All supplements

Hericium erinaceus

A medicinal mushroom studied for cognitive support and nerve growth factor (NGF) modulation. Most-studied nootropic mushroom; trial sample sizes remain small.

Withania somnifera

An adaptogen with the strongest meta-analysis evidence in the category for stress, anxiety, and cortisol modulation. KSM-66 and Sensoril are the two extracts with the most trial data.

Rhodiola rosea

An arctic adaptogen for stress-induced fatigue and mental performance under load. Standardized 3 percent rosavins / 1 percent salidroside (the SHR-5 ratio) is the only formulation with replicated RCT support.

An amino acid from green tea. Modest solo effects on stress; stronger effects in the 200 mg L-theanine + 100 mg caffeine stack on attention and reduced jitter.

The only magnesium form with mechanistic evidence for raising brain magnesium levels. Sleep-quality and cognitive trials are recent, small, and largely industry-funded.

Bacopa monnieri

A traditional Ayurvedic herb with replicated RCT support for memory consolidation. Slow-acting (8 to 12 weeks) but durable.

The most-studied supplement on earth. Strong evidence for strength and power. Cognitive benefits are clearest in stressed states (sleep deprivation, vegetarian baseline, aging).

Marine omega-3s with strong evidence for triglyceride lowering and EPA-dominant mood support. Primary-prevention CV claims should be hedged after VITAL.

An essential nutrient most adults are insufficient in. Strong bone-health and deficiency-correction evidence; mood claims weak in non-deficient adults per VITAL-DEP.

Cordyceps militaris

An energizing medicinal mushroom with athletic-performance signal. Human trial evidence is thin and mostly small RCTs.

Ganoderma lucidum

A traditional medicinal mushroom for immune support. Sleep-quality evidence is preliminary, mostly murine; no large RCT in healthy adults with primary insomnia.

A phospholipid with cognitive trials in older adults and cortisol-attenuation trials in athletes. Strongest historical trials used bovine PS (withdrawn post-BSE); modern soy/sunflower PS evidence is thinner.

A choline source that crosses the blood-brain barrier. Acute cognitive and pre-workout growth-hormone effects supported by small RCTs. A 2021 Korean cohort study flagged a stroke association in elderly users; honest framing required.

A glutathione precursor with strong COPD/respiratory evidence and moderate evidence for OCD-spectrum symptom reduction (as adjunct, not monotherapy).

The most-trialed nootropic stack on earth. 100 mg caffeine + 200 mg L-theanine (1:2 ratio) for focused energy without the typical caffeine jitter.