Best Nootropics: 19 Top Smart Drugs & Nootropic Stacks (August 2023 UPDATED RANKINGS)

Looking for the perfect nootropic supplement but don’t know where to start?

You’ve come to the right place.

This is our guide to the best nootropics on the market today. In it you will learn about the strongest and most effective brain supplements for boosting focus, memory, mental energy and brain health.

We will explain how we review and rank nootropics. We will explain how memory supplements work, and what the strongest nootropics are actually capable of doing. We will give you our current top rated nootropic stacks for boosting overall brain function. You’ll also learn about the best individual nootropic supplement ingredients and how to take them for optimal mental performance.

All of the nootropics we recommend in this article are natural, and have all been tested in robust clinical trials using human subjects. We would not list a substance as a top nootropic if there wasn’t hard scientific evidence that it works and is safe! If you have any questions, please post them in the comments and one of our nootropics experts will get back to you.

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The 19 Most Effective Natural Nootropics and Smart Drugs

There are literally hundreds of different nootropics out there, and all of them claim to enhance cognitive function in various ways. When you factor in both natural nootropics and smart drugs, then the choice of compounds you can use to enhance your cognitive abilities can be overwhelming. That’s why we have compiled a list of the best nootropics and smart drugs for improving brain function, reducing mental fatigue and helping to slow cognitive decline.

Here is our list of the 15 most effective nootropics for brain function and overall brain health:

Nooceptin
NooCube
Vyvamind
Mind Lab Pro
Citicoline
Alpha-GPC
Bacopa monnieri
Phosphatidylserine
DHA
Rhodiola rosea
Tyrosine
Ashwagandha
Ginkgo biloba
Lion’s mane mushroom
Theanine
B12
Maritime pine bark
Pterostilbene
Caffeine

Each one is backed by hard scientific evidence and clinical data. None of them have serious side effect risks or long-term negative health effects. We will now go through each of these nootropics in more detail, explaining how they work for cognitive enhancement and what they do for focus, brain fog, mental fatigue and memory. At the end of this section we’ll tell you how to stack these nootropics for maximum effect.

#1 Overall Best Nootropic: Nooceptin

Nooceptin is now our top rated nootropic overall. This is hands down the best nootropic stack we have ever tried, and we continue to get positive reviews from our readers too.

Not only is Nooceptin far more comprehensive than the other brain supplements on the market right now, but it is also significantly better value for money and far safer than nootropics like Brain Pill, Alpha Brain or Mind Lab Pro.

Nooceptin has been carefully designed to provide comprehensive, top-to-bottom brain optimization without causing side effects. Most importantly, Nooceptin’s ingredients were chosen to maximize long-term enhancements in memory, focus and brain health. By focusing heavily on neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, Nooceptin stimulates brain cell growth and maintenance. This means it keeps enhancing cognition long after you stop taking it.

The benefits of taking Nooceptin daily include:

Better focus and concentration
Faster information processing
Improved working memory
Enhanced long-term memory
Increased blood flow to the brain
Reduced stress & anxiety
Eliminates brain fog and mental fatigue

As you can see from the (clinically proven) benefits of Nooceptin’s formula, this is a full spectrum nootropic compound capable of delivering total brain optimization and long-term cognition support.

Click Our Uniqe Link To Get The Best Price For Nooceptin.

#2 Best Value Nootropic: NooCube

NooCube is one of our top rated nootropic stacks right now, and it is easily one of the best complete daily nootropics our review team have ever tried. This nootropic combines 13 powerful cognitive enhancers to deliver a single stack for total brain optimization. Made with 100% natural nootropics proven to work in robust clinical trials, NooCube provides support for every aspect of cognitive performance and brain health.

The ingredients in NooCube have been proven to:

Sharpen focus and concentration
Improve memory retention and recall
Boost motivation and mood
Protect brain cells from oxidative stress
Increase procesisng speeds and reduce reaction times
Promote brain cell repair and development

NooCube is a complete package nootropic. We think it is a great option for people who want a single nootropic stack to take care of every aspect of cognitive enhancement and brain health. But perhaps the best thing about NooCube is the price.

NooCube offers the best value for money of any nootropic supplement on the market today. Each bottle of NooCube costs just $29.99 when you opt for the multibox deal. Other nootropics with similar ingredients and dosages (e.g. Mind Lab Pro or Alpha Brain) will set you back up to $70 a month. While these stacks might offer more benefits, $30 per month for NooCube (when you buy 6) is difficult to say no to.

