Nootropics can be overwhelming. While there are only a select few substances meet the criteria of a nootropic, there are an increasing number of products available as the modern understanding of "nootropic" has expanded to encompass anything that influences brain function.
In this compilation, we provide the definitive list of brain supplements commonly found in available supplements on the market today.
It's important to note that not all supplements listed have been conclusively proven to be effective, and some may not meet the strict definition of a nootropic.
Each nootropic on this list is referenced. While these references don't serve as endorsements of a substance's efficacy, they do shed light on why it may be considered a nootropic and provide a starting point for further investigation. Here is the list of nootropics:
5-HTP - serves as a critical precursor for serotonin synthesis, a neurotransmitter which affects mood, appetite, and sleep.
Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) – plays a vital role in energy production within the human body. It is derived from the amino acid lysine and the essential nutrient methionine. ALCAR is believed to benefit brain function, particularly in people with neurodegenerative diseases.
Alpha Lipoic Acid - a naturally-occurring fatty acid, plays a vital role in energy production at the cellular level and acts as an antioxidant to help protect the brain against aging.
Alpha-GPC - a cholinergic compound used for cognitive enhancement. It also appears to support cellular membranes and may help prevent cognitive decline.
Aniracetam - known for its potential effects on supporting brain health, including improving memory, focus, and learning capability. It may also offer neuroprotection and has shown promise in treating cognitive functions in the elderly.
Apoaequorin - jellyfish protein that is the main ingredient in the over-the-counter dietary supplement. It claims to improve mild memory loss linked to aging, but research on its effectiveness remains inconclusive.
Ashwagandha - adaptogen root herb with potential neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. It may help with stress, anxiety, and physical performance.
Astaxanthin – potent antioxidant found in algae and seafood that has potential uses in brain and eye health.
Bacopa monnieri – may help improve inflammation and reduce anxiety and stress.
Caffeine – a stimulant that may provide a short-term boost in alertness
California poppy - suggested to interact with GABA and HTP receptors to reduce anxiety. Is often marketed as a natural sleep enhancer and is commonly combined with other calming herbs like valerian.
Cat’s Claw – may provide a neuroprotective function to assist with brain aging
Catuaba – early studies suggest beneficial anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, neuroprotective, and antioxidant properties.
CBD – cannabis derived compound that has been studied for its potential benefits in pain relief, anxiety reduction, and neurological effects.
Celastrus paniculatus - a traditional Ayurvedic herbal medicine, has been shown to have neuroprotective effects and can improve cognitive abilities in animal research, potentially reversing stress-induced deficits.
Centrophenoxine - a cholinergic nootropic that has been shown to enhance overall cognitive functions, including learning capacity, focus, and mental clarity, largely attributed to its role in boosting acetylcholine levels.
Citicoline – a pharmaceutical product constituted by the combination of two natural molecules (cytidine and choline), has been shown to improve cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment, especially of vascular origin, and provides neuroprotective effects through diverse mechanisms of action.
Clitoria ternatea - a traditional herbal plant that has been shown to improve learning ability, enhance memory, and increase acetylcholine content and acetylcholinesterase activity in animal research.
Coluracetam - a synthetic nootropic belonging to the racetam family, is known for its potential to enhance cognitive function, improve memory, and increase focus, largely due to its role in boosting acetylcholine levels.
Convolvulus pluricaulis - has been traditionally used for improving memory and cognitive function in cases of dementia, epilepsy, depression, anxiety, and central nervous system disorders, and animal studies have shown that this herb has the potential to enhance memory recall, increase brain plasticity, and boost learning ability.
CoQ10 - is essential for maintaining optimal cognitive function, supporting the brain’s energy metabolism crucial for tasks such as concentration, memory, and focus, and acting as a potent antioxidant, protecting brain cells from oxidative stress and damage caused by free radicals.
Creatine - has been shown to enhance cognitive processing, particularly in tasks that require speed and energy, such as working memory and intelligence, and it may also provide neuroprotective benefits in conditions characterized by brain creatine deficits.
