If you’ve spent any time here on Nootropics Expert®, you have a good idea how certain nootropics can benefit your brain.
But if you’re just getting started with nootropics, the choices can seem overwhelming. Will one nootropic work? Will it take more that one supplement to solve my problem? If more than one, how do I combine them for best results?
Here are some tips that should help …
If you are a university student, an entrepreneur, a business executive, a stay-at-home mom or dad, or a senior – what are you trying to improve?
It could be just one thing you want to work on. Like improving your memory. Maybe you have a difficult time focusing like I did. Or you find learning new material, skill or language an insurmountable problem.
You could have an issue with anxiety, or bouts of depression. Procrastination could leave you feeling like a failure because of a lack of motivation.
Put some thought into this now because you’ll save yourself a lot of time and money by figuring out what you are trying to fix first.
If it’s just one thing you want to fix or support, you’ll have an easier time putting together the right nootropic stack. And often it will only take 3 or 4 nootropic supplements to get you where you need to be.
Later in this post you’ll get specific suggestions on nootropics for:
- cognition, thinking, and decision-making
- memory
- anxiety and depression
- energy and motivation
- brain repair and maintenance
For many of us, it’s more than just one problem we’re dealing with.
In my case, the combination of Adult ADD and hypothyroidism caused problems with anxiety, cognition, focus, memory, and depression. That’s a lot to deal with and a lot to fix.[ii]
The good news is it’s entirely possible with the right combination of nootropics to address each of these issues. My life is a good example of what’s possible with the right nootropic stack.
I was able to restart my career. My marriage is better than I ever dreamed possible. And my future looks amazing.
But to be perfectly honest with you, one nootropic that works for me, may not work as well for you. Each of us have unique brain “wiring”.
Our chemical makeup is different. And is affected by foods we eat, where we live, the air we breathe, the genes we inherited from our parents, and more.
So experimentation is key. Pick your top choice of something you’d like to improve. Once you find something that works reasonably well, go to the next thing on your list.
With time, effort, and diligent experimenting you’ll find the perfect nootropic stack for you.
Table of Contents
Your First Nootropic Stack
My recommendation is to create your own nootropic stack when starting out.
Tailor your stack to each issue your trying to solve. It’ll likely be more expensive because you need to get each individual nootropic or supplement.
The advantages at first outweigh the cost in my opinion. When you find something that works, you then need to figure out how much of that nootropic works best with your brain and body.
If you try something and it doesn’t work as well as expected, or what you were promised in the marketing hype, or what you read on the forums – pitch it.
And try something else.
Flexibility and experimentation is key when you’re getting started with nootropics. A pre-formulated stack doesn’t allow that flexibility.
Keep that pre-formulated option in reserve until you nail down what works best for you. Then look for a nootropic stack that fills all your requirements.
Let’s briefly look at some of your options for major issues to get you started. This is by no means an exhaustive list but a way to point you in the right direction.
Use the search function on Nootropics Expert to find every nootropic that works for memory, or depression, or anxiety, or ADHD, or traumatic brain injury, or whatever it is you need to fix or improve.
Nootropics for Cognition, Thinking and Decision-Making
Cognition is the mental action or process you go through when learning something new and understanding it through thought, experience and your physical senses.[iii]
Cognition includes thinking, knowing, short-, working-, and long-term memory, decision-making and problem solving.
That’s a tall order to cover and will likely take more than one nootropic. You can start with:
- Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline. Both nootropics help boost acetylcholine (ACh) in your brain. ACh is associated with memory and learning.
- Lion’s Mane Mushroom. Lion’s Mane increases Brain Nerve Growth Factor or neurogenesis. Improving attention, focus, thinking, depression, anxiety, and helps repair damaged neurons.
- N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT). NALT is a bio-available form of L-Tyrosine which is a precursor to dopamine in your brain. More dopamine helps improve alertness, focus, working memory and executive function (decision-making).
- Pine Bark Extract. From the French Maritime Pine Tree, Pine Bark extract is used primarily to improve cerebral blood flow. Studies and personal experience show it boosts memory and cognition.
- Vitamin B6. B6 is a required coenzyme for the synthesis of most major neurotransmitters in your brain. And helps enhance alertness, cognition, energy, memory and mood.
- Vitamin B9. Folate as a nootropic is involved in the synthesis of dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine and serotonin. It’s involved in the synthesis of DNA, RNA, gene expression, amino acid synthesis a myelin synthesis and repair.
- Vitamin B12. B12 is essential for the synthesis of DNA, RNA and neurotransmitters in your brain. B12 enhances alertness, cognition, memory, decision-making and mood.
Nootropics for Memory
We use several different types of memory every day. Short-term memory is also known as primary or active memory. And is limited to what you remember for 20 to 30 seconds.
Long-term memory is the type of memory associated with an event or information you acquired long ago. This is a complicated form of memory influenced by your perception of an event or thing, conditioning or any other input. And is encoded using long-term potentiation and strengthening neurons and synapses.
