The 6 Most Effective Nootropics

Everybody likes lists. They're easy to digest and remember. And, when it comes to nootropics, everyone wants to know which one(s) work best. That's why we've put together this list of the 6 most effective nootropics.

All the nootropics on this list have plenty of science and anecdotal reports to support their safety and effectiveness. Scientific studies, case reports, and personal experience were all considered when putting the list together.

Of course, everyone is different. What may work wonders for one person might not work at all for someone else. But the nootropics on this list seem to work well for most people. The only way to know what will work for you is to try different things and decide for yourself.

As always, it's a good idea to consults a licensed healthcare provider before starting or stopping any supplement, drug, diet, exercise routine, or lifestyle change. Most doctors have a very poor understanding of nootropics so you may have to educate yours.

And if there's a nootropic that you feel should be on this list but isn't, please leave it in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

The 6 Most Effective Nootropics

6. Piracetam

It wouldn't be right to have a list of the most effective nootropics with including piracetam. This fascinating substance was first created in the 1960's by a Romanian chemist and psychologist named Corneliu E. Giurgea. He was the first person to use the term “nootropic.”

Dr. Giurgea created the term to describe piracetam's effects. He noticed that piracetam improved cognitive functioning without any side effects. The doctor came up with the term “nootropic” to describe any substance that improves cognition without causing any serious side effects.

That's exactly what piracetam does for many people: It improves memory and focus without causing any side effects. People have been using piracetam for its nootropic effects for over fifty years. It works for most people and has an excellent safety record.

You can learn more about piracetam here: Piracetam – The First Nootropic.

5. Adaptogens

Originally, only ashwagandha was going to be listed here. But after much consideration, it was decided that all adaptogenic nootropics should be included. A lot of people have found several adaptogens to be safe and effective nootropics.

Of course, ashwagandha is one such adaptogen. It's an amazing plant with tons of benefits. Ashwagandha can improve mood, decrease anxiety, increase motivation, and reduce fatigue. It can also help to regulate hormone levels and improve immune function, among other things.

You can learn more about ashwagandha here: The Many Benefits of Ashwagandha.

Other nootropic adaptogens include bacopa monnieri, kratom, rhodiola rosea, and mucuna pruriens. Each of them has a unique set of medicinal properties. Some, like mucuna, are highly effective at increasing motivation and improving mood. Others, like bacopa, are useful for decreasing anxiety and increasing focus.

You can learn more about nootropic adaptogens here: The Top 5 Natural Nootropics.

4. The Happy Stack

This isn't a single nootropic or a class of nootropics – it's a nootropic stack. The happy stack consists of three things: uridine monophosphate, CDP-choline, and fish oil. When taken together, these three things pack a powerful nootropic punch.

Uridine is a nucleotide that is naturally produced by the body and can be taken in supplement form as uridine monophosphate. For many, it can have a number of powerful nootropic benefits including improved mood and energy, decreased anxiety, and improved memory.

When taken with CDP-choline and fish oil, uridine works even better. These three things together have a synergistic effect. Many users report significant improvements in mood, memory, learning, focus, and anxiety. That's why these three nootropics together are known as the Happy Stack.

You can learn more about uridine, fish oil, and CDP-choline here: The Happy Stack.

3. Caffeine and L-Theanine

Caffeine is the most widely-used nootropic in the world. People all the across the globe start their day with a cup of coffee, tea, or an energy drink. It helps them wake up, stay focused, and feel good. When taken with l-theanine, caffeine works even better.

L-theanine is non-essential amino acid that is naturally found in green tea. It has a calming effect and synergizes well with caffeine. When taken together, the l-theanine cancels out the unwanted side effects of caffeine: restlessness, jitters, and the crash a few hours later.

Most users find that a 1:2 ratio of caffeine to l-theanine works best. For example, if you take 200 mg of caffeine (about as much in a tall, powerful cup of coffee), you'll want to take 400 mg of l-theanine. Users of this effective combo report increased focus and wakefulness, improved memory and mood, and a calm sense of well-being.

You can learn more about caffeine and l-theanine here: L-Theanine and Caffeine – The Perfect Combo.

2. Modafinil

If you asked a bunch of experienced nootropic users what the most effective smart drug is, you're probably going to hear modafinil more than anything else. That's because it's highly effective and has been used by thousands of people for its powerful nootropic effects.

Modafinil is used as a prescription drug in several countries to treat narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and other conditions. It's also incredibly popular in the nootropics community and will likely stay that way for years to come.

This potent nootropic is classified as a eugeroic (wakefulness-promoting agent). Users report increased wakefulness, focus, and motivation, and improved mood. And there is plenty of science to back up those claims. A PubMed search turns up more than 1,500 scientific papers written about modafinil.

You can learn more about modafinil here: Modafinil – A Powerful and Popular Nootropic.

1. Sleep, Exercise, and Proper Nutrition

It's true. The most effective way to consistently improve mood, memory, focus, and other aspects of cognition is to make sure you're taking care of these three basic things. They may be basic, but many people neglect them.

If you're not getting at least 7-8 hours of restful sleep every night, your brain probably isn't functioning optimally. Everyone is different and needs different amounts, but 7-8 hours a night is a good goal.

Exercise has been shown, time and time again, to improve cognitive functioning. It can increase focus and motivation, improve mood and memory, and reduce anxiety and stress. Try to get at least 30 minutes of intense physical activity every day.

And lastly, proper nutrition is necessary for optimal cognitive functioning. Make sure you're eating a variety of foods and getting plenty of fruits and vegetables. They're packed with the micronutrients your brain needs to function.

You can learn more about sleep, exercise, and nutrition here: How To REALLY Improve Cognitive Function.

Conclusion

And there you have it: The 6 most effective nootropics. They all have plenty of science and personal reports to support their safety and effectiveness.

As mentioned in the introduction, everyone is different. Some people might not respond to these nootropics but might respond to others. There are plenty of other effective nootropics but these are the ones that people generally find to be the most useful.

You may also want to check out the Best Nootropics For series. These include detailed posts about the best nootropics for anxiety, mood, focus, memory, motivation, studying, creativity, social anxiety, and energy.