what do you think?
I live in Finland so getting mind lab pro is not possible so as to any of the racetam family. Currently, i am taking zink 15mg , magnesium 250mg and omega 3 ( with very high epa ratio to dha ).
i am looking forward to your expert opinions.
David Tomen
October 27, 2017
Zabe, you are on the right track with what you are currently doing with your stack. NALT and ALCAR are supporting what Concerta is doing in your brain. If you have not seen my post on ADHD yet, please review it here > https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/.
Look through the ingredients list in Mind Lab Pro for ideas on how to make your stack better. For example, get a nootropic supplement that increases cerebral blood flow. Something like Vinpocetine or Pine Bark Extract. Add a high quality, bio-available B-Complex formula to your stack because you need the B-Vitamins to synthesize neurotransmitters.
I’d also consider changing your Omega-3 supplement to one that contains at least 1,000 mg of DHA. You need DHA more than you need EPA. And you should also consider adding a tablespoon of high quality fat to your stack. Preferably cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil or olive oil. You need this fat to help deliver some of the fat-soluble nootropics you are using. Check the review on each here on Nootropics Expert to learn which are fat-soluble.
Ben
September 9, 2017
I’m currently battling with a psychiatrist at my job. Can you give me some peer-reviewed medical journal websites that you use to get some of your information? Do you use pubmed?
I tend to recommend probiotics, DHA, L-tyrosine, L-theanine and GABA (for ADHD with anger) for ADHD kids; she thinks it will conflict with the meds she has them on.
Also, what are your thoughts about probiotic use?
David Tomen
September 11, 2017
Ben, I highly recommend probiotics and in fact, the very first blog post I wrote for Nootropics Expert is here > https://nootropicsexpert.com/psychobiotics-gut-brain-connection/.
For ADD and ADHD including for kids, please see this post > https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/.
Every article on Nootropics Expert has a “REFERENCES” pull-down menu below each article. There you’ll see live links to all the major peer-reviewed medical journals that I reference in the post or review. They include: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/, http://journals.plos.org/plosone/, http://www.sciencedirect.com/. And others.
Good luck with your psychiatrist. I’ve lost count the number of doctors I’ve ‘fired’ over the last ten years. Most doctors in the West and especially in the USA were trained in medical schools financed by Big Pharma. The pharmaceuticals dictate what is taught to young doctors. And of course are only exposed to pharmaceuticals to treat disease.
Most doctors are much too busy or simply do not have any interest in thinking outside the box. I’ve spoken to some doctors who refused to recommend any natural or alternative remedies for fear they would lose their medical license. Or worse. But I do not want to go down the political, moral or ethical road with Nootropics Expert. This will always be a place where people looking for answers can find alternatives they can’t find anywhere else.
oliver
August 18, 2017
Dear David, great website and a wealth of good knowledge.
I was wondering I have just started taking mind lab pro; which I have read a great deal about along with great reviews. I take ciprilex antidepressents for many years. I still feel very flat sometimes.. I eat healthy and walk a lot. im 39 yrs old and really want to have back my tiger eyes back! you that feeling when you want jump out of bed in a morning! what could you recommend? mabe iodine?
looking forward to hear from you,
at your earliest convience
kind Regards Oliver
David Tomen
August 18, 2017
Oliver, depending on the person, it may take anywhere from 1 – 3 weeks to experience the full effects provided by Mind Lab Pro. As long as you’re dosing it everyday. You don’t mention how much Cipralex your using. But this SSRI very much complicates correcting the motivation issues you mention. Cipralex prevents the reuptake of serotonin in your brain. And has an effect on at least one of the serotonin transporters. Meaning you have more serotonin available.
Once you start messing with serotonin, there’s a real danger of throwing your catecholamines off balance. Because the synthesis of both serotonin and dopamine depend on the same enzyme. Please read and understand what’s going on in your brain by reading this > https://nootropicsexpert.com/5-htp/#more-involved-in-depression-and-stressthan-serotonin. I am NOT suggesting you start using 5-HTP. In fact, please do not as it would be very dangerous given that you’re on a SSRI.
I also recommend you review this article on depression > https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-depression/
Finally, please take a look at this article on motivation > https://nootropicsexpert.com/hacking-motivation-with-nootropics/. Take a close look at Rhodiola Rosea (there is some in Mind Lab Pro), Pramiracetam, and make sure you’re taking a high quality B-Complex Vitamin that uses folate (not folic acid) and methylcobalamin (not cyanocobalamin).
I think everyone should be supplementing with iodine and selenium to support thyroid health. Given your age and you are male, you may want to get a full testosterone panel done including estradiol. Also a full thyroid panel and learn how to read your own lab results. This book will help > http://amzn.to/2vPPwc0
Getting those ‘tiger eyes’ back is a journey. I know because it took me almost 5 years. But it was worth the journey. Nootropics saved my life and things are better now than ever for me. So please continue your research and do not be afraid to (cautiously) experiment.
Ash
August 9, 2017
Thanks so much for the in depth response. I am still in awe of how you personally respond to each message you receive. Again, thank you.
I am not certain I am ADD, maybe I should see a doc and confirm. For now mind lab pro is a little pricey for me. Having read a few of your articles, and others online I am considering moving to racetams. Currently in my cart from the same supplier in SA I have Lions Mane, Aniracetam, Theannine and Caffeine, Sulbutiamine, Alpha GPC and Noopept. I have heard good things about Noopept and Aniracetam. I think the Alpha GPC is to absorb the racetams?! Theanine and caffeine probably test it seperately and Lions Mane for the repair function.
