The number one drug that I have used for nootropic benefits is by far Modafinil. Modafinil was created to treat narcolepsy. Speaking of narcolepsy I think my brother Roger has this condition as he often falls asleep in the middle of the day if he is around a conversation he finds boring but I digress. While Modafinil was created for narcolepsy, it is often used off-label for cognitive enhancement. The exact mechanism of action is not entirely understood but in in vitro studies, it has been shown to increase extracellular levels of the motivational neurotransmitter dopamine and inhibit levels of the relaxation neurotransmitter GABA. I used to take it before teaching seminars and it made a tremendous difference in my ability to be more articulate and to recall and deliver information expediently. It was especially useful for courses I taught overseas in which jet lag was always a factor. I always felt dialed in, euphoric, and fully present on Modafinil. It’s also incredibly motivating which is not surprising as dopamine is the ultimate motivational neurotransmitter. You can’t help but be productive as it takes your focus to another level so if there is something that requires your full attention it will definitely help tremendously in my experience. One of my friends who used Modafinil who is kind of a dork described being on Modafinil as having powers like Spiderman. While you won’t be shooting webs out of your hands or scaling walls after taking Modafinil, most users will likely notice a tunnel vision type of focus that is incredibly beneficial when you’re doing any task that demands your full attention. If you’re writing a book and have a deadline coming up, this is the perfect time to give Modafinil a shot. As effective as Modafinil is, it’s not something I would recommend taking daily or for any extended period of time. I always found myself more fatigued the next day after taking Modafinil even though it didn’t have any negative impact on sleep quality. If you take it daily for a prolonged period of time, you will likely become desensitized and the benefits will wane. Infrequent usage such as one to two times per week or perhaps 2-3 weeks when working on a project that requires your complete focus followed by a few weeks off is the way to go. I still use it every once in a while when I need an extra boost from 100mg to 200mg. While it is a stimulant I have never found it to increase blood pressure or anxiety the way too much caffeine or stimulant-loaded pre-workout supplements can. Modafanil requires a prescription so make sure to discuss with a knowledgeable physician to determine if it is safe for you to take. 

Some over-the-counter supplements that I have found useful include the amino acid tyrosine (3-6 grams), Mucuna pruriens (200-600mg), Piracetam ( 1-3 grams), and Acetyl-L-carnitine (2 grams). Mucuna is in my best-selling natural testosterone booster ASTB and is the main ingredient for why users often feel a positive boost on the first dosage. The increase in testosterone takes a few weeks but many feel the increase in dopamine on the first dosage due to the inclusion of Mucuna pruriens. The amino acid tyrosine is a precursor to dopamine and functions as the building block from which dopamine is made. Some will feel a high dose of tyrosine on the first dosage which is why many take it as a pre-workout boost for others it may take several weeks to notice any improvements. Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) increases dopamine and another neurotransmitter called acetylcholine which supports memory and may improve training performance. The smart drug Piracetam increases acetylcholine as well and I definitely notice an increase in focus and mood with it. If you are going to experiment with any of these options, I would recommend trying one at a time rather than stacking all of them for a synergistic effect. 

For long-term brain health and performance, I take 120mg of the herb Ginkgo Biloba daily. Psychiatrist and brain disorder specialist Dr. Daniel Amen who has looked at thousands of brain scans via a brain imaging diagnostic tool called SPECT stated the healthiest brains he has seen are always from people that use Ginko Biloba. Gingko is not something you are likely to notice on the first dosage. However, according to my friend and supplement researcher Jerry Brainum of Applied Metabolics (The best newsletter around on all things supplements and health), a noticeable increase in focus usually occurs after two months. Similar to many supplements or interventions, things take time to fully manifest. Many give up on supplements because they don’t feel anything after a month when if they just stayed with it longer they would have experienced the full benefits. Joint supplements such as Glucosamine and Cetyl-M are other examples that take months for the full benefits to be realized. 

Finally, while nootropics can be useful for immediate boosts and infrequent usage that demand serious focus, the key to having dialed-in focus daily that you can tap is to have an optimal hormone profile. If Pregnenolone, DHEA, testosterone, estrogen, growth hormone, and insulin are dialed in, you will have focus and motivation that will be the envy of others that can be utilized whenever needed. Optimizing hormones and keeping them optimal is similar to investing in assets to protect and enhance your purchasing power as you age. Just as the dollar loses value over time, your health will decline over time if you fail to dial in crucial hormones that are paramount for your health and longevity.