Working memory is distinct from short-, and long-term memory. These are memories that are not only remembered, but simultaneously processed with information that is important to you. You remember the purpose of the information, and why you decided to remember it.[iv]
Each type of memory can be assisted by different nootropics. Because neurotransmitters, cerebral blood flow, long-term potentiation, hormones and more all come into play for memory.
- Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline. Both nootropics help boost acetylcholine (ACh) in your brain. ACh is associated with memory and learning.
- DHA (Omega 3). DHA makes up a large portion of your brain’s gray matter. This fatty acid helps form cell membranes, neurons and synapses which are needed to form and encode memories.
- Huperzine-A. Hup-A helps promote memory by increasing acetylcholine levels.
- L-Theanine. Found naturally in green tea and available as a nootropic supplement, L-Theanine helps boost dopamine and serotonin. Improving anxiety, focus, learning, and mood.
- Noopept. Noopept stimulates dopamine, nicotinic and serotonin receptors in your brain. Boosting cognition, memory, retention, logical thinking, improving your reflexes and mood.
- Phosphatidylserine (PS). PS is vital for brain health. Highly concentrated in cell membranes, PS helps in the release, storage and activity of neurotransmitters and receptors. Boosting cognition, focus, memory and recall.
- Piracetam. The original nootropic, Piracetam influences AMPA and NMDA receptors in your brain. Affecting learning and memory.
For more options and to learn more about how memory works, see my post on:
Best Nootropics for Learning and Memory
Nootropics for Anxiety and Depression
Do you remember what it used to be like to be in a ‘good mood’ all of the time? Anxiety and depression are something most of us have had to deal with at one time of another.
For me, being Adult ADD and hypothyroid was like a double whammy. And it took a while to dig out of the hole I was in.
Anxiety[v] and depression[vi] are often ‘grouped’ together both in nootropic circles as well as in the psychiatric/medical world. But they are two distinctly different conditions. Even though the cause of anxiety and depression may overlap.
All kinds of conditions can contribute to anxiety and depression. Neurotransmitter levels that are out of balance can cause severe depression. Illness and stress can cause anxiety and depression.
Poor cerebral blood flow, a lack of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), mental fatigue from lack of cellular energy, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke and more can all cause anxiety and depression.’
Here are a few nootropics that can help. This is by no means an exhaustive list.
And if your depression or anxiety is severe, please, please seek professional help while you’re exploring your nootropic options.
- Aniracetam. This member of the racetam-family of nootropics, Aniracetam is very well known for helping anxiety and depression. And one of my favorites. Aniracetam activates D2 and D3 dopamine receptors in your brain. Improving anxiety, cognition, learning, memory and mood.
- Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline. Both nootropics help boost acetylcholine (ACh) in your brain. ACh is associated with memory and learning. And the choline is needed when stacked with any racetam.
- Ashwagandha. Used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha helps relieve stress, fatigue, restores energy and concentration, and normalizes blood sugar.
- Bacopa Monnieri. Bacopa is believed by some to be the best nootropic available today. This adaptogen helps prevent chemical and physical stress instead of suppressing them like many modern antidepressants.
- Lemon Balm. This plant from the mint family, Lemon Balm inhibits the GABA transaminase enzyme. Which in turn helps maintain adequate levels of GABA in your brain. Resulting in a calming effect and relieving anxiety and depression.
- Rhodiola Rosea. Rhodiola increases AMPK which helps decrease depression and stress-related mood swings, reduces fatigue, stimulates energy and alertness and boots cognition.
- Sulbutiamine. Synthesized in the lab from Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Sulbutiamine is another favorite of mine because it boosts memory, motivation and is a heck of an antidepressant.
- Vitamin B6. B6 is a required coenzyme for the synthesis of most major neurotransmitters in your brain. And helps enhance alertness, cognition, energy, memory and mood.
- Vitamin B12. B12 is essential for the synthesis of DNA, RNA and neurotransmitters in your brain. B12 enhances alertness, cognition, memory, decision-making and mood.
To learn more about anxiety and depression, and even more options on nootropics that can helps alleviate the symptoms of each, see my posts on:
Best Nootropics for Depression
Nootropics for Energy and Motivation
If you’ve ever felt mentally drained after writing an exam, an intense study session, a misunderstanding with your partner, or working out a business problem ▬ nootropics can help.
Energy and motivation kinda’ go hand-in-hand in my book.
When I’m energized, it usually translates into motivation to get things done. When energy stores are depleted in my brain and body, I’m burned out and nothing much is going to happen.
Mental fatigue has a variety of causes. Depleted neurotransmitters can cause fatigue as well as a host of other issues. A lack of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) which is the energy source for brain cells is another cause of mental fatigue. And leads to neurodegenerative disease.
Hormones that are out of balance can cause fatigue. And poor cerebral blood flow which provides oxygen and nutrients to brain cells can result in fatigue.
The amount of available mental energy has a direct influence on cognitive and mental performance. Let’s look at the nootropics that can fix mental fatigue and boost motivation.
- Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR). ALCAR boosts acetylcholine (ACh) and transports fatty acids through cell membranes into mitochondria for use as brain cell fuel. One of my favorite nootropics, ALCAR increases memory, mental alertness, fluid thought and is a powerful antioxidant.
