Buy Nootropics in Belgium | The #1 A-Z Guide
Curious how to buy nootropics in Belgium?
You’ve come to just the right place.
In this comprehensive ‘A-Z’ guide, we’ll explain the ins and outs of the ‘smart drug’ scene here in Belgium. We’ll detail things like:
- The best nootropics to buy.
- What side effects to watch out for.
- The legalities on nootropics in Belgium, and what you should know.
- The best way to buy smart drugs and how to get them shipped to your doorstep hassle-free.
So, if you want to work harder, smarter, and more effectively — then keep reading. Everything you need to know can be found below.
Table of Contents
This is not medical or legal advice. This guide is strictly for entertainment purposes only. Always consult a medical professional before consuming any nootropic and always abide by the laws of your country. Please read my disclaimer page, too.
What are Nootropics?
Never heard of nootropics before?
We’ve got you.
Nootropics are substances that ostensibly enhance one or more cognitive functions like memory, concentration, focus, or information processing. They also protect the mind from stress and help to mitigate or reverse the effects of aging.
So where does the term come from?
It’s actually a combination of two Greek words: ‘nous’ meaning ‘mind’ and ‘trepein’ meaning ‘to bend’. It was coined by a Romanian psychologist and chemist called Dr. Corneliu Giurgea in 1972 [1].
Even if you’re unfamiliar with the word ‘nootropics’ you’ve definitely heard of some of these mind-enhancing substances before.
The best example of a natural nootropic is good, old fashioned Caffeine. Caffeine naturally occurs in food and drinks like chocolate, coffee beans, and tea leaves and has been shown to improve attention span and information retention [2], which is why it’s commonly found in OTC nootropics and energy drinks.
Another super-popular natural nootropic you’ve probably heard of is Ginkgo biloba. It’s been used as a memory booster for thousands of years, but recent studies have shown it can actually help prevent dementia [3].
Natural nootropics are one thing, but if you want to turbocharge your mind, synthetic nootropics are what you need!
Synthetic nootropics are chemically synthesized substances, meaning that they don’t occur in nature. The first such nootropic ever discovered was Piracetam in 1964. It was shown through clinical trials to improve brain metabolism, learning, working memory, and recall [4]. Piracetam’s inventor was none other than Dr. Giurgea, the chemist who later went on to coin the term ‘nootropics’!
Since the 1960s, plenty of other nootropics have been discovered. We’ll be discussing the most powerful and effective ones in this guide.
Nootropics Side Effects and Safety
We’re not doctors and this isn’t medical advice, but overall, nootropics are pretty safe. We suggest that you read up about the potential side effects of any nootropics you take. Pay particular attention to any notes, warnings, and prescription drug interactions.
So, nootropics side effects; here’s what you need to know…
If you want to stay uber-safe, natural nootropics are your best bet. These are things like caffeine and Ginkgo biloba that come from plants or plant extracts, amino acids, or other nutrients sourced from nature.
Almost all natural nootropics are sold as OTC dietary supplements here in Belgium. When you take them at the recommended doses, they are safe, non-toxic and shouldn’t give you any problems.
But you should still go easy and use them responsibly. Even safe nootropics like caffeine can cause scary-sounding side effects like anxiety, hallucinations, and even dizziness if you take too much [5], so go easy there, Einstein!
You see, how you react to nootropics will depend on a wide variety of factors such as your health, your diet, and genetic factors. Nootropics may interact with other medicines or drugs you are taking. Caffeine can interact adversely with some prescription medicines [6] for example, so be smart and read the labels before deciding whether to take any nootropics.
So what about the good stuff; synthetic nootropics?
Let’s not beat around the bush here; natural nootropics will only take you so far. If you’re looking for a ‘Limitless’-like smart drug experience where you can work 12+ hours without taking a break, you need to take synthetic nootropics.
The downside is that they tend to have more pronounced side effects than OTC nootropics.
But don’t be alarmed….
You can manage most of these side-effects as they tend to subside soon after you stop taking the nootropic. So relax.
If you want the safest synthetic nootropics, try Piracetam and Aniracetam. They have extremely low toxicity and produce no serious side effects in healthy individuals [7].
But if you want to try the undisputed KING of smart drugs – Modafinil – you can expect the following side effects [8]:
- Headaches
- Dehydration
- Upset stomach
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Lumbago
- Diarrhea
- Dyspepsia
- Rhinitis
- Vertigo
- Dry mouth
- Back pain
Fortunately, you can mitigate these side effects in various ways, such as by:
- Lowering your dose (from 200mg to 100mg).
