Top 5 Nootropic Stack Combinations

By Jack Olsen
Stacking nootropics has become a common practice among users of smart drugs and brain supplements. With such a wide choice of brain supplements that have varying effects and uniqueness, nootropic users “stack” their choices for smart drugs. This is practice is done in order to customize the effects of the smart drugs to best suit the needs of the users and to maximize the cognitive enhancing potential of the compounds.

There are also instances when stacking is done in order to negate the known adverse effects of a particular brain supplement. For example one nootropic may have potent abilities but it also cause bouts of sleeplessness or even insomnia. To counteract this effect, another brain supplement may be added into the stack that will help regulate sleep patterns.

Some nootropics are synergistic with other smart drugs and brain supplements. This means the abilities of several nootropic compounds better together, increasing the effectiveness and the potency of all the nootropics included in the stack. Other smart drug stacks may be made up of brain supplements that potentiate or make the properties of each nootropic stronger.

The following are the most common nootropic stack combinations.

1. L-Theanine and Caffeine

This stack is disproves the pervasive notion that nootropic stacks need to be expensive to be more effective. Caffeine belongs to a class of compounds called of xanthenes and anyone who enjoys their morning coffee will have pretty much an idea of how the stimulatory effects of caffeine work. L-Theanine on the other hand is a type of amino acid and glutamic acid analog. This amino acid has been studied and was found to have psychotropic properties that help stabilize mood and help promote positive feelings. Often referred to as a “poor man’s stack,” or as a “beginner’s stack”, the L-Theanine plus Caffeine combo is known to be synergistic as they enhance both their nootropic abilities and at the same time negates both their adverse effects. While this combination may have limited effect on the mental functions, it will be a good stack for those who are just starting out with nootropic supplementation.

2. Multi-Racetam Stacks

Nootropic users are becoming increasingly aware of the subtle but significant differences in the effects of racetam based smart drugs. While they all affect the cognitive processes in the brain at varying levels, each racetam has its own unique abilities that may be lesser or are absent in other racetams. For example Pramiracetam has been observed to be good at stabilizing mood while Aniracetam has the ability to enhance creativity and abstract problem solving skills. Depending on the effects that a particular user is gunning for, he or she may use two or more racetam nootropics in order to enjoy the benefits offered by a particular racetam. Some may find experimenting with multi-racetam stacks to be a bit tedious, but it can be rewarding once you figure out the combination that works best for you.

3. Choline and Cholinergic Nootropics

A good number of effective brain supplements act by affecting the activity of acetylcholine, a neuroendocrine transmitter in the brain believed to be responsible for a number of cognitive functions. Among these functions attributed to acetylcholine include memory formation, retention, and recall. Choline on the other hand is essential in the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. While choline is abundant in food sources, taking choline supplements is one of the best and most effective ways to increase the choline stores in the brain. It will then be synthesized into acetylcholine. When stacked together, the combination of cholinergics and choline almost ensures that the cognitive enhancing properties of both nootropics take effect. A good choline supplement choice would be Alpha GPC and CDP choline, while most racetams have a cholinergic action.

4. Nootropic and Fitness Stack Combination

Health and fitness enthusiasts are beginning to discover the value of nootropics and how it can help improve their physical performance. Some nootropics have also long been used as part of a pre-workout and recovery supplements taken by athletes and fitness buffs. These include Synephrine and Octopamine, which are both used as fat-burning aids. These two compounds are also used by some nootropic users for their stimulatory properties and to improve alertness, focus, and concentration. Vinpocetine is also a common component in pre-workout supplement for it vasodilating effects, which makes your muscles more vascular for a more effective workout. As a nootropic Vinpocetine aids in increasing blood flow to the brain. A good fitness and nootropic stack combination would either be Synephrine or Vinpocetine taken with Phenylpiracetam. Banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, Phenylpiracetam is not only a potent racetam nootropic, but it also has properties that can enhance physical performance.

5. All-Natural Nootropic Stack

An all-natural nootropic stack can be loosely defined as any combination of naturally occurring smart drug compounds, derived primarily from plant sources. There are a number of plants and plant products that are believed to have nootropic properties. These include Ginseng, Ginko Biloba, Bacopa monnieri, Lion’s Mane Mushroom, Uncaria tomentosa, Calamus root, Celastrus paniculatus seeds, and Kratom leaves. Users have different reasons for their preference for an all-natural nootropic stack. Some users may be proponents of vegan and organic supplements, some may have budget constraints, and some may prefer all-natural noots safety reasons. The nootropic effects of all-natural supplements can be very subtle and can vary greatly that finding the right combination for an all-natural stack can get a little tricky.

6. Power Stack

Sometimes referred to as an “attack stack,” this type of stack combines the most potent nootropics order to achieve immediate and potent cognitive enhancement. This type of stack is usually taken as a study aid, in preparing for a job interview, or to help the user accomplish any mentally challenging task. The cognitive enhancing compounds that are used for these types of stacks include Noopept, Sunifiram, and Unifiram, all of which are estimated to be 1,000 times more potent than Piracetam. Choline is usually included in power stacks to alleviate the headaches that are a common side effect in powerful nootropics. This type of stack is only used only when needed and it is not advisable for long term supplementation.

There are other inclusions to nootropic stacks and these additions are often based on the preference of the user. It is not uncommon for a nootropic stack to have vitamins, fish oils, wakefulness promoting agents, and even certain drugs. One must keep in mind however, that there is no such thing as a one-stack-fits-all kind of deal when it comes to brain supplements. Although a stack may work for one, it doesn’t necessarily follow that it will work for another and this applies to the doses, the combinations, and the effects of a smart drug stack. Due to varying sensitivities and responses to the compounds mentioned here, results and effects will very likely differ between users. Building your own personal nootropic stack from scratch through experimentation can be a little time consuming and tedious. However, it is the most effective way to figure out what combination of smart drugs and brain supplements will work best for you. Once you have found out what nootropic combination works for you however, the benefits from supplementation can be very rewarding and will certainly be well-worth the effort.