Reading primary sources so you don't have to
An independent researcher's field notes on nootropics, neurochemistry, and the science of cognitive performance — written with a healthy skepticism for anything that overpromises.
Latest
Most people know creatine as a muscle-building supplement. Fewer know that a growing body of research suggests it may also support working memory, mental fatigue resistance, and processing speed — particularly under conditions of sleep deprivation or cognitive stress.
Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) is one of the most hyped nootropics of the past decade. The underlying science on nerve growth factor stimulation is genuinely interesting — but the gap between in vitro findings and human clinical evidence is wider than most marketing will admit.
April 28, 2026
Combining caffeine and L-theanine is one of the most well-researched nootropic stacks. The synergy is real, the mechanism is understood, and the evidence in healthy adults is more consistent than almost anything else in this space.
April 10, 2026
Magnesium is the most common micronutrient deficiency in the Western diet — and it's essential to NMDA receptor function, synaptic plasticity, and sleep. The question is whether magnesium threonate's superior brain penetration translates to meaningful cognitive advantages over cheaper magnesium forms.
March 22, 2026
DHA is a structural component of the brain that plays an active role in synaptic membrane fluidity, neuroinflammation regulation, and BDNF expression. The case for maintaining adequate DHA status goes beyond general health claims — the neuroscience is specific and mechanistically coherent.
March 5, 2026