credit: u/Maeng_da_00
To start with some background. I've been into nootropics for about 2-3 years now and have tried a good variety of compounds ranging from herbs to prescription drugs. I'm neurotypical as far as I know, male, and am currently finishing my third year of engineering school.
On top of these supplements, I also work out 5-6 days per week, try to sleep at a consistent time for ~7-8 hours per night and eat a clean diet avoiding added sugar and seed oils when possible. These actions have had more impact than almost any supplement or drug. Anyone looking into cognitive enhancement should start here before adding new compounds.
Anyways, here's the list, broken down into categories, and roughly scored out of ten. Some of these may not be legal in all areas. Check your local laws and don't purchase/consume anything that could put you in prison.
Vitamins/minerals:
Magnesium (9/10): biggest impact of any mineral I've taken. I was likely deficient in this as after starting it I noticed an almost immediate boost in sleep quality and started dreaming again after barely having any dreams for a few years. Also helped reduce muscle cramping and soreness.
Fish oil Omega 3 (6/10): I've heard this is healthy and everyone should take it, but to be honest I haven't noticed much personally from it. Whether it's the supplements not doing much, or the fact that I've already tried to cut Omega 6 fats out if my diet to have a balanced ratio of Omega 3-6 I don't know, but these didn't work as well as I've heard. I still take it due to the mountains if evidence supporting fish oil and the fact that I can get a years supply for $20.
Zinc (8/10): like magnesium this also had a noticable effect on my sleep quality and dreams but not as significant. I've heard it can boost testosterone, and I did notice a transient boost in libido when starting zinc, but haven't had much long term impact.
Vitamin D (9/10): I live in Canada so vitamin d deficiency is extremely common, especially in the winter. I've had seasonal depression since I was roughly ten, and after supplementing 5000IU/day 2 years ago, it's stopped completely. For that alone this supplement is worth taking, and more evidence about it's benefits keeps coming out, would highly recommend this.
B12 (4/10): didn't notice much from this despite it being recommend to me by some friends. I likely get more than enough B12 from my diet, so the supplement didn't do much. Take this if you're vegan, but no point if you're not.
Herbal supplements
L theanine (9/10): non-addictive anxiety relief and takes the anxious irritable edge off of every stimulant. I've been taking this daily for about 3 years now and it works as well as it did the first time. Good addition to any nootropic stack.
Caffeine/coffee (9.5/10): first "snart-drug" I've taken and still one of my favorites. I usually have 2 cups of coffee a day, one in the morning and one after lunch. Boosts energy and motivation while giving me a good morning ritual. Only problem is the addiction and tolerance issues, to remedy I try to take a week off caffeine every 2-4 months.
Lion's mane (5/10): felt a slight boost in cognition, but minimal compared to racetams. I also noticed a significant drop in libido while taking lion's mane which scared me off. Benefits weren't worth the side effects for me sadly.
Cordyceps (7/10): another mushroom and one that did work well for me. Slight boost to energy and a decent boost to stamina. I used this more as a workout than nootropic supplement, but it increased energy and drive for either task.
Saffron (7/10): yes the expensive spice. I'd make a tea with about 100mg of it and noticed a decent drop in anxiety and mood boost. Similar effects to theanine, but too pricy to use regularly.
Ashwaghanda (4/10): I've tried this multiple times and never noticed anything (good or bad) from it.
Kava-kava (6/10): feels more recreational than nootropic. Gave me a euphoric, disinhibited mental state for about 2 hours after consumption. More of a social drug like alcohol or cannabis than a nootropic.
Kratom (8/10): yes it is addictive and yes it is an opioid receptor agonist. Despite this, I've had significant benefits from Kratom, it helps me with anxiety and irritability better than anything natural and when used responsibly is safe to take. I limit myself to 2 grams 3 days a week at most, and frequently take weeks to months off.
Coca leaf (6/10): the plant cocaine is made from. A tea from these leaves provides a stimulating effect similar to a cup of coffee but only lasts 2 hours. Nice if you want to work later in the evening. Feels a little harder on my heart than caffeine and other similar stimulants, so I try not to use it often.
