Have you ever met one of those people who ace every exam put in front of them without ever having to crack open a book? I know I have and it drives me crazy!

If you're like me – and most people are – then you're not one of those lucky few. You need to study before taking a test.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with that. Most of us have to study at least a little bit to retain information. But there's good news for people like us. There are brain-boosting supplements that can help make studying easier.

I'm talking about nootropics. Sometimes called smart drugs, study aides, cognitive enhancers, or other names, nootropics can help you retain information better by boosting the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain and by improving the way our nervous systems communicate.

Here we are going to look at the best nootropics for studying. These were picked because they are the safest and most effective nootropics that can improve memory, focus, and motivation – 3 things that are absolutely essential for effective studying.

The Best Nootropics For Studying

Modafinil

This is a potent nootropic that can certainly help you study. Modafinil is a powerful cognitive enhancer that is also used as a prescription drug in some countries. It's been through rigorous safety testing and is one of the most popular nootropics being used around the world today. While modafinil is only approved to treat wakefulness disorders like narcolepsy, doctors regularly prescribe it for off-label use to treat depression, brain fog, fatigue, ADHD, and a number of other conditions.

Modafinil is classified as a eugeroic (wakefulness-promoting agent). Users often report that it makes them feel more alert and awake, more focused, able to remember things better, and able to get more done.

Some potential benefits of modafinil:

• Increased focus
• Increased mental alertness
• Improved memory
• Promotes wakefulness
• Increased productivity

Like all substances that affect the brain, it is not entirely clear exactly how modafinil works. One thing that is certain, however, is that it does work for most people. It is thought to increase the neurotransmitter hypocretin. This neurotransmitter is involved in wakefulness, arousal, and appetite. Increasing hypocretin seems to increase dopamine, norepinephrine, and histamine. These neurotransmitters play a crucial role in focus, memory, and motivation.

A typical dosage for modafinil is between 100 and 200 milligrams (mg). It's always best to start at the lower end and work your way up as needed. Some people find that as little as 50 mg is all they need to notice a nootropic effect. However, for most people, between 100-200 mg is the sweet spot. While modafinil can have some potential negative effects like upset stomach and insomnia, they are uncommon and typically mild if experienced at all. And it should be noted that it's probably not a good idea to mix modafinil with stimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, etc.) or amphetamine (Adderall, Vyvanse, etc.), as this can put a lot of strain on your cardiovascular system.

Aside from caffeine, modafinil is probably the most widely used nootropic for studying in the world. Users report that it helps them with both regular daytime studying as well as all-night cram sessions. Though modafinil is far more popular because it's been around longer, a newer, slightly more potent eugeroic called armodafinil is also available. The safety and effectiveness of the two are very similar but, since armodafinil is a little bit stronger, a slightly lower dose is needed. While both modafinil and armodafinil can be great nootropics for studying, modafinil has been around the longest and has the most research to support its safety and effectiveness.

To learn a lot more about modafinil, read this: Modafinil – A Powerful and Popular Nootropic.

Oxiracetam

This is a popular nootropic that can be great for studying. Oxiracetam is a member of the racetam family, a group of structurally similar compounds that include piracetam, the first nootropic to ever be created. It has been around for a long time, has a good safety record, and is known to be effective for many people.

In some ways, oxiracetam works like many of the other racetams. It is known to affect the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and has also been shown to stimulate AMPA and NDMA receptors in the brain. Like several other racetams, oxiracetam can improve memory and increase focus. But unlike most of them, oxiracetam does so without affecting mood or anxiety levels. Users typically report that oxiracetam helps them to stay focused on their studying without changing how they feel.

Some potential benefits of oxiracetam:

• Increased focus
• Improved memory
• Enhanced learning ability
• Advanced technical and logical thinking

Typical oxiracetam dosages range from 800 to 1500 milligrams. As always, it's best to start at the low end and work your way up as needed. Some people report that they need a high dose (1500 mg) to notice any benefits of oxiracetam. In general, this nootropic is very safe and is well-tolerated. However, if you take the mood-stabilizer carbamazepine, you should not take oxiracetam, as they are known to interact negatively.

Oxiracetam can be effective when taken by itself. But users often stack it with a choline source like alpha-GPC to increase the effects. These two nootropics work together to optimize your brain so it's primed for studying.

You can learn more about oxiracetam here: Oxiracetam – A Safe and Effective Nootropic.

Noopept

To a lot of people, Noopept is thought to be the nootropic. It is generally considered to be very safe, it's inexpensive and, most importantly, it seems to work for a lot of people.