Choline - an essential nutrient that has been shown to enhance cognitive function, improve memory, and increase focus, largely due to its role as a precursor to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for memory and attention.
Docosahexaenoic Acit (DHA) - an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid predominantly found in the brain, has been shown to enhance cognitive performance, particularly in learning and memory, by modulating signal transduction pathways, neurotransmission, neurogenesis, myelination, membrane receptor function, synaptic plasticity, neuroinflammation, membrane integrity, and membrane organization.
DMAE - has been shown to enhance cognitive function, improve memory, and increase focus, largely due to its role in boosting acetylcholine levels, a neurotransmitter essential for memory and attention.
Forskolin - a naturally occurring compound, has been shown to enhance cognitive performance by activating adenylate cyclase, which increases cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in brain cells, thereby improving long-term memory, providing neuroprotection, and boosting cognition.
GABA - the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, has been shown to enhance cognitive performance, improve focus and attention, and enhance overall cognitive function by regulating neuronal activity on a slow timescale, thereby potentially promoting enhanced thinking and reducing stress response.
Ginseng - may improve mental performance and cognitive functions by increasing blood flow to the brain, thereby improving concentration and memory.
Gotu Kola - a traditional medicinal herb that may improve cognitive function, particularly working memory, and may enhance the effects of multicomponent exercise on executive function by decreasing TNF-α levels.
Huperzine-A - a naturally occurring compound that has been shown to enhance cognitive function, improve memory, and increase focus, largely due to its role in inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, thereby maintaining higher levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter crucial for memory retention and cognitive function.
Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) - a traditional South African plant that has been shown to enhance cognitive function by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain, which can lead to improved mental clarity, focus, problem-solving abilities, and an overall sense of well-being.
Kava Kava - a Pacific Island plant that may enhance cognitive performance and boost attention.
Kratom – a medicinal plant native to Southeast Asia, has been reported to enhance cognitive function, with some users claiming improved focus, attention, and memory recall, although higher consumption can lead to sedative effects with questionable safety.
L-Glutamine - an essential amino acid that has been shown to enhance cognitive function by regulating neurotransmitters in the brain, such as GABA and serotonin, which contribute to mood stabilisation and relaxation, as well as having a positive impact on cognitive function.
L-Phenylalanine - an essential amino acid that supports the production of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly catecholamines in the prefrontal cortex, which can enhance alertness, focus, cognitive agility, and overall cognitive performance.
L-Theanine – an amino acid found in green tea that has been shown to enhance cognitive performance by improving attention and working memory, reducing reaction time, and providing neuroprotective effects.
L-Tryptophan - an essential amino acid and precursor of serotonin that has been shown to enhance cognitive function, improve mood, and potentially suppress depressed and anxious moods, with some studies suggesting that it can improve learning, memory, and other cognitive processes.
Lecithin - a significant constituent of the central nervous system that may promote neural network complexity and activity.
Lemon Balm - traditionally used to improve mood and cognitive function, with studies suggesting that it can enhance memory recall, increase attention span, and provide a calming effect, potentially aiding in better focus on tasks.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom – shown to enhance cognitive function, improve memory, and increase focus, largely due to its unique ability to stimulate the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), thereby enhancing neurogenesis, supporting brain health, and cognitive function.
Magnolia – bark may enhance cognitive function by increasing the level of GABA, a calming neurotransmitter, in the brain.
MCT Oil – supports the use of ketones for brain energy utilization.
NADH - stimulates the production of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, neurotransmitters involved in memory, cognition, and mood.
Nefiracetam - synthetic racetam that may enhance cognitive function, including memory and learning capacity, attention spans, concentration, and focus.
Noopept - a synthetic nootropic that may assist cognitive function, including focus, memory retention, and mental clarity.
Oxiracetam - stimulating racetam used for increasing production of acetylcholine, which may lead to an improvement in memory and focus.
Passionflower - known scientifically as Passiflora incarnata, is believed to promote a balanced neural state, which can lead to improved relaxation.
Phenibut - a synthetic nootropic that enhances cognitive function, including motivation, memory, attention, and concentration, and it has been shown to improve memory recovery and learning abilities.
