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Find the right nootropic for your needs
Selegiline
A selective MAO-B inhibitor (Deprenyl/Emsam) used for Parkinson's disease and depression that doubles as a neuroprotective nootropic - boosting dopamine, phenylethylamine, and neurotrophic factors whilst increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and potentially extending lifespan.
Phenylpiracetam
Phenylpiracetam is a potent racetam nootropic with an added phenyl group that dramatically increases bioavailability and stimulant properties. It enhances physical and mental performance, focus, memory, and cold tolerance - notably banned by WADA as a performance enhancer.
Bromantane
An atypical psychostimulant with combined anxiolytic and stimulant properties - upregulates tyrosine hydroxylase to boost endogenous dopamine synthesis without the tolerance or withdrawal typical of traditional stimulants.
Modafinil
Modafinil is a prescription wakefulness-promoting agent widely used off-label as a cognitive enhancer. It improves alertness, focus, executive function, and mental stamina - particularly during sleep deprivation - without the jitteriness of traditional stimulants.
Mucuna Pruriens
Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean) is a tropical legume containing L-DOPA, the direct precursor to dopamine. It is used to enhance mood, motivation, libido, and stress resilience - with traditional use in Ayurvedic medicine spanning thousands of years.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an ancient Ayurvedic adaptogenic herb renowned for its stress-reducing and neuroprotective properties. Widely used as a nootropic supplement, it helps enhance cognitive function, reduce anxiety, and improve overall mental resilience.
Sulbutiamine
Sulbutiamine is a synthetic derivative of vitamin B1 (thiamine) that crosses the blood-brain barrier far more effectively than thiamine itself. It is used to combat mental fatigue, enhance motivation, improve memory, and support dopaminergic function.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin B12 is an essential water-soluble vitamin that plays a critical role in nerve function, myelin synthesis, and brain energy metabolism. Deficiency is common - especially in vegetarians, vegans, and the elderly - and can cause cognitive impairment, fatigue, and neurological damage.
Fipexide
A dopaminergic nootropic formerly marketed in Europe (as Vigilor) that enhances dopamine D1 receptor signalling and was used for age-related cognitive decline and attention deficits.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
ALCAR is the acetylated form of L-Carnitine that crosses the blood-brain barrier efficiently. It supports brain energy metabolism, acetylcholine production, and neuroprotection - valued for improving mental clarity, mood, and age-related cognitive decline.
Phenylpiracetam Hydrazide
Also known as Fonturacetam, a derivative of phenylpiracetam where the amide group is replaced with a hydrazide - offering similar dopaminergic and glutamatergic cognitive enhancement with a potentially distinct receptor affinity profile, developed as phenylpiracetam became harder to source.
Vinpocetine
Vinpocetine is a semi-synthetic compound derived from the periwinkle plant (Vinca minor) that is one of the most effective natural cerebral vasodilators. It enhances brain blood flow, improves oxygen utilisation, and supports memory and cognitive function - widely prescribed in Europe for cerebrovascular disorders.
NADH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)
NADH is the reduced, active form of vitamin B3 (niacin) and a critical coenzyme in cellular energy production. It is essential for ATP synthesis in mitochondria and supports dopamine production, making it valuable for combating mental fatigue, enhancing alertness, and supporting motivation.
Unifiram
An AMPAkine nootropic structurally related to sunifiram but reportedly 1,000 times more potent than piracetam at enhancing long-term potentiation - acting as a positive allosteric modulator of AMPA receptors and activator of mGlu5 receptors with robust anti-amnesic effects in animal studies.
Caffeine
The world's most widely consumed psychoactive substance, caffeine enhances alertness, attention, and cognitive performance through adenosine receptor antagonism. Well-studied with robust evidence for focus, reaction time, and mental energy at low to moderate doses.