- Taking the dose earlier in the morning so that it wears off by evening (no insomnia).
- Making sure you stay well hydrated throughout the day.
Overall, Modafinil is pretty safe and you shouldn’t have any real issues. Its chemical qualities make addiction extremely unlikely — it’s not a precursor molecule for addictive substances and it doesn’t have any structural relationship to substances known to induce addiction.
If you want to try the world’s top “social” nootropic – Phenibut – you can expect to experience the following side effects [9]:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Stomach cramps
One thing you should know is that Phenibut, unlike Modafinil, is potentially addictive [10], so you should use it responsibly. One study found that patients who took Phenibut to help with substance use disorder experienced severe withdrawal symptoms when they stopped using the drug [11].
Never take more than 500mg of Phenibut per dose and never exceed 4,000mg per fortnight.
Overall, all the nootropics in this guide are generally considered safe and produce minimal side effects when taken at the recommended dosages.
But again, we aren’t doctors and this isn’t medical advice. So if you are in any doubt about how nootropics may interact with your existing medications, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Are Nootropics Legal in Belgium?
In Belgium, almost all natural nootropics are sold over-the-counter (OTC) as dietary supplements and are perfectly legal. These include things like Caffeine, Ginkgo biloba, Creatine, Yamabushitake, Pine Bark Extract, and CDP-Choline (Citicoline)
However, almost all synthetic nootropics (aka the good stuff) are prescription medications. This means that you need to be diagnosed with a specific medical condition and prescribed them by a specialized physician to obtain and use them legally.
As a member of the EU, Belgium restricts all prescription drugs for use in certain specialized areas, under Article 71 of the European Union’s Directive 2001/83. This means that such drugs can only “be initiated by or under the supervision of a physician with appropriate knowledge of the indicated disorders” [12].
If you’re a tourist, expat, or digital nomad, you can bring prescription medications into Belgium with you when you arrive, provided you have a doctor’s letter or prescription stating your full name and the reason you are receiving treatment.
But we’re guessing you don’t have that or you wouldn’t be reading this guide!
The best way to get your hands on nootropics in Belgium is to simply order them from a reputable online vendor and have them shipped to your doorstep. While this is technically against the law, the chances of a package being stopped are slim to none.
Our recommended nootropics vendor has a 100% success rate as they ship from within Europe. They even offer a free reshipment or a full refund in the unlikely event that your order doesn’t get through.
While we’re confident that you won’t have any issues buying nootropics in Belgium, this isn’t legal advice and we advise you to abide by the laws of Belgium all times.
Top 2 Legal Nootropics in Belgium
While synthetic nootropics are pretty easy to buy online in Belgium, not everyone wants the legal or health risks of buying and using prescription medications ‘off-label’. You run the risk being fined if caught and some of the side effects can be pretty serious.
We get it.
That’s why we recommend two OTC nootropics for Belgians or people living in Belgium. These nootropics use a combination of ultra-safe natural nootropics to deliver ‘drug-like’ results with ZERO side effects.
So what are they?
-
Mind Lab Pro
The best OTC nootropic we’ve ever reviewed is Mind Lab Pro. We use it year-round for its numerous cognitive benefits, including:
- 9+ hours of insane concentration.
- Warp-speed reaction times.
- Sharper recall and information process.
- Brain optimization and protection.
- And more!
We use Mind Lab Pro to banish brain fog and get us in the zone 24/7. It gives us masses of creativity and can easily 10x our productivity. Any urge to procrastinate is stopped dead in its tracks and we can cram a couple of day’s worth of work into a typical working day, plus still have plenty of juice in the tank for the evening!
Mind Lab Pro works thanks to a combination of 11 of the most powerful, research-backed natural nootropics in existence.
Alongside Rhodiola Rosea, L-Theanine, Phosphatidylserine (PS), B6, B9, and B12, it also contains:
- Maritime Pine Bark Extract – for huge improvements in spatial memory [13].
- Organic Lion’s Mane Mushroom – to improve mood and protect against cognitive impairment [14].
- Bacopa monnieri – to boost cognition and decrease choice reaction times [15].
- Citicoline – for its strong neuroprotective properties [16].
- L-Tyrosine – to boost motivation and mental performance [17].
