5 Nootropics That Helped Build My Brain And My Substack
Dear Kool Health Crew,
I’m currently at my crib jamming away on this article.
This one is gonna be exciting. I’m happy to share with you my 5 favorite nootropics.
Nootropics are pretty cool. They help you brain work better by providing it with the raw materials to produce neurotransmitters. They also help your brain utilize oxygen and glucose efficiently.
They also make you lock in like crazy.
I’m talking, flow state for 3 hours. Deliberate bursts of attention and creativity that leave you feeling like living out your life’s purpose.
These compounds allow me to
Work a full time job
Write weekly Substack articles
Build an amazing relationship with
Coach Kool Health Clients
And still leave me with time to school kids in tennis.
I know your probably wondering what these are. Dr*gs? M*th?
Tryna not get banned lol.
Don’t worry i’m going to detail what nootropics exactly are and how they can help you build a better brain and a better life.
Then ill give you my 5 favorite nootropic stacks
What are nootropics:
In short, the term "nootropic" comes from two Greek words: nöos (meaning mind or thinking) and tropein (to guide) [10,11].
Its an umbrella terms to describe a list of herbs, foods and synthetic compounds that enhance cognitive function.
From creativity and focus to preventing neurodegeneration and aiding in neurogenesis.
So, nootropics are literally "mind guides"—compounds that sharpen your thinking, boost creativity, and enhance focus by rewiring your brain’s chemistry for the better.
Here are the aspects that nootropics can help your brain.
Oxygen and Glucose
Your brain uses glucose oxygen and ketones as its main fuel source for energy. Nootropics helps shuttle the nutrients into the brain.
Neurogenesis
They help enhance neurogenesis which is the creation of new neurons. Neurogenesis helps keep your brain young and plastic.
Neurotransmitter Production
They help your body produce neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine, and provide it the raw materials to make them.
Increase Mitochondrial Activity
Nootropics have been shown to help protect the mitochondria against oxidative stress in the brain.
In short, nootropics help you focus longer, think clearer, and protect your brain from decline over time.
My Top 5 Nootropics for Enhanced Focus and Brain Function
One cool thing about nootropics is that they are very synergistic with one another. You can stack them together for even more benefit.
These are the stacks that I have personally vetted to be incredibly safe and beneficial and most importantly, effective.
1. Grass-Fed Butter + MCT Oil + Coffee
This is the easiest nootropic to get started with, especially if you’re already a coffee drinker. By adding grass-fed butter and MCT oil, you can turn your morning brew into a brain-boosting powerhouse.
Grass-fed butter provides essential fatty acids like saturated fat, butyrate and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid). These act as building blocks for your brain, helping support your cells and the myelin sheath—the system that speeds up how your brain sends signals.
MCT Oil delivers quick-burning ketones, which your brain uses as clean fuel, giving you enhanced focus and energy.
Coffee itself improves cognitive function, but combining it with butter and MCT oil helps release caffeine more slowly.
Directions:
Brew 12 oz of your favorite coffee (a medium to dark roast works best for flavor).
Add 1 tablespoon of grass-fed unsalted butter (~14g).
Add 1 tablespoon of MCT oil (~14g).
Blend for 20-30 seconds until it becomes frothy and smooth.
Ingredients I use
Kion Organic Coffee Discount Code: koolhealth for 10% off
Frankies Grass Fed Butter or Kalona farms from whole foods.
PFAS free blender
2. Pure Nicotine (No, Not Cigarettes)
Nicotine has been shown to enhance short-term memory, improve word recall, and boost cognitive clarity. It’s even been studied for its potential to help with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Nicotine's short half-life (around 2-3 hours) makes it especially useful. It provides a quick mental boost without lingering effects. I like to use it in the afternoon as coffee late in the afternoon impacts my sleep poorly.
How I use it: I stick to nicotine gum or pouches from brands like Lucy or Zyn. These companies use pure pharmaceutical grade nicotine and natural flavors. No tobacco or crazy chemicals. Its helping me write this article.
Start small, with 2 mg, and don’t exceed 3 mg.
Pro tip: If you’re trying to memorize something, use nicotine both while learning and while recalling the information later. This trick helps lock in those details even better.
3. Qualia Mind
I had the chance to sit down with Dr. Greg Kelly, Director of Product Development at Neurohacker Collective to learn about what goes into Qualia Mind.
This blend of 28 high-quality, bioavailable ingredients is designed to sharpen focus, boost memory, and support long-term brain health.
I take this almost every day to make my brain work better.
You can get Qualia Mind in two versions:
Use code Koolhealth for 10% off your purchase. I got you.
4. Paraxanthine
Paraxanthine is one of the main metabolites of caffeine
Somehow this dude Shawn Wells found the molecule within caffeine that gives you the euphoric, happy stimulating effects of caffeine without the jitteriness and without the extended half life.
You could take this drink at 5pm and go to sleep with ease.
“Compared to caffeine, paraxanthine exhibits lower toxicity, lesser anxiogenic properties, stronger locomotor activating effects, greater wake promoting properties, and stronger dopaminergic effects.” - Study
I love using paraxanthine in the afternoon when I need a productivity boost but want to avoid the overstimulation that coffee can bring late in the day.
I first discovered paraxanthine through an energy drink called Update (not an affiliate, just a fan). They also add Alpha-Gpc and L-theanine which are two amazing nootropics.
It’s now one of my go-to options to stay focused without the crash or restlessness that can come with traditional caffeine.
5. Herbs
When it comes to cognitive enhancement, the plant kingdom will always outshine any synthetic compound.
I love herbs, they are what got me into this health journey. What’s so cool about herbs is that their are many that are clasifiedf as nootropics.
Plants like Rhodiola Rosea, Ashwagandha, and Bacopa Monnieri have been used for centuries to boost mental clarity, reduce stress, and improve memory.
I highly recommend checking out
, where she breaks down the best herbs for cognitive function, relaxation, overall health, and much more.How to Cycle Nootropics
A general rule of thumb is to use nootropics for 3-5 days in a row, followed by 2-3 days off. This gives your brain time to rest and recover while preventing any tolerance buildup.
Curious about nootropics?
Whether you're working learning or living, try one of these stacks and see how much more focused and productive you can be.
Experiment with it, write down how it went, and share your experience in the comments or DM me — I’d love to hear what worked for you.
Let’s crush it together.
With love,
Jack (Kool Health)
Cheers to my girlfriend - I am copying all of her writing swag for this blog:)
Her blog is . Highly recommend to anyone into daily fashion advice and fashion industry news. I know how to match colors thanks to her.
Thanks for reading and being a part of this community.
What could we do to improve? Your feedback is what makes this journey together so powerful.
Ready to upgrade your life?
I’ll help you enhance your body, mind, and spirit through holistic health and biohacking.
Transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or supplement, especially if you have medical conditions or take other medications. Individual results may vary.
Hi Jack, I have been thinking about trying out some nootropics and glad I came across this post. In regards to the nicotine, I am looking at getting your recommendation for Lucy's Gum. Are you just chewing a piece of gum a few times then tucking between your teeth and upper lip? How long of a lasting affect do you notice and what main benefits have you experienced from taking nicotine gum?
Thank you Jack!
I am excited to share this very well written dive into health enhancing agents, back by science and experience! I'm happy I came across your note today. :)