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
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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 - 1,761 comments
Stan Zantarski
January 26, 2021
Hello. I suffer from brain fog from non-restorative sleep. There are secondary issues like IBS and arthritis but the brain fog is so pronounced along the lines of chronic fatigue syndrome. Are there any stacks or is there a way to find a nootropic expert who might help me find something to pick my energy up from a “2” on a scale of 1-10( with 10 most energized)? It’s like narcolepsy. Thanks in advance for any help.
David Tomen
January 26, 2021
Stan, please see my article on “brain fog” here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-supplements-for-brain-fog/.
Brain fog is a very common problem. But is manifests in different ways in each of us. I encourage you to carefully go through that article so you get an understanding on what may be the cause of your brain fog. And what to do about it. Sleep is covered in that article along with diet and gut health.
I’m also available for personal consultations. You’ll find links to my calendar on this page: https://nootropicsexpert.com/personal-consultations/
Eddie Villanueva
January 21, 2021
Hello David! At the moment I have started to take 50mg of Trazodone to help with sleeping. Just going through a rough patch and hope to stop the med as soon as I can re-establish my circadian rhythm.
I was wondering if by also taking a supplementation of 500 mgs of Tryptophan in the morning would be a cause for concern since I will not be mixing the two.
Just checking to see if there is some sort of interaction between these two things when they are distanced apart by a good seven to eight hours?
Thank you!
David Tomen
January 21, 2021
Eddie, L-Tryptophan is contraindicated with Trazodone and I highly advise you NOT to use it. Because of the dangers of Serotonin Syndrome. Here is a list of drugs and supplements you cannot use with Trazodone: https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/trazodone-index.html
Eddie Villanueva
January 21, 2021
Sounds good…I think what I’ll do is take the Tryptophan on a day when I won’t be using the Trazodone at all, just to see if it helps. I haven’t experimented with L-Tryptophan yet.
I was just thinking that taking the Tryptophan in the morning and Trazodone at night would just give me an extra boost of Melatonin come night time, but if you feel that there is a bad interaction even at a distanced number of hours between taking them, then I won’t chance it.
Thank you!
David Tomen
January 21, 2021
It’s not worth the risk Eddie. Serotonin Syndrome can kill. Literally.
Deji Cole
January 20, 2021
COVID-19 | blood brain barrier integrity (loss of taste and smell)
| nootropics
Good Day David
I had Covid in March 2020 and lost my taste and smell. I’m currently still feeling symptoms of brain fog, finding the right words to use, dizziness, a few months ago it was all of the above and depression. It doesn’t help being in national lockdown and looking after very young kids.
The WSJ posted a video recently on how COVID-19 affects the blood brain barrier of which causes Immune cells to affect the neurones. I got an MRI (without the ink) and nothing major seen other than a benign growth. I will be getting another MRI with the ink to determine the interfaith of the blood brain barrier.
I’ve seen your video on YouTube on how to heal a leaky blood brain barrier of which (with the way I’m feeling) will be acting upon what you advised the caffeine (black tea), curcumin, omega-3 etc. And I will be getting the blood test to see if elevated antibodies are affecting the okklutein and zhaan yulin.
So the reason for this comment is to say thank you and
to ask you if the methodology into seeing why I still feel the effects of Long COVId, is a good method?
Do you recommend other tests I do other than blood test and MRI?
And can I possibly ask if have or could post a video on COVID-19 and the blood brain barrier and nootropics.
Much appreciated
Deji
David Tomen
January 21, 2021
Deji, I’ve been getting frequent requests for best nootropics for recovering from COVID-19. It’s at the top of my ‘to-do’ list of things to write. So thank you for your question.
I have not completed the research. So for now I suggest following the directions for healing a leaky brain. And one supplement that needs to be added to that list is Quercetin (https://nootropicsexpert.com/quercetin/). Because not only does it help alleviate the respiratory issues that come with COVID. It also has the unique ability to heal Tight Junctions that when compromised cause a leaky brain.
And follow the suggestions for reducing inflammation that you’ll find in this article on brain fog: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-supplements-for-brain-fog/
Deji
January 21, 2021
Thank you very much David. Much appreciated!
Lou
January 20, 2021
can i increase serotonin using tryptophan but without eating carbs? im on keto diet, im taking mucuna/ tyrosine to increase dopamine and im decreasing serotonin a lot
David Tomen
January 21, 2021
Lou, L-Tryptophan is a direct precursor to the synthesis of serotonin. It does need cofactors like the B-Vitamins. But it should definitely increase serotonin.
William
January 16, 2021
Dear David,
I have been wanting to buy your book Head First, but I could not find a purchase link anywhere on the Internet. Could it possibly be that u do not longer sell it? Also, this time I post my question here, but where should I ask questions to u on nootropics?
