The popularity of using nootropics has been exploding over the past few years. More and more people are using these unique drugs to increase focus, motivation, memory, improve mood, and reduce anxiety.
I've been asked the following question more times than I can remember: “What nootropic should I try first?”
To accurately answer this question, I need to know what you are looking for. Not all nootropics are the same. Some increase focus without affecting mood or anxiety. Others reduce anxiety and improve mood, while at the same time increasing focus.
When I get asked what nootropic is the best to start with, I have just one question myself: “What do you want it to accomplish?” I generally get one of three answers:
- “I want an overall nootropic that will increase focus, memory, and motivation, while reducing anxiety and improving mood.”
- “I want a nootropic that increases focus, memory, and motivation, and reduces anxiety.”
- “I want a nootropic that increases focus, memory, and motivation without affecting my mood or anxiety level.”
The first answer is the most common. Most people want to try something that will enhance their cognitive ability, while providing a mood-boost and reduce anxiety. Less common, I hear that people want to reduce anxiety and increase cognitive performance, without their mood being affected. Or, lastly, people say they want the cognitive benefits without their mood or anxiety levels changing.
Fortunately, there's a nootropic for all three.
What Nootropic Should I Try First?
“I want an overall nootropic that will increase focus, memory, and motivation, while reducing anxiety and improving mood.”
Well then, you want Noopept.
Noopept is a great all-around nootropic that is very popular right now. Users report a nice mood-boosting and anxiety-reducing effect. This is, of course, in addition to an increase in focus, memory, motivation, and learning.
There are a lot of people talking about Noopept right now. And it's popularity continues to grow for two very simple reasons: it works and it's safe. Side effects are rarely reported. The most common side effect is headaches. Fortunately, there's something you can do to reduce or eliminate this potential side-effect.
Taking a choline source with Noopept is recommended. By adding a choline source, you will make Noopept more effective and reduce further the chances of already-rare side effects. You can check out Noopept here.
“I want a nootropic that increases focus, memory, and motivation, and reduces anxiety.”
What you want is aniracetam.
This is a great nootropic to start with. Especially if you have anxiety. Aniracetam is able to reduce anxiety while improving focus, memory, learning, and motivation.
Aniracetam is a nootropic in the racetam family. But unlike most of the other racetams, aniracetam has a noticeable anxiety-reducing effect. It does this by working on certain chemicals in the brain that others don't.
This nootropic has been around for a long time, and has consistently been found to be safe and effective.
Like Noopept and the 3rd nootropic I'm gonna mention below, you should take a choline source with aniracetam, like Alpha-GPC.
All of these nootropics work on a neurotransmitter in the brain called acetylcholine. If you don't have enough of this memory and focus boosting neurotransmitter, then you won't get the full benefits of whatever nootropic you are using.
Aniracetam is the perfect nootropic if you are looking for cognitive benefits, like increased focus and memory, with a nice anxiety-reducing effect. You can check out aniracetam here.
“I want a nootropic that increases focus, memory, and motivation without affecting my mood or anxiety level.”
What you're looking for is called oxiracetam.
Oxiracetam is another member of the racetam family. What's unique about this nootropic is that it is able to increase focus, memory, and learning without affecting mood or anxiety levels.
This is ideal for a lot of people. If you just want something that is going to make you more productive without changing the way you feel, oxiracetam is for you.
Again, to get the full benefits of oxiracetam, you should take it with a choline source, like Alpha-GPC. This will make it more effective, and reduce rare but possible side-effects like headaches.
Oxiracetam is widely used to increase focus, memory, and learning without affecting mood or anxiety. And it's been in use for a while and is generally considered to be very safe. You can check out oxiracetam here.
Conclusion
I hope I've helped you find the right nootropic to start with. If you didn't find what you're looking for, maybe check out the “Best Nootropics For…” series in the sidebar on the right.
All 3 of the nootropics that I mentioned here have been used for a while and are generally considered to be safe when taken at recommended dosages. But, like with any supplement, you should consult your doctor before starting anything new.
If you haven't already, make sure to get The Ultimate Nootropics Quick Reference Guide. It lists all the basic info for 37 of the most popular nootropics used today, including the ones we talked about. You can get The Ultimate Nootropics Quick Reference Guide for free when you sign up for the Nootropics Zone newsletter.
Leave a Reply