Synthetic supplements
Noopept (8/10): my favourite racetam. I typically take 2-4mg in a nasal spray and notice an immediate boost to energy, working memory and mental processing speed. Synergizes well with almost all other compounds (except LSD) and I've had little issues with tolerance.
Pramiracetam (2/10): tried this 3-4 times. Each time I had a headache, nausea and fatigue from consuming it. Don't know if it was a bad batch or my body doesn't like this, but I threw it out due to the awful effects.
Oxiracetam (6/10): another racetam, more subtle than noopept but similar effects. Taken orally and takes about 40-60 mins to feel it, so I prefer the instant effects of nasally administered noopept.
Phenylpiracetam (7/10): more of a stimulant than a racetam. Great preworkout, but only lasts about 3 hours so not ideal for work. Also expensive so I prefer to use the less pricy noopet.
L tyrosine (7/10): minimal effects on its own but helps a lot when I'm dealing with "dopamine depletion" after using stronger stimulants. 1g on an empty stomach seems to end the comedowns of harsher stimulants.
Ephedrine (8/10): stronger than caffeine and dirtier feeling as a stimulant. Amazing to work out on and good for work as well. Can make me angry if taken too often, but is very useful. Doesn't build tolerance as quickly as other stimulants.
Melatonin (5/10): helps me fall asleep when in a new location or changing sleep schedule. I try not to take it regularly due to becoming dependant on it in the last. Doesn't seem to boost sleep quality, just helps me fall asleep.
Drugs
Modafinil (10/10): my favourite nootropic. Wakefulness, increased motivation and increased confidence that lasts all day. Doesn't interrupt my sleep too much and doesn't have a harsh comedown like other stimulants.
Amphetamine (8/10): I've taken both Adderall and Vyvanse and decided to group them together due to similar experiences. Amphetamine gives me a forced motivation feeling and though highly euphoric doesn't produce the same quality or consostancy if output as modafinil. It's good for occasions I need a significant boost of energy, but I avoid taking it regularly due to concerns about addiction.
Methylphenidate (6/10): similar speediness to amphetamine, but a more robotic and emotionless feeling. Useful for work but changes my personality in a bad way while I'm on it.
MK-677 (7/10): a bodybuilding supplement used to boost growth hormone. Also the single best sleep aid I've take. Boosts quality of sleep and improves physical recovery while asleep. 6 hours of sleep on this feels like 8 normally. Several side effects though such as increased hunger, significant weight gain and in my case carpal tunnel syndrome.
LSD microdosing (7/10): gives a boost to energy and creativity all day, but also leaves me easily distracted. Hard to do work on this but work produced on LSD is of a higher quality. Significant mood boost as well, one of the best supplements when I'm feeling down.
N-methyl-cyclazodone (8.5/10): feels similar to Adderall but longer lasting. Not as manic as amphetamine and has lead to a better work output. Research chemical so unknown safety profile, and may be hepatotocix.
Phenibut (9/10): I have a love/hate relationship with Phenibut. I was very dependant on it 2 years ago when I had worse social anxiety. On Phenibut I felt normal and could socialize with anyone without getting caught in my head. I abused it for a few months, then didn't touch it for a year. Recently started using it again after dealing with my anxiety problems and can use it safely. Amazing compound, but has a risk of abuse, especially for autistic/socially anxious individuals.
Psilocybin microdose (8/10): a more relaxing/social microdose. Can't do work on this one but it helps massively to balance and boost my mood. One microdose and I feel notably happier while on it as well as for the subsequent days.
Mescaline microdose (9.5/10): the best psychedelic to microdose in my opinion. Similar to acid in length and feeling, but with a stimulating push that removes the potential to be distracted. Minor nausea on the comeup but otherwise a very clean body feeling. Lasts 14-16 hours, so dose early in the morning.
Nicotine (7/10): surprisingly useful nootropic drug. I use lozenges/gum to avoid the more addictive and dangerous consumption methods. Lasts about 1-2 hours and feels like a combination of noopept and caffeine. Avoid frequent use due to addictiveness, but useful for a quick boost.