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.
Hi. Can i take just one b vitamin without the whole complex? For example just taking b1 and b2 for now then next month add b3, b6 and so on. The reason is that someone told me that b vitamins only work together.
Also, is it better if i just take NADH instead of niacin? Kinda like taking P5P instead of pyridoxine.
Charles, the B-Vitamins work in synergy. When you start using one or two B-Vitamins at a time this delicate balance gets out of whack and bad things happen. Don’t forget that these vitamins are water soluble so what your body does not use is excreted in urine. You need every one of these B-Vitamins every single day.
And NADH is not better or a replacement for niacin. Each has a job to in your body and brain. There are some health issues that can benefit from using one or the other. This vitamin is unique and cannot be compared to Vitamin B6.
Okay, so now I’m planning on buying vitamin B supplements, and I’ve been reading about them on this website. Can I assume that by following the “nootropic expert recommendation” dosages, I can get the correct proportion for the vitamin Bs to work synergistically? Also, are B2 and B7 essential for the complex to work? There is no page for the two on this website. Thanks for answering my questions!
Charles, you can read about Vitamins B2 and B7 here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/13-vitamins-essential-for-the-optimized-brain/. I’ll get around to doing individual reviews for them sooner or later. And your question about getting them to work synergistically – it’s better to use a properly designed B-Complex like this one: https://amzn.to/3nvjMnZ
Hi David,
I was wondering which prescription stimulant drug used to treat ADHD in a clinical setting is the least harmful. I also want to mitigate any damage my ADHD stimulants might cause. Any suggestions?
Sincerely, Andrew Hazelwood.
Andrew, methylphenidate has the longest track record and clinical studies show it to be relatively safe to use even long-term. We have data on it going back to the 1950’s.
Amphetamines like Adderall are newer drugs and are brutal on the brain.
I wrote an article on the nootropic supplement protocol I developed years ago to support Ritalin use. And tried taking a one year Ritalin holiday to see if I could do it with a carefully chosen nootropic stack without the stimulant. The experiment was a success and I know that some can manage ADHD with just supplements.
But some need the extra push from stimulants. I think it’s worth trying going that natural route and see if it works for you. https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/
Thank you for responding!
When you say brutal on the brain what do you mean? I’ve been taking it since I was sixteen. Should I expect working memory deficits/IQ to be lowered? Brain shrinkage? I try to find evidence against the use of Adderall, but never seem to dig up anything concerning enough to quit. If I quit using will my brain fully recover?
Andrew. then I suggest you read this clinical study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2769923/. Shrinkage of grey matter is just one of the problems.
Will you fully recover if you quit using Adderall? Impossible to say but it seems to me that if you used supplements to increase BDNF and supplements to repair dysfunctional dopamine receptors then you should be able to repair at least some of the damage.
Hello from Texas!
I am a caregiver for my 31 yr. old daughter who suffered a brain injury from a car/pedi accident 6 years ago. She is on many prescription drugs. Three for seizures that keep her seizure free no for 3 years. Carbamazepine, Divalproex and Lamotrigine among other drugs like Donepezil, Ecsitalopram, Baclofen for spasticity in her right arm. I use powder form Lions Mane, Omega 3s, a good calcium supplement (Osteopenia from seizure meds) and a good multivitamin for her. Can you recommend a good stack for depression and anxiety for her and for me since I have been situationally depressed and full of anxiety for 6 years now from all of this (I am the only one to care for her). I don’t take anxiety prescriptions now. I used to take Alprazolam PRN. Thanks
Hi Bridget, I can’t recommend anything for anxiety or depression for your daughter because 1. many of the supplements that may work for anxiety and/or depression are contraindicated with the drugs your daughter is using. And 2. I need to know the cause of the depression and anxiety before making a recommendation.
And the 2nd goes for you too. This article should help you get to the cause of your anxiety: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-anxiety/. It is going to take some experimenting to figure out what you need to use.
But depression is another matter altogether. It could caused by a neurotransmitter dysfunction. But it could also be caused by a lack of BDNF, hormone dysfunction, lack of sleep, lack of certain nutrients, inflammation, and more. This article explains more about depression: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-depression/
I Very Much Enjoy your Inciteful Info: I am Also Rather Curious about YOUR Views & Opinions Regarding Any Authenticity to AROMA-THERAPY?
Keith, I have not done the research but know that aroma-therapy has a long track record of health benefits.
Hi, my name is Dave, I read about nootropics on this site only because I love the way everything is explained, thanks!
could you help me with my stack?
I have:
-Mild gastritis
-Anxiety (I can’t take caffeine because I feel anxiety)
-I’m on the computer from 10am to 10pm
-29y
– I ride 3x a week
-I have difficulty in cognition
I get stressed easily sometimes…
Dave, I deal with the brain here so cannot help with “mild gastritis”. But there is a ton of information on Nootropics Expert helping with anxiety and improving cognition.