- Alpha Lipoic Acid. Lipoic acid boosts levels of acetylcholine (ACh) and glucose uptake. And regenerates depleted antioxidants already present in your brain including Vitamin C, Vitamin E, glutathione and CoQ10. Boosting cellular energy and memory.
- Coluracetam. One of the newer racetams, Coluracetam works as a choline uptake enhancer. And improves AMPA potentiation. The net result is a boost in energy levels. Unlike prescription stimulants, Coluracetam offers a more relaxed, calm and free-minded kind of thought-processing.
- CoQ10 & Ubiquinol. CoQ10 is essential for producing Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) that fuels the mitochondria in brain cells. Improving athletic performance, works as an antioxidant, and battles fatigue and depression.
- Creatine. Creatine acts as fuel for your brain cells. And provides ‘energy on demand’ when you need it.
- NADH. NADH is a coenzyme used in the formation of ATP, the energy source for mitochondria in your brain cells. NADH boosts alertness, mental performance, energy and memory.
- Noopept. This peptide-derived nootropic related to the racetam family, Noopept increases BDNF, and stimulates dopamine, nicotinic and serotonin receptors. Boosting energy, cognition, memory, logical thinking, and improves reflexes and mood.
- Phenylpiracetam. A Russian derivative of Piracetam, Phenylpiracetam improves concentration, memory, motivation, mental energy and offers a stimulant effect.
- Rhodiola Rosea. Rhodiola increases AMPK which triggers the use of stored energy from fats in your brain cells. Boosting alertness, energy and cognition while decreasing depression and stress-related mood swings.
- Pramiracetam. A derivative of and more potent than Piracetam, Pramiracetam stimulates choline uptake in your brain. Boosting energy levels, providing focused stimulation for better mental drive and motivation.
To learn more about, and see even more options for energy and motivation, see my post on:
Hacking Motivation with Nootropics
Nootropics for Brain Repair and Maintenance
According to the American Center for Disease Control (CDC) an estimated 1.7 million in the US suffer from Traumatic Brain Injury every year.[vii]
And that’s just for the USA. This is clearly a world-wide problem for the human race.
Brain injury covers a lot of territory and includes concussion, Post Stroke Syndrome, sports and athletic injuries, damage from pharmaceuticals, environmental toxins, bad food and water, polluted air and more.
The mechanics of injury can affect cerebral blood flow, torn tissue, damage to neurons, altered brain waves and neurotransmitters, free radical and oxidative damage and more.
Now the “official” line from the FDA and other governmental authorities in the USA and many countries world-wide, nootropic supplements and other ‘natural’ substances cannot repair brain injury.
While this is certainly not medical advice, and you should absolutely seek professional medical help for brain injury, neurohackers have found relief on their own experimenting with nootropics. Here’s a small sample of what we’ve found useful:
- CDP-Choline. CDP-Choline provides your brain with choline which aids in the synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh). And cytidine in CDP-Choline converts to uridine which is important for neural membrane synthesis.
- DHA (Omega 3). DHA makes up a large portion of your brain’s gray matter. This fatty acid helps form cell membranes, neurons and synapses which are needed to form and encode memories.
- Phosphatidylcholine (PC). PC is a phospholipid which helps build and repair brain cell membranes.
- PQQ. The enzyme cofactor PQQ facilitates the growth of new mitochondria in your brain cells. Boosting the production of nerve growth factors in cells that support creation of new neurons. And reduces inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Pramiracetam. This derivative of Piracetam, Pramiracetam increases acetylcholine receptors in your brain. By stimulating choline uptake in your brain, this nootropic boosts energy levels and improves cognition and motor coordination.
- Pterostilbene. Found in cranberries, blueberries and grapes, Pterostilbene is a potent antioxidant, stimulates Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), and promotes neuroplasticity. By reducing oxidative stress, Pterostilbene helps prevent heart attacks and stroke.
- Resveratrol. This polyphenol antioxidant found in the skin of grapes, Resveratrol improves blood flow and reduces inflammation. Improving cell survival and neurogenesis in the hippocampus, resulting in better memory and learning.
- Turmeric. Turmeric is unique in its ability to reduce inflammation common to Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and brain tumors.
To learn more about PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury, and the best nootropics to alleviate the symptoms of each, see my posts on:
Treating PTSD with Nootropic Supplements
Best Nootropics for Traumatic Brain Injury
Conclusion
There are many ways to address each issue you’re dealing with when it comes to optimizing brain health and function.
If you’re a nootropic veteran I’m sure you’ll find holes in my recommendations. Each section is most definitely not a conclusive list of nootropics for a single condition.
I encourage you to use the “Search” function on Nootropics Expert®. Enter the issue you’re dealing with and you’ll get a list of articles with suggestions for your nootropic stack.
By no means should you include everything listed under “memory” for example in your stack. One or two options from each section can help you toward your ideal nootropic stack.
Many nootropics work synergistically and together can make a more powerful solution than a nootropic on its own. When combining several nootropics in a stack you’ll want to back off to the lowest recommended dose of each to start.