Learn more from NooCube.com.

#3 Best Nootropic For Focus: Vyvamind

Vyamind is a fantastic nootropic which has been purposefully designed to act as a legal, safe, natural, over the counter alternative to prescription ADHD medications and smart drugs like Vyvanse, Adderall and Ritalin.

Vyvamind combines sizeable doses of Citicoline, Tyrosine, Theanine and Caffeine to deliver a rapid and significant increase in focus, concentration and mental energy. Users typically feel mentally sharper, more motivated and generally more ‘locked in’ on tasks within an hour of taking Vyvamind. This feeling of being in a ‘flow state’ can last for up to 6-12 hours depending on the dosage taken.

While Vyvamind is specifically designed as focus and mental energy booster, it is also a highly effective all-round nootropic that would greatly benefit anybody looking to enhance cognitive function on a daily basis.

The benefits of taking Vyvamind include:

Rapid increase in mental energy
Sharper focus
Greater concentration and learning capacity
Faster processing speeds
Increased motivation and drive

While we think NooCube provides much more comprehensive cognition and brain health support than Vyvamind, this nootropic is much better placed to provide a fast-acting, palpable boost in focus, concentration, and mental energy than NooCube.

Learn more from Vyvamind.com.

#4 Best For Memory & Brain Health: Mind Lab Pro

Mind Lab Pro is undoubtedly one of the most effective nootropics on the market today, and it is certainly one of the most comprehensive nootropic stacks you can use. Mind Lab Pro combines a dozen clinically proven, highly effective natural cognitive enhancers to produce a stack which supports overall brain performance and long-term brain health.

The Mind Lab Pro formula is particularly focused on reducing stress and anxiety. Several of the ingredients in Mind Lab Pro are potent anxiolytics. When taken together, they will significantly reduce stress, anxiety and brain fog.

The benefits of taking Mind Lab Pro on a daily basis include:

Reduced stress and anxiety
Increased mental clarity
Reduced brain fog
Enhanced focus and learning
Better working memory function

However, there are a few reasons why Mind Lab Pro is not our top recommended nootropic. The main issue with Mind Lab Pro is the cost. A single bottle of Mind Lab Pro will set you back $69.00. That is very expensive compared to NooCube’s $29.99. When you consider that you aren’t getting any extra benefits from Mind Lab Pro that you don’t get from NooCube, this price difference really does become indefensible.

But despite its enormous price tag, Mind Lab Pro is one of the most complete and effective nootropics today.

Learn more from MindLabPro.com.

5. Citicoline

Citicoline, or CDP-Choline, is the best nootropic to use if you want to see a rapid increase in focus, information processing, and learning capacity. In our opinion, Citicoline should form the backbone of any full-spectrum brain supplement since few single compounds can deliver such comprehensive cognitive enhancement.

Citicoline is extremely efficient at delivering choline to the brain. Once there, it is used to make acetylcholine – the brain’s primary executive neurotransmitter – and phosphatidylcholine, which is used to make new brain structures. Supplementing with Citicoline has been shown in multiple clinical studies to improve focus, enhance working memory function, and increase processing speeds (source). Citicoline is also usually preferable to other cholinergics because it also delivers uridine; a precursor to RNA. Researchers believe that supplementing with uridine supports healthy brain cell maintenance, thereby helping with long-term mental function.

For maximum effect, we recommend using 200-250mg of Citicoline per day. Ideally, use a standardized, pure Citicoline like Cognizin. If using Cognizin, then 200mg is plenty.

Stack with: Tyrosine and Theanine.

Learn more: Citicoline guide.

6. Alpha-GPC

Like Citicoline, Alpha-GPC is a cholinergic. Alongside Citicoline it is one of the most powerful nootropics and by far and away one of the most effective supplements for raising acetylcholine levels in the brain. Supplementing with Alpha-GPC raises acetylcholine activity, which improves processing speeds, decision making, and working memory. It also improves mind-muscle connection and reaction times, making it a great nootropic for athletes and gamers.

A side benefit of Alpha-GPC is improved brain cell formation and maintenance. As well as choline, Alpha-GPC delivers a large amount of phospholipids ot the brain. These phospholipids can be used to create new brain cells and to repair existing brain cell membranes.