Try there articles to start: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-anxiety/ and cognition is covered on likely over half the articles I’ve written. Here is an example: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-studying/.
Good luck with nootropics Dave. Your are in the right place. Just need to do a little searching to find what you need.
Sorry I didn’t explain why to talk about my gastritis. in fact, she just didn’t know if any of the nootropics could affect her.
I’m devouring your blog and with the help of a friend I came to this conclusion:
all in one
vitamin B6 2.5 mg
vitamin B9 100 mcg
vitamin B12 7.5 mcg
Bacopa Monieri 150mg
tyrosine 170 mg
Theanine 100 mg
rhodiola rosea 25 mg
fucoxanthin 100 mg
5-htp 50mg
separate capsules
cdp column 250 mg
piracetam 1600mg
Lions mane mushroom 500 mg
in your experience could you give me a hint?
I just try to work with more quality, distracting myself less, also getting rid of anxiety and lack of motivation.
You’re amazing, it’s such an honor to have you answer my question!
Dave, you are on the right track but with the lifestyle you described that stack will provide very little benefit. Each supplement (other than the B-Vitamins) are way under dosed.
I highly recommend that you read the dosage recommendations for each of the supplements in that list. And make sure the B-Vitamins are bioactive and not synthetic.
Forget about Fucoxanthin and replace it with 900 mg DHA (Omega-3) per day like this one: https://bit.ly/3q98chL. And add 100 mg Phosphatidylserine (PS) 3-times per day.
Hi David,
If i’m taking multiple nootropics that increase choline uptake (i.e. Noopept, Piracetam & Aniracetam) should I be taking 3x the recommended amount of Alpha-GPC or is the daily recommended dosage of this sufficient to cover all 3 of those nootropics?
Regards,
Dylan
Dylan, great question but it depends on your system and how much choline you need to support those three. Not likely 3X the amount of Alpha GPC but probably more than 300 mg per dose. How much more only you can determine by experimenting with different amounts of Alpha GPC.
Hi David,
I am a college student undergoing an engineering degree. At the age of 16 I was diagnosed with ADHD. I received 20mg Adderall IR which I’ve been taking for several months now. Is there any concern with stacking Adderall with any of the nootropics listed in your ADHD stack? I would also like to mitigate any neurotoxic effects from amphetamines. How can I protect my brain? Also, I am currently trying to quit nicotine. That is also a concern for neurotoxicity, any advice?
Sincerely, Andrew
Andrew, the ADHD stack you are referring to was designed to support stimulant use. And the stack contains ingredients to help prevent and repair potential damage caused by using amphetamines.
But the only supplement I’ve come across that helps with smoking is Inositol (https://nootropicsexpert.com/vitamin-b8-inositol/) which has been found to help prevent lung cancer caused by smoking.
Hi David,
I am in the process of developing a consistent nootropic stack. Currently I would like to stack – Noopept, Piracetam, Aniracetam, Alpha-GPC, Bacopa, Rhodiola, Lion’s mane and Ashwaghanda.
For the purposes of understanding just exactly what each individual nootropic is doing, rather than going straight into stacking all these together (at the correct dosages of course) I would like to take each individually for the recommended period of time it takes to notice the influence of these i.e. Aniracetam consistently for a period of 2-4 weeks before noticing the effects.
To speed this process up without taking away the accuracy of what I’m wanting to do, would you recommend I be able to stack together the pair of racetam’s, with alpha GPC and then rotate between each adaptogen for a period of time in order to understand what each one is doing to me specifically? Then something else along the lines of the noopept, with my choline source along with an adaptogen for a correct amount of time.
If you have any advice on building a correct stack whilst ensuring accuracy and understanding of what each one is doing for me would be very helpful in my journey.
Regards,
Dylan
Dylan, you should experience the benefits of Aniracetam within a day or two and not several weeks. It is Bacopa Monnieri, Rhodiola Rosea and Ashwagandha that may take consistent daily dosing for 2 – 4 weeks before you get the full benefit of each.
I think I’d put more faith in “How does ___________ feel” section of each review to see what to expect. And use the day-to-day trial method to see if you react badly to anything so you know what to avoid. The trial for each only needs to be a day or two.
Thanks for the advice as always!
Millions of people suffer from Tinnitus which can be caused by inner ear damage from loud noise, drugs, and other causes. Is there any Nootropic that will help reduce Tinnitus?
Regards, Tony
The nootropic supplements that have been shown to be effective for taming tinnitus include: Vitamin B9 (Folate) & Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin), Ginkgo Biloba, CoQ10 and Maritime Pine Bark extract.
Mr Tomen,
I have been studying your work , only the last couple if days.
I must tell you that i can not believe what i see.
I would never believe that a person would give so much deep and broad knowledge , given in so nice way , for free .
You deserve every recognition.
Thank you George. Much appreciated. Please help spread the word.
