When you hear the word Amazon, do you think of massive rainforests and mythical female warriors? Or do you think of the largest online retailer in the world? If you're like most people, it's the latter.

Unless you've been living in a cave for the past ten years (or deep in the Amazon rainforest), you've heard of Amazon.com. You may even use it regularly to buy everything from AAA batteries to Zippo lighters. But did you know that Amazon sells a variety of different nootropics?

It's true: Amazon carries several smart drugs. While their selection is limited, they do have a few nootropics. Amazon doesn't sell any of the racetams, like piracetam or aniracetam for example. And they don't offer some of the most potent nootropics like adrafinil, modafinil, or armodafinil.

What they do have is several adaptogens, cholinergics, and a few others. In this post, we're gonna take a look at the nootropics you can buy from Amazon.

Ordering nootropics from Amazon is a breeze. Not that it's difficult to order from some of the specialty vendors we recommend. But if you're someone who frequently uses Amazon (like me), ordering nootropics is as easy as adding them to your cart. Now let's get to the list of nine nootropics you can find on Amazon.

9 Nootropics You Can Buy From Amazon

1. Alpha-GPC

Alpha-GPC is a natural choline compound that is found in the brain. It's also a precursor to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter known to play a role in memory and learning. Alpha-GPC is often taken by itself or as part of a larger nootropic stack.

Potential benefits of alpha-GPC:

• Improved memory
• Improved learning
• Improved physical performance
• Overall cognitive enhancement

You can learn more about Alpha-GPC here: Alpha-GPC – A Choline-Boosting Nootropic.

You can find Alpha-GPC on Amazon here.

2. Ashwagandha

This is an adaptogenic plant with a variety of potential nootropic benefits. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a number of different ailments. Ashwagandha also has several potential nootropic benefits.

Potential benefits of ashwagandha:

• Decreased anxiety
• Decreased stress
• Improved mood
• Increased motivation
• Improved social functioning
• Reduced social anxiety
• Reduced fatigue

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

You can find ashwagandha on Amazon here.

3. L-Theanine and Caffeine

This is one of the most popular beginner nootropic stacks. Caffeine is used daily by millions of people for its nootropic benefits. Unfortunately caffeine can cause jitters, anxiety, and a nasty crash hours later. Taking L-theanine with caffeine significantly reduces these side effects, leaving you feeling awake, focused, yet relaxed at the same time.

Potential benefits of l-theanine and caffeine:

• Promotes a calm, focused mindset
• Increased focus
• Decreased anxiety
• Improved mood
• Improved learning
• Increased wakefulness with no jitters

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

You can find Caffeine and L-Theanine on Amazon here.

4. Rhodiola Rosea

Like ashwagandha, rhodiola is an adaptogenic plant with a number of potential nootropic benefits. And also like ashwagandha, this amazing plant has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

Potential benefits of rhodiola:

• Improved mood
• Decreased anxiety
• Improved physical performance
• Reduced fatigue/Increased energy
• Improved sleep
• Improved overall cognitive performance

You can learn more about rhodiola here: The Benefits Of Rhodiola Rosea.

You can find rhodiola on Amazon here.

5. L-Theanine

L-Theanine is often taken with caffeine, as the two substances tend to go very nicely together. But a lot of people also like to take L-theanine by itself. L-theanine is a nonessential amino acid that is found naturally in green tea. It is popular in the nootropics world for its ability to decrease anxiety and make you feel relaxed without feeling sedated.

Potential benefits of L-theanine:

• Reduced anxiety
• Improved mood
• Better sleep
• Relaxing but not sedating
• Stacks well with many other nootropics

You can learn more about sulbutiamine here: L-Theanine – A Calming Nootropic.

You can find L-theanine on Amazon here.

6. CDP-Choline (Citicoline)

CDP-choline (also known as citicoline) is a cholinergic like alpha-GPC. While it increases acetylcholine levels like other cholinergics, CDP-choline also has a number of other potential nootropic benefits.

Potential benefits of CDP-choline:

• Improved memory
• Improved learning
• Increased attention
• Decreased appetite
• Increased motivation
• Increased acetylcholine
• Increased dopamine

You can learn more about CDP-choline here: CDP-Choline For Memory And Motivation.

You can find CDP-Choline on Amazon here.

7. 5-HTP

While not usually thought of as a nootropic, this supplement can improve sleep and mood. As I'm sure you're aware, if you're well rested and in a good mood, you'll think clearer and have more focus. That's why 5-HTP is being included in this list.

Potential benefits of 5-HTP:

• Improved mood
• Better appetite control
• Reduced anxiety
• Reduced stress
• More restful sleep
• Increased feelings of well-being

You can learn more about 5-HTP here: 5-HTP For Mood.

You can find 5-HTP on Amazon here.

8. Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is a plant that has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. It is purported to have a number of cognition-boosting properties.

Potential benefits of ginkgo:

• Improved memory
• Reduced stress
• Reduced anxiety
• Slowed cognitive decline

You can learn more about ginkgo biloba here: Ginkgo Biloba For Memory And Cognition.

You can find ginkgo on Amazon here.

9. Bacopa Monnieri

Bacopa is yet another adaptogenic plant that's been used for centuries. It has been extensively studied and is known to promote communication between neurons, especially those involving serotonin and dopamine. Bacopa users often report that it makes them feel less anxious, leading to an increase in productivity.

Potential benefits of bacopa:

• Reduced anxiety
• Improved memory
• Increased focus
• Promotes healthy neurotransmitter levels
• Overall cognitive enhancement

You can learn more about bacopa here: Bacopa For Memory And Anxiety.

You can find bacopa on Amazon here.

Conclusion

These 9 nootropics have all been the subject of extensive scientific research and have been generally shown to be very safe. Amazon is fairly strict on what substances are allowed to be sold on the platform. That's why you'll only find nootropics like the ones mentioned above and not some of the more-experimental, less-researched nootropics out there. And Amazon is constantly changing. Some of the nootropics they offered a few years ago are no longer available (like sulbutiamine, for example). Other nootropics that weren't there in the past now are (like 5-HTP).

Amazon's selection of nootropics may be a bit limited compared to some of the nootropic-specific companies we talk about on this website. But if you're brand new to the wonderful world of nootropics, Amazon can be a great place to start. If you're looking for other nootropics that you can't get on Amazon, you should check out Where To Buy Nootropics. And if you haven't already, make sure to sign up for the Nootropics Zone newsletter below.

[This article was originally published on July 14, 2017. Updated February 17, 2023.]