We advise people to take between 150mg and 300mg of Alpha-GPC per day for best results. However, some of the best nootropics contain lower doses of Alpha-GPC as they combine it with Huperzine A, which keeps acetylcholine levels high.

Stack with: Huperzine A and Tyrosine

7. Bacopa monnieri

Bacopa monnieri is the best memory enhancer in existence, and it is a vital part of any natural memory supplement or daily nootropic stack. Study after study confirms this; clinical trials show that Bacopa monnieri supplementation leads to significantly better performance in memory tests in almost everybody, but particularly in older people and those suffering with mild cognitive impairment and memory loss.

The active ingredients in Bacopa monnieri are called bacosides. The active nootropic bacosides in Bacopa work primarily by increasing neuron dendrite branching. This effectively means that your neurons gain more connecting points through which to communicate. More communication channels between neurons means better memory formation and recall.

The studies are quite clear on how Bacopa monnieri should be used. You need to take more than 150mg of Bacopa monnieri for at least 6 weeks to see any difference in cognitive performance. The effects of Bacopa monnieri really set in after about 12 weeks, but once they have set in, they tend to stick for a while (source).

You should try to use a Bacopa monnieri extract which contains a large percentage of Bacosides (the active compounds). Mind Lab Pro uses an extract that only contains the 9 bioactive bacosides, which is great.

Stack with: Citicoline and phosphatidylserine.

Learn more: Bacopa monnieri guide.

8. Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid found in high concentrations in the human brain. It is a primary constituent of brain cell membranes.

Phosphatidylserine is also needed for cell signalling. When a brain cell is ready to die and be replaced, phosphatidylserine moves to the outside of the cell membrane. This is the signal for immune cells to come in and destroy the cell.

Phospholipid levels decline as we get older. Supplementing with phosphatidylserine has been shown to promote good cognitive function, particularly those related to memory. Some studies have even found phosphatidylserine has short-term benefits.

Stack with: Bacopa monnieri and Citicoline.

9. DHA

DHA, or Docosahexaenoic Acid, is an omega-3 fatty acid. It is the principle structural component of the human brain. DHA is the fat that makes up the vast majority of your brain. It is used to construct the cerebral cortex, retina, and skin.

Obviously, supplementing with DHA is a good idea if you want to optimize the construction of new brain cells (especially in the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for “higher level” cognitive functions and language). Few people get enough of this stuff from their diets. It is found in algae, so most people get it through fish. The modern diet is pretty devoid of DHA though, so for most people, supplementation is necessary.

Stack with: Maritime Pine Bark, Citicoline and B12.

10. Rhodiola rosea

Rhodiola rosea has been used in traditional medicine for a very long time. It is a natural anxiolytic. In simple terms, that means it helps to reduce anxiety and alleviate stress.

Rhodiola rosea makes for a great nootropic because of its effect on cognition. Studies have found that rhodiola rosea promotes better cognitive function in people subjected to acute stress. So unlike some anxiolytics, rhodiola rosea does not merely calm you down. Instead, it keeps you calm while also keeping the brain sharp in stressful situations.

The main biologically active ingredients (or rather components) of Rhodiola rosea are called Rosavins and Salidroside. These are responsible for the nootropic effects of the plant extract. Studies show Salidroside in particular to have antistress, adaptogenic, and antidepressive activity through stimulation of neuropeptide-Y. This effectively lowers the HPA axis stress response, decreasing anxiety and clearing any associated brain fog.

About 100mg of Rhodiola rosea is all you need to see significant benefits. You can even cut that back to 50mg if you couple it with another anxiolytic.

Stack with: Tyrosine, Bacopa monnieri, and Magnesium.

11. Tyrosine

Tyrosine is another amazing nootropic. It is a particularly useful anxiolytic and cognitive enhancer for people who want to optimize brain performance in stressful situations.

Tyrosine is a basic building block of dopamine. The cognitive benefits of increasing dopamine include greater motivation levels, better short-term memory, and better mental performance when under stress.

Studies have shown that Tyrosine consumption improves cognitive performance in people subjected to extreme environmental stressors. These clinical trials have so far observed benefits form Tyrosine supplementation in people who are sleep deprived, subjected to extreme cold, placed in noisy environments, placed in a reduced-oxygen environment, and more (source). Furthermore, dopamine is one of the most common stress-depleted brain chemicals, so supplementing with Tyrosine is a good idea if you have a stressful job.