I was basically reading articles on this website and others and adding what was available to my cart. No idea how much of each to take at 1st, or how to combine if I should. Can you maybe provide some of your advice on what will be good to start with and what not based on the above? Also, probably would prefer starting and testing individually before stacking.
Thanks again for the absolutely great website.
Ash
David Tomen
August 9, 2017
Ash, you can use everything you currently have on your list as long as you follow the dosage instructions closely. Dosage instructions are explained in detail on each review page here on Nootropics Expert. Always start with the lowest recommended dose and see how your body reacts.
Aniracetam and Noopept both affect acetylcholine use in your brain. So you must provide your brain with a precursor to make sufficient acetylcholine for these nootropics to work effectively. And prevent a “racetam-headache”. Both nootropic reviews here on Nootropics Expert explain dosing with either Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline.
Caffeine should be taken with L-Theanine to prevent the jitters that often come with caffeine use. Again, this is explained in detail in the L-Theanine review.
One more thing about dosing: all the dosage recommendations here on Nootropics Expert are based on therapeutic doses taken from clinical studies. And personal experience. These doses are often different than what you’ll see on supplement manufacturer labels. But always start with the lowest therapeutic dose to see how you react!
I appreciate your compliments on Nootropics Expert. It’s a labor of love and writing about what’s saved my life.
Phill H.
August 9, 2017
Dear David,
Along with each 500 mg of berberine, how many mg.s
of milk thistle are required for absorption?
Sincerely, Phill
Phoenix, Arizona
David Tomen
August 9, 2017
Phill, one study found that 210 mg of Silymarin with 1,000 mg of Berberine was most effective. http://www.vellejaresearch.com/upload/documenti/193_20131124232610.pdf. Silymarin is one of the active compounds in Milk Thistle. High quality Milk Thistle supplements typically are standardized at 80% Silymarin. So depending on the supplement you choose and it’s total mg of Milk Thistle extract, you’d need to do a little math to figure it out.
Ash
August 7, 2017
Hi David
This is a great site, and filled with valuable information. Thanks for all the fantastic advice and in depth articles. As a nootropic newbie, looking to try to get more focus and motivation in life (generally I do not sleep well and my mind is all over the place, might even be ADHD) I was looking for a nootropic to assist. I am happy for something to focus with, motivate, resolve some mild depression/anxiety and give me more energy.
I contacted a local nootropic supplier (there aren’t many in SA) and he advised to start with FLModafinil and there stack called neuroactive day and neuroactive night (did not help with sleep). I started with this and did see some slight increase in focus, but my mind was still all over the place. The FLModafinil did cause some nausea but nothing unbearable. However, I did get an urge to sleep after a few hours and sometimes immediately after taking it especially if I was notworking or doing anything.
Having said this, what stack would you recommend me to start with to gain value from nootropics? I am just very confused with the vast amount of nootropics on the market. I am happy to start small.
Ash
David Tomen
August 8, 2017
Ash, great questions and I have a couple of suggestions. If you are truly ADHD, please take a look at this post > https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/. The stack I use for Adult ADD is near the top of that article and works very well for me.
Your reaction to FL Modafinil is interesting. One of the neurotransmitters it affects is histamine which you could have a problem with. But it would take much more research on your part to learn exactly how FL Modafinil works in your brain. And some trial and error to figure out why it’s affecting you the way it is.
According to the labels on Neuroactive Day and Neuroactive Night, the doses in some of the ingredients are much below therapeutic doses to provide much benefit. And why you get only some benefit from using them. The only reason the company could call the one product “Night” I think is because it contains a small amount of melatonin. More about melatonin here > https://nootropicsexpert.com/melatonin/
I suggest you take a close look at my favorite pre-made stack called Mind Lab Pro. I’ve tried a lot of different pre-made stacks and this one works the best for me. And thousands of other neurohackers as well. You can see my full review here > https://nootropicsexpert.com/mind-lab-pro-review/. And they do ship to South Africa.
kaveh
July 28, 2017
Hi David,honestly this is extremely comprehensive website that i have seen.thank you so much.i always see your youtube channel .unfortunately i have a problem name Mind Racing.i struggle every time with racing thought.three years ago my doctor put me on medications known SSRI, sertraline.it didnt help.i tried benzodiazepines but made me so drowsy.i dont know what to do.i always think.about every thing,this put me on difficulty to concentrate.i cant focus when i am studying. my mind goes anywhere.Is there any supplement that can help?how about medications?thank you for your time.i am waiting for your answer.
David Tomen
July 28, 2017
Kaveh, racing thoughts could be caused by an imbalance of glutamine and glutamate in your brain. I just published a new video on L-Glutamine you’ll find here > https://youtu.be/Qv0tEVzYD54. Others have reported being able to tame racing thoughts with Lemon Balm, Cat’s Claw or Picamilon. So my first suggestion is to try supplementing with L-Glutamine to see if that helps. Please read the reviews on each of these here on Nootropics Expert. Or see the videos on YouTube I’ve done for Cat’s Claw and Lemon Balm. Picamilon will be up in the next couple of weeks. If it’s not glutamine and glutamate being out of balance, it could be low GABA. That’s where the other nootropics I mentioned could help.