Although not technically a racetam, Noopept (also known as omberacetam) is chemically similar to them. One of the main differences is that Noopept is much more potent than any of the racetams. In fact, it is considered to be 1,000 times more potent than piracetam, the first racetam to be created.

Because of its high potency, Noopept only requires a small dosage to get big results. Though not everyone responds to Noopept, those who do often say it's a game changer. Many people who use Noopept report an increase in focus, memory, learning, and motivation. And that all translates into more effective studying.

Like the racetams, Noopept works on NDMA and AMPA receptor sites in the brain. It also seems to stimulate certain dopamine, serotonin, and nicotinic receptors. Dopamine is known to play a vital role in learning, motivation, focus, and energy. Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter in mood, appetite, and sleep.

Some potential benefits of Noopept:

• Increased focus
• Increased memory
• Improved mood
• Reduced anxiety
• Better overall cognitive performance

Typical Noopept dosages range from 10 to 40 milligrams. Some people get great results with only 10 or 20 milligrams. Others report needing a higher dosage to notice anything. Negative effects from Noopept are rare and tend to be seen mostly in people using very high dosages (>40 mg).

You can learn more about Noopept here: The Nootropic Benefits Of Noopept.

Sunifiram

If you are looking for an incredibly potent nootropic, then you may be interested in sunifiram. Believe it or not, it is even more potent than Noopept.

Sunifiram has not been extensively studied in humans yet. It has, however, been studied in animals and has been shown to have nootropic effects. Human research is underway and is expected to yield similar results. People who have used sunifiram often report a noticeable increase in focus, motivation, and learning, which is why it's worth mentioning on this list of the best nootropics for studying.

Sunifiram works by activating AMPA receptors. These receptors are responsible for the mediation of synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. Sunifiram also aids in the release of acetylcholine in the cerebral cortex. Additionally, it increases phosphorylation of NMDAR and AMPAR through protein kinase activation.

Some potential benefits of sunifiram:

• Improved memory
• Increased learning
• Enhanced cognitive performance
• Improved motor skills

This nootropic has not been rigorously studied in humans yet. It has been studied in animals and there is no known toxicity associated with it. People who have used sunifiram report an increase in memory, learning, and focus without any negative effects. Since it is so potent, only a small amount is needed. Typical dosages for sunifiram range from 5 to 15 milligrams. If you decide to try this experimental nootropic, as always it's a good idea to start low and work your way up as needed.

You can learn more about sunifiram here: The Nootropic Potential of Sunifiram.

Coluracetam

This is a relatively new nootropic and yet another member of the racetam family. As mentioned earlier, the racetams are a group of chemically similar substances, many of which have nootropic properties.

Coluracetam was created by a Japanese pharmaceutical company in 2005. It was created as a possible treatment for diseases of the central nervous system.

In addition to increasing focus and memory, coluracetam also seems to help reduce anxiety and boost mood. It works better by itself than many other racetams, which generally work best only when combined with a choline source.

Some potential benefits of coluracetam:

• Increased focus
• Improved memory
• Reduced anxiety
• Improved mood

Coluracetam has been studied in humans and seems to be quite safe. Even in one study where very high doses were used, the study participants reported no negative effects. Typical coluracetam dosages range from 5 to 35 milligrams. Most people who respond well to coluracetam seem to find somewhere around 20 milligrams to be ideal.

You can learn more about coluracetam here: Coluracetam.

Conclusion

And there you have the best nootropics for studying. Modafinil, oxiracetam, and Noopept have all been extensively studied in humans, are known to be safe when used responsibly, and can all be incredibly effective study aides. Sunifiram hasn't been the subject of nearly as much research, but shows great promise as a nootropic. And coluracetam, which hasn't been around for as long as the others, is steadily becoming more popular in the nootropics community for its mood-boosting and overall cognition-enhancing properties.

All of these nootropics seem to be quite safe for most people. That being said, you should always consult with a licensed healthcare professional before starting any new medications or supplements, making any major dietary changes, or starting any new behavioral routines. Since doctors aren't taught about nootropics in medical school, you may have to educate yours a bit. The articles linked in this post all have plenty of citations and may be a good place to start.

Have you used any of the nootropics for studying we discussed? Is there something else you've used to help you study that isn't on this list? Leave your answer in the comments section at the bottom.

Here are some other posts in the Best Nootropics For… series:

• The Best Nootropics For Mood
• The Best Nootropics For Anxiety
• The Best Nootropics For Memory
• The Best Nootropics For Motivation
• The Best Nootropics For Focus
• The Best Nootropics For Creativity
• The Best Nootropics For Social Anxiety

[This article was originally published on July 1, 2015. Updated March 28, 2025.]