Don’t Expect Too Much Too Soon

When first deciding to try nootropics, don’t expect some sort of magic “NZT” pill. If this was the case, every single person would be taking them. This is a mistake many people make when first trying nootropics. Be humble and aware and you should see the signs of cognitive improvement. Sometimes this takes time. Although nootropics can be very effective, some may expect too much and therefore abandon taking nootropics and lose out.

With this said, do not think too little of nootropics. There are loads and loads of medical studies that prove cognitive improvements in both animals and humans. Be humble but do not trick yourself into thinking you are experiencing a placebo effect. Years of studies have shown nootropics work and you should keep this in the back of your mind to encourage further usage.

Give Nootropics Time & Be Patient

You may purchase a nootropic or nootropic stack and feel little or no effects. This may cause you to be discouraged and each day you experience no effects the discouragement may grow. The truth is, most racetam nootropics have cumulative effects that can be seen to improve over time. One well published study, even shows that learning had not significantly increased after 7 days with piracetam treatment however, after 14 days, learning had significantly improved. You can see the link to this study here . We also have this post  to give more advice on this topic.

One other option is to consider using an attack dose. An attack dose will get the nootropic in your system faster. An attack dose is using a much higher dosage for the first day or few days to get your system “primed”. This technique is not recommended for first time users especially since some nootropics can be dangerous if taken in higher dosages. This practice is usually only applied to racetams and one should still be cautious before doing so.

Understand Metabolism, Solubility & Interactions

Each nootropic is different. This also relates to how they are absorbed and metabolised. The solubility of a racetam may influence how it should be taken. Water soluble racetams will have the best effects when taken on an empty stomach because they are absorbed very quickly in the intestines. On the other hand, most fat soluble racetams should be taken with food to maximize absorption.

Drug interactions are another thing to take note of. Some of the racetams and various nootropics have drug interactions that could be negative. Oxiracetam will lose effectiveness when combined with carbamazepine or valproic acid. Piracetam may have negative consequences when combined with warfarin. Mixing phenylalanine with an MAO inhibitor can cause severe consequences. Combining adrafinil with Tylenol can cause excess strain on the liver. Interactions can happen and although these interactions are usually very minimal one should always do due diligence by speaking with a doctor before starting.

Find A Stack That Works For You

A nootropic stack can really increase overall effectiveness. Mixing a racetam with an acetylcholine booster is always a great idea to start in a stack. You may find this beneficial or negative depending on your bodys chemistry. Building a stack is about playing around. There are some great stack ideas on this site as well as forums and nootropic communities. Regardless of this, a stack that works for another may not work well for you so it is always best to play around.

Learn How To Use Nootropic Powders

We wrote a great post called “how to take nootropic powders” . There are some great tips for beginner nootropics users. You don’t always need a scale and some even prefer not to. Others love the confidence of having a scale. This comes down to you.

Taste is one thing some people cannot stand about nootropics. Some powders will taste extremely bitter and others taste sour or sweet like aspartame. If you really cannot stand the taste of powders even after mixing them with juice or another substance, you can always cap them yourself. This can be done for extremely cheap and there are retailers online that sell capping machines for very reasonable prices that will do the job quickly and efficiently.