There are a lot of substances that have nootropic properties. But some – modafinil, for example – get all the glory while others don't much attention at all.

In this post, we're going to take a look at the 3 most underrated nootropics. These are all substances I've tried personally and really like, but feel they don't usually get the attention they deserve.

The 3 Most Underrated Nootropics

In nootropic circles around the internet, the same substances seem to always get talked about. Popular nootropics like modafinil and phenylpiracetam always get brought up while others rarely get mentioned.

Now, don't get me wrong: modafinil and phenylpiracetam are great. I've found both of them to increase productivity and overall cognition. But in this post, I want to talk about 3 underrated nootropics that don't get the love I feel they deserve.

All 3 of these underrated nootropics I've used and have gotten great results from. However, everyone is different, so what works for me may not work for you. The only way to know is to try them yourself. So, let's get to it! Here are what I believe to be 3 of the most underrated nootropics.

1. Armodafinil

Coming in at the top spot is modafinil's younger sibling, armodafinil. While both of these substances are similar, modafinil gets talked about a lot more. But just because they're similar doesn't mean they're identical. In fact, there are a few key differences between modafinil and armodafinil.

For starters, armodafinil is more potent than modafinil. Because of this, a lower dosage is needed to experience the same effects. 200 milligrams (mg) of modafinil – a common dosage – is equivalent to just 150 mg of armodafinil.

Another thing that separates armodafinil from modafinil is the duration of effects. The nootropic effects of armodafinil tend to last longer than modafinil. This is highly desirable for students, people working long hours, and others who want all-day productivity.

Those are the two biggest differences between armodafinil and modafinil. However, they have a lot in common. Not only are they chemically similar, their effects are almost identical. In fact, I honestly can't tell the difference between the two of them.

It's of little surprise that armodafinil is living in the shadow of it's older sibling. Modafinil has been around longer and is considered to be one of, if not the best nootropics available. But both substances have mounds of research to support their safety and effectiveness.

So, which is better? Personally, I like armodafinil better. A lower dosage is required and its nootropic effects last longer. You can read more about their similarities and differences here: Modafinil, Adrafinil, or Armodafinil – Which Is Better?

Though modafinil and armodafinil are prescription drugs in some countries, they can often be purchased online. ModafinilXL is widely considered to be the best place to buy armodafinil and modafinil online. They have high-quality products, fast and discreet shipping, reasonable prices, and great customer service. To learn about other online modafinil and armodafinil vendors, you may want to read this post: Where To Buy Modafinil Online.

And if you're generally interested in armodafinil and you'd like to learn a lot more about this underrated nootropic, here's a science-backed article with loads of information: Armodafinil For Cognitive Enhancement.

2. Fasoracetam

Coming in as our second-most-underrated nootropic is fasoracetam. It's a member of the racetam family – a group of chemically similar nootropics with a wide range of cognition-enhancing effects. But fasoracetam doesn't get talked about nearly as much as some of the other racetams, like piracetam.

Not only was piracetam the first racetam ever created – it's the substance that inspired the creation of the word nootropic. Because it's been around for a long time and has tons of research to support it's safety and effectiveness, piracetam gets a lot of attention in the nootropics world.

By slightly chemically altering piracetam, scientists have created dozens of other racetams and racetam-like substances. As you may have guessed, fasoracetam is one of them. But there are several other racetams that get more attention than fasoracetam.

Phenylpiracetam is probably the one that gets the most attention. I always see people talking about it in nootropic forums and other places around the internet. And it's no surprise why: for a lot of people, it works great. Phenylpiracetam definitely helps to increase my productivity.

Another racetam that often overshadows fasoracetam is aniracetam. That's because its effects are similar. Both of these racetams can increase focus while, at the same time, decrease anxiety. For people who struggle with anxiety, either one can be a game changer.

Since aniracetam has been around longer than fasoracetam and has been the subject of much more scientific study, it's mentioned a lot more frequently. Personally, I've found both substances to increase focus while decreasing anxiety.

Which one do I like better? While they both have similar effects, I have to go with fasoracetam. For me, its nootropic effects seem to be a bit stronger than aniracetam's. But since everyone's brain chemistry is different, the only way to know if they will work for you is to try them yourself.

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If you'd like to learn more about fasoracetam, you can in this science-backed article: Fasoracetam – An Anxiety-Reducing Nootropic.

3. Bromantane

Coming in at number 3 on our list of underrated nootropics is something that historically hasn't gotten very much attention in spite of its safety and effectiveness. In recent years, bromantane has finally started to get some of the love it deserves, but is still highly underrated in my opinion.

Like so many other nootropics – including the first one, piracetam – bromantane was created in Russia. It was developed in the 1980s and has been through extensive, large-scale clinical trials. Bromantane has been shown to be very safe and to have a wide variety of nootropic effects including increased focus and decreased anxiety.

In fact, bromantane is so effective that it was banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 1997. WADA is the organization responsible for deciding what substances are and are not allowed to be used by Olympic-and-other athletes. WADA banned bromantane because they found it to enhance both physical and mental performance, labeling it a stimulant.

Based on my personal experience, WADA got it right. Bromantane definitely gives me more energy while, at the same time, makes me feel more relaxed. It's not something I use often but, when I do, it puts me in a better mood, I have less anxiety, and I'm definitely more productive.

Lots of research has been done on bromantane to support both its safety and effectiveness. I've used dosages ranging from 50-150 mg and have not experienced any negative effects. For something with so much research behind it, I'm surprised bromantane isn't talked about more often.

However, its popularity seems to be on the rise. I hear it mentioned more often now than I have in the past. But for now, I still consider it to be an underrated nootropic.

You can buy bromantane in either power or liquid form from Pure Rawz. It's worth repeating that they have an awesome selection of high-quality products, reasonable prices, fast shipping, and great customer service. I really can't say enough good things about this company. Their inventory is massive.

If you'd like to learn more about bromantane, check out this science-backed article: The Nootropic Benefits of Bromantane.

Conclusion

Some nootropics get all the glory while others don't get nearly as much attention as they deserve. That's why I decided to write this post about what I believe are 3 of the most underrated nootropics. This list could've been much longer, as there are many nootropics that often slip under the radar. But these 3 underrated nootropics are among my favorites.

Are there any nootropics that you feel are underrated and deserve more attention? Leave your answer in the comments section at the bottom of the page. And if you haven't already, sign up for the Nootropics Zone newsletter below to learn about dozens of brain-boosting supplements.

[This article was originally published on April 30, 2021. Updated August 1, 2024.]