With Tyrosine, more is definitely better. We’ve seen people get great results from just 150mg, but we’d recommend pushing this up to 200-300mg if you can. To get the most out of Tyrosine, you need to combine it with Vitamin B6, as this nutrient is also needed to synthesize dopamine. It doesn’t matter if you use L-Tyrosine or N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine as there is little difference in bioavailability.

Stack with: Theanine, Caffeine and Citicoline.

12. Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is a staple of ayurverdic medicine. It has long been used as a general cure-all. While it is far from a panacea, Ashwagandha does have one extremely interesting benefit – it suppresses cortisol.

Clinical trials have found that ashwagandha supplementation quickly reduces serum cortisol levels in humans. Cortisol is the human stress hormone; it is released when we perceive an immediate threat. Unfortunately, some people have chronically high cortisol levels due to the stresses of modern life.

Supplementing with Ashwagandha can significantly reduce stress, lower blood pressure, promote a positive mood, and by extension, help you concentrate on your work. Large doses are necessary – aim for 300-500mg per day if you’re seriously stressed.

Stack with: Lion’s Mane Mushroom and Tyrosine.

13. Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba is quickly making a name for itself as the best natural nootropic supplement for older people.

Ginkgo biloba contains two compounds – terpenes and glycosides. The former reduces the viscosity of your blood (making it thinner and ‘runnier’), while the latter causes vasodilation (where your blood vessels expand).

The end result is greater blood flow in the brain, which means better oxygenated, better fed brain cells. This is why older people are using Ginkgo biloba; restricted blood flow is one of the leading causes of age-related cognitive decline and memory degradation. Using Gingko biloba on a daily basis might help slow down cognitive decline.

You don’t need to use much of this stuff. We think 50-90mg of Ginkgo biolab per day is plenty to see results.

Stack with: Citicoline, Phosphatidylserine and Bacopa monnieri.

14. Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Lion’s Mane Mushroom, or Hericium erinaceus, has been a part of Chinese cuisine and traditional Chinese medicine for a very long time. Like most traditional medicines, it has long been said to do all manner of things. Modern clinical trials have found that Lion’s Mane Mushroom does have one fascinating effect when consumed by humans – it triggers the release of Nerve Growth Factor in the brain (source).

Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is a neurotrophic factor. It governs the growth, proliferation, maturation, and repair of nerve cells in the brain. Higher levels of NGF means enhanced neuron growth, faster neurite outgrowth, and ultimately more raw brainpower. The researchers in the above cited study (Puei-Lene et. al., 2013) found that erinaceus intake (as a potent Lion’s Mane Mushroom extract) was able to increase neurite outgrowth by 60%!

Lion’s Mane Mushroom is the ultimate nootropic for achieving long-term, lasting cognitive enhancement in our opinion. Its benefits are wide ranging, and they exist long after you stop taking it. With this nootropic, anywhere from 300-1000mg per day will yield big results.

Stack with: Anything – Citicoline, Tyrosine and Maritime Pine Bark Extract work especially well with Lions Mane Mushroom.

15. Theanine

Theanine is without doubt one of the best nootropics for anxiety, sleep and mood support. It is also one of the most effective nootropic supplements for energy, motivation and focus. This is why we think L-Theanine should be in every good nootropic stack, especially if it contains any caffeine.

Theanine has a few different mechanisms of action that allow it to enhance brain function and mental performance. Theanine acts on GABA receptors in the brain, reducing nervous system activity, which in turn lowers anxiety levels. This means less brain fog, more mental clarity, and reduced mental fatigue. Theanine also counters the side effects of caffeine while boosting the stimulant’s positive benefits.

Theanine can be used every day to boost cognitive function as it has no known side effects. To promote overall cognitive function while suppressing caffeine side effects, we recommend taking around 150-300mg of Theanine per day. If you consume more caffeine, take more Theanine.

Stack with: Citicoline, Caffeine and Tyrosine

16. B12

B12 is probably the first supplement that many people take. Nothing gives you the kind of general pep boost that B12 can. It increases energy, reduces brain fog, improves mood, supports healthy skin, and more.

Many people overlook B12s nootropic properties. But this is a mistake; B12 is a good nootropic substance. Studies have shown that B12 deficiencies (although rare) lead to a steady decline in cognitive performance. Other clinical trials have demonstrated that B12 supplementation improves various aspects of mental function; specifically, those relating to brain cell energy metabolism.