You also may have noticed that some nootropics appear in several categories. What this means is most nootropic stacks would benefit by including Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline, DHA, and a nature-identical B-Vitamin Complex.
Be sure to click through to each nootropic to review dosage recommendations and side effects. Each article has extensive references to clinical studies as well.
Pre-Formulated Nootropic Stacks
Early in this article I mentioned pre-formulated stacks as an option that you could use to replace individual nootropic supplements.
Finding the right pre-made stack can save you time and often quite a bit of money.
After experimenting with many of the well-known stacks, I settled on Mind Lab Pro®.
Mind Lab Pro contains therapeutic dosages of 11 top quality natural nootropics including; CDP-Choline, Bacopa Monnieri, Lion’s Mane Mushroom, Phosphatidylserine (PS), N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT), L-Theanine, Rhodiola Rosea, Pine Bark Extract, and Vitamins B6, B9, and B12.
I’ve found it less expensive to use this stack than buying each nootropic on its own. All I’ve had to add is coconut oil, DHA, Aniracetam and Sulbutiamine.
And I’ve recently replaced separate supplements including ALCAR, Alpha Lipoic Acid, CoQ10 and PQQ with Performance Lab® Energy which contains all four nootropics in the dosages I was using. And is less expensive than buying separate supplements.
Check out my reviews on Mind Lab Pro® and Performance Lab® Energy and see if they could work for you too.
If you have questions about building your perfect nootropic stack, please leave a comment in the comment box below. I or another experienced neurohacker in our community will help you out.
[i] “Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder” Medline Plus U.S. National Library of Medicine (source)
[ii] Mayo Clinic Staff “Hypothyrodism” Mayo Clinic mayoclinic.org (source)
[iii] “Cognition” Frontiers in Psychology journal.frontiersin.org (source)
[iv] Cowan N. “What are the differences between long-term, short-term, and working memory?” Progress in Brain Research 2008; 169: 323–338. (source)
[v] “Anxiety Disorders” National Institute of Health nimh.nih.gov (source)
[vi] “Depression” National Institute of Health nimh.nih.gov (source)
[vii] “Get the Stats on Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States” U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (source)
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Hi David.
I recently introduced Aniracetam, Noopept & CDP-Choline to my stacks but not noticing any difference. Can you advise on possible reasons for this please.
Here are my stacks for reference. [edited by the author].
PS.
I’m trying to improve motivation, memory & concentration.
Cionn, I do not do nootropic stack reviews in the comments section of Nootropics Expert. I have an article on best nootropics for concentration and memory. And another on motivation.
Hey, this is a great article David and I really appreciate it a lot. This writing I have attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity component, and I am taking 27 mg of methylphenidate, to be more sequential in my thinking and response to my environment.
Robert, the best way to support the use of methylphenidate is with my ADHD/ADD protocol found on this page: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/
Hello David,
Very helpful the information on your website.
Unfortunately, I cannot use many of the preformulated stacks, as, for medical reasons, I cannot have B12 vitamin and Ginkgo.
I need something to help me with focus, attention, short term memory. I’m also under a lot of stress lately.
I thought to start with
– Citioline (Jarrow) 250 mg x2 /day (morning and afrternoon)
– Bacopa (Now) 450 mg /day (morning)
Do you think this combination would be ok ?
Thank you!
That combination is fine. But do not have enough information to know if it will help you.
Congratulations for having the BEST site of all time on the internet! Amaaaazing! How do you remember all the facts and interrelations between the supplements??? You must have a SUPERbrain and SUPERenergy to answer every question posed in such detail! Proof that your attained knowledge and experience works!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for so selflessly sharing this with the very many people confused and suffering with strange new symptoms and lack of energy etc.
Despite lots of info on the net there were always unanswered questions for me and so my old trusted goto Bible remained Vita Nutrient Solutions by Robert Atkins A s he died many years ago there are many new discoveries for which info is hard to find as well as my questioning the true knowledge of the authors. Thus remain Pubmed et al sites to search but which often boggle my non medical brain.
I have now found the Holy Grail of info especially about stacking which was my big worry taking so many pills with each meal and also how to do intermittent fasting or OMAD and still take all my supplements. I look forward to finding all the answers on your site!!!
Forever grateful
Thank you Amelia. You humble me. I got the calculator on my Android out not too long ago. And ran some numbers. Turns out I have well over 10,000 hours reading clinical studies and writing about this stuff. AND I’ve been using nootropic supplements 4-times per day for the last 15 years which probably helps. 🙂
sorry about my other comment, i wrote it in brazilian
I bought my first stack on the IHerb site! There are 4 pills in total. should i take them all at once?
1 – Lion’s Mane Mushroom (1G = 2 caps)
2 – Citicoline (250mg = 1caps)
3 – Pine Bark Extract (150mg = 1bottle 60caps)
4 – NALT + B6 + B9 + B12 (at the recommended dosage on the blog)
all of them at once? Or should I repeat some?
I bought thinking that some will last for 2 months if possible
Dave, do that dose twice per day (except the B-Vitamins). Morning and noon.
