Ask HN: What nootropics do you take?

I experimented heavily with nootropics right around the time Limitless came out. I shudder when I think of the amount of time and money I squandered. It is a fool's errand. It is virtually impossible to quantify efficacy absent any real scientific rigor and the potential to do more harm than good is great. The most important lesson I learned about mental well-being and cognition after all was that there are no shortcuts. Diet, exercise, mindfulness, and persistence in whatever you are trying to become better at are the only ways to actually improve. At best the rest is inert snake oil and at worst you are harming yourself.

Not very exotic, but I’m a fan of L-Theanine + caffeine.

Outside of supplements, I’ve created a chrome extension that helps you focus ( https://GetOnTopic.com )

Think of it as a digital nootropic ;)

I recently tried adrafanil (modafanil pro-drug) to combat really bad sleep deprivation. It works, as far as I can tell, as I'm not passing out mid day and I can think coherently. I'm also hoping I can take some of my weekends back, but there are some side effects which I'm not sure are a product of it or something else.

Took adderall for 15 years but my Dr retired. I can't afford another so am experimenting with nootropics.

To stretch out my dwindling supply, I'm alternating Phenylpiracetam & Adrafinil (and occasionally Modofinil). Some days I supplement with L-Theanine.

I've done well with fasoracetam too but I haven't restocked.

In the evenings I take Kratom. Also, Phenibut but max is 2x/wk on that.

Not technically a nooptropic, but don't underestimate the effect of water (hydration) on focus, memory and energy levels.

L-Theanine and caffeine

L-tyrosine