Mind Lab Pro is hands down the most effective and reliable OTC nootropic on the market. Highly recommended!
-
Qualia Mind
The second OTC nootropic that’s given us incredible results is Qualia Mind. Just like Mind Lab Pro, Qualia contains that double-whammy, dream-team combination of Bacopa Monnieri, which helps increase reaction times [18], and Citicoline, which supercharges memory and recall [19].
But to really kick your mind into gear, Qualia also contains:
- Huperzine A – a strong neuroprotective agent [20],
- Phosphatidylserine – which can help with cognitive functioning [21]
- Ginkgo biloba – which has been shown to improve short term recall and memory [22].
Overall, if you want a ‘drug-like’ cognitive boost without any of the legal or health issues, Qualia is where it’s at!
As a caffeine-free nootropic, it’s great if you have sensitivity and will give you energy for days without the typical caffeine side effects like jitters.
The World’s Best Nootropic…
Natural nootropics are great. No doubt about it.
But if you’re looking to take your work or study to the next level, nothing beats Modafinil!
In case you’ve never heard of it before, Modafinil is a powerful ‘eugeroic’ or ‘wakefulness-promoting agent. It was first registered in France in 1992 as a treatment for narcolepsy, a condition that causes sufferers to fall asleep at inconvenient times.
It was launched in Belgium in June 2000 under the brand name ‘Provigil’ and its popularity just exploded; not as a narcolepsy drug but as a smart drug. When taken by people without a sleep disorder, Modafinil acts as a powerful stimulant.
How powerful?
Well, check out some of these benefits:
- 12+ hours of extreme concentration.
- Supercharged motivation.
- Enhanced alertness [23].
- Improved working memory [24].
- No feelings of fatigue.
If you’re curious about how Modafinil works, here you go;
Modafinil works by greatly increasing levels of histamine in your brain, making you feel extremely alert and giving you a ‘laser-sharp’ focus [25]. You basically can’t feel sleepy or fatigued [26] for 12+ hours, letting you absolutely crush your workload like it was nothing.
At the same time, Modafinil improves working and episodic memory [27] by binding to your brain’s dopamine transporter and inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine [28]. With more dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in your brain, you can work, study, and remember things much more effectively.
One of the most helpful functions of Modafinil is that it reduces reactivity to fear stimuli in the brain region involved in anxiety, the amygdala [29]. This lets you think more clearly and work more efficiently, even if you are incredibly stressed or under a lot of pressure. This makes Modafinil the ideal choice when you need to meet a tight deadline, revise for an exam, or achieve excellence in whatever you’re doing.
One of the most common misconceptions about Modafinil is that people use it to prevent sleep. Yes, some people do use it to pull ‘all-nighters’ but this isn’t a smart move. You see, your brain needs 8+ hours of quality sleep every day, and skipping sleep does far more harm than good in the long run.
The best approach is to take Modafinil early in the morning and then absolutely crush it for 12+ hours during the day. The effects will have worn off by early evening and you should be able to sleep as normal.
Is Modafinil Legal in Belgium?
Modafinil in Belgium is a fascinating topic.
The only legal way to get your hands on legit Provigil in Belgium is to be diagnosed with excessive sleepiness, or narcolepsy. You’ll need to be observed by a specialized physician, usually through an overnight sleep test, so there’s no way you can just claim to feel sleepy and get a prescription!
The most common way to get Modafinil in Belgium is to order it online and get it shipped to your doorstep. While this isn’t technically legal, Modafinil isn’t on the International Narcotics Control Board’s (INCB) list of narcotic substances nor is it a narcotic substance, so you’ve got very little to worry about.
In the extremely rare event that a package containing Modafinil is flagged by customs, the worst-case scenario is that you’ll be fined for importing prescription drugs.
But we’ve honestly never heard of this happening.
If you order from our recommended Modafinil vendor, you have nothing to worry about. They ship from within Europe so there’s zero chance of your shipment being flagged or stopped. They are so confident that 100% of orders get through that they guarantee all shipments with a money-back or free reshipment promise.
Basically, you get your Modafinil, or you get a free reshipment or refund. Your choice.
Essentially you have no risk.
But again, this isn’t legal advice and we always encourage you to abide by the law of Belgium at all times.
Top “Social” Nootropic
Modafinil lets you work all day like a madman, but it doesn’t make you very fun to be around!