You don’t need to go crazy here. It takes your body years to deplete your B12 stores. So as long as you consume some through your diet, you don’t need to take lots through supplements. We recommend shooting for about 500% of your RDI. More is great, but not necessary.

Stack: DHA, Caffeine and Maritime Pine Bark Extract.

17. Maritime Pine Bark Extract

Maritime Pine Bark is prized for its antioxidant content. This hardy tree bark is incredibly rich in a class of compounds called proanthocyanins. Maritime Pine Bark contains a complex of proanthocyanins which together protect the brain from oxidative stress and toxin damage. Over many years, this will significantly improve mental performance and help slow memory decline.

However, Maritime Pine Bark is not like any other antioxidant source. It is one of the best nootropics for a very good reason. The proanthocyanins in Maritime Pine Bark not only act as antioxidants; they also stimulate the release of nitric oxide, increasing blood flow. On top of that, Maritime Pine Bark contains flavonoids which stimulate brain cell repair.

If you’re looking for an antixodiant to add to your nootropic stack, then Maritime Pine Bark is the obvious choice. It is the only antioxidant with its own nootropic properties beyond preventing free radical damage.

Only the best nootropics contain this ingredient. You don’t need much; around 50-100mg per day is plenty.

Stack with: Citicoline and Tyrosine; an incredibly effective combination

18. Pterostilbene

Pterostilbene is another antioxidant. It isn’t quite the nootropic that Maritime Pine Bark is, but it is still an excellent choice for a nootropic stack.

Pterostilbene is structurally similar to resveratrol; the antioxidant found in large quantities in red wine. It acts in a very similar way to resveratrol in the body. The only difference between the two is that only about 20% of the resveratrol you consume ends up active in the blood. Pterostilbene, on the other hand, is far more bioavailable – about 80% ends up in the blood.

Pterostilbene can therefore be said to be a far better nootropic than resveratrol. Ideally, a stack would utilize a high-proanthocyanin Maritime Pine Bark Extract. But failing that, a nice big dose of pterostilbene is great.

Stack with: DHA and B12 – a great brain health combination.

19. Caffeine

Of course, no list of the most effective nootropics would be complete without caffeine.

Caffeine is a powerful stimulant. Just a hundred milligrams is enough to reduce the perception of fatigue, increase motivation, and increase energy levels. Caffeine also has nootropic properties – it improves the quality of focus and concentration at doses of 75mg and up.

We prefer to use caffeine-free nootropics. Most people consume a lot of caffeine throughout their day anyway, and coffee is delicious. Adding in even more through supplements is unnecessary and just raises the chances of side effects.

Stack with: Anything – caffeine works well with practically all nootropics. Theanine is great for mitigating side effects, while Tyrosine synergizes with caffeine to boost motivation

Benefits of Using The Top Nootropics

Why should you take nootropics? What does the best nootropic stack actually do for you?

The best nootropics can help you in lots of different ways. Different nootropics affect brain function in different ways. Some improve mental performance quickly by reducing mental fatigue, increasing mental energy and boosting motivation. Others enhance executive cognitive abilities by activating specific brain pathways and neurotransmitters, eliminating brain fog and boosting mental clarity.

Understanding what specific nootropics can do is crucial if you want ot get the most out of your brain supplements and nootropic stacks. Here is a quick overview of the main benefits of taking nootropics and smart drugs.

Focus, Learning & Studying

Increasing focus, learning and mental processing speed is arguably the single most important thing people look for in a nootropic. This makes sense; most people discover nootropics when they find that they need help dramatically increasing their productivity or overall mental acuity, either for work, college, or sports performance.

Thankfully, lots of natural nootropics can quickly increase focus and concentration, enhance your ability to process and learn information, all without causing side effects. To achieve this, you want to avoid substances which simply raise nervous system activity; in other words, don’t just take lots of stimulants! Instead, try to improve cognitive functions by increasing neurotransmitter availability. Citicoline, Alpha-GPC, Huperzine A, Theanine and Caffeine all have a part to play here!

Memory Function

So much of your mental performance depends on your memory. The ability to quickly encode memories and to retrieve those memories when you need them is vital to the learning process. On the other hand you have working memory; this is your ability to keep lots of different things in your head at one time, in the present moment, and act on them.

Several natural nootropics can boost memory recall and memory retention without causing any side effects whatsoever. Using clinically proven nootropics to enhance memory retention and recall, not to mention long-term storage, can go a long way to enhancing your overall cognitive abilities and productivity.

