In our fast paced world, we are constantly faced with a million different things to do and not enough time to do them. Multi-tasking has become a way of life for most of us. With so many different things to worry about all the time, it can be difficult to focus on what we're actually doing.

Fortunately, there are several nootropics that can improve our ability to focus. Some are mild and provide us with a subtle, barely noticeable increase in focus. Others are more powerful and can help you get through even the most mind-numbing tasks.

You don't need to be a computer programmer or an astronaut to benefit from an increase in focus. Whether you're a college student, full-time employee, or just need a little more focus around the house, there is a nootropic that will help you focus throughout your day.

Below is a list of the best nootropics that are currently available to improve focus. Some people prefer a mild increase in focus. Others want a more stimulant-like feeling. Whatever your needs, there's something on this list for everyone. Here are the best nootropics for focus.

The Best Nootropics For Focus

Noopept

Noopept is a very popular nootropic right now. While it is not technically in the racetam family, it is closely related. It is considered to be 1000 times more potent than piracetam, which is one of the oldest and most trusted nootropics.

Noopept is a much newer nootropic. It was first patented in the United States in 1995. In the US, it is sold as a dietary supplement. In some other countries, it is considered so powerful that you can only get it with a prescription.

Noopept works in a similar way to the racetams. It affects AMPA and NDMA receptor sites and their pathways of function. It also seems to stimulate dopamine, acetylcholine, and serotonin. Dopamine is understood to play a crucial role in focus and attention. Acetylcholine is associated with memory. And serotonin plays a role in mood, appetite, and sleep.

Benefits of Noopept:

Increased Focus
Enhanced Memory
Improved Mood
Faster Reflexes
Better Overall Cognitive Performance

The recommended starting dose for Noopept is between 10-40 mg. As you know, it is 1,000 times more potent than piracetam. Piracetam is usually dosed in the several-grams range. Not Noopept. You only need between 10-40 milligrams to notice a sharp increase in focus.

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

Adrafinil

This nootropic belongs to a category of substances called eugeroics. Calling a substance “eugeroic” is just a fancy way of saying that it promotes wakefulness and alertness. This substance certainly does both, and it does them well.

Adrafinil is very similar to the prescription drug modafinil. Very similar. In fact, adrafinil breaks down into modafinil in the body. As such, it has very similar effects. Modafinil is prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), fatigue, cognitive impairment, and other conditions.

Like all substances that affect the brain, it is unclear exactly how adrafinil works. It is thought to increase the neurotransmitter hypocretin. This neurotransmitter promotes wakefulness, appetite, and arousal. Increasing hypocretin is thought to increase dopamine, norepinephrine, and histamine. These three chemicals are known to play an important role in our ability to focus.

Benefits of Adrafinil:

Increased Focus
Increased Mental Alertness
Improved Memory
Promotes Wakefulness

The recommended starting dose for adrafinil is between 150-300 mg. This nootropic comes with some unlikely, but potential side effects. Adrafinil can put some strain on the liver, as it needs to be broken down before the body can use it. It's not as bad as it is with some other substances, but there's still some risk. You should not use adrafinil if you have liver problems. And you should be careful if mixing with other stimulants, as this can put added stress on your cardiovascular system.

You can learn more about adrafinil here: Adrafinil For Focus.

Modafinil

Most experienced nootropic users prefer modafinil to adrafinil for a few key reasons. First of all, it doesn't need to be broken down in the liver to be effective. Modafinil can be used by the body without having to be converted into something else.

Another reason that many people prefer modafinil is that it's more potent. 100 mg of modafinil is equivalent to 300 mg of adrafinil. In other words, you get the same results by taking 1/3 less.

And lastly, modafinil usually kicks in a lot quicker than adrafinil. Most nootropic users want the effects to come on quickly. Since adrafinil has to convert into modafinil in the body, it takes much longer for the effects to be felt.

In some countries, modafinil is only available with a prescription. However, most countries are free to order it online. The best modafinil supplier online is Duck Dose. They have reasonable prices, fast and discreet shipping, great products, and excellent customer service.

