The 9 Best Nootropics For Memory

Oxiracetam is a powerful memory-boosting racetam. It is prevalent in the nootropics community for this reason and is the cornerstone of many people’s daily stack.

Like all racetams, oxiracetam increases the amount of ACh in the brain, which is a critical part of the memory system. It can also help repair damaged neurons.¹Fordyce DE, et al. Enhancement of hippocampally-mediated learning and protein kinase C activity by oxiracetam in learning-impaired DBA/2 mice, Brain Res. 1995

There is evidence that it can significantly improve spatial memory. It can also preserve memory function after injury or age-related cognitive decline. Oxiracetam may also have some benefits for focus and concentration.²Bottini G, et al. Oxiracetam in dementia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, Acta Neurol Scand. 1992

Aniracetam is another extremely popular racetam for memory. It has been around for a while and has clinically proven benefits for memory.³Sebastian D. Goldsmith and Arlene McDowell. Designing a Formulation of the Nootropic Drug Aniracetam Using 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin Suitable for Parenteral Administration, Pharmaceutics. 2018

Aniracetam is also famous for improving mood. Aniracetam could also have some side-benefits for memory encoding.

It is in many respects similar to oxiracetam, with oxiracetam being better for focus, and aniracetam being better for mood.

Noopept is possibly the most popular nootropic on the market.

While it is not technically a racetam, it is very close and has a similar mechanism of action on ACh.

This supplement also increases Nerve Growth Factor and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor.

These processes link to neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to repair and grow new neurons.

Neuroplasticity is critical for encoding and storing new memories.

So, by increasing these aspects, noopept can significantly improve your overall memory abilities.

Many people swear by this potent nootropic, and for a good reason.

Alpha GPC and citicoline are two nootropics that can help with memory by improving choline levels in the brain. Choline is a precursor for acetylcholine, which is critical to your memory system.

Basically, by ensuring you get enough choline through one of these supplements, you can keep your memory in top shape.

Taking care of your memory is especially crucial as you get older, and your acetylcholine production drops. Taking one of these nootropics can keep your brain humming smoothly into your later years.

While Alpha GPC and Citicoline work in generally the same way, they do have a few key differences.

Citicoline is famous for potentiating other nootropics in your stack. Alpha GPC, on the other hand, may have a more stimulatory effect than citicoline.

Regardless of which you choose, they are both excellent for improving memory.⁴Canal N, et al. Effect of L-alpha-glyceryl-phosphorylcholine on amnesia caused by scopolamine, Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol. 1991 ⁵Spiers PA, Myers D, Hochanadel GS, Lieberman HR, Wurtman RJ. Citicoline improves verbal memory in aging, Arch Neurol. 1996 ⁶Abad-Santos F, Novalbos-Reina J, Gallego-Sandín S, García AG. Treatment of mild cognitive impairment: the value of citicoline, Rev Neurol. 2002 ⁷Fioravanti M, Yanagi M. Cytidinediphosphocholine (CDP-choline) for cognitive and behavioural disturbances associated with chronic cerebral disorders in the elderly, Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005

They are especially useful when stacked with one of the above racetams because racetams can deplete your brain’s natural choline stores.

The racetam/choline combo is one of the most classic stacks in the nootropics world and can provide a ton of mental benefits.

Huperzine-A (Huperzia Serrata) is an all-natural herbal supplement for memory used in Southeast Asian medicine for centuries.

It has neuroprotective qualities and can protect your brain as it ages.

Huperzine-A improves memory by blocking acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which is the compound that breaks down acetylcholine (ACh), and increasing the amount of ACh overall that your brain can use for memory processes.⁸Huperzine-A capsules enhance memory and learning performance in 34 pairs of matched adolescent students, Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao. 1999

It is also a powerful antioxidant that can protect neurons from being damaged by free radicals, which can prevent cognitive degeneration long term.

Bacopa is an adaptogenic herb from India that is famous for boosting memory, among other benefits.

The main active compounds in Bacopa, “bacosides,” are responsible for this herb’s effects on memory.

Bacosides improve the flow of electrical signaling between neurons. By speeding up this transfer, they allow for quicker, more effective cognitive processing across the board.

There is substantial clinical evidence that bacopa monnieri can improve memory in healthy young adults. It is also famous for lowering anxiety and stress, which can put you in a better headspace to retain information.