That’s where Phenibut comes in…
It’s the top “social” nootropic in Belgium and has earned a reputation as the No.1 ‘happy pill’. In case you hadn’t heard it before, here’s what you need to know…
Phenibut is a strong central nervous system (CNS) depressant that lowers your inhibitions and makes you more confident. It’s basically like alcohol but without the drowsiness, loss of control, or slurred speech.
Phenibut is a great alternative to ‘pre-drinks’ before going out for a night on the town, especially if you want to avoid booze for health or religious reasons.
Fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders love Phenibut as it lets them have a good time while avoiding ethanol which can lower testosterone levels [30].
Phenibut is also a powerful ‘smart drug’ in its own right (although not as effective as Modafinil!). It can boost working memory, verbal fluency, and alertness [31]. But we don’t recommend mixing it with any other nootropic.
Many people report having better sex while on Phenibut. This is believed to be caused by lower stress levels — one of the main reasons behind low libidos. Phenibut supercharges your sex drive and lets your imagination run wild!
Unlike Modafinil, Phenibut isn’t a licensed drug in Belgium – you can’t even be prescribed it!
However, it isn’t on the International Narcotics Control Board’s (INCB) list of narcotic substances nor is it listed as a psychotropic substance. This means there are no laws expressly prohibiting its sale.
The best way to buy it is from our recommended Phenibut vendor. They’ll ship it right to your doorstep and backup their delivery with a cast-iron guarantee; if your package doesn’t arrive, they’ll give you a free refund or reshipment.
Basically, you have no risk.
Nootropics Belgium | Verdict
If how to buy nootropics in Belgium was on your mind, hopefully, this comprehensive guide answered all your questions!
We’ve shown you the best legal and synthetic nootropics to buy, their side effects and safety, legal status, and where to buy them.
It’s now up to you to make an informed decision about which one you try.
References
- Giurgea C. Vers une pharmacologie de l’activité intégrative du cerveau. Tentative du concept nootrope en psychopharmacologie [Pharmacology of integrative activity of the brain. Attempt at nootropic concept in psychopharmacology]. Actual Pharmacol (Paris). 1972;25:115-156.
- Nehlig A, Daval JL, Debry G. Caffeine and the central nervous system: mechanisms of action, biochemical, metabolic and psychostimulant effects. Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 1992;17(2):139-170. doi:10.1016/0165-0173(92)90012-b
- DeKosky ST, Williamson JD, Fitzpatrick AL, et al. Ginkgo biloba for prevention of dementia: a randomized controlled trial [published correction appears in JAMA. 2008 Dec 17;300(23):2730]. JAMA. 2008;300(19):2253-2262. doi:10.1001/jama.2008.683
- Winnicka K, Tomasiak M, Bielawska A. Piracetam–an old drug with novel properties?. Acta Pol Pharm. 2005;62(5):405-409.
- Wikoff D, Welsh BT, Henderson R, et al. Systematic review of the potential adverse effects of caffeine consumption in healthy adults, pregnant women, adolescents, and children. Food Chem Toxicol. 2017;109(Pt 1):585-648. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2017.04.002
- Carrillo JA, Benitez J. Clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions between dietary caffeine and medications. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2000;39(2):127-153. doi:10.2165/00003088-200039020-00004
- Gouliaev AH, Senning A. Piracetam and other structurally related nootropics. Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 1994;19(2):180-222. doi:10.1016/0165-0173(94)90011-6
- Lopes E, Pereira D, da Silva Behrens NS, et al. Cataplexy as a side effect of modafinil in a patient without narcolepsy. Sleep Sci. 2014;7(1):47-49. doi:10.1016/j.slsci.2014.07.015
- Lapin I. Phenibut (beta-phenyl-GABA): a tranquilizer and nootropic drug. CNS Drug Rev. 2001;7(4):471-481. doi:10.1111/j.1527-3458.2001.tb00211.x
- Zheng KH, Khan A, Espiridion ED. Phenibut Addiction in a Patient with Substance Use Disorder. Cureus. 2019;11(7):e5230. Published 2019 Jul 24. doi:10.7759/cureus.5230
- Ahuja T, Mgbako O, Katzman C, Grossman A. Phenibut (β-Phenyl-γ-aminobutyric Acid) Dependence and Management of Withdrawal: Emerging Nootropics of Abuse. Case Rep Psychiatry. 2018;2018:9864285. Published 2018 Apr 30. doi:10.1155/2018/9864285
- Legemiddelverket.no. 2020. [online] Available at: <https://legemiddelverket.no/Documents/Bivirkninger%20og%20sikkerhet/Bivirkningsnyheter%20annet/11-10273-20%20Summary%20of%20scientific%20discussion%204407407_2_0.pdf> [Accessed 24 August 2020].