Sincerely,
William
David Tomen
January 17, 2021
William, I’m having problems with my shopping cart software. And the mysteriously disappearing buy buttons. One day they’re there and the next day they’re gone.
I just checked all pages that had the buy buttons on them and once again they have vanished.
Please give me a day and I’ll do my best to get this fixed. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Mark
January 15, 2021
I recently got prescribed for Venlafaxine, an SNRI. Do you know of any note worthy interactions between this and Qualia mind caffeine free, and are they safe to be taken together?
David Tomen
January 16, 2021
Mark, it could be a problem because Qualia Mind contains DL-Phenylalanine and NALT which both boost dopamine. Boosting dopamine with an SNRI could cause a “hypertensive crisis”. I.E. a heart attack.
Brian
February 13, 2021
Once you’re off the snri by your docter, and won’t be taking any other mediations, how long will you need until you can safely take qualia mind without the interactions?
David Tomen
February 14, 2021
Brain, great question and my research tells me at least a month.
Anthony
January 14, 2021
Take tryptophan in the morning can supress dopamine and make me anxious and sad?
David Tomen
January 14, 2021
Anthony, unless you are using excess L-Tryptophan it shouldn’t suppress dopamine. But it does make serotonin which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. And goes on to make melatonin. Which you use for sleep.
Ann
January 11, 2021
David,
My husband has struggled with drug addiction, particularly opiates but also many other drugs, on and off for about 15 years. Things got really bad this year (starting using IV heroin) and he finally entered rehab. He has been on suboxone for 4 months. I was already worried about the long-term brain damage from years of poly-drug abuse and now I’m reading about how suboxone could further potentiate this problem via
“chronic blockade of opiate receptors, blocking dopaminergic activity inducing anti-reward and potentially result in relapse.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3706486/. It’s a catch 22 – suboxone is needed to stay clean off heroin during rehab, but is extremely hard to wean off of and could actually contribute to drug relapse. He is already very withdrawn, moody, appears to be suffering from general anhedonia.
My question is: do you have any experience providing personal consultations with patients as they wean off suboxone to help them re-equilibrate brain chemistry following cessation of all opiates? (which of course would be done in conjunction with medical advice from his doctor – although many docs are clueless and just write “bandaid” scripts without addressing the underlying problem!)
Your website and posts have already helped me tremendously (I’m about a month into my own nootropics journey). I just worry my husband will be trapped in an indefinite cycle of relapse if he doesn’t start his own brain healing process.
Thanks in advance.
David Tomen
January 11, 2021
Ann, I feel your pain and know exactly what it’s like to live in this type of situation.
Unfortunately, there is no ‘magic pill’ for addiction. There are a couple of nootropics that help alleviate cravings for things like alcohol. But there is no nootropic stack to completely or easily correct this problem.
Honestly, the best way I’ve found to beat addiction is through the right 12-step program. And if you’re really fortunate a good rehab house. This has been my experience with family members and it works. But it’s hard and takes time.
I have personally found that correcting neurotransmitter imbalance, and repairing brain receptors and synapses goes a long way to feeling better. Which contributes to alleviating cravings. But that is coupled with the personal work needed to support it all.
I’m likely not the best person to help someone through this because I’m not qualified in this area.
But the same information you have discovered here on Nootropics Expert can help you to put together a stack that will help heal your husband’s brain.
Ann
January 11, 2021
David,
Thanks for the reply. It’s awful watching someone you care about go through this. He has been in a 12-step program since starting the suboxone, in early September. Like you said, I think he would need to focus on neurotransmitter/receptor support to decrease likelihood of relapse. Over the past 4 years, he has used inappropriately high doses of 5-HTP, Kratom and Phenibut, which likely contributed to the imbalance. Hopefully I can inspire him to build a more well-rounded stack.
David Tomen
January 13, 2021
Ann, 5-HTP and Phenibut should not be used by someone with addiction problems. Because Phenibut has abuse potential. And 5-HTP because if it is misused it will increase serotonin to the point that it depresses dopamine.
And at least part of the problem with addiction is dopamine dysfunction. As for Kratom, I’m a bit biased because I’ve never been able to get “high” off it and only use it for pain control. It’s very difficult to abuse Kratom and even then it’s not deadly as long as you get pure, unadulterated Kratom.
I think his stack should include L-Tyrosine to increase dopamine, Alpha GPC and ALCAR to increase acetylcholine, and magnesium and Lion’s Mane Mushroom extract for brain repair. I’d also add Phosphatidylserine (PS) which will help repair damaged brain cells. Along with a high quality multivitamin. Those are the basics.