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
SallyBrown
February 1, 2024
Dear David, I have taken Vinpocetine for around 2 weeks (10mg twice separately). I find there are some itchy rashes on my arms currently. I also take DMAE (250mg three times from supplements) at the same time, so I am not sure which one cause this symptom. However, I get a sense of well-being and a clear mind. Actually, I’m so struggling if I should quit these two drugs because of the benefits I get. Could you give me some suggestions?
David Tomen
February 5, 2024
Sally, neither one is a “drug”. Both are considered nootropic supplements. I suggest using one for 2 – 3 days then stop it and use the other for 2 – 3 days. And see which one is causing the problem.
SallyBrown
February 16, 2024
Hello, David. I think that I find the root cause of my rashes. It comes from 100% dark chocolate. I received alternative medicine check-up before. The doctor suggested I should not eat chocolate. He just told me that I had “chocolate intolerance”. I was suspicious of his words, so I took DMAE and Vinpocetine with lots of dark chocolate. I consulted other doctor who practices mainstream medicine. He responded that alternative medicine check-up was a sheer scam! I don’t know the mechanism of that check-up which shows unbelievably precise description of your body condition.
Thank you for response.
David Tomen
February 16, 2024
Sally, it could be the dark chocolate causing your issues. Consumer Reports recently did a study with dozens of dark cacao products and found most of them had critically high amounts of heavy metals. Only a very few had acceptable amounts of these same heavy metals. You may want to Google that study by Consumer Reports and read it for yourself.
Salvar
January 31, 2024
COVID-19 causes aging of dopamine neurons
Scientists from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Columbia University have found that dopamine neurons associated with long-term COVID symptoms such as “brain fog” and depression infected with the virus age and stop functioning.
The genetic signatures of dopamine neurons infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the laboratory and in COVID patients appeared similar, including genes that activate chemical signals of inflammation.
The screening identified three drugs – riluzole, metformin and imatinib – that can block the infection and prevent dopamine neurons from senescence.
The discovery may help prevent the virus from affecting the brain, especially in patients with long-term COVID at risk of developing symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease.
https://www.cell.com/cell-stem-cell/fulltext/S1934-5909(23)00442-3
Jo
January 30, 2024
Have you ever found that certain nootropics will help with weight loss?
Do some get rid of cravings for sweets and breads or just plan reduce appetite?
I would love to get super smart and get thin while I’m at it. Lol
P.S Love your work. Bought your book.
David Tomen
January 30, 2024
Jo, use the search function top right above the top menu. And search for the keyword phrase “weight loss” and see what turns up.
Maureen
January 28, 2024
Since ALCAR interferes with thyroid medications (given to hypothyroid or thyroid-less patients), is there an alternative?
I’ve taken it, not knowing this side-effect, and found it immensely beneficial with cognition. So it would be great to find an alternative, or a stack that I can take.
David Tomen
January 28, 2024
Maureen if you have not had a problem with ALCAR I suggest that you keep on using it. The only time to find an alternative is if you find that you need to adjust your thyroid meds while using ALCAR. But it does not sound like that has been your experience so far.
Phil Owen
January 22, 2024
Have you considered extracted Frankincense and / or Frankincense + Myrrh as a nootropic?
Frankincense (from the resin of Boswellia sacra etc.) is an excellent anti-inflammatory with mimimal side-effects and the active ingredients (Boswellic acids, incensole etc.) cross the blood / brain barrier. It is very safe and has been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicine for thousands of years.
As well as well-documented evidence for treating arthritis, there is increasing evidence in theWest of usefulness in memory problems and neurodegenerative disorders. I’m happy to send abstracts / scientific papers if you’re interested. I can also offer free samples of capsules if anyone with these disorders would like to try them out.
David Tomen
January 22, 2024
Phil, Frankincense and Myrrh or are on my “to do” list of reviews to write. Which I hope to get around to sometime in 2024. Thanks for the reminder.
Gordon Riffe
January 13, 2024
David Tomen,
My name is Gordon riffe.
I have a consultation with you. I have Parkinson’s.
Recently I have been fell up stiffness in my leg muscle and weakness as well. I have tried various things and nothing has to work.
And the doctors at the hospitals, have not found anything wrong. I was hoping you would be able to suggest some supplements that would improve my conditions.
David Tomen
January 14, 2024
Gordon, your muscles require dopamine for movement. Now, I am NOT an expert on muscle health but I have found a new source for pure natural L-DOPA: https://nootropicsexpert.com/go/science-bio-l-dopa/ and use the coupon code: davidtomen10 for 10% off.
You also need a BioActive B-Complex like this one: https://nootropicsexpert.com/go/life-extension-bioactive-b-complex/
And magnesium chelate 400 mg before bed: https://geni.us/57cGGq (Amazon) which your muscles also need.
Gordon Riffe
January 13, 2024
Dave
I have had a consultation with you. So far nothing has helped me with my Parkinson’s. I have developed weakiness and stiffness? A point of not being able to walkand was wondering if you could help me curethis?
Bronwyn
February 4, 2024
Have you tried keto and high does thiamine? And the different forms of thiamine, for example benfotiamine?
David Tomen
February 5, 2024
Bronwyn, I’m not a big fan of keto unless it is done short term. And Benfotiamine cannot easily cross the blood-brain barrier (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2435522/).
Tracy Keelan
January 3, 2024
Curious, I take about 2mg hydrocodone, perhaps 2x weekly at night. If I were to take the lowest dose at 0.5 mg/kg once or twice a day would this be a problem? Also, do you have any reports of MB exasperating symptoms of restless leg syndrome? Many meds that increase serration can do so.
David Tomen
January 4, 2024
Tracy you are asking about prescription drugs. On Nootropics Expert we only talk about natural nootropic supplements and how they benefit the human brain.