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
Mary
August 28, 2022
Hi David, I was just wondering if you can also do an email consultation? if so, how much?
I just have a really crazy schedule and I kind ended up rebooking some of my appointments a few months further down the road or ultimately cancelling them. it’s not entirely like this but, I’m swamped from August to mid-October.
David Tomen
August 31, 2022
Mary, I can do a consultation via email but it’s the same price. Because it actually takes more work to correspond via email compared to via phone.
Kiara
August 25, 2022
Dear David,
I would appreciate your reccomendation on nootropics including racetams that i may try.
I have pms and the anxiety, brain fog, low energy is debilitating in the 1.5 week before my period. I experienced a traumatic psychological event 4 years ago and was diagnosed with anxiety. After constant anxiety I began to loose my memory and sometimes struggle to remember names of people and things i have known for years. I forget stuff like going to a cupboard and forgetting what I went to pick. Verbal fluidity is challenging as I sometimes cannot recall words I want to say. Ability to focus and complete tasks is problem. focusing was something I was always great at.
I have tried methylene blue but would stop after a week because my head would feel heavy. was taking very low dose like 1/10 of the recommended dose. not sure if it was a detox reaction. Also would like to know what nutrients a person needs to take along with MB.
Your recommendations will be much appreciated. THKS
David Tomen
August 31, 2022
Kiara, there is no “one pill solution” to solving what you describe. And I certainly cannot do it justice here. I highly recommend that you schedule a consultation with me to find out exactly what you need to do to get back on your feet.
Coco
August 23, 2022
Hi David
Is it safe to take 1mg of nicotine every day?
It has the potencial to lower the default mode network of the brain and upregulates the nicotinic receptors, great for my mood and focus issues.
So can be harmful or beneficial to take 1 small dose of 1mg every day? I know it has tolerance and addiction.
David Tomen
August 23, 2022
Coco 1 milligram per day should not be a problem. The thing with nicotine is it is dose Dependent. The more you use, the less effective it is. Probably because it desensitizes nicotinic receptors.
BabsM
August 22, 2022
Hi David, I would love your opinion on mixing Methylene Blue with ashwagandha and lion’s mane ( read a lot about ST and I don’t want to create any dangerous side effect). My husband has a family history of Alzheimer disease and we are pretty terrified by it. And also, I read somewhere that PQQ may interfere with MB absorption. I also wanted to ask you, if you are planning to have your book printed in the future: I love paper books, love to mark them, underscore, highlight and I get lost in the e-books….:) Cheers and thanks for your website, it is brilliant!
David Tomen
August 23, 2022
Babs, Methylene Blue is NOT contraindicated with either Ashwagandha or Lion’s Mane Mushroom.
But MB donates an electron to the electron transport chain for energy production in your mitochondria. CoQ10 and PQQ work in a similar manner so some suggest avoiding those two supplements if using MB.
I am putting the finishing edits on the 2nd Edition of Head First now and hope to have it to my publisher soon. It will be available in hardcover, paperback as well as digital.
BabsM
August 24, 2022
Thanks a million David, great info. And also, I am so happy you are going to give us the option of having the printed version of your book. I tend to get lost in the digital version. Love the old style paper! 😉 Cheers
James Pickett
August 22, 2022
Hi David,
Your website and youtube videos are great, thankyou. Quick question I have been taking cymbalta 60 mg for the past 8 years due to Chronic Pain which has now subsided.
I have tried weaning off Cymbalta unsuccessfully from 30 mg and was recently diagnosed with GAD (Anxiety) and OCD like symptoms. You mentioned putting up a post on OCD nootropics which would be great to see.
I’ve tried which seems to help
– B complex
– Fish oil
– Probiotic
– NAC
– L-theanine
– Gabba
– Zinc, C, D
– Tyrosine in the mornings
– Magnesium/melationin at night
Anything else you would recommend for OCD/Anxiety related symptoms
David Tomen
August 23, 2022
James, you need to use L-Tyrosine twice per day to get a full days benefit of increased dopamine and norepinephrine. And replace your fish oil with a good DHA supplement 1,000 mg per day (https://bit.ly/3q98chL) or (https://geni.us/vAkK).
And stay tuned for an article on dealing with OCD.
Joe
August 21, 2022
If someone takes Naltrexone to moderate their drinking will the nootropics still work….
David Tomen
August 23, 2022
Joe, I’ve reviewed 105 individual nootropic supplements so far. Which “nootropics” are you referring to?
Andrew
August 12, 2022
How bad is stearic acid and silicon dioxin really? I mean it latterly almost I’m possible to avoid at least one of those in products everything else I manage to avoid
its especially bad when buying Magnesium the vast majority of my stuff is free from most the crap but stearic acid and silicon dioxin is the most I have issue not be able to avoid do you still have some of this is your stuck with what you take?
also is carrageenan is this stuff bad, I noticed it with my astaxanthin in Doctor best
David Tomen
August 14, 2022
Andrew, it’s bad. And if you are using multiple supplements containing these ingredients there is no getting away for the toxic effects. For example, here are a couple of studies you should know about: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1384169/ and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24824983
Same with carrageenan: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29469913/ and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29469913/
It is possible to buy supplements not containing these ingredients. Mind Lab Pro and all Performance Lab supplements are a perfect example of that. I’ve been ranting about this stuff for over 6 years and it seems the rest of the industry is starting to pay attention. Because if you look hard enough you will find the supplement you want which is pure.
Andrew
August 15, 2022
My B-Complex is fine, my Vitamin D is fine, my Astaxanthin is fine and my DHA is fine mostly NOW products
just magnesium from Doctor best and my melatonin and taurine, and mainly steric acid
that have that toxic stuff
David Tomen
August 16, 2022
Andrew, I can help you with a couple of those. Magnesium (https://geni.us/57cGGq) and Taurine (https://geni.us/dyXzC) (both on Amazon).
S. E. Carbaugh
August 8, 2022
Some thoughts from online research:
1) forskolin,berberine, jiaogolan are in the same organic chemical chain.
2) milk thistle and berberine are synergistic, both are protective and beneficial to the liver.
3) some research of forskolin demonstrates possible increase in fatty liver, other research indicates berberine counters that process, milk thistle has shown possible protection in that area as well.
4) artichoke extract aids forskolin, it is also liver friendly.
5) jiaogolan is in some ways complimentary to berberine, and brings additional benefits.
Need I say more? I bow to your greater expertise to carry this line of speculation further.