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 - 1,837 comments
Sharon Jenkins
March 9, 2018
Hello, I have just watched your video regarding lithium orotate.
I have a 21 yr old with severe autism, hyperactivity disorder, anxiety disorder, OCD, epilepsy with extremely challenging behaviour.
He currently takes 300mg twice a day carbamazepine, 10mg fluoxetine plus 60mg of propranolol daily.
Would 5mg of lithium orotate daily be safe with these meds?
I am in the UK and am finding it a restricted product on most sites so will be ordering from USA.
Many Thanks
David Tomen
March 10, 2018
Sharon, I highly recommend you learn as much as you can about each of the drugs you mention here. Get a clear understanding of their mechanism of action especially in the brain. Then check each one for interactions here: https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html. Enter the drug name in the search field then scroll through until you find “lithium” (if it is listed).
Keep in mind that when lithium is mentioned on drugs.com they are referring to the pharmaceutical which is typically something like lithium carbonate. And used in very high doses.
I cannot give you a definitive answer either way because the drugs being used here are extremely potent. And mixing them with any nootropic supplement could be a recipe for disaster. So be very, very careful.
Sharon Jenkins
March 10, 2018
Thank you so much for your advice.
Robert
March 8, 2018
hello david , exellent information you posted in site.i always watch on youtube. may i have a question?,in some site Galantamine is reffered as nootropic.galantamine is also sold as supplement.why you didnt mention it? i am useing it about 1 years and has moderate effect on me.is it dangerous for long time use.i guss may have negative side effect .that because you didnt put it as nootropic.thanks david.please put your book(Head First) in google play or amazon for easy purchase.thanks.
David Tomen
March 8, 2018
Robert, Galantamine is sold as a prescription drug in the United States and elsewhere. Here on Nootropics Expert we stay primarily with natural substances that can be used for brain health. And some of the racetams that can easily and affordably found on nootropic vendors websites. You’ll notice I don’t write about Modafinil, etc. either for the same reason. So Galantamine will not likely be going on my list to review any time soon.
Dee
March 2, 2018
Hi, I’m wondering if there is a stack that could rival Mirapex? It’s the dopamine agonist drug for Parkinson’s and Restless Leg Syndrome. I have the latter. I read about Lion’s Mane mushrooms, but have yet to try it. I titrated off the Mirapex because the dose was too high and I was on the verge of psychosis. I was unable to sleep or eat. However, at the least amount of dosage, I was finally able to fall asleep. My neurologist wants to put me back on the lowest dosage again. I haven’t agreed to it yet. Could you suggest a stack that might help? I also have Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Adult ADHD along with migraines with aura and occasional hemiplegic migraines, chronic long term back pain from a spondylolisthesis, and osteoarthritis throughout. I’m a 37yo wife and mother to 5. I figure the more details I give, the better you might be able to analyze my situation.
David Tomen
March 2, 2018
Dee, Mucuna Pruriens (https://nootropicsexpert.com/l-dopa/) is the most promising nootropic supplement for things like Parkinson’s and issues affected by dopamine in the brain. Also do a search of the Nootropics Expert using the search function top right for “Parkinson’s” and see what turns up. Several of the nootropics reviewed here have been used in trials for Parkinson’s. Keep an eye out specifically for dopamine antagonists.
For anxiety > https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-social-anxiety/
For ADHD > https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/
Also do a search for “migraine” and see what turns up. I recall at least one or two nootropics for migraines.
Michelle
February 27, 2018
Hi David,
So – I’m relatively new to Nootropics. I have done extensive reading on your website, but had a specific “help” question. Below is a brief summary of my medicated world of mental health:
Last year, a psychiatrist diagnosed me with “Anxiety induced ADHD”. (Which explained a lot of my academic struggles, feelings of self-worth, etc.)
She started out by prescribing me a Sustained Release (generic version of) Wellbutrin. (150mg) This helped considerably with my feelings of fatigue and lethargy, but didn’t do very much in terms of motivation/focus/desire to study or get work done. (I am both a teacher and a student…) She had also prescribed some sort of non-addictive anti-anxiety medication which made me feel ill (so I discontinued use within just a few days.)
I like to think I’m very aware of both my body and my mind – I’ve practiced yoga for close to ten years now. I try to eat healthfully, and I try to practice self-care as much as possible.
About 7 months ago, though – my doctor added Adderall (combination dosage 20mg XR & 20 mg IR) to my regimen p/day. That, and a new hormonal birth control, has really thrown my life off kilter.
At first, Adderall helped with getting all my work done! Staying focused, on-task, memory, etc. But more recently, I have experienced increased irritability and strong fits of anger…(paired with a seemingly greater tolerance to Adderall? It seems to last for a shorter time.)
I have been trying to track how these emotional reactions relate to the time of the month, but is increasingly difficult to track the timing of my mood swings. (My partner has also noticed a change in my behavior.)
I try to take breaks from Adderall, but I find it quite difficult with an increased workload as of late. The days I do take breaks, I get by with combination Caffeine/L-Theanine.