Thanks for your attention David! This morning I took:
1 – Lion’s Mane 500mg
1 – Citicoline 250mg
1 – Pine Bark Extract 150mg
1 – NALT 350mg
1 – vitamin B pack
at noon I will take them all again except vitamin B as recommended.
looking forward to the results and a little scared because I’ve never taken so many pills at once, it’s strange. but thanks for everything!
Dave, that’s not very many ‘pills’. You would be shocked if you saw the size of my stack and that of many other experienced biohackers.
teacher one more question, my vitamin b pack is as follows:
b6 70mg
b9 476mcg
b12 210 mcg
I thought I’d look at the LIFE EXTENSIONS data you recommend and I lowered the 3 (b6, b9, b12) by 30%.
reason: I am on a well-balanced diet in vitamins and I take a multivitamin that already contains:
b6:1.3mg
b12:2.4mcg
Is it safe this way I did it?
repeating:
b6 70mg
b9 476mcg
b12 210 mcg
Dave, yes it’s safe. Remember that those dosages are in micrograms rather than milligrams. And they are water soluble so whatever your body does not use is expelled in your urine.
The only exception is Vitamin B12. While it’s water soluble your liver will store the excess for up to a year.
Hi David! Sorry to bother you again! I have feedback.
when I take:
Lions Mane: 500Mg
Pine Bark: 150Mg
Citicoline: 250Mg
in a few minutes I start to feel something different in me and I feel my hands feel a little numb… would that be anxiety?
after 1 hour I feel my focus and vision different.
I’m taking all 3 together with PB8 (probiotic).
Thanks for your attention always!
Dave, it is very likely anxiety and I base this observation on your earlier question about “too many supplements”. There could be something else going on including poor quality supplements. But I think it’s more basic than that. Until you get comfortable with using supplements and understand they are called “supplements” for a reason you will not get the full benefit from them.
Remember the power of the “placebo effect”. 🙂
Hi there!
Amazingly helpful thank you. Life saver actually.
So I have a few questions, Sorry for the essay here.
1. Thank the heavens I read this before purchasing a 2 month supply of “high-quality” lions mane. Says it high strength NGF, made from fruiting body though, so just Hericones I guess.
The thing is, EVERY Lions mane supp I see boasts about being from the fruiting body and not the mycelium, and I see none are grown on liquid, what to do?
2. So I was thinking of this as my stack, since no one else stocks the correct Lions mane apart from Mindlabs. I guess ill have to buy that for my Lions mane.
[edited for length]
Sam, I do not do nootropic stack reviews here. I haven’t the time. If I did I would have 90,000 people from around the world asking for them.
Get this Lion’s Mane supplement: https://amzn.to/3uTBZ27 (Amazon)
And here’s a link to my calendar if you want book a consultation to review your stack: https://calendly.com/davidtomen/60-minute-consultation-with-report
I found your studies very interesting, I downloaded your book and am reading it.
When you talk about Nootropics for cognition, thinking and decision making with the list:
-Alpha GPC
-Lion’s Mane Mushroom
-NALT
-Pine Bark Extract
-Vitamin B6
-Vitamin B 9
-B12 vitamin
What dosage for each would you recommend for a beginner? and would it be possible to take piracetam once a week?
Dave, dosage recommendations for each supplement are include in my individual supplement reviews. Which you can get to easily by clicking on the live links above in this article. Note that for supplements like Alpha GPC, NALT, and Pine Bark Extract dosing is usually done 2 or 3-times per day.
For a beginner go with the lowest recommended dose at first. But multiple dosing during the day is key to getting the full benefit for some of these supplements.
Piracetam benefits come from using it daily. Especially when first starting out. If you go with the lowest recommended dose expect to get the full benefit of this racetam in 3 – 4 days.
Hi, good evening, congratulations for helping with so much information! And I went, with another stimulant, with ADHD, I did studies, with natural strength, with the ability to recover, but currently trying a routine routine, however, lacking the energy and ability to recover. more than 10mins focused, I tried now bacopa synapsa 320mg 2x a day / alpha gpc 150mg 3x a day / ALCAR 500mg 2x a day / N-acetyl tyrosine 350mg 2x a day / theanine 200mg 2x a day … I felt , a little better, but not much… I still don’t feel motivated and able to focus, although I have noticed an improvement in memory.
Fernando, you do not mention the ADHD stimulant drug that you are using. You are using the right stack to support it but I’m going to suggest some tweaks which may help. Try Bacopa 350 mg once per day, Alpha GPC 300 mg 3-times per day, ALCAR 500 mg twice per day, NALT 500 mg 3-times per day, L-Theanine 100 mg twice per day.
