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
John Errata
May 17, 2020
On the L-Theanine page, section “Available Forms”, you write “A great side benefit for neurohackers is green tea also contains caffeine. A cup of good quality green tea has less caffeine than a cup of coffee. About 10 mg less.”.
This is the first time I’ve seen such a high number for caffeine content in green tea. And unsourced, I find it highly doubtful.
And the few long-term studies on caffeine are not positive. Performance enhancing only when forcing the participants to stop caffeine, or to start from nothing. It’s cheap as hell, and does help in the short term, and probably much better with theanine, but I’d not be recommending stimulants with only short-term studies behind them.
Just some problems — otherwise this site is excellent and well-sourced!
David Tomen
May 17, 2020
John, thanks for your input but I absolutely disagree with you on a couple of points. Caffeine content in green tea can vary considerably. I have one type in my kitchen that is 70 mg caffeine per cup. But most of course can be lower. Some more than others. And how you steep your tea can affect it as well.
I also disagree with you on caffeine. We have plenty of studies showing its effectiveness and safety including used long-term. IF you know how to use it. We also have several thousand of years proving its effectiveness. Have you read my review on caffeine here? https://nootropicsexpert.com/caffeine/
Bob
May 16, 2020
Hi David! the information on your site is great and complete! I have been struggling with low blood pressure for a long time which destroys all my attempts with nootropics, I would appreciate your recommendation for my problem. Low blood pressure is inherited by genes. thank you in advance..
David Tomen
May 17, 2020
Bob, many nootropics tend to lower blood pressure. So it’s always good to read the “side effects” section of each of my nootropic reviews. Those you likely want to avoid until you get your blood pressure to normal. Here’s a list of all the nootropics I’ve reviewed so far: https://nootropicsexpert.com/nootropics-list/
Increases in dopamine and norepinephrine can raise blood pressure. And you raise those with L-Tyrosine. Holy Basil also increases the release of dopamine and acts as an MAOI. So it may help. And last one to check out is DHEA which is a steroid hormone produced by your adrenals. And can be taken as a supplement.
John
May 14, 2020
David,
In your video on Phenibut, you cautioned against using it with diazepam and related drugs.
Would it be safe to take a small dose diazepam 24 hrs. after taking a small dose of Phenibut?
Thanks,
John
David Tomen
May 14, 2020
John, highly doubtful because it takes Phenibut so long to kick in. I’d be real careful about trying this.
Kevin
May 14, 2020
Hi David,
Thanks for all your content, what do you think of the current stack i am taking once a day.
300mg Alpha GPC
1g lions mane
150mg Ginkgo Biloba
100mg caffeine
200mg L-theanine
1g creatine monohydrate
This stack focuses on stimulation from caffeine, increasing acetylcholine, increasing ATP for brain energy, improving blood flow and increasing NGF BDNF. I was thinking about swapping ginkgo biloba for pine seed or grape seed extract.
I get good focus, attention and concentration from this stack which lasts for about 5 hours, however, it’s not as intense comparing to 50mg of modafinil.
Can you identify any obvious weak points or opportunities for improvement? Your critique and thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks David
David Tomen
May 14, 2020
Kevin, you need to add a high quality B-Complex to this stack to ensure that nootropics like Alpha GPC can actually make acetylcholine. And replenish the B-Vitamins lost by using caffeine.
I think Pine Bark Extract or Vinpocetine is a better way to increase blood flow than Ginkgo. And add 500 mg L-Tyrosine.
But use this stack twice during the day for lasting benefit. Once in the morning and next at noon.
If all you’re looking for is an energy boost however, I suggest trying Performance Lab Stim. It provides a nice, clean energy boost for about 3 hours. https://nootropicsexpert.com/performance-lab-stim-review/
Irene Kittrell
May 12, 2020
I love your YouTube channel. The video about picamilon convinced me that would be helpful for me, but I couldn’t find it for sale. Is it true that the FDA has prohibited this potentially helpful substance? Thank you.
