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
Robert
May 1, 2020
Hey do you know if you can mix mind lab pro, or any nootropic, with abilify?
David Tomen
May 4, 2020
Robert, first it’s best to understand the mechanism of action or “Pharmacology” of abilify: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aripiprazole#Pharmacology.
Any nootropic or stack to increases dopamine including Mind Lab Pro which contains NALT may mask the negative symptoms of the drug in the short term. But over time the nootropic may worsen an underlying chemical imbalance. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2898838/). And this can have serious consequences including heart problems and worst case a heart attack.
Roberro
November 5, 2020
Hey Robert Here,
David Tomen, do you have any idea of how to make this Abilify drug work better ? I mean I guess that Adding Inositol would be great since is a 5HT1A partial agonist. Burn regarding the dopamine neurotransmission , the processing speed is there any way to add something to it? Maybe thru acetylcholine pathways ? Thank You .
David Tomen
November 5, 2020
Roberto, first you need to look at the mechanism of action for Abilify which is really complicated (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aripiprazole#Pharmacology). After reading all the receptors it influences where do you start? That’s the problem.
If you’ve been diagnosed with bipolar or bipolar-spectrum disorder you really need to check with your pharmacist or doctor before you try anything including Inositol. Or you could get yourself into real trouble.
Todd
April 29, 2020
Hi David,
I had a question about taking Nootropics with Strattera for ADHD. I am just starting Strattera and been doing a lot of research on your site but don’t really see a mention of it. Would the stack you take be advisable? Or just curious what your opinion on this would be?
BTW. I’m a 41 year old man that was just diagnosed with ADHD. Def had my whole life and didn’t know – And it has gotten worse with age. Currently going through a separation with my wife and I def attribute some of the problems unfortunately to this. Moving forward in life, whatever happens, I would like to really come at this ADHD thing head on with the most informed and proactive plan I can.
Thank you so much for your help!
Todd
David Tomen
May 1, 2020
Todd, this is the protocol I recommend for anyone using prescription stimulants (including Strattera): https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/.
Thousands are successfully using that stack including myself. But you need to follow the dosage recommendations including timing during the day to make it work.
Todd
May 2, 2020
Thank you so much! One question.. Is it NALT and ALCAR in addition to the Performance Lab Energy? Or either or? Because you talk about how those are contained in it. How much does that all run monthly? Around $500? Thank you so much!
David Tomen
May 4, 2020
Todd, ALCAR 750 mg is in each dose of Performance Lab Energy. N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT) is needed to make dopamine. So it would be the cost of PL Energy + the cost a month’s supply of NALT. You could substitute L-Tyrosine instead which is usually less expensive.
Todd
May 3, 2020
Thank you! I’m just slightly confused by the wording. If I take the Performance Lab Pro do I need to add the additional NALT and ALCAR or is it either or? Have everything ready to be bought just unclear about that. Very excited to see what this does for me!
Todd
May 3, 2020
Oh and disregard the $500 comment. Didn’t think that went through haha… I know it’s much less than that 🙂
David Tomen
May 4, 2020
Todd, read the ingredients list for Performance Lab Energy which includes exactly what’s in it including amounts of each ingredient. The ingredients in PL Energy are designed to supply mitochondria with what they need to produce ATP for energy.
NALT is a precursor to the synthesis of dopamine. I suggest you read my review of NALT to see exactly how it works including dosage recommendations: https://nootropicsexpert.com/n-acetyl-l-tyrosine/
Zac
April 29, 2020
Hey David, I was wondering if you knew if kratom is an MAOI?
I recently purchased NeuroPeak and it says to not take with any MAO inhibitors. I wanted to know if kratom would be considered an MAOI, thanks
David Tomen
April 29, 2020
Zac, MAO inhibitors boost levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Kratom affects serotonin and norepinephrine pathways in your brain. And affects dopamine D1 receptors as well. When you combine an MAOI with Kratom you can put yourself in danger of heart attacks and possibly Serotonin Syndrome.
Zac
April 29, 2020
Thanks David. The product I want to take says to not take with MAO inhibitors so I was trying to find out if kratom itself is considered a MAO inhibitor.