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

Caffeine

Here's one that you just may have pumping through your veins as you read this. 54% of Americans over the age of 18 consume caffeine every day. 90% of people in the world consume at least one beverage or meal with caffeine in it.

Of all the caffeine that people drink, 70% is in the form of coffee, 16% is from soft drinks, and 12% is from tea. You probably don't think about caffeine as a nootropic, but consider the following: Caffeine is a metabolic stimulant, reduces fatigue, improves focus, and increases alertness. When used in moderate doses, it rarely has any negative side effects. Sounds like a nootropic to me!

Benefits of caffeine:

Increased Focus
Reduced Fatigue
Increased Alertness
Increased Wakefulness

Most people don't think of caffeine as a nootropic because it is so common. But taking 200 mg of caffeine will increase focus, attention, and motivation while reducing fatigue. Several energy drinks have at least 200 mg of caffeine in them. Most of the more popular ones (Rock Star, Monster, Red Bull, etc.) have significantly less. The popular energy supplement 5-Hour Energy has exactly 200 mg of caffeine.

Another way to get the focus-enhancing benefits of caffeine is by using either caffeine pills or powder. This has a couple of benefits over coffee, tea, or energy drinks. First, you know exactly how much caffeine you're getting. Most coffee and tea shops don't list caffeine content on their products. Second, you don't get all the added sugar and fat. Third, you're not running to the bathroom every hour. And lastly, it's much cheaper to spend less than $5 a month on caffeine pills than to buy a $3 energy drink every day.

You can learn more about using caffeine with other nootropics here: Nootropics That Stack Well With Caffeine.

Oxiracetam

This popular nootropic is a member of the racetam family. It is considered to be more potent than piracetam and has more stimulating effects. Oxiracetam is a great middle-of-the-road focus enhancer. It is more powerful than piracetam, yet not as powerful as Noopept.

Oxiracetam works in a similar way to all the other racetams. It is known to influence the cholinergic and acetylcholine systems. It's been shown to stimulate the NDMA and AMPA receptors in addition to the cholinergic system. This is how it exerts its impact on your ability to focus. Oxiracetam is not known to work on dopamine, serotonin, or nicotinic receptors.

Benefits of Oxiracetam:

Increased Focus
Enhanced Learning Ability
Increase in Memory
Improved Sensory Perception

The recommended dose for oxiracetam is 800-1500 mg. Side effects are rare with oxiracetam. Like all substances, allergic reactions can occur. This nootropic may have a minor interaction with the prescription drug carbamazepine.

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

Piracetam

This list would not be complete without mentioning piracetam. This was the first racetam to be created. It was created back in 1964 by the Romanian chemist, Corneliu Giurgea.

Piracetam is not as strong as many other nootropics. In fact, it is the weakest of the racetam or related nootropics on this list. But that doesn't mean that it doesn't work. It's effect are just a little bit more subtle.

This nootropic is actually a prescription medication in several countries. In the United States, it is sold over-the-counter as a dietary supplement.

Like all nootropics, it's not certain exactly how piracetam works. It's thought to increase focus by influencing NMDA and AMPA receptor sites. It is also known to affect acetylcholine and the Ach receptor sites.

Benefits of Piracetam:

Increased Focus
Improved Memory
Improved Learning
Reduced Anxiety
Mild Mood Enhancer
Improved Sensory Perception

Piracetam makes a great first-time nootropic. It has been around the longest and it has a great safety record. Side effects can occur but usually come at higher doses.

The recommended dosage for piracetam is anywhere from 1-3 grams. You should always start with a low dose and work your way up as needed.

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

Conclusion

And there you have it! There's a list of 6 of the best nootropics for focus. Make sure to check out our other “Best Nootropics For…” posts:

If you haven't already, make sure to get The Ultimate Nootropics Quick Reference Guide. It lists the basic info for 37 of the most popular nootropics used today. You can get it for free when you sign up for the Nootropics Zone newsletter.

Best Nootropics For Focus