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
AJ
November 29, 2024
Hey David,
I’ve been taking Mucuna Pruriens extract for a couple weeks now and it’s been working like a charm for brain fog, motivation, and get up and go. I read in your book that’s it’s best to cycle it by taking it 3/4 days a week. Why is this? Are there downsides to taking it everyday over a long period of time?
David Tomen
December 3, 2024
AJ, use it how often as works for you. Younger people may want to cycle Mucuna Pruriens because you have much more dopamine in your brain when you’re young. Dopamine declines by 10% per decade starting in your early 20s.
Carl Cordes
November 27, 2024
Hey David
I read that Phenylethylamine has a very limited oral bioavailability in a WADA article, could for example (just in theory) as sublingual form of Phenyethylamine have a better bioavailability?
Thank you
David Tomen
November 28, 2024
Carl, bioavailability is not the problem. The half life of this compound is the challenge. Scroll but up to this section and read the last 3 sections of the above review. “Phenylethylamine Dosage“
Marijan
November 12, 2024
What do you think about memantine in its use for better mental performance?
David Tomen
November 12, 2024
Marijan, I don’t have it on my to do list and have not researched it. So cannot comment on it’s efficacy as a nootropic.
Jens
November 7, 2024
I found out that I respond much much better to alpha gpc than cdp-choline (also combined with racetams), the difference is insanely big! I also respond better to coluracetam, and pramiracetam than the other racetams in general (so I think there is something with my hacu process, at least could be). However, I wouldn’t like to increase the risk of having a stroke (according to the famous study about alpha-gpc). what are other alternatives that will give me the same performance as when using alpha gpc, but without the risk or at least less risk, AchE inhibitors (which would you recommend?)
David Tomen
November 8, 2024
Jens, AChE inhibitors do not provide the extra choline you need to increase acetylcholine. You could try Uridine Monophosphate or Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and see if either of those work. Keep in mind that if you used PC the dose would be a lot higher compared to Alpha GPC. Read my review on each to understand why I’m suggesting them.
Javier
November 7, 2024
Dear David, my wife is pregnant on her 1st trimestre. Besides the prenatal sup, do you have recommendations?
David Tomen
November 8, 2024
Javier, keep in mind that I am not a doctor so can only make suggestions based on my research. Prenatal science says a BioActive Multivitamin with iron and iodine, 1,000 mg per day DHA (Omega-3), Vitamin D3 5,000 IU per day, and a study showed doses of 3,600 mg Phosphatidylcholine each morning and 2,700 mg each evening were administered at or before 16 weeks after the mother’s last menstrual period, continuing until delivery. That study concluded the mothers who supplemented with PC had children with fewer attention problems and less social withdrawal compared with the placebo group. That study is here: https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.15091188.
Double check all of this with her doctor. And make sure she gets her Vitamin D labs done to find out if you should increase or decrease the Vitamin D3 dose I suggested.
Jens
November 5, 2024
Hi David!
Any idea what nootropics help against cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) next to ADD? I am already using your ADHD stack with vyvanse. I still have quite a lot of maladaptive daydreaming and especially mind blanking.
David Tomen
November 6, 2024
Jens, try Maritime Pine Bark Extract or Saffron and see if either help. Give each a few days trial to see if it helps. See my review for both on this site.
Jens
November 7, 2024
I already use Mind lab pro 2×2 capsules a day (morning and begin afternoon) and if needed 1 capsule performance lab mind at the begin of the evening. So a total of 150-225mg per day maritime pine bark extract.
would adding saffron be too much? what dosage to start with and after that for potentially increasing would you recommend?
David Tomen
November 8, 2024
Jens, it would not hurt to add Saffron to your stack as well. But that may not be your answer. There is something else going on and it will take trial and error to figure out what that is. For example, are you getting enough iodine? What are your hormone levels? Have you tried using another stimulant other than Vyvanse? I could go on but I think you’ll understand what I’m driving at.
I think the first thing I’d try is changing your ADHD med that has a different mechanism of action and see if that works better for you. For example, Lisdexamfetamine is an amphetamine. You could try Ritalin instead and see how that works.
Michael
October 27, 2024
Article read, thank you! Most of the mentioned nootropics are for alertness, mind sharpness, quick thinking and alike. I would be after something alleviating stress and greatly improving physical and mental regeneration instead of increasing brain activity causing it to function in performance mode rather than in regeneration and relaxation mode. I suffer from general anxiety and overstimulation with mild to heavy physicsl activity always has its release in more anxiety. I suspect the anxiety comes from overstressing the body sooner than it regenerates so I should most likely promote relaxation and post workout stress relief and nervous system regeneration.
David Tomen
October 29, 2024
Michael, not sure what article you are referring to but there are literally hundreds of pages on this website. Use the menu up top to navigate to whatever pages look like they may help. Or save yourself a lot of time and effort and schedule a consultation with me. And I’ll help you figure out what you should be using.
Michael
October 26, 2024
Dear David,
there is plenty of reading about all the nootropics at one’s disposal. What nootropic(s) would you suggest for someone who has poor energy levels in general and slow recuperation especially after physical activity like running/swimming as if the nervous system was being constantly overloaded regardless of intensity? It’s like a weird case of cyclothymia where lows natrually badly affect one’s energy levels in general while the highs overstimulate the body and drain energy too rapidly. I tend to overtrain EASILY even though I shouldn’t if I compare myself to “normal”/average people. It’s as if the nervous system is constantly under pressure or strain and pushing it in a controlled manner (normal exercise progressive overload) causes depletion in energy levels and very poor regeneration? I currently take on a DAILY basis: B-complex stack, magnesium with potassium, l-theanine, l-glutamine and ADEKmk7 vitamins. This stack helps to survive a 25km per week running schedule with 80% light exercise and 20% hard exercise which translates to three light runs and one harder. This is nothing to a regular normal person without mental issues. For me this training regime causes a lot of strain where after about 12 hours after a run I already feel fatigue and after 18-20 hours I am experiencing light to moderate anxiety. I don’t know what to take in order to live a normal life. If I stop training entirely, anxiety builds up even more so running in itself also helps but also adds to the anxiety and I need to be VERY careful how I train. Maybe you could suggest some different nootropics which would finally end my suffering? Your valuable reply will be GREATLY appreciated!
David Tomen
October 27, 2024
Michael, read my article on Best Nootropics for eSports because it also applies to any other sport or athletic activity: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-esports-gaming/
MAO
December 4, 2024
こんにちは、デイビッド。いつも高品質の記事を提供してくれてありがとう。
私はADHDと低推論IQを持っています。
I consume 1000 mg of DHA a day, and it is currently the second month.
Does DHA improve the ability to reason? I am taking ALCAR 500mg/day, NALT 1000mg, noopept also 30mg, and Vitamin Bcomplex. In addition, I am also taking Lions mane 1000mg, NAC 500mg, nicotine 6mg, lithium orotate 20mg, and Iodine 1000mg. The speed of memory has been greatly improved.
David Tomen
December 7, 2024
The two you are missing are 300 mg CDP-Choline twice per day, and 300 mg Phosphatidylserine (PS) once per day. PS works in synergy with DHA and the PC you get from using CDP-Choline to keep your brain cell membranes healthy and permeable.