Phenylpiracetam - a potent racetam, may assist with higher order cognitive functions
Phosphatidylcholine - phospholipid nootropic that is an important component of neural cells and a derivative of choline, is known to enhance cognitive functions such as memory and cognition.
Phosphatidylserine (PS) – an essential nutrient for healthy brain cells, is known to enhance cognitive functions such as memory, learning, concentration, and recall, and it has been shown to improve cognitive performance in people experiencing age-related cognitive decline or memory impairment.
Picamilon - synthetic compound that binds GABA with niacin; may decrease feelings of stress and anxiety through improved blood flow in the brain.
Pine Bark Extract – antioxidant that may improve attention span and mental performance, and it may also improve memory, focus, and decision-making skills.
Piracetam – the first racetam, and the first “nootropic” – optimizes neurotransmitters for improvements in cognition and mood.
Pramiracetam – a synthetic derivative of piracetam that may assist acetylcholine levels and cognitive performance.
Pterostilbene - a potent antioxidant found in blueberries and grapes, may enhance cognitive functions by promoting neuroplasticity, boosting dopamine, and reducing brain inflammation.
Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) - a nutritional component that may enhance cognitive functions such as memory and cognition, particularly in older adults, by promoting energy production in cells and having antioxidant properties.
Resveratrol - Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound found mainly in red wine and dark-skinned grape cultivars, may protect the brain by reducing brain inflammation.
Rhodiola rosea – a root herb adaptogen that may assist with various symptoms of life-stress, fatigue, and burnout.
Rosemary – may improve cognitive performance when its aroma is inhaled or its dried powder is consumed, and it may also reduce stress and improve sleep quality.
S-Adenosyl methionine (SAMe) - may improve mood and reducing symptoms of depression.
Schizandrol-A - a major phytochemical from Schisandra chinensis may modulate microglial polarization, and suppress apoptosis in the brain tissues.
St. John’s Wort - herb suppling active hypericin and hyperforin, which may balance brain chemicals related to mood and assist with depression.
Sulbutiamine – a synthetic derivative of vitamin B1 that may assist with brain health.
Taurine – a key functional amino acid that potentially improves information processing and storage efficiency.
Theobromine – a compound found in dark chocolate that improves blood flow, leading to a stimulatory effect that may result in better concentration, attention, and memory.
Turmeric – through its active ingredient curcumin provides antioxidant effects that may reduce brain inflammation.
Tyrosine – an amino acid found in various foods, is known to increase dopamine availability in the brain, and may enhance working memory and executive functions.
Uridine – substrate of choline and acetylcholine which may provide support for important cognitive functions.
Valerian root - often used for improving sleep quality and associated disorders.
Vinpocetine – a derivative of the alkaloid vincamine that may be useful for improving circulation in the brain.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) – plays a role in neuronal function and brain metabolism.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) – is essential for brain function and is involved in the synthesis of key neurotransmitters.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) – is involved in the production of acetylcholine.
Vitamin B6 - contributes to nerve sheathing and the production of several neurotransmitters including serotonin and norepinephrine.
Vitamin B8 (inositol) – plays a significant role in brain cell membrane synthesis and function of neurotransmitters such as serotonin.
Vitamin B12 - plays a critical role in the function of the nervous system and is essential for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and neurotransmitters, which are vital for maintaining brain health and cognitive function.
Yerba Mate –contains natural compounds like caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline, which are known to enhance mental clarity, alertness, and focus.
Conclusion
The compilation of nootropics presented here offers a quick overview of the numerous potential cognitive enhancers that are commonly found in popular nootropic supplements. As the scientific validation of nootropics continues to expand, so too will this list.
For those who are looking for a single cognitive enhancer to experiment with, there are several excellent standalone options included in the list above.
For those who wish to benefit from a potent stack for cognitive enhancement, Nootropic Boost serves as the perfect solution.
Bright Dawn’s Nootropic Boost combines the best of these natural ingredients into a powerful nootropic stack that works for everyone, is safe for everyone, and fits any lifestyle.