Flmodafinil
Also known as CRL-40,940 or bisfluoromodafinil, a bisfluoro analogue of modafinil with fluorine atoms at para positions - offering potentially higher bioavailability and longer duration through dopamine reuptake inhibition, histamine modulation, and orexin system activation at lower doses than its parent compound.
Citicoline (CDP-Choline)
Citicoline (CDP-Choline) is a naturally occurring brain compound that enhances acetylcholine and phospholipid synthesis, supporting focus, memory, and overall cognitive function. It is one of the most well-researched and effective choline sources for brain health.
SAMe (S-Adenosyl Methionine)
SAMe is a naturally occurring compound found in every cell of the body that serves as the primary methyl donor in the brain. It is essential for neurotransmitter synthesis, myelin formation, and brain cell membrane integrity - with strong clinical evidence supporting its use for depression, cognitive function, and joint health.
Nicotine
Nicotine is a potent alkaloid that acts on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain, enhancing attention, working memory, and processing speed. While strongly associated with tobacco and addiction, isolated nicotine at low doses has demonstrated genuine cognitive-enhancing properties in research settings.
Bifemelane
A multi-target nootropic marketed in Japan (as Celeport/Alnert) that enhances cholinergic and monoaminergic neurotransmission, prescribed for cerebrovascular dementia and cognitive impairment.
Centrophenoxine
Centrophenoxine (Meclofenoxate) is a synthetic nootropic combining DMAE with an auxin plant hormone. It is a potent cholinergic compound that clears lipofuscin (age pigment) from brain cells, boosts acetylcholine, and supports brain energy - making it one of the best-studied anti-ageing nootropics.
Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol)
Pine Bark Extract, most commonly sold as Pycnogenol, is a potent antioxidant complex derived from French maritime pine. It enhances cerebral blood flow via nitric oxide production, protects brain cells from oxidative damage, and has shown benefits for attention, memory, and cognitive function in clinical trials.
Oxiracetam
Oxiracetam is a synthetic racetam nootropic known for its mildly stimulating cognitive effects. It is one of the more potent members of the racetam family, particularly valued for enhancing memory formation, logical thinking, and verbal fluency without the jitteriness associated with traditional stimulants.
Sunifiram
An AMPAkine compound structurally related to piracetam but estimated to be over 1,000 times more potent - enhances long-term potentiation, AMPA receptor signalling, and memory formation at microgram doses.
Epicatechin
A cocoa-derived flavanol that crosses the blood-brain barrier to enhance cerebral blood flow, promote neuroplasticity via BDNF, and support memory - also improves nitric oxide production and muscle performance.
Paraxanthine
The primary active metabolite of caffeine with a cleaner stimulant profile - enhances alertness, focus, and reaction time without the jitteriness, anxiety, or sleep disruption commonly associated with caffeine itself.
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
The most abundant neurosteroid in the human brain - a precursor to testosterone and oestrogen that declines sharply with age, supporting mood, memory, neuroprotection, and cognitive vitality when supplemented.
Adrafinil
A prodrug of modafinil that converts to its active form in the liver - provides similar wakefulness-promoting and cognitive-enhancing effects without requiring a prescription in most countries.
Shilajit
Shilajit is a mineral-rich resin formed over centuries in Himalayan rock that enhances mitochondrial energy, supports cognitive function, and boosts testosterone levels through its primary bioactive component, fulvic acid.
Magnesium Glycinate
Magnesium glycinate is a highly bioavailable, chelated form of magnesium bound to the amino acid glycine, renowned for its superior absorption and gentle effect on the digestive system. It is widely used to support sleep quality, reduce stress and anxiety, and enhance cognitive function.
Tongkat Ali
Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) is a traditional Southeast Asian herb known for supporting healthy testosterone levels, reducing stress hormones, and enhancing energy and libido. Research shows it can significantly improve the cortisol-to-testosterone ratio.
Holy Basil (Tulsi)
A sacred adaptogenic herb in Ayurvedic medicine with clinical evidence for reducing cortisol, combating stress-related brain fog, and improving cognitive function, mood, and immune resilience.
Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng)
A powerful adaptogenic root used for millennia in Traditional Chinese Medicine to enhance mental stamina, physical endurance, and stress resilience - distinct from true ginseng (Panax) but with complementary adaptogenic properties.
Amantadine
An NMDA receptor antagonist and weak dopamine agonist originally developed as an antiviral, now used for Parkinson's disease and off-label for cognitive fatigue and TBI recovery.
L-Theanine
An amino acid found naturally in tea leaves, L-Theanine promotes relaxation without drowsiness. It is widely used for reducing anxiety, improving focus, and enhancing sleep quality - often stacked with caffeine for calm, sustained attention.
L-Phenylalanine
L-Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid and the starting precursor in the synthesis chain that produces tyrosine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. It supports mental alertness, focus, mood, motivation, and stress resilience by fuelling the catecholamine neurotransmitter pathway.
Pterostilbene
Pterostilbene is a naturally occurring polyphenol closely related to resveratrol but with significantly better bioavailability. Found primarily in blueberries, it is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that supports brain health, memory, and cognitive longevity through multiple neuroprotective mechanisms.
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
A fast-acting trace amine neuromodulator that rapidly boosts dopamine and norepinephrine - produces an intense but short-lived burst of mood elevation, focus, and motivation often described as the "runner's high" molecule.
Idebenone
A synthetic analogue of CoQ10 engineered to cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively - provides superior mitochondrial support and neuroprotection compared to its parent compound.
Cacao (Raw Cacao)
A whole-food nootropic rich in theobromine, flavanols, phenylethylamine, and anandamide - raw cacao enhances cerebral blood flow, mood, focus, and cardiovascular health through multiple synergistic mechanisms.
Maca Root
Maca Root (Lepidium meyenii) is a Peruvian adaptogenic plant traditionally used to enhance energy, stamina, and libido. Modern research supports its benefits for hormonal balance, cognitive function, and sexual health in both men and women.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an essential water-soluble vitamin and powerful antioxidant that supports cognitive function, neurotransmitter synthesis, and stress response. It plays a vital role in brain health through neuroprotection, dopamine production, and reduction of oxidative stress.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps is a medicinal mushroom renowned for boosting physical energy, endurance, and oxygen utilisation, while also providing neuroprotective benefits and supporting cognitive function through enhanced cerebral blood flow and antioxidant activity.
Catuaba
Catuaba is a traditional Brazilian bark herb with emerging neuroprotective and mood-enhancing properties. Early research suggests it protects neurons from oxidative damage, supports dopaminergic function, and may help with memory, alertness, and libido.
Choline
Choline is an essential nutrient similar to B vitamins that serves as the precursor to acetylcholine - the brain's primary neurotransmitter for memory, learning, and muscle control. It also maintains brain cell membrane integrity and supports healthy cognitive function throughout life.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin B6 is an essential vitamin involved in over 150 enzymatic reactions, including the synthesis of every major neurotransmitter - serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and norepinephrine. It supports mood balance, cognitive development, and healthy brain ageing.
MCT Oil
MCT (Medium-Chain Triglyceride) oil is a concentrated fat supplement derived from coconut or palm kernel oil. MCTs are rapidly converted to ketones in the liver, providing an alternative energy source for the brain that can enhance mental clarity, focus, and sustained cognitive performance - particularly during fasting or low-carb diets.
Yerba Mate
Yerba mate is a traditional South American beverage made from the leaves of Ilex paraguariensis. It contains a unique combination of caffeine, theobromine, and polyphenols that provides smooth, sustained mental energy and focus without the jitteriness or crash commonly associated with coffee.
Schizandrol-A (Schisandra Berry)
Schizandrol-A is the primary active lignan compound found in Schisandra chinensis (five-flavour berry), a traditional Chinese adaptogen herb. It has demonstrated anti-stress, neuroprotective, and cognitive-enhancing properties in research, supporting mental performance under stress while protecting the brain from oxidative damage.