Brain Energy & Stamina

Being stressed or overworked can quickly sap your mental energy and leave you fatigued, demotivated and mentally sluggish. If you’re looking to quickly increase productivity and overall cognitive performance, then you will want a nootorpic that boosts brain energy.

It is very important that you do not rely on stimulants alone here. While caffeine is an exceptional nootropic, by itself it is not the answer to chronic mental fatigue. To properly support healthy brain energy levels, you should stack caffeine with other nootropics which fight fatigue in different ways; by lowering stress, improving sleep, boosting cell mitochondria, and so on.

Neuroplasticity & Brain Health

Healthy brain function relies on having healthy brain cells. And healthy brain cells come from providing your brain with all of the raw materials it needs to maintain, repair and create new brain cells. The best nootropics will provide a range of ingredients to promote brain cell development, repair and metabolism. This is the best way to optimize brain health over the long-term.

Some natural nootropics can significantly increase the rate of neuron growth and repair. They do this in a few different ways. The likes of Lion’s Mane Mushroom, by increasing brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or nerve growth factor (NGF). Some nootropics like Ginkgo biloba and Maritime Pine Bark work by increasing blood flow to the brain cells, which means more nutrient and oxygen delivery and overall healthier brain cells. Others, such as Bacopa monnieri, primarily work by increasing neuron dendrite branching. However you choose to promote neuroplasticity and brain cell development, a comprehensive nootropic stack is always going to give you the best results.

Stress, Anxiety & Mood

Stress and anxiety are absolutely lethal to proper brain function. Chronic stress not only drains your mental energy and motivation, it also causes brain fog, memory loss, and poor decision making. Learning information and processing information quickly is practically impossible when you are stressed; it can feel like nothing you read or hear sticks in your brain if you’re highly anxious. If stress and anxiety levels stay high, then your mental health can quickly deteriorate.This causes a negative feedback loop, where low mood leads to low productivity, which in turn causes low mood, and the cycle reinforces.

The best nootropics will always contain at least one ingredient proven to help control and suppress anxiety levels to ensure your cognitive performance isn’t compromised by stress. Ideally a top nootropic stack will combine 2 or more nootropics for anxiety and stress.

Learn more about the best nootropics and their uses:

How To Use The Best Nootropics

The most effective nootropic supplements on the market today all work best when they are taken every day for long periods of time (usually 8 weeks or more). This is because to really have a deep and lasting impact on brain function, you need to start changing the brain itself. it can take a while for nootropic ingredients to start making measurable changes to the brain, be it in neuron density, brain cell health, or neurotransmitter levels. While the best nootropics do provide some immediate benefits, the really outstanding cognitive enhancers will have a compounding effect where the main benefits are seen after 12 weeks of daily use.

For example, Nooceptin, our best rated nootropic stack right now, is formulated specifically to produce maximum benefits after long periods of daily use. The manufacturer of Nooceptin purposefully chose ingredients which have a compound effect, with benefits increasing over time. Because Nooceptin works in this way, it continues to provide cognitive function support for a while after you stop taking it. This is how truly effective, extremely powerful nootropics work, and it is exactly what we want to see from the best brain supplements out there.

So, for best results, we recommend taking nootropics every day for prolonged periods without a break. If you’re using a brain supplement with the right ingredients and a well balanced formula, this should pay enormous dividends over time.

It is generally advised to take nootropics first thing in the morning with a cup of coffee with or after breakfast. If you do intermittent fasting, you can normally still take great nootropics on an empty stomach. Combining them with black coffee and plenty of water should help give you a morning brain boost.

How To Choose The Right Nootropic For You

Before you choose a nootropic, it is important to think clearly about what your goals are and what you need from a cognitive enhancer.

If you want a nootropic to help you stay mentally sharp long-term, then something like Nooceptin or NooCube is a good idea. But if your main goal is focus, motivation and mental energy (to work or study more productively), then Vyvamind or Modafinil might be your best options.

Another thing to consider is ingredients. Are all of the ingredients in a nootropic really backed by clinical evidence? Have they all been proven to work by studies using human participants? How large were the improvements in cognitive performance in those studies? You need to avoid any nootropics that don’t exclusively contain scientifically-proven ingredients. Proprietary blends or mysterious, unresearched ingredients are to be avoided completely as these things usually mean a stack is dangerous or it doesn’t work at all. You must also consider whether you want ingredients that provide a short-term boost or those which provide slower but more meaningful benefits, as the two rarely overlap!

