Goal
Stress
HPA-axis regulation, cortisol, HRV, and adaptogens. Ranked by evidence and effect size.
Compounds
All compounds →Ashwagandha
aka Withania somnifera / KSM-66 / Sensoril
Ashwagandha supplement guide: KSM-66 and Sensoril extracts at 300-600 mg/day cut morning cortisol and stress in RCTs. Dose, side effects, testosterone data.
- Half-life
- 10hr
- Typical dose
- 600mg
Bromantane
aka Ladasten / ADK-709 / N-(4-bromophenyl)adamantan-2-amine
Bromantane, the Russian nootropic sold as Ladasten (ADK-709), acts on dopamine to cut fatigue and anxiety without classical stimulant rebound.
- Half-life
- 11hr
- Typical dose
- 75mg
L-Theanine
aka theanine / gamma-glutamylethylamide
L-theanine is a non-protein amino acid found in tea leaves. The most-replicated nootropic; pairs with caffeine at 1:1 (100-200 mg each) for acute focus.
- Half-life
- 1.5hr
- Typical dose
- 200mg
Magnesium Glycinate
aka magnesium bisglycinate
Magnesium glycinate supplement guide: chelated bisglycinate form, 200 to 400 mg dosage, sleep architecture benefits, low GI side effects, glycine co-effect.
- Half-life
- 5hr
- Typical dose
- 300mg
Noopept
aka GVS-111 / N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester / Omberacetam
Noopept cognitive enhancer profile: 10 to 30 mg dosage, dipeptide nootropic mechanism, memory effects, and how it compares to piracetam.
- Half-life
- 0.7hr
- Typical dose
- 20mg
Articles
All articles →
Alpha-GPC Dosage: 300, 600, or 1,200 mg? Evidence Map
Alpha-GPC dosage by goal: 300-600 mg/day for cognitive enhancement, 600 mg pre-training for power output, 1,200 mg/day for vascular cognitive impairment.
Ashwagandha and L-Theanine: Stack for Stress + Focus
Ashwagandha + L-theanine stack: ashwagandha 300-600 mg/day for chronic stress, L-theanine 100-200 mg as needed for acute focus.
Best Supplements for Men Over 40: Tier-Ranked Guide
Best supplements for men over 40: tier-A foundation (creatine, omega-3, vitamin D3+K2, magnesium), plus age-specific picks (CoQ10 if on statins, ashwagandha.
Creatine for Cognitive Function: 12-Week Self-Experiment Protocol
A 12-week n=1 creatine for cognitive function protocol: 5 g/day, anchored to Rae 2003, McMorris 2006 sleep deprivation, Avgerinos 2018 meta.
Caffeine L-Theanine Stack: Ratio, Dosage, and Focus Effects
Caffeine L-theanine stack at 1:1, 100-200 mg each, is the best-evidenced acute focus pairing. Ratio, dosage, and when to skip it.
Cortisol Blood Test Meaning: Morning Levels, HPA Axis, and CAR
Cortisol blood test: morning cortisol, awakening response, 4-point salivary cortisol measure different things. Adrenal fatigue is not a diagnosis.
Finasteride Side Effects: Hair Loss, DHT, and the Honest Trade-off
Finasteride side effects on libido and mood are real in a minority. DHT suppression drives hair and BPH benefit. Topical vs oral, PFS risk, decision framework.
Male Fertility Testing: When to Check Sperm Count, What It Costs
Male fertility testing explained: when to check sperm count, what semen analysis costs, which lifestyle factors move the number, and TRT tradeoffs.
Perimenopause Testing and Treatment: A Practical Field Guide
Perimenopause testing and treatment in 2026: signs in your 40s, hormone panels worth running, and where HRT and estradiol evidence sits.
Hormone Changes With Age: Testosterone, Estrogen
Hormone changes with age: testosterone levels by decade, perimenopause testing, thyroid drift, cortisol shifts, and where HRT evidence sits.
Best Nootropic Stacks: Honest Guide for Daily Focus
Best nootropic stacks ranked honestly: caffeine plus L-theanine, racetams, and what to skip. How to stack nootropics for daily focus without the hype.