Top 5 Nootropics Backed By Scientific Research

Since the first nootropic, piracetam, was created over 50 years ago, interest in smart drugs has been steadily increasing. Around the world, thousands of people use nootropics to improve cognitive functioning.

Many of the nootropics being used today are relatively new. Others have been around since the beginning of time but have very little research to support their safety and effectiveness.

But most people, especially those new to the wonderful world of cognitive enhancement, want something that has been well researched. For that reason, we're going to look at the top 5 nootropics backed by science.

All the nootropics on this list have been extensively studied. They have plenty of research to support both their safety and effectiveness.

The Top 5 Nootropics Backed By Science

1. Modafinil

At the top of our list of the top 5 nootropics backed by scientific research is modafinil. It has been studied extensively since the 1990's and found to be both safe and effective.

In some countries, modafinil is a prescription drug. It is used to treat a number of conditions, including daytime sleepiness, shift work, and narcolepsy. Modafinil can also be bought online from trusted sellers like Modafinil Star.

Nootropic users love modafinil for a few different reasons. Most importantly, it works. Users report a very-noticeable increase in wakefulness and alertness. Another reason why people love modafinil is because it is generally safe for most people to use. Very few modafinil users experience any side effects and, when they do, they are usually mild and go away after it's been stopped.

A PubMed search for “modafinil” turned up over 1,500 results. PubMed is a massive database of scientific papers. As you can see, modafinil has a ton of research to support its use as a nootropic.

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

2. Bacopa Monnieri

The second nootropic on our list is bacopa monnieri. This is a perennial herb that grows all over the world naturally. It has been used for centuries to improve mental functioning and to treat a number of medical conditions.

Nootropic users take bacopa to improve mood, reduce anxiety, and for general cognitive enhancement. It is considered an adaptogen and helps the body maintain healthy functioning. This herb has been extensively studied and shown to be safe and effective.

Searching Pubmed for “bacopa” turned up 427 results. That's a lot of research. The results of all the research done on bacopa has been overwhelmingly positive. It has been shown to have a number of nootropic properties and very few – if any – side effects.

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

3. Ashwagandha

The next nootropic on our list is ashwagandha. This is another plant that grows naturally in several parts of the world. Like bacopa, it has been used for centuries.

Ashwagandha has a number of both physical and cognitive benefits. It can significantly decrease anxiety, improve mood, and boost overall cognitive performance. And there is plenty of science to back up those claims.

A PubMed search for “ashwagandha” turned up just over 1,000 results. It has been studied extensively for its physical and cognitive properties. The results of these studies show that it can be safely used as a nootropic and especially as an anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing substance).

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

4. Piracetam

Piracetam was the first nootropic ever created. Corneliu Giurgea, the chemist who first synthesized piracetam, invented the term “nootropic” in the 1960's to describe its effects. Since then, it's been used all over the world for its cognition-enhancing properties.

Nootropic users love piracetam and have for years. It's often recommended as a first nootropic because of its long history of safe and effective use. In addition to thousands of case reports of people safely using piracetam, there is tons of science to support its use.

A PubMed search for “piracetam” turned up a whopping 3,551 results. This interesting substance has been studied all over the world. The general consensus is that piracetam is a safe and effective brain booster.

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

5. Caffeine

The last nootropic on our list is caffeine. It has been the subject of more scientific study than all the other nootropics on this list combined.

The benefits of caffeine are well known. It has been used all over the world for centuries to increase wakefulness, boost mood, and improve cognitive performance. In fact, caffeine is the most widely-used nootropic in the world and likely will be for the foreseeable future.

A PubMed search for “caffeine” turned up over 30,000 results. You read that right: thirty thousand! That's a lot of research. It has been consistently shown to improve wakefulness and boost cognitive performance.

Most people tolerate caffeine well. However, it can cause jitters, insomnia, and the dreaded crash hours after it's ingested. Taking l-theanine with caffeine can reduce and even eliminate these effects. L-theanine and caffeine is one of the most popular nootropic stacks in use today.

You can learn more about caffeine and l-theanine here: L-Theanine and Caffeine – A Winning Combination.

Conclusion

Most nootropic users, especially new users, want to know that what they're putting into their bodies is both safe and effective. The nootropics on this list have plenty of research to show that they are just that.

As interest in nootropics continues to grow in the general population and in the medical community, more and more research will be done. Researchers have only scratched the surface of what is possible in terms of cognitive enhancement.

The nootropics on this list all have tons of research to support their safety and effectiveness but they're not the only ones. To learn about other nootropics, get The Ultimate Nootropics Quick Reference Guide for free by signing up for the Nootropics Zone newsletter.