And add a high quality multivitamin like this one: https://bit.ly/347dm5M
Hey David,
I’m a 30 year old male and I’ve been taking nootropics for 2 years now, and I’m looking for help with my stack. I’m very health conscious and make sure to take a multivitamin, fish oil with high DHA amounts, vitamin d3 and a probiotic daily. I typically take 800mg of Piracetam, 750mg of Aniracetam, 10mg of noopept, occasional 750mg of Oxiracetam, and 150 mg of Alpha GPC once a day before or after I workout 5 days on 2 days off. I have a job where I am traveling on the road, writing a lot and doing some public speaking. I really want a stack to help me stay focused, and motivated all day. Do you recommend doubling up on those doses above to get the effect the whole day or adding or subtracting things?
Thanks,
Alex
Alex, look up the dosing recommendations for each of the racetams you mentioned. Rather than “doubling up on those doses” it is the timing during the day that is more important.
For example, 750 mg Aniracetam twice per day (AM and noon). And with the amount of racetams you are using you’ll likely get far better results if you increase your Alpha GPC dose “each time you take your racetams”. Because each of those nootropics boost the use of acetylcholine in your brain. Not enough acetylcholine and you won’t get the benefit.
Also, consider adding 500 mg L-Tyrosine to your stack twice per day. And I would also add Mind Lab Pro (https://bit.ly/3uAGRbk) because it contains ingredients like Lion’s Mane, Phosphatidylserine (PS), Rhodiola Rosea, and Bacopa Monnieri which will help with motivation and focus.
Hello David,
first of all I would like to thank you for this helpful site. I am 30 years old man and I use nootropics for my tinnitus and cognitive performance.
My daily stack is as follows:
Ginkgo Biloba 2x 120mg
Omega-3 2x 1000mg (EPA500mg/DHA250mg)
NAC 2x 600mg
Alpha GPC 2x 300mg
Ashwagandha 2x 450mg
Magnesium citrate 1x 450mg
Zinc picolinate 1x 50mg
I know that Ginkgo Biloba, Omega-3, NAC and magnesium have blood thinning effect. my question is if this can cause problems like preventing blood clotting which can cause bleeding?
Delgado, only if you have a bleeding disorder, are on blood thinners, or are getting ready for surgery. If you are in general good health it shouldn’t be a problem. As long as each one works for you.
But keep in mind that 50 mg zinc will deplete your copper levels. You should be using 15 – 2 mg of copper per day as long as you are using that much zinc.
Thank you very much for your advice I will use it.
Hey David, I recently bought the following. Any recommendations for some daily stacks to address Focus, Improved Memory and being in a peak performance at work and at the same time feeling calm and in control? Also when would be the best time to take the stack and whether with full or an empty stomach?
Bacopa Minieri
Rhodiola Rosea
CDP Choline
Alpha GPC
Vitamin B50
Reo, please click through to the full review for each supplement that you mentioned. The links to these full reviews are in the article above.
Each review includes dosage recommendations, if it is fat- or water-soluble, how many times per day to take it, and often includes the best type to buy.
You should also notice from the article above that you are missing some key ingredients. I’m basing that comment on your stated goals for this stack.
Improved memory requires dopamine and you increase that by using 500 mg L-Tyrosine twice per day.
Hey David ,
I’m just getting started with Nootropics and i saw your videos and I was thinking if I can I take L theanine, l-tyrosine ,alpha gpc, oat straw extract , bacopa monnieri , L Leucine, lions mane mushroom, rhondiola rose extract ,vitamin b6 and vitamin B 12 together as a Nootropic stack?
Adish, that lists looks like a good start. Just make sure you look up each individual supplement here on Nootropics Expert to learn more about how they work and how much to take and how many times during the day.
I’m just starting into this. Been taking Mind lab pro, now starting to add to it.
Looking to try Emoxypine Succinate from Nootropics Depot, because it also helps with high cholesterol. Do you have an opinion on that one?
Cliff, everything I know about Emoxypine Succinate comes from here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emoxypine. Made in Russia and apparently has some very positive effects in the brain.
But it’s not something that I would normally review because I don’t consider this a nootropic. More in the “smart drug” category.
Hah! I bet Putin takes this
Amelia, with what that man is putting Russia through he likely needs it for its anxiolytic benefits.
Hello! I am a 20 year old female and I have been looking for ways to improve my brain fog and insomnia. I have been taking 5-HTP and have seen improvements in my anxiety, however I am looking into other nootropics that can help me solve the other problems so I can feel my best again. I have ordered Ashwagandha, CDP-choline, and lions mane mushroom supplements. Is there a certain time of the day that I should take these like day or night for maximum benefits? Any insight about when I should take each supplement would be extremely helpful! And if you have any other suggestions for supplements that would help with insomnia it would be amazing. Thank you so much.
Mina, dosage recommendations for each supplement are included in each individual review. If it’s 3-times per day it means morning, noon, and late afternoon. If it’s two times per day it means morning and noon. If it says “before bed”, well …
Here are my main recommendations for insomnia: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-sleep-supplements-to-buy/
As a student, I am facing a lot of challenges to focus on my study and retian information.
Whenever I submit an assignment, I feel mentally drained without the motivation to study for days with a foggy brain and blurred vision.
It is hard for me to set and study without procrastinating and continuous interpretation. Once I revised my notes, I would be forgotten all the information noted.
If I study for long hours, I will be suffering from a hot scalp. My head would feel so hot and I become a bit anxious because of this.
