ascendingpath
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introduction
In this thread I'll go through every well known nootropic and how useful they are, starting off with the worst to the best. Also how bad the side effects are. Basically this is about knowing what you are taking and what you are going to expect.| Table of contents: |
| What are nootropics? |
| Worst-to-best nootropic rankings with full breakdowns |
| Conclusion |
What are nootropics?
Nootropics are cognitive enhancing substances that act on the brain’s neurotransmitter system which includes: dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, glutamate, GABA, and adenosine. These substances are used for focus, energy, motivation, memory, mental clarity, and overall cognitive performance.
BUT some people are going to try get them prescribed by faking having ADHD or buying them from the black market (80% of the time pressed meth
)Worst-to-best nootropic rankings with full breakdowns
F: Natural/Brand supplements:
These so called supplements are the lowest on the list because of many reasons. most people would think these are safe alternatives of stimulants because they contain natural ingrediënts like: L-tyrosine, Alpha GPC, MCT, DMAE.
ur dead WRONG, most of these supplements barely contain enough of these so called ''anti-anxiety'' herbs which won't do shit other than give you an placebo effect or an slight buzz (another placebo effect) so basically you be wasting your money for useless placebo pills.
overall 0/10
ur dead WRONG, most of these supplements barely contain enough of these so called ''anti-anxiety'' herbs which won't do shit other than give you an placebo effect or an slight buzz (another placebo effect
) so basically you be wasting your money for useless placebo pills.overall 0/10
D: mild/research nootropics:
These are designed to increase dopamine and serotonin also reducing brain fog by raising BDNF. improving neuroplasticity, and calming anxiety without heavy sedation. Semax & selank were originally made in russia.
Pros:
Pros:
- Reduced brain fog
- increase in dopamine & serotonin
- Almost no chance you’ll start relying on it
- Pretty mild and you should not expect a lot..
- headaches, sleep disruption.
Why D tier
Selank and Semax are quite useful if someone wants something with low risk and low dependency, but they are not worth it because of the price and low effectiveness, a waste of money
C: GABA analogs:
Phenibut (β-phenyl-γ-aminobutyric acid) is a GABA analog. it was developed in 1966 for soviet cosmonauts to stay calm in space without losing focus. people use it nowdays for social anxiety, stress relieve or sleep. once consumed effects that 2-4 hours to begin. once absorbed phenibut crosses the blood brain barrier and enhances GABA. it also affects dopamine receptors adding sudden mood lift.
Pros:
Pros:
- Very effective and is optimal for most of the mental issues like: social anxiety, stress, sleeping issues, low dopamine.
- Doesn't require prescription (in usa)
- High chance of reliability
- Severe side effcts & withdrawals like: Severe anxiety, insomia, tremor, rapid heartbeat and in extreme cases hallucinations
- Fast tolerance build up
Why c tier?
Phenibut is very effective at reducing ADHD, social anxiety and brainfog, but it comes with insane crashes and side effects not worth the gamble.
C+: GABA analog:
The reason i put pregablin at c+ is because it does the same as phenibut does but with way less side effects and dependency. (same pros) but not the second one
When you should use pregablin:
When you should use pregablin:
- Job interview
- Date
- presentation
- meeting new people
- exam/tests
- parties/club
- dosage 150-300mg don't use too often use once every week or longer if you notice any dependency signs
- effects begin within 30-60 minutes and last 4-6 hours
Why c+ tier
pregablin is an good choice for going out and clearing social anxiety, but there are better competitors out there ofcourse.
B: mild Stimulants:
Modafinil (Provigil) and its stronger cousin Armodafinil (Nuvigil). They mainly work by increasing dopamine (via weak DAT inhibition), boosting histamine and orexin signaling, and reducing GABA in key areas.
Pros:
overall: 7,5/10
Pros:
- Clean stimulation and focus without heavy heart rate/blood pressure spike
- very low crash
- low dependency
- feeling flat/emotionless
- light headaches
- Tolerance builds with daily use
- Modafinil: 100–200 mg morning
- Armodafinil: 75–150 mg morning
overall: 7,5/10
Why B tier
They are great if someone wants something strong but with milder side effects that strong stimulants. safe options but still comes with risk!
A: Stimulants:
Vyvanse is a prodrug amphetamine (lisdexamfetamine). Your body converts it into dextroamphetamine, giving a, long-lasting dopamine + norepinephrine boost. It gives strong focus, and cognitive enhancment without instant crashes.
Pros:
Pros:
- Lower recreational abuse potential (prodrug design)
- Reliable for work, study, or long sessions
- Smooth, long-lasting stimulation and focus
- Appetite loss
- can cause anxiety, elevated heart rate, dry mouth, insomnia
- Tolerance builds with daily use
- mild dependency risk
- 20–70 mg morning
- Take early in the morning. Effects start over 1–2 hours
- to lower dependency use only once a week
Why A tier
Excellent real-world stimulation and productivity. Clean onset, steady blood levels, longer duration (10–14 hours), and slightly lower abuse spike than Adderall. Side effects are strong but more manageable than Adderall regular use. Still not A+ because Adderall hits harder and faster.
A+: Strong stimulant:
Adderall is mixed amphetamine salts (dextroamphetamine + levoamphetamine). floods the brain with dopamine and norepinephrine by increasing release and blocking reuptake. This gives the strongest, fastest, and most noticeable stimulation, focus, motivation, and cognitive drive on the entire list.
Pros:
overall: 9,5
Pros:
- Strongest stimulant out there reduces: ADHD, social anxiety and brain fog the fastest while also increasing dopamine rapidly.
- Excellent for heavy work, studying, or precise work
- Noticeable euphoria and motivation that weaker nootropics never match
- Higher heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety risk
- Strong appetite kill and possible insomnia
- Tolerance and dependence build faster with daily use
- IR (instant release): 5–30 mg, effects in 20–40 min, lasts 4–6 hours (can redose)
- XR (extended release): 10–30 mg morning, lasts 8–12 hours
- Dont take more than 1-2 times a week to avoid dependency.
overall: 9,5
Why A+ tier
Highest usefulness of anything here. Instant, powerful effects that end brain fog, laziness, and distraction. intens, faster onset, and more euphoria/motivation than Vyvanse. When you need maximum output, nothing else comes close. The only reason it’s not perfect is the higher side-effect load and crash potential compared to smoother options.
Conclusion
That’s the full rating of different nootropics. Natural supplements are the worst because they are a waste of money and only provide placebo effects. Mild research chems like Semax and Selank give low risk but low effects and high cost. GABA options like Phenibut work but come with harsh crashes and reliance issues. Modafinil and Armodafinil deliver clean, reliable stimulation without the heavy crash. Vyvanse is for smooth dopamine increase and lowering anxiety, and Adderall is at A+ for being the most effective and having the strongest effects on the list.#Volpamogs
@Volpa