Methylene Blue
A synthetic compound originally developed as a dye that at low doses acts as a mitochondrial electron carrier, enhancing neuronal energy production and showing promise for memory, neuroprotection, and neurodegenerative diseases.
NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)
A direct precursor to NAD+ that supports cellular energy production, DNA repair, and mitochondrial function in the brain - a cornerstone of the longevity science movement with emerging evidence for cognitive benefits.
Hydergine (Ergoloid Mesylates)
One of the oldest and most studied nootropic drugs - a mixture of ergot alkaloids developed in the 1940s that enhances cerebral blood flow, neuronal metabolism, and has been prescribed for cognitive decline for decades.
Reishi Mushroom
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is a revered adaptogenic fungus that promotes calm, supports sleep quality, modulates the immune system, and reduces stress, making it a valued nootropic for relaxation and long-term brain health.
PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone)
PQQ is a powerful redox cofactor that uniquely stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis (the creation of new mitochondria), supports brain energy metabolism, and provides potent antioxidant neuroprotection for enhanced cognitive function and longevity.
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea is a potent adaptogenic herb used for centuries in Scandinavian and Russian medicine to combat fatigue, enhance mental performance, and improve stress resilience. EMA-approved for temporary relief of stress symptoms.
Black Seed Oil (Nigella Sativa)
Black Seed Oil, derived from Nigella sativa, is a traditional remedy containing the potent bioactive compound thymoquinone, which supports cognitive function, reduces inflammation, enhances mood, and provides broad-spectrum antioxidant protection for brain health.
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a unique fat- and water-soluble antioxidant that crosses the blood-brain barrier to protect neurons from oxidative damage. It supports brain energy metabolism, regenerates other antioxidants, and shows promise for age-related cognitive decline and neuropathy.
Huperzine-A
Huperzine-A is a potent alkaloid derived from Chinese club moss (Huperzia serrata). It powerfully inhibits acetylcholinesterase, boosting acetylcholine levels in the brain to enhance memory, learning, and neuroprotection - particularly studied for age-related cognitive decline.
Pyritinol
A semi-synthetic vitamin B6 derivative (Encephabol) consisting of two pyridoxine molecules bonded by a disulphide bridge - enhancing cholinergic neurotransmission, increasing cerebral glucose uptake, and improving blood flow to the brain, with clinical use for cognitive decline and learning difficulties across many countries.
Pirisudanol
A pyridoxine-pyroglutamate ester nootropic formerly marketed in Europe that enhances cholinergic and GABAergic neurotransmission for age-related cognitive decline.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a polyphenol antioxidant found in red grapes, berries, and peanuts. It activates sirtuin longevity genes, improves cerebral blood flow, and protects the brain from oxidative stress and inflammation - making it one of the most studied compounds for healthy brain ageing.
Phosphatidylcholine
Phosphatidylcholine is the most abundant phospholipid in human cell membranes and a major dietary source of choline. It is essential for maintaining brain cell membrane integrity, producing acetylcholine, and supporting liver function, memory, and overall cognitive health.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B3 (niacin) is an essential vitamin and the precursor to NAD+ and NADH, two coenzymes central to cellular energy production, DNA repair, and brain function. It supports cognitive health through energy metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and neuroprotective sirtuin activation.
Vitamin B9 (Folate)
Folate (vitamin B9) is an essential B vitamin critical for DNA synthesis, methylation reactions, and neurotransmitter production. It plays a key role in regulating homocysteine levels, supporting cerebrovascular health, and maintaining the biochemical processes needed for healthy mood, memory, and cognitive function.
Vinconate
A vinca alkaloid derivative related to vinpocetine that enhances cerebral blood flow through phosphodiesterase inhibition and calcium channel blocking, marketed in Japan for cerebrovascular disorders.