- Paarmann K, Prakash SR, Krohn M, et al. French maritime pine bark treatment decelerates plaque development and improves spatial memory in Alzheimer’s disease mice. Phytomedicine. 2019;57:39-48. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2018.11.033
- Mori K, Inatomi S, Ouchi K, Azumi Y, Tuchida T. Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytother Res. 2009;23(3):367-372. doi:10.1002/ptr.2634
- Kongkeaw C, Dilokthornsakul P, Thanarangsarit P, Limpeanchob N, Norman Scholfield C. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri extract. J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;151(1):528-535. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.008
- Grieb P. Neuroprotective properties of citicoline: facts, doubts and unresolved issues. CNS Drugs. 2014;28(3):185-193. doi:10.1007/s40263-014-0144-8
- Fond G, Micoulaud-Franchi JA, Brunel L, et al. Innovative mechanisms of action for pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement: A systematic review. Psychiatry Res. 2015;229(1-2):12-20. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2015.07.006
- Sukumaran NP, Amalraj A, Gopi S. Neuropharmacological and cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst – A review on its mechanistic aspects. Complement Ther Med. 2019;44:68-82. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.03.016
- Iulia C, Ruxandra T, Costin LB, Liliana-Mary V. Citicoline – a neuroprotector with proven effects on glaucomatous disease. Rom J Ophthalmol. 2017;61(3):152-158. doi:10.22336/rjo.2017.29
- Damar U, Gersner R, Johnstone JT, Schachter S, Rotenberg A. Huperzine A as a neuroprotective and antiepileptic drug: a review of preclinical research. Expert Rev Neurother. 2016;16(6):671-680. doi:10.1080/14737175.2016.1175303
- Glade MJ, Smith K. Phosphatidylserine and the human brain. Nutrition. 2015;31(6):781-786. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2014.10.014
- Tan MS, Yu JT, Tan CC, et al. Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Alzheimers Dis. 2015;43(2):589-603. doi:10.3233/JAD-140837
- Brühl AB, d’Angelo C, Sahakian BJ. Neuroethical issues in cognitive enhancement: Modafinil as the example of a workplace drug?. Brain Neurosci Adv. 2019;3:2398212818816018. Published 2019 Feb 15. doi:10.1177/2398212818816018
- Battleday RM, Brem AK. Modafinil for cognitive neuroenhancement in healthy non-sleep-deprived subjects: A systematic review. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2015;25(11):1865-1881. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.07.028
- Ishizuka T, Sakamoto Y, Sakurai T, Yamatodani A. Modafinil increases histamine release in the anterior hypothalamus of rats. Neurosci Lett. 2003;339(2):143-146. doi:10.1016/s0304-3940(03)00006-5
- Brown RE, Stevens DR, Haas HL. The physiology of brain histamine. Prog Neurobiol. 2001;63(6):637-672. doi:10.1016/s0301-0082(00)00039-3
- Zolkowska D, Jain R, Rothman RB, et al. Evidence for the involvement of dopamine transporters in behavioral stimulant effects of modafinil. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2009;329(2):738-746. doi:10.1124/jpet.108.146142
- Rasetti, R., Mattay, V. S., Stankevich, B., Skjei, K., Blasi, G., Sambataro, F., Arrillaga-Romany, I. C., Goldberg, T. E., Callicott, J. H., Apud, J. A., & Weinberger, D. R. (2010). Modulatory effects of modafinil on neural circuits regulating emotion and cognition. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 35(10), 2101–2109. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2010.83
- Minzenberg MJ, Carter CS. Modafinil: a review of neurochemical actions and effects on cognition. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2008;33(7):1477-1502. doi:10.1038/sj.npp.1301534
- Haugvad A, Haugvad L, Hamarsland H, Paulsen G. Ethanol does not delay muscle recovery but decreases testosterone/cortisol ratio. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2014;46(11):2175-2183. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000000339
- Owen DR, Wood DM, Archer JR, Dargan PI. Phenibut (4-amino-3-phenyl-butyric acid): Availability, prevalence of use, desired effects and acute toxicity. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2016;35(5):591-596. doi:10.1111/dar.12356