Synthetic Smart Drugs To Consider

Synthetic smart drugs are another option many people think of when it comes to nootropics. Let’s look at four of the most in-demand right now.

Modafinil

Modafinil, a prescription medication that can be used to treat narcolepsy, is available. It’s also a synthetic nootropic, which may be used to reduce fatigue and improve brain function. Experts believe Modafinil has a lower chance of dependence. However, if you stop taking it at high doses, withdrawal symptoms may occur.

Adderall

Adderall, another synthetic prescription drug that contains amphetamine salts, is often prescribed by doctors to those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (also known as ADHD). Adderall is a brain stimulant that helps you feel more awake and alert. There is a high chance of developing physical dependence from Adderall.

Noopept

Noopept is a great nootropic, providing a noticeable and immediate boost in cognitive energy. Noopept, a synthetic nootropic, supports healthy brain-derived neurotrophic factors. This compound is essential for brain cell development. It may also speed up recovery from brain injuries.

Piracetam

Piracetam, another synthetic nootropic, is very similar to Noopept’s structure. It’s a popular alternative. This smart drug helps people suffering from cognitive decline to improve their memory. It may not work as well or produce the same results for healthy people.

**Looking For Something That Really Works?**

See Our Current #1 Rated Cognitive Enhancer: Nooceptin

Nooceptin side effects

Nooceptin is our current top rated nootropic. We tried Nooceptin ourselves and found that it works exactly as advertised. Taken together, the ingredients rapidly increase focus, accelerate mental processing speeds, and enhance working memory.

Nooceptin is a truly comprehensive nootropic, providing both immediate and long-term benefits. It does not cause side effects and is considerably better value than other nootropic stacks on the market today.

Nooceptin has been found to effectively:

✔️ Boost Overall Cognitive Function
✔️ Improve Memory
✔️ Enable Better Communication
✔️ Enhance Concentration
✔️ Improve Multi-tasking
✔️ Boost Mental Energy

The really special thing about Nooceptin, however, is its long-term effects. When taken daily for prolonged periods, Nooceptin stimulates neuron growth and improves overall brain cell health. This means it enhances cognition in a deep, meaningful way that keeps giving you benefits after you stop using it.

Simply put, Nooceptin is the ideal brain supplement for people who need to mentally perform at 100% capacity for hours on end. At $69.99 per course, we think it's hard to find a more effective and cost-effective nootropic right now.

>>>LEARN MORE ABOUT NOOCEPTIN<<<

Nootropics FAQs

Are nootropics FDA-approved?

Nootropics are generally regarded as dietary supplements, so do not require FDA approval. Some nootropic pharmaceutical compounds, such as Modafinil or Adderall, are FDA approved medicines for the treatment of specific conditions. But nootropics which do not require a prescription but rather can legally be boughtover the counter do not require FDA approval and do not fall under FDA jurisdiction.

How much do nootropics cost?

A good nootropic will cost you around $50 to $70 per month. This is substantially cheaper than prescription ADHD medications or certain pharma-grade smart drugs. Of course, there are nootropics on the market for a lot cheaper than this. But as with everything, you get what you pay for. If you want a high quality brain supplement you need to pay a fair price for it, including for quality ingredients and all of the research and testing that went into its development.

Can brain pills help with ADHD?

yes, certain nootropics can help with ADHD. Clinical trials have found that compounds such as Citicoline, Tyrosine and even Caffeine can be effective at helping to control symptoms of ADHD when used correctly (and especially when used in combination).

Can nootropics really help with memory?

Brain supplements are a good way to improve your memory, inclduing your detail retention, recall speed, and working memory (also called your short-term or rapid access memory). So if you’re suffering with frequent or chronic forgetfulness, a good nootropic might help. Research has shown that nootropics increase blood flow to the brain, replenish essential nutrients (such as lipids needed for brain cell formation) and improve brain cell energy metabolism. Neuroplasticity can also be increased by nootropics, which increases neuron growth and therefore memory.

Brian Johnson, PhD

Brian Johnson is current Editor of Vagarights.com and a long-time writer for VAGA. A former psychologist, Brian is passionate about improving mental health and finding ways to stave off cognitive decline. He is an expert on nootropics, cognitive enhancement and biohacking more broadly. You can see his work on Google scholar.