David Tomen
May 13, 2020
Irene, the FDA went are several companies selling Picamilon after one of the US Senators complained (and who is supported by Big Pharma). https://www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplement-products-ingredients/picamilon-dietary-supplements
It’s now nearly impossible to buy it from a reputable US vendor. But you can import it from Russia for personal use as far as I know.
Larry Trowbridge
May 16, 2020
David, there does seem to be a reliable US vendor for picamilon. It is a place I’ve ordered from in the past on a monthly subscription basis. I had canceled the subscription as my supply began to pile up and there wasn’t a way to just pause it. Anytime that was done, you had to create a new subscription instead of being able to just restart the old one, which by the way, still remained in the “history” of the account. When searching for pic on the site, the results are : “There are no products or content pages that match your search criteria.” However, when clicking on the canceled subscription, an option to “place order now” is available. I have successfully received an order 8 times since last July. For obvious reasons, I don’t think it’s a good idea to mention the site publicly, but perhaps by email if you are curious. Thanks again for the time you devote to keep us informed.
David Tomen
May 17, 2020
Larry, please send me the name of that vendor. You can use contact form here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/contact
John
May 11, 2020
Hi David,
I just bought your book online, and look forward to reading it.
I was using Valium (for anxiety-associated insomnia)occasionally for about a month — sometimes with several days off between, but a couple of weeks ago began every other day. It stopped working, so I stopped taking it, and was off it completely (for a week, with no apparaent withdrawal symptoms), until two days ago, I tried it again because of a severe insomnia episode. I used it two days in a row (last time, early this morning).
My question: I just received Aniracetam in the mail today, and was thinking of beginning. Would it be a bad idea to begin with the Valium still in my system from about (6-7 hours ago)? My goal is to get off the Valium, and I’m hoping the Aniracetam with help with my effort.
Thank you kindly in advance for your reply.
Best Wishes,
John
David Tomen
May 11, 2020
John, I don’t believe there is any contraindication. But if you do decide to try Aniracetam please see dosage recommendations because you need to take a choline supplement with it. And keep your dosage on the low end of recommended doses until you see how it affects you.
John
May 12, 2020
Thanks, David; I’ll give it a try today with the choline.
David
May 10, 2020
Hi David,
I just wanted to ask whether it is okay or not to take Ashwagandha or Rhodiola Rosea together with the antidepressant/ sleep aid Remeron. I take the lowest dose of Remeron that is possible. I asked my Psychiatrist already but she said that she does not know anything about Adaptogens. Thanks!
David Tomen
May 10, 2020
David, my apologies for the late reply. See my earlier response to your question.
David
May 7, 2020
Hi David, first I wanna thank you for the amount of work you put in this website and for the great information input you provide. I have a question about combining Adaptogens like Ashwaghanda and Rhodiola Rosea with the antidepressant/ sleep medication Remeron. I take the lowest dose possible. My psychiatrist didnt know these adaptogens, so he could not help me with that. Best regards
David Tomen
May 10, 2020
David, the only way to know is learn the mechanism of action or “pharmacology” of Remeron. Wikipedia is a good source for this information.
And learn the mechanism of action for each adaptogen or nootropic you are considering which is included in the review for each on Nootropics Expert. You need to avoid using any nootropic that has the same action on a neurotransmitter as does Remeron or any other drug you’re using.
For example, if both affect serotonin then you must avoid them. Because Serotonin Syndrome can be deadly. Same thing with both acting as an MAOI. Which raises dopamine and norepinephrine and if too high can cause heart problems.
David
May 11, 2020
Thank you for your answer David,
as far as I know, Remeron does not affect Seretonin Reuptake at all. Also Noradrenaline and Dopamine Reuptake is very mild. Thats also said by Wikipedia. I dont understand the exact processes though. My go-to Nootropic has been Rhodiola Rosea, I just wonder if I can take it together with the Remeron. I already did this with no side effects, but only short term.
David Tomen
May 11, 2020
David, I think you answered your own question. As long as you are aware of how each of these work. The bottom line is how you ‘feel’, isn’t it?