The increasing demand from the study and related life responsibilities trigger more anxity.
Anyway, after reading your articles which are super helpful, I decided to build my own stack for focused study, long-term memory, discpline, motivation, and antianxiety . the stack is as follow:
Cycling
• 7:4 – 2X 5-15 mg – Noopept
• 7-4 – 2X150-250 mg – Pramiracetam
• 7:5 – 1X – Mind Lab Pro
• 7:5 – 1X – Performance Lab® Energy
Daily
• Alpha-GPC
• L-Theanine
• Phosphatidylserine
• Rhodiola Rosea
• Creatine
• DHA (Omega 3)
• NADH
• Ashwagandha –
• Fat-soluble
Since the pre-formulated stacks have less concentration, I supplemented my stack with more supplements.
Mohamed, is this stack working for you? I do not suggest cycling Mind Lab Pro or Noopept. You’ll get the best results from MLP by using 2 capsules daily. And Noopept is great for productivity.
If you’re going to use Noopept and/or any of the racetams you must take it with at least 300 mg Alpha GPC each time you use that supplement.
I suggest checking dosage recommendations for each of the supplements in your stack including timing during the day. And add more to support mitochondria which is your most fundamental source of cellular energy. This is a good supplement to start with for that: https://bit.ly/3ifR1XJ
Dear David,
Thank you for your informative information about Nootropics. I am 43 year old man. I resigned from my employment in 2015. Since then I was self employed and it took me some time to adjust my behavior that I am responsible for myself and have to manage myself very carefully.
I was doing avg and still doing avg. There is something in me that is stooping from doing many actions that I must take. For example a customer was kind to call to collect my a cheque for the service provided. It took 2 weeks with great struggle to with myself to go to the client and get my cheque. It was such a great battle that I had to go through though there was nothing stressful about it.
A customer was interested in my services and asked for a proposal from my side. I took 4 weeks to write 3 page proposal and I had to give some reason to the client for being late.
I am completely new to Nootropics and I dont know where to start from. I feel hopeless and lost all motivation and energy. I am not able to focus on anything and my spouse started arguing with me about my laziness. I dont blame here because I am really lazy.
I was not like this 2 years back.
I want to change and I dont know where to start from. My immediate issues that I need to deal with are (procrastination, motivation & mood swing).
I am asking you to recommend where to start from. I need to generate income and increase productivity.
Best Regards,
Ali
Ali, I think a good place for you to start is scroll back up this page to this section: “Nootropics for Energy and Motivation”. Directly at the end of that section is a link this post as well: https://nootropicsexpert.com/hacking-motivation-with-nootropics/
The easiest way for you to get started is take some of the individual supplements suggested in that section and on the Motivation page. Or get them in a good pre-made stack or two.
For example, that could look like this: https://www.performancelab.com/products/mind + this: https://www.performancelab.com/products/energy. And add Rhodiola Rosea extract like this one: https://amzn.to/309pUrd. Which activates AMPK which then goes on to active the dopamine/reward/motivation pathway.
In the morning start with one capsule of the first supplement, two capsules of the second supplement, and one capsule of Rhodiola Rosea. And see if that works for you.
If it doesn’t, or only works a little, consider setting up an one-hour consultation with me here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/personal-consultations/
Hi David!
I’ve been researching nootropics for about 6 months now. Over that period I’ve dabbled in experimentation a bit here and there and am now just starting to work on a stack and would appreciate some input.
Some background: I grew up with an exceptional memory. I spent a good 6 years of taking fasting to a bit of an extreme in the later schooling years, and was athletic. My history of getting sick was almost non-existant. Six months into college I fell ill and over time became more prone to becoming sick and my memory taking a 180. Also I have developed frequent headaches years after falling ill. I should also note that I stopped fasting when starting college. During college I was also meditating for several hours a day. Most frequently my headaches affect my temples, but are not limited to the temples. I’ve lost the ability to dream, developed depression, and lost my spacial memory to the point where it is difficult to mentally recollect objects in a room immediately after stopping looking at them. Currently I do have a poor diet, but it is planned to be fixed soon.
Typically when I research I try to gain an overall picture by reading through multiple sources and try to weed out misinformation, but it is still difficult to wrap my head around all of the information. My two highly regarded resources are Nootropics Expert and examine.com.
Currently my stack is simple. I am currently taking these, and love the effects they give, but it is still missing something, as I will explain bellow.
Rhodiola Rosea – 500mg
Bacopa – 500mg
-Carnitine and Alpha lipoic acid is a part of the same supplement-
Acetyl L-Carnitine – 400mg
Alpha Lipoic Acid – 200mg
Turmeric powder – 400mg + Turmeric extract – 50mg
fish oil (can’t remember the dosage. I ran out so I don’t have a reference.)
Periodically I make an organic green tea ( I like it thick so I use multiple organic tea bags, newmans own), and half of the time I add turmeric and black pepper.
Once I get the chance, I plan on getting the nutrients from the diet if possible, otherwise I will be using supplements to help the balance.