David Tomen
May 1, 2020
Zac, Kratom (https://nootropicsexpert.com/kratom/) does not act as an MAOI.
Melissa
April 30, 2020
Hi,
I am a nurse practitioner that has tried to avoid prescription medications including SSRIs for my anxiety and mood swings. I take Phenibut (I know the dangers) without any issues of habit forming every other day and I notice a boost in my mood but like all good things it goes away after a few days and I refuse to increase my dose to avoid habit forming issues and side effects. I noticed after reading your blog that I may have cyclothymic disorder since I’ve had the same mood swings in a blink of an eye since I was about 10. I chalked it up to anxiety but I may also have this. I read about Lithium Orotate and was wondering at what dose to try? 10mg daily? And where to purchase from valid source. I love Lift Mode but they do not sell this. I’ve tried 5-htp and it does nothing. I’ve tried hydroxyzine and nothing. Phenibut is the only nootropic that helps my mood but short lived.
David Tomen
May 1, 2020
Melissa, Lithium Orotate is certainly worth trying. It only comes in 5 mg doses even though the capsule or tablet says it’s 120 mg. The rest is filler and orotic acid. I recommend and use the one by Advanced Research here: https://amzn.to/35mZgMB
Matt
April 29, 2020
Hi David,
Is it true that most nootropics don’t work for people taking anti-psychotic meds due to those medications blocking serotonin and dopamine receptors? I read aniracetam didn’t work for someone on olanzapine… and he tried several other racetams to no effect.
Do you know of any nootropics that still work (calming + cognitive enhancing) for people on olanzapine?
Thanks!
David Tomen
April 29, 2020
Matt, the problem is Olanzapine like many of these types of meds affect dopamine and serotonin receptors. And may also affect acetylcholine receptors. It’s an antagonist which means that it boosts all three of these major neurotransmitters.
When you start mixing drugs like this with natural nootropics that also increase these neurotransmitters you have trouble. And put yourself in danger of Serotonin Syndrome, heart attacks and other nasty outcomes.
I do not recommend trying any nootropic supplement when on these types of meds because of the very real and life threatening dangers involved.
Matt
April 30, 2020
Hi David,
I emailed my psychiatrist around the same time I put my original question on here to you. My psychiatrist (who also teaches at Harvard) said I could try Aniracetam and thought the only downside is that it might not work.
I’ve been using ALCAR for over a week and it has had good effect. Also, marijuana with CBD has been very calm/mood enhancing for me and has been shown safe for people who take antipsychotics.
Best,
Matt
Mick
April 23, 2020
Hi David,
I’m very glad that you’re Ok and thank God it wasn’t COVID that got you to the hospital.
Thanks to you and to your site I’m not using benzodiazepines for my anxiety for a couple of years now. Doing God’s work with you humble recommendations you’ve helped so many people over the years. Me, my girlfriend and my family wish you all the best.
Good on you David!
David Tomen
April 23, 2020
Thank you Mick.
Brent
April 23, 2020
Do you know anything about SmartyPants Vitamins? Seems like an interesting new company, but would love your perspective on them vs. your preferred multivitamin stack.
David Tomen
April 23, 2020
Brent, without going into a full review of their ingredient list my take is dosages are too low of many of the vitamins and minerals, several are missing and several are synthetic, and the extra ingredients are useless. For example, I noticed something like 50 mg of choline bitartrate in one of the Men’s multis which is useless.
david peck
April 15, 2020
You mentioned in your talk on Iodine that the form, Losol, was not recommended. Can you supply me with a study or studies that come to the same conclusion?
David Tomen
April 21, 2020
David, I’m not aware of a form of Iodine called “Lusol”. You may be referring to various forms of nascent iodine which comes to doses that are too low to be effective based on the opinion of several respected naturopathic medicine docs. This is based on opinion and practical experience rather clinical studies.
K. Nystrom
April 11, 2020
Where does this book get saved on my computer? I can’t find it & I’m not able to get another one.
K. Nystrom
David Tomen
April 23, 2020
K. not sure about Apple. But on Windows the default is your “Downloads” folder. Check that folder and see if it’s there. Next option is unsubscribe to the list and re-subscribe with a different email address if you have one to re-download it.