For the uninitiated, a nootropic “stack” is simply a slang term to describe someone’s mixture of different brain-enhancing substances.

There are a few different reasons why someone might choose to create a stack. First and foremost, a stack can often make for a much more comprehensive cognitive boost, as few chemicals manage to help every aspect of cognition all by themselves. The second main reason is that a stack can properly balance out some of the effects of any of the substances in the stack. This can make the experience of taking nootropics more comfortable overall or reduce the chances of adverse health outcomes. Adrafinil is often added to stacks to work as the main energy-producing component, seeing as adrafinil is noted for its stimulatory effects.

Here’s what people often take with their adrafinil to get the most out of their experience:

Adrafinil and L-theanine

One issue commonly reported by those who take stimulatory chemicals is that they feel too “sped up” to the point where significant discomfort or mental distress is felt. L-theanine, an amino acid used by the body to produce L-glutamine and L-glutamate, is added to help temper this excited feeling into something more manageable. In fact, L-theanine is often added to caffeine pills to make the experience more comfortable. The L-theanine is added to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as contribute to an overall feeling of relaxation. When taken with adrafinil, it cancels out some of the more intense feelings caused by adrafinil, which allows the user to stay focused on their work and not how they are feeling. These are the doses of the two that people take when using them at the same time:

  • Adrafinil 300 mg

  • L-theanine 20 mg

Adrafinil and noopept

Noopept is commonly used by biohackers to increase their working memory, as well as reduce feelings of anxiety throughout the day. It’s fairly straightforward then why noopept makes a great companion chemical for adrafinil. It’s also a fairly inexpensive stack. Noopept is on the cheaper side and adrafinil isn’t hard on the budget, so make sure to check the price before committing to any vendor. It’s a great way to take in all of the mental boosts offered by noopept, while giving you the energy to put that increased mental clarity to work. Since noopept is slightly stimulating on its own, a smaller dose of adrafinil is recommended. With adrafinil lasting approximately 10 hours and noopept lasting 4, sometimes, additional doses of noopept are needed. Here’s what the stack looks like:

  • Adrafinil 150 mg

  • Noopept 10 – 30 mg

Adrafinil and caffeine

Some individuals enjoy the energy boost offered by adrafinil, but since it’s less powerful than more common stimulants like amphetamines, they require a bit more oomph to appreciate its effects fully. Their stimulatory effects are synergistic, with adrafinil working mostly on alertness and wakefulness, while caffeine stimulates the entire central nervous system. In conjunction, they create a mood of efficient productivity that’s nearly impossible to replicate with other substances. It’s also extremely easy to take advantage of, since just about everybody has some coffee around:

  • Adrafinil 150 – 300 mg

  • 1-2 cups of coffee

Conclusion

Nothing stops you from taking as many different nootropics as you’d like in your stack, but it’s crucial to understand how anything you’d like to add will mesh with the other components of your stack. If you take a lot of a stimulating nootropics, adding in ones that contribute to reduced anxiety can make for a much more balanced experience. No matter what you do, always make sure to check the health implications of every item in your mixture.