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 - 1,845 comments
Oshri Sabag
April 16, 2024
Thank you very much for the wonderful pool of knowledge you give us.
I would appreciate your answer David.
I’am currently taking:
Bacopa Monnieri before bed – helps me with sleep, anxiety and memory (unfortunately the side effects of Bacopa for me is Fibromyalgia Fatigue gain and lack of physical motivation).
Magnesium Taurate before bed, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Hypericum Perfuratum ZE117 for Depression, Gotu Kola.
Later I want to add to my stack more supplements to treat Histamine Intolerance, MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome), Dysbiosis, Candida, Under-Methylation (Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Zinc) and more..
I know that my healing process is long, but for temporary relief, can I combine Rhodiola Rosea to help with the Bacopa Fatigue with the above plants (Bacopa, Hypericum, Gotu Kola) or is there a risk of Serotonin Syndrome?
Thank you for your reply,
sincerely,
Oshri
David Tomen
April 22, 2024
There is no risk of Serotonin Syndrome from combining natural supplements. With the exception of St. John’s wort.
Leroy Atkins
April 13, 2024
I have taken several of the nootropics you mention for a long time with some success but not what I expected. How do I determine the correct cocktail for me?
David Tomen
April 17, 2024
Leroy, I have several article on this site on how to build a nootropic stack. If you still need help then schedule a consultation with me: https://calendly.com/d/5c4-wg7-qzn
Belena Enright
April 12, 2024
I recently came across your website and I appreciate the way you explain things. Thank you. I have a question about methylation. Since methylation is crucial for the conversion and absorption of several substances, how does being MTHFR positive and not being able to methylate affect the uptake and absorption of nootropics?
David Tomen
April 12, 2024
Belena, go the the section called “Problems with MTHFR” in my folate review: https://nootropicsexpert.com/vitamin-b9-folate/
Dave K
March 30, 2024
Hello! Your site is a great resource. I’m focusing on weight management, mood, and regaining vigor. I’m active and take a couple of HBP meds, a 20mg statin, and started Wegovy for weight management. I enjoy researching alternative treatments and maintenance supplementation for wellness. Besides the rxs, I take CoQ10, PQQ, a shiligit tablet, ZMA at night and vitamin K2 (to kind of direct Calcium where to go). I’ll throw in some magnesium, grape seed extract as an aromatase inhibitor, and generally throw in random supplements I see during my searches. Also, I just started iodine drops coupled with selenium drops.
My goal is to cut my supplements to the bare minimum, while hopefully weaning myself eventually from the rxs. Your article about cacao (nibs in particular) caught my eye. The benefits of cacao seem impressive. I’d hope to incorporate this inexpensive product along with my daily routine (maintain the CoQ10, PQQ, shilagit maybe, plus the iodine and selenium) while eliminating the frequent “throw it against the wall to see if it sticks” experimentation and trial and error. I think of my goal as cleaning house and tidying up. Get the most efficient benefits for energy and mood while helping to support the rest of the body as well.
Any advice you can provide after going through my ramble is appreciated!
Sorry for the long-winded intro, but I have a lot of ground to cover.
David Tomen
April 1, 2024
Dave, there is no “one pill” solution to optimal cognitive health. What you need to use depends on your age, whatever health issues you are dealing with, and what you end goal is.
That can mean taking 5 or 6 supplements. Or it can mean a regimen of 10 – 15 supplement per day. Ray Kurzweil uses 80 per day. I’m slightly less than what Ray uses.
Saverio
March 22, 2024
Hello David,
i have cfs/me and my worst symptom at now is shortness of breath(dyspnea). Especially when standing up. Is there anything i can do to improve this? Studies found lack of blood flow in brain in CFS and i tried Picamilon for this but without success. Should i try Vinpocetine?
thanks for your help
David Tomen
March 22, 2024
Saverio, Vinpocetine is by far the best way to increase brain blood flow. That has been my experience.
Larry B
April 19, 2024
Doesn’t Ginko Biloba also increase Blood flow to the brain?
David Tomen
April 19, 2024
Larry, Ginkgo biloba does increase cerebral blood flow.
Larry B
April 19, 2024
But I assume that you believe that Vinpocetine is better than Ginko, is this Correct?
David Tomen
April 22, 2024
For increasing brain blood flow – YES.
John Sumoski
March 17, 2024
David, thank you for the website. Some extraordinary information. I know you recommend Performance Lab NutriGenesis. How do you feel about Thorne?
David Tomen
March 18, 2024
John, Thorne makes some good supplements. But they include some toxic “other ingredients” in some of their supplements. Things like Silicon Dioxide which can be toxic and does not need to be in any supplement.
Performance Lab supplements are pure. All of them. They do NOT use toxic ingredients in any of their supplements. What is on the label is exactly what is in the capsule and nothing else.
Kevin McNamara
March 3, 2024
David,
First off thank you for providing such an awesome resource. Do you have any insight on NMN? Cognitive improvement is one of the many benefits listed. I am researching NMN but would welcome any insights you may have.
David Tomen
March 9, 2024
Kevin, I have nicotinamide mononucleotide on my “to do” list. It is a precursor to production of NAD+. But so is plain old niacin. The thing preventing me from publishing a review on NMN is there is zero evidence that it helps the human brain. There is plenty of theoretical evidence that is should be anti-aging. But there are zero human clinical studies to show that is true.
I’ve done a lot of research in the field of nootropic supplements to support the human brain. And one big conclusion I’ve arrived at is “there is no one pill solution”. So, NMN may be a good addition to an overall nootropic stack. But used on its own looks like a waste of money.
Linda Hall
February 27, 2024
Hi David
Wonder if you could give me some advice please.
I was diagnosed with ME/CFS in 2005 with severe co-morbid depression. I can honestly say Escitalopram 10mg saved my life.
I was bedbound/house bound for a number of years but through diet, pacing, rest and supplements got my life back in 2014 and eventually got off the SSRI.
Fast forward 2020 and my husband was diagnosed with terminal Cancer. He is still with me and fighting. I’m now finding the anxiety, stress and now depression overwhelming (that’s putting it mildly!).
Since having Viral Neuritis last year I cannot tolerate many supplements, such as anything with an Acetyl or Methyl group. Any choline supplement or anything that raises choline or increases Acetylcholinesterase. With Choline supps.’ now I become very angry and irritable.
All of the supplements you discuss seem to contain all of the above. Is there anything you recommend for the stress, anxiety and
depression before I have to go back on an SSRI. which I’d rather not.
David Tomen
February 28, 2024
Linda, Escitalopram otherwise known as Lexapro affects serotonin in the brain as well as brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Recent research has shown that these SSRI provide their benefit more through increases of BDNF than its effects on serotonin. The supplements on this list increase BDNF: https://nootropicsexpert.com/13-nootropics-to-boost-bdnf/. One of the simplest but many times effective things you can try is increase your Omega-3 levels by using 1000 DHA per day. And increase your magnesium levels with 400 mg Magnesium L-Threonate. Many are low in both Omega-3s and magnesium.
But there are many other supplements you can try as well. Experimenting is the key to figuring out what will work for you. See my articles on anxiety and depression at these links:
https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-anxiety/
https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-depression/