L-Tyrosine
L-Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid and the direct precursor to dopamine, norepinephrine, and adrenaline. Most effective at preserving cognitive function under acute stress, sleep deprivation, and demanding conditions where catecholamine stores become depleted.
Panax Ginseng
Panax Ginseng (Korean/Asian Ginseng) is one of the most extensively researched adaptogenic herbs. Its active compounds, ginsenosides, support cognitive function, reduce fatigue, modulate the stress response, and may enhance sexual health.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential trace mineral critical for neurotransmitter function, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive development. It acts as a neuromodulator in the brain, supporting memory, mood regulation, and immune defence.
DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol)
DMAE is a naturally occurring compound and precursor to acetylcholine that supports mental clarity, focus, and skin health. It is valued for its mild stimulant properties and potential to improve attention and reduce age-related cognitive decline.
Picamilon
Picamilon is a synthetic compound that combines GABA with niacin (vitamin B3) in a single molecule. The niacin component allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier, where it is cleaved to release GABA and niacin, providing both anxiolytic effects and improved cerebral blood flow.
BPC-157
A synthetic peptide derived from a naturally occurring gastric protein - researched for remarkable tissue repair, neuroprotection, and gut-brain axis modulation, increasingly used in the biohacking community for cognitive recovery.
Iodine
An essential trace mineral critical for thyroid hormone synthesis and brain development - iodine deficiency remains the leading preventable cause of intellectual disability worldwide, and supplementation supports cognitive function, energy, and metabolic health.
Creatine
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound that serves as a rapid energy buffer in the brain via the phosphocreatine/ATP system. Increasingly recognised as a nootropic, it supports memory, processing speed, and mental resilience under stress - with particular benefits for vegetarians and during sleep deprivation.
CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10)
CoQ10 is a naturally occurring antioxidant and essential cofactor in mitochondrial energy production that supports brain health by powering neuronal ATP synthesis, reducing oxidative stress, and protecting against age-related cognitive decline.
Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a potent carotenoid antioxidant derived from microalgae that is 6,000 times stronger than vitamin C. It crosses the blood-brain barrier to protect neurons from oxidative damage, supports brain circulation, and shows promise for age-related cognitive preservation.
Kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa)
Kratom is a tropical tree from Southeast Asia whose leaves contain alkaloids that interact with opioid receptors. At low doses it acts as a stimulant, while at higher doses it produces sedative and analgesic effects. Its legal status is contested in many countries, and it carries significant risks of dependence and withdrawal.
Nicotinamide Riboside (NR)
A form of vitamin B3 that efficiently raises NAD+ levels to support neuronal energy production, DNA repair, and neuroprotection - the first NAD+ precursor to gain widespread clinical validation.
L-Carnosine
A naturally occurring dipeptide with potent anti-glycation, antioxidant, and metal-chelating properties - protects neuronal proteins from age-related damage and supports cognitive function during ageing.
Quercetin
A powerful bioflavonoid with strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and senolytic properties in the brain - protects against neurodegeneration, reduces neuroinflammation, and supports cerebral blood flow.
Cinnamon Extract
A polyphenol-rich spice extract containing cinnamaldehyde and procyanidins with neuroprotective properties - research shows improved hippocampal function, enhanced brain insulin sensitivity, and reduced neuroinflammation, with Ceylon cinnamon preferred for its lower coumarin content.
Berberine
Berberine is a bioactive alkaloid found in several plants including goldenseal and barberry, known for its potent metabolic benefits (particularly blood sugar regulation) and emerging neuroprotective properties through AMPK activation and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
Vitamin D
A fat-soluble vitamin essential for calcium absorption and bone health, increasingly recognised for its neuroprotective properties and role in cognitive function. Often called the "sunshine vitamin," it acts more like a hormone in the body, with receptors found throughout the brain.