I am in the process of buying powders now for my nootropics for cost efficiency. I was wondering if you have any advice for mixing multiple nootropics powders together? I have seen a few things around but nothing that gives me full confidence that the blend will be proportionately mixed.
Dylan, you still need to follow dosage recommendations for each of the supplements you are using. The form does not matter. You’ll need a micro-scale and be good at math (which I am not) to figure out how much of each powder you’ll need. But always based on dosages that work. Each of my reviews includes dosage recommendations. Just scroll down this list and open each relevant nootropic in a new tab: https://nootropicsexpert.com/nootropics-list/
Hi David,
As far as i understand most supplements are totally safe to take with SSRI antidepressant drugs and antipsychotics, are there any supplements that i should absolutely avoid because of dangerous interactions? I know not to take 5-HTP with SSRI antidepressants but are there more supplements that must be used with caution or avoided completely?
Rick, there are plenty more nootropic supplements you need to avoid while using SSRIs. Each supplement review here includes a “Side Effects” section which will tell you if it is contraindicated.
Hello David,
What do you recommend for high level of anxiety? This always follows me in my live and now it’s has been improved with ED problems.
I am 53 YO and taking Paroxetine for 20 years.
Osmar, does paroxetine work for you? Because if it does that provides a clue to which nootropics may also work.
When I take magnesium I feel better, less anxiety and depression and I feel happy, but it unmotivates me a lot and brings me brain fog, i tried citrate, glycinate and threonate, what can i do to avoid these side effects?
Emi, what time of the day are you taking your magnesium?
Hello David,
Would love some information on what nootropics are best in a fasted state.
I understand That fat soluble products are best for my eating window.
But what if I’m taking a nootropics that requires daily consumption for effect and I fast for 40 hours should I skip and start again as start eating?
Your opinion would be great
David, that would depend on if a tablespoon of unrefined coconut oil would break your fast. I don’t think it will but I’m not an expert in fasting and ketosis.
Thanks for the reply. During a long fast I usually just drink water but I started taking rosea 3:1 and was worried if a stopped taking it for 48 to 72 hours . I would be at ground zero and have to start building it up in my system again to see effects.
Second question : I recently purchase anaracatam, synpesa, alpha gpc and rosea 3:1.
I have started the alpha gpc and it worked great so I added the rosea. And it seems to suit me fine.
Any conflicting effects with the other nootropics I have picked?
Can’t thank you enough for you time
David, I’m having a hard time understanding some of the supplements you are referring to. I think you’re talking about Rhodiola Rosea. And stopping and starting it again is not a good idea. Because like most herbs it takes a while for it to build up in your system. Stopping and starting it would be like taking two steps forward and one step back over and over again. You’ll not experience the full benefit of Rhodiola doing it that way.
There are not contraindications with what you are using. Except I have no idea what “synpsesa” is.
Hi david. Thank you so much for your answer.
I thinkmill try to stick with it through my next fast. Ill.let you know my results.
Yes I was referring to Rhodiola Rosea.
Synapsa bacopa monnieri was the other I was attempting to reference. Does the bacopa interfere with the other nootropics in that stack.
I forgot to mention I’ve already been taking phosphatidyl serine before sleeping.
Alpha gpc, bacopa monnieri, phosphatidypserine, rhodiola rosea, anaracatam and l carnitine tartrate.
Hope you are having a wonderful day.
David, Bacopa Monnieri should not “interfere” with anything else in your stack. BTW, L-Carnitine Tartrate cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. It’s why we us Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) instead.
Wich noots do you recommend to reduce fear to talk with people? Like being more extrovert and social
Coco, use the search function top right of the top menu and search for the keyword “fear”. And see what turns up.
hi Looking over this info, i am intrigued by it. I’m 52 yr old woman who has struggled with ADHD long before there was an acronym for it! they kicked me out of 2nd grade for doing cart wheels in between the desks….constantly. never could stop talking, esp when I felt nervous or anxious. I would love to educate myself more, but more importantly, the ppl who teach our kids NEED to know how to 1st, recognize things like adhd, or add & then learn how to teach them in a way that the child can process. someone has to do this!!! I hope to find out more soon. where do I start?
https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/
Which supplements support healthy cortisol levels?
Chris, if you mean to suppress excess cortisol you can use Ashwagandha, L-Theanine, or Phosphatidylserine (PS). In that order.
Hello David My name is Richard preservati much like you and Jenny I am suffering from ADD all my life I’m tired of it I’d like to get on track and I’d like to ask you to help me whatever you need to do I’m tired of being where I am now thank you so much Rick
Richard, you beat me to it and already booked a consultation with me. Best thing you could have done to ‘pick my brain’. And I’m happy to help.
Hi David,
I was wondering what you think of NMN, and why it’s not listed?
Teri, Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a derivative of niacin. And I’ve already one extensive reviews of niacin and NADH. I did not see the need to repeat most of what I’ve already written just to make a listing for NMN.