The Rhodiola + Bacopa synergy has unquestionably helped with the memory loss. I’ve been taking it for about a week now so it still has time to build up in my system. It has also helped aleviate my depression, although I still feel as though it is missing something in regards to the depression, perhaps a neurotransmitter that is not involved in either of the two supplements.
Since my depression took a down turn, I got in the habbit of oversleeping, which the rhodiola has been helping with.
Currently I still have frequent headaches that are hard to explain, but I strongely suspect inflammation is involved, and the turmeric seems to be back and fourth on whether or not it helps.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! And I love your work on this website! You do a great job!
Stephen, not enough information to make an informed opinion. I suggest booking a personal consultation with me so we can dig deeper into what is going on. And coming up with a solution. If you’re interested, please go here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/personal-consultations/
Hello!
Im currently a student and i work part-time
Im starting to use the low dosafe of l-théanine+caffeine and rhodiola rosea
I usually take l-théanine+caffeine in the morning and after lunch i’ll take rhodiola rosea.
What can you tell me about the combination of these two?
Also what can you recommand me ?
the job and studies are very demanding and i want to be able to succeded at both!
thank you in advance
Sara, what you are using depends on the dosage. But the L-Theanine + caffeine combo is more complex than you think. Which I explain in this review of Performance Lab Stim: https://nootropicsexpert.com/performance-lab-stim-review/.
I’ve also just updated my Best Nootropics for Studying post which you’ll find here > https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-studying/
Thank you for your replay.
I have been reading the article about the nootropics for studying and i decided to give it a try with the PERFORMANCE LAB STIM.
Should I try too the MIND LAB PRO?
What would be the correct way to take it? Both In the morning?
Thank you
Sara, I’d start with a capsule of Mind Lab Pro in the morning and another at noon. Performance Lab Stim is as needed. And it works very well. Use it instead of coffee or an energy drink. Nice clean feeling.
hello
kindly suggest what nootropic stack can i use for my mother who has alzheimers and is 79 years of age. we live in india
after she recently had a seasonal bout of chest congestion ( she was admitted in the icu for a week and early on had never been admitted to a hospital before so was quite traumatic for her) , her brain symptoms worsened after coming home due to high antibiotic dose
am very grateful for your inputs and knowledge you have shared here.
Thanks again
angela
Angela, I suggest getting her a high quality probiotic to re-establish her microbiome that was damaged from antibiotic use. And a good Prebiotic will help as well: https://nootropicsexpert.com/performance-lab-prebiotic-review/
Then do a search of Nootropic Expert using the search function top right for the keyword “Alzheimer’s” and see what turns up. You’ll get several suggestions that may help. It’ll take some reading but it think worth doing.
Hi. I am 37 and it’s was only last month I realize there is nootropics that really helps the brain. I bring to read and realize I have a lot of symptoms Iike unable to concentrate and focus , loss of motivation and interest in stuff, tired easily , procrastinating, panic attack when there is crowd or social disorder. The first nootropic supplement was mind lab pro taken a month ago. I took 2 and the results was amazing within 1 hour. I got a clearer mind and full of energy but the bad thing is I got insomnia at night. The effects lasted me for 5 days but sadly on the 6th day , the effects are gone and I am bad to old one. I still took 2 in the morning but it’s has no effect to me at all. I regretted not cycling mind lab pro after 5 days as I believe it has build a tolerance on me. I am now on the 27th day ,I felt so depress now thinking it won’t work on me anymore. I believe I am lack of dopamine or serotonin so I decided to buy L tyrosine 750mg and L tryptophan 500mg. I took 2 capsule of l tyrosine with B6 in the day and 2 capsule of L tryptophan at night but I realize I am still the same old depress and lack of Motivation person .
I am currently on
Morning
1 multivitamin
2 L tryrosine (500mg)
1 b6 (50 mg)
1 vitamin c ( 1000mg )
1 mind lab pro
DHA
Afternoon
1 reservatrol
1 Cq10
2 Curcumin
1 mind lab pro
Night
2 tryptophan
1 B6
I email mind lab pro that I am not feeling the effects and should I cycle it and their reply was I am actually feeling it but I didn’t feel it. They advise me to take 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon. I really felt it was not working for me anymore. I am thinking to cycle after my first bottle for 5 days .
Can you advise me what can I do . I Really don’t know what supplement I can try now . Help needed thanks as I believe I been suffering this for almost 20 years
Sky, one thing I’ve noticed with nootropics that the change can feel profound when you first start using them. But after awhile you don’t notice the difference as much. The reality is often a “new normal” that is not as noticeable. And unless you are really in tune with your body you may miss it.
But let’s assume that you got zero benefit from the supplements you are using. The wisest thing to do is keep on experimenting. Don’t forget you are dealing with 20 years of things not working well. You need to realize that change can’t happen overnight. It will take time to repair 20 years of damage.
Take a look at this post I recently wrote for other ideas: https://nootropicsexpert.com/how-to-improve-memory-and-concentration/. Don’t give up. You already experienced a bit of how powerful nootropics can be. Just keep on trying things until you find what works for you.