Guarana
Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a South American berry containing one of the highest natural concentrations of caffeine. It provides sustained mental energy, improved alertness, and enhanced physical endurance with a smoother, longer-lasting effect than coffee.
Valerian
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is one of the most well-established herbal sedatives, used since ancient Greek and Roman times for insomnia and nervous restlessness. It increases GABA availability in the brain to promote deep, restorative sleep and reduce anxiety.
Theobromine
Theobromine is a mild stimulant found abundantly in cocoa and dark chocolate. Structurally similar to caffeine but with a gentler, longer-lasting effect, it enhances blood flow to the brain, promotes alertness without jitteriness, and may support mood through endorphin and serotonin pathways.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is an essential B vitamin that plays a critical role in brain energy metabolism by converting glucose into ATP. Low thiamine levels are closely linked to cognitive impairment, poor concentration, and neurological damage, making adequate intake vital for healthy brain function.
Agmatine Sulfate
A naturally occurring neuromodulator derived from the amino acid arginine that modulates NMDA receptors, nitric oxide, and multiple neurotransmitter systems for mood enhancement, pain relief, and neuroprotection.
Spermidine
A naturally occurring polyamine that induces autophagy - the body's cellular cleanup process - associated with improved memory, neuroprotection, and longevity in both animal and human observational studies.
Glutathione
The body's most abundant endogenous antioxidant and master detoxifier - protects neurons from oxidative damage, supports mitochondrial function, and is depleted by ageing, stress, and environmental toxins.
Alpha-GPC
Alpha-GPC is a highly bioavailable choline compound that crosses the blood-brain barrier, supporting acetylcholine synthesis for cognitive function, memory, and physical performance. Clinical evidence supports benefits in age-related cognitive decline.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba is an ancient herbal extract derived from the leaves of the oldest living tree species. Widely used to support cerebral blood flow, memory, and cognitive function - particularly in older adults experiencing age-related cognitive decline.
Lecithin
Lecithin is a phospholipid complex found abundantly in egg yolks and soybeans. It is a rich source of choline and phosphatidylcholine, both essential for acetylcholine synthesis, brain cell membrane integrity, and healthy cognitive function throughout life.
Sulforaphane
A broccoli-derived compound that activates the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway - the body's master regulator of cellular defence - reducing neuroinflammation, supporting detoxification, and protecting against neurodegenerative disease.
Fenugreek
A traditional herb increasingly used to support healthy testosterone levels, sexual function, and blood sugar control. Fenugreek seeds contain unique compounds that may enhance libido, improve insulin sensitivity, and provide cognitive benefits through dopaminergic mechanisms.
Chaga Mushroom (Inonotus obliquus)
A parasitic fungus with one of the highest antioxidant capacities of any natural substance, traditionally used in Siberian and Nordic folk medicine for immune support and increasingly recognised for neuroprotective potential.
L-Glutamine
L-Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body and a precursor to both glutamate (the primary excitatory neurotransmitter) and GABA (the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter). It supports cognitive function, gut-brain axis health, and mental clarity during periods of stress or intense physical activity.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is an essential vitamin required for the synthesis of coenzyme A (CoA), a molecule involved in over 100 metabolic pathways including brain energy production, acetylcholine synthesis, and the production of steroid hormones that influence cognitive function.
Taurine
Taurine is a sulphur-containing amino acid that acts as a neuromodulator in the brain, supporting cognitive function, neuroprotection, and cardiovascular health. It has gained attention for its calming effects and potential role in healthy ageing.
Turkey Tail Mushroom (Trametes versicolor)
One of the most researched medicinal mushrooms, turkey tail contains polysaccharide-K (PSK) and polysaccharopeptide (PSP) - potent immunomodulators that influence neuroinflammation and support cognitive health through the immune-brain axis.
Piperine (BioPerine)
The primary bioactive alkaloid in black pepper - dramatically enhances the bioavailability of other nootropics and supplements while also providing its own serotonergic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects.