Compare nootropic and focus products on what each daily dose actually contains, how much caffeine it has, and the cost per day. The evidence for most ingredients sold as nootropics is limited, and we say so plainly.
All gym & sports performance · Energy & focus boosters · Focus goal · Caffeine-free · Stim-free pre-workout · Pre-workout
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What are nootropics?
"Nootropics" is a marketing term for supplements sold with the idea of supporting focus, alertness or thinking. It isn't a legal or medical category, and calling a product a nootropic doesn't mean it has been shown to do anything.
In this collection, the products are L-tyrosine and N-acetyl-L-tyrosine, L-theanine, guarana and caffeine products, and stimulant pre-workouts. We group them because people search for them together, not because we claim they work on the brain.
Do nootropics work?
For most ingredients sold as nootropics, the evidence is limited, and none of the ingredients in this collection has an authorised health claim about the brain, focus or mental performance. In Great Britain, the government says only authorised claims in the GB nutrition and health claims register may be used, and the register also lists claims that have been rejected.
"Where evidence is limited or inconclusive, we should say so openly," says Andy Arshad, who runs SupplementHQ. That's why we describe what's in each product rather than what it might do.
Which brain and focus claims are actually authorised?
The authorised claims about mental function belong to certain vitamins and minerals, not to tyrosine, theanine or caffeine. For example, "Iron contributes to normal cognitive function", "Iodine contributes to normal cognitive function" and "Pantothenic acid contributes to normal mental performance" are authorised, but only where a food is at least a source of that nutrient.
Caffeine has no authorised health claim at all. If you're looking for vitamins and minerals, browse vitamins & supplements; our guide to what supplements you actually need is a good starting point.
What is in the nootropics we stock?
Most products here contain one of three things: an amino acid (L-tyrosine or L-theanine), caffeine from guarana or caffeine anhydrous, or a mix of these in a pre-workout. Check the label for the amount of each per daily dose.
| Ingredient | What it is | Authorised GB claim? |
|---|---|---|
| L-tyrosine / NALT | An amino acid found in protein foods; NALT (N-acetyl-L-tyrosine) is a chemically modified version | No |
| L-theanine | An amino acid found in tea leaves | No |
| Caffeine / guarana | A stimulant; guarana is a plant source of caffeine | No |
"Customers need to understand what they're taking, how much they're taking and whether the ingredients suit their individual needs," says Andy.
How much caffeine is in focus and energy products?
It varies widely, from none in single-ingredient tyrosine or theanine products to several hundred milligrams in some stimulant pre-workouts. EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) says healthy adults can have single doses of up to 200mg and up to 400mg a day of caffeine from all sources, and pregnant or breastfeeding women up to 200mg a day.
Count caffeine from coffee, tea and energy drinks as well. The NHS advises people to drink caffeine in moderation and check the label for drinks that are high in caffeine. If you want to avoid it, browse caffeine-free products.
Do nootropics have side effects?
Any product containing caffeine can cause side effects, and the ISSN (International Society of Sports Nutrition) caffeine position stand says side effects such as anxiety, headaches and disrupted sleep become more likely as the dose rises. Taking caffeine late in the day can affect your sleep.
If you take any medication, have a medical condition, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your GP or pharmacist before taking any product in this collection. These products are not intended for under-18s.
Can nootropics help with ADHD?
We don't make that claim, and no product in this collection is authorised for ADHD or any other condition. If you have ADHD, or think you might, speak to your GP.
Some ADHD medicines are stimulants, so if you take one, ask your pharmacist before using any product containing caffeine or guarana.
How do you compare nootropic value?
Compare the amount of each ingredient per daily dose and the cost per day, and check the caffeine content separately. A long ingredient list doesn't tell you how much of anything you're getting.
How to compare value (example figures, not real products): a £12 pot of 100 capsules with 500mg of L-tyrosine each, one a day, costs 12p a day. A £25 tub of a multi-ingredient formula with 30 servings costs about 83p a day; if it uses a proprietary blend (one total weight for several ingredients), you can't tell how much tyrosine you get for that price.
For other categories, see energy & focus boosters, stim-free pre-workouts or all gym & sports performance supplements.
We sell the products on this page. That's our commercial interest, and it's why we show the evidence alongside them. This page is general information for adults, not personalised medical advice. Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet.
Written by Andy Arshad, SupplementHQ. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.