Research into Nootropics, though, gives me hope that there is a better solution for my struggles.
What would you recommend? I’ve looked at your suggestions for ADHD and Anxiety (separately), I was just wondering if there was something you’d suggest based on my current RX. (I would like to taper off of prescription drugs, ideally. Perhaps come summer time, when I experience a true break, I will be able to relax more with a decreased work schedule…
My current “idea” for a stack includes: Vitamin B-complex, L-theanine, L-tyrosine, Magnesium. Perhaps a cycled 5HTP? (for when PMS is nearly debilitating…)
Anyways, if you’ve read this far, I sincerely appreciate it! Thank you in advance for your consideration.
All the best,
M.
David Tomen
February 27, 2018
Michelle, sounds like Adderall is providing too much norepinephrine which is what could be the source of irritability. You may do better with IR Ritalin. I’ve been using Ritalin for about 10 years. But the few months I experimented with Adderall resulted in symptoms like you describe. So it was back to Ritalin.
You can help smooth out ADHD symptoms and stimulant meds by following my ADHD protocol I’ve outline in this post: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/.
I haven’t written much about hormones yet but you can do a search using the search function top right for keywords like “menopause” or “PMS” or related terms and see what turns up. I seem to remember more than one nootropic supplement that could help tame PMS symptoms.
John Shoop
February 21, 2018
David, thank you – I missed your reply when I sent the second message. I will NOT be mixing Xanax with L-Theanine again. I did not fully understand what I was getting into. I also did not understand that they worked in a similar manner. Question: How long do you think I should be off the xanax (.5mg per day for 2-years) before starting L-Theanine? __________ Also, how long do think 200mg of L-Theanine stays in a persons system?________
Thank you so much for your advise…..all the best, John
David Tomen
February 22, 2018
John, the half-life of Xanax is around 11 hours. I am not a doctor and don’t even play on on TV. But to be safe I’d stay off of Xanax for at least 3 or 4 days before starting on L-Theanine.
The half-life of L-Theanine according to the following study ranged from 58 min to 74 min in humans. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3518171/)
John Shoop
February 21, 2018
Hello David, I just came across your video about L-Theanine. Any thoughts as to why Xanax is a bad mix with L-Theanine, I am guessing that it might slow down a persons breathing….anything else?
thanks,
John
John Shoop
February 19, 2018
Hello David, I just came across your video about L-Theanine. I am taking Xanax at .5mg per day, and my pharmacist said it was okay to mix the two – but your video said otherwise. Should I watch out for anything funny? I have problems with anxiety.
200mg L-Theanine at 12:00, but also .25mg Xanax at 9:45am
Thank you for your thoughts
David Tomen
February 20, 2018
John, Xanax binds to GABA receptors and as a result likely increases GABA in your brain. It also increases dopamine. L-Theanine also increase GABA and dopamine in your brain. Combining the two could cause problems with excess GABA and dopamine.
Whenever you start mixing pharmaceuticals with nootropics you are playing with fire. We don’t have any “clinical” proof of these drug interactions. But common sense tells us that too much of any one neurotransmitter throws everything out of balance. And at times, can be deadly.
I don’t think that’s the case here but I am always extremely cautious with these things. I don’t advise mixing Xanax with L-Theanine. But if you do be extremely careful. And listen to your body.
John Shoop
February 21, 2018
Hello David, Thank you again for all of your help. Do you think I might have done any damage, long term or otherwise…to myself by mixing the Xanax with L-Theanine, and how would i know?
Sorry about the other posts below, I see how you comment and reply system works now. Without your video…and this web-site, I might have continued on mixing the Xanax with L-Theanine, but will not do that again. All the best, John
David Tomen
February 22, 2018
John, short of getting a deep brain scan there is no way to tell if this combo caused any damage. The human brain has an amazing ability to repair itself. You can help things along by using something like Lion’s Mane Mushroom. But I think stressing about it will cause more damage than anything else.
John Shoop
February 23, 2018
Thank you again
Bruce
January 31, 2018
HI David, I am enjoying your videos. Hope I am posting in the right spot. It’s all sort of new to me. I began taking Modnifil which really worked for me. I am a shift worker who frequently crosses over from nights to day visa versa. I added in arcalion 200 (Subutiamine) and Hunasun 500 (Citcholine 500mg). I then decided to buy the mind lab pro stack pack. It arrived in Asia yesterday. Would you recommend I drop some or all of what I have been taking and just see where the mind lab pro stack takes me? I am noticing great retruns in focus and drive so far. Recall a little. I had a near drowning a couple of years ago and yes some parts of the brain have slowed a little, that much is clear LOL . Any advice greatly apprecited. Love you cast. Cheers . Bruce
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REPLY
David Tomen
January 31, 2018
Bruce, you should be OK if you continue with your current stack and adding Mind Lab Pro. I use MLP with much higher doses of Sulbutiamine and Alpha GPC and it works for me. But each of us is wired differently. So your response may be different. Try it and see how you feel. The doses of all are low enough that you will not cause any damage if it doesn’t work.