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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.
IDRA-21
A potent benzothiadiazine-derived ampakine that positively modulates AMPA receptors, producing long-lasting cognitive enhancement effects lasting up to 48 hours from a single dose.
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.
Semax
A synthetic peptide derived from adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) developed in Russia as a prescription nootropic that potently increases BDNF levels, enhances focus and memory, and provides neuroprotection.
Tianeptine
An atypical antidepressant with a unique glutamatergic and mu-opioid receptor mechanism that promotes hippocampal neuroplasticity, enhances stress resilience, and improves cognitive function under depressive conditions - prescribed in over 60 countries as Stablon and Coaxil.
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.
Uridine
Uridine is a naturally occurring nucleoside and RNA building block that plays a key role in brain cell membrane synthesis, synaptic plasticity, and dopamine signalling. When stacked with omega-3 fatty acids and choline, it forms the "Mr. Happy Stack" - a popular combination for mood, memory, and brain regeneration.
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.
Kanna (Sceletium Tortuosum)
Kanna is a South African succulent plant traditionally used by the San and Khoikhoi peoples for its mood-elevating and anxiety-reducing effects. It contains mesembrine alkaloids that act as natural serotonin reuptake inhibitors and PDE4 inhibitors, offering rapid-onset mood support.
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.
St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is one of the most extensively researched herbal remedies for mild to moderate depression. It contains active compounds hypericin and hyperforin that modulate serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine to support mood balance and emotional wellbeing.
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.
Phenibut
Phenibut is a synthetic GABA derivative developed in Russia that crosses the blood-brain barrier. It activates GABA-B receptors to produce anxiolytic, sedative, and mood-enhancing effects. While effective for anxiety, it carries substantial risks of dependence and withdrawal with regular use.
Bifemelane
A multi-target nootropic marketed in Japan (as Celeport/Alnert) that enhances cholinergic and monoaminergic neurotransmission, prescribed for cerebrovascular dementia and cognitive impairment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Forskolin
Forskolin is the active compound in Coleus forskohlii, a tropical plant used in Ayurvedic medicine. It directly activates adenylate cyclase to raise cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels, a key signalling molecule involved in memory formation, learning, and neural communication.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fasoracetam
A newer-generation racetam that uniquely upregulates GABA-B receptors and enhances high-affinity choline uptake, researched for ADHD, anxiety, and cognitive support with a distinct mechanism from other racetams.
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.
Pramiracetam
Pramiracetam is a potent synthetic racetam nootropic developed from piracetam. It is estimated to be 5-30 times more potent than its parent compound and is particularly valued for enhancing memory formation, recall, and high-level cognitive processing with minimal effects on mood or anxiety.
PRL-8-53
A synthetic nootropic developed at Creighton University that showed dramatic improvements in word recall in a double-blind study - with subjects over 30 showing 80-100% improvement, though research remains extremely limited to a single 1978 trial.
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.
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.
Nefiracetam
Nefiracetam is a fat-soluble synthetic racetam developed in Japan that modulates multiple neurotransmitter systems including cholinergic, GABAergic, and glutamatergic pathways. It has been investigated for age-related cognitive decline and shows particular promise for long-term memory enhancement.
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.
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.
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.
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.