Buy Nootropics in Thailand | The #1 A-Z Guide
Curious how to buy nootropics in Thailand?
You’ve arrived at the perfect place.
This comprehensive guide will explain everything you need to know about buying nootropics in the Kingdom of Thailand.
You’ll learn about the best nootropics to buy, the best places to source them from, and how to get any nootropic you need for the best prices. We’ll also explain all the side effects and safety info, the legalities of nootropics, and everything else in between.
P.S: Here’s my top 100% legal recommendation!
Whether you want to boost your productivity, work longer without feeling fatigued, or enhance your memory, this guide will help you find the right nootropic to help you reach your goals.
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?
The term ‘nootropics’ was coined by a Romanian chemist, Dr. Corneliu Giurgea, in 1972. Dr. Giurgea had discovered Piracetam in 1964 and observed its memory-enhancing properties through clinical trials. He wanted to create a new term to describe similar substances so he combined the Greek words ‘noos’ (meaning ‘mind’), and ‘trepein’ (meaning ‘to bend’), to form the word ‘nootropic’ [1].
Dr. Giurgea defined a ‘nootropic’ as any substance that can:
- Enhance memory, attention span, concentration, and the ability to learn
- Help the brain function under distress
- Protect the brain from chemical and physical stress
- Increase the efficacy of neuronal firing
- Produce virtually zero side effects and be non-toxic
Today, the term ‘nootropic’ refers to any natural or synthetic substances that can improve or enhance one (or more) of the following five areas:
- Processing speed, decision-making, and focus
- Learning and memory
- Energy and motivation
- Brain repair and maintenance
- Anxiety and depression
There are two main types of nootropics: natural and synthetic.
Natural Nootropics
Natural nootropics are substances made from plants or plant extracts, amino acids, or other nutrients sourced from nature.
The top three most popular natural nootropics are:
- Caffeine
- Creatine (an amino acid naturally produced in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas)
- Ginkgo biloba
These nootropics offer numerous cognitive benefits according to numerous scientific research papers published in peer-reviewed medical journals. Caffeine has been shown to improve attention span and information retention [2], Creatine has been shown to facilitate cognition on some tasks [3], and Ginkgo biloba is widely used for its potential effects on memory and cognition [4].
Synthetic Nootropics
Synthetic nootropics typically offer more potent benefits than natural nootropics. In Thailand, they are either prescription-only pharmaceutical products like Piracetam, or unregistered products such as Modafinil and Phenibut.
Most synthetic nootropics were originally designed to treat people with neurological and psychiatric conditions, but they have become popular as nootropics for their ‘off-label’ uses. They offer potent cognitive benefits to healthy individuals such as enhanced concentration, improved memory, and lower anxiety.
- Piracetam has been shown to improve learning, memory, and brain metabolism [5].
- Modafinil has been shown to improve emotion recognition and task-related motivation [6].
- Phenibut has been shown to alleviate anxiety and insomnia [7].
Nootropics Side Effects and Safety
The following is not medical advice and we strongly urge you to talk to your doctor about potential side effects and allergic reactions before taking any nootropic, especially if you are currently taking prescription medications. Always read the side-effects, prescription drug interactions, and any notes and warnings. Avoid taking nootropics if you are pregnant or nursing or if you are at risk of conditions like diabetes, depression, or psychiatric disorders. If you experience any adverse side effects, cease use immediately, and consult your doctor as soon as possible.
To fully understand the side effects and safety of any given nootropic, it’s important to understand that all nootropics can be categorized as either dietary supplements or pharmaceutical products.
Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplement nootropics are among the safest cognitive enhancers that we know of. They contain one or a combination of natural ingredients such as caffeine, creatine, or Ginkgo biloba. As they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, they can be sold over-the-counter in Thailand and are generally regarded as safe and non-toxic when taken at the recommended dosages.
However, how you respond to any given dietary supplement nootropic will depend on a host of variables including your current state of health, your genetics, and whether you are taking other prescription drugs. This is because some nootropics may interact adversely with prescription medications. Ginkgo biloba, for instance, can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with certain herbal medications, antiplatelet agents, or warfarin [8].
Some dietary supplement nootropics may produce side effects when taken in excessive dosages. For example, caffeine can cause anxiety, hallucinations, and dizziness in high dosages [9].
Pharmaceutical Products
Pharmaceutical nootropics contain synthetic ingredients and are intended to treat specific medical conditions. In Thailand, these nootropics are either prescription-only or are not registered with the Thai Food and Drug Administration and are therefore largely unavailable [10].
The side effects and safety of pharmaceutical nootropics varies widely from one substance to the next. In general, using these substances ‘off-prescription’ as nootropics can be risky as their side effects in healthy individuals have not been fully researched and remain little-understood.
Piracetam and Aniracetam are among the safest pharmaceutical nootropics that we know of. Studies have shown that most racetams possess very low toxicity and produce no serious side effects [11].
Other nootropics are considered safe when used under a doctors’ supervision but can cause side effects when taken ‘off-prescription’ as nootropics. For example, Modafinil isn’t a registered drug in Thailand but it has been used for several decades in numerous other countries to treat sleeping disorders such as narcolepsy. It is widely considered to be a safe drug but there has been little research into its side-effects and safety when taken as a nootropic.
One study found that Modafinil caused a range of side effects such as headaches, nausea, anxiety, insomnia, lumbago, diarrhea, dyspepsia, rhinitis, and vertigo when given to patients who were incorrectly diagnosed with narcolepsy [12]. These side effects were found to be mild and subsided when the dose was lowered, causing no lasting harm.
Are Nootropics Legal in Thailand?
In Thailand, natural nootropics such as caffeine, creatine, and Ginkgo Biloba, are classified as dietary supplements and are completely legal to buy and use. They can be purchased over-the-counter or online without a doctor’s prescription.
The legal status of pharmaceutical nootropics depends on whether they are registered with the Thai FDA.
Most pharmaceutical nootropics that are registered with the Thai FDA and approved for use are prescription-only, meaning they can only be legally obtained with a prescription from a Thai doctor.
Some nootropics, such as Piracetam, are sold over-the-counter in some Thai pharmacies (under the brand names ‘Nootropil’ or ‘Noocetam’).
Substances that are not registered with the Thai FDA, such as Modafinil and Phenibut, cannot be prescribed or sold in Thailand. However, there are a handful of pharmacies in popular tourist areas in Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai that will sell generic versions of these drugs to customers without a prescription.
According to the Thai FDA, visitors are allowed to bring up to 30 days’ supply of unregistered medication to Thailand with the certifying letter from the doctor who prescribed the medication. This letter must clearly state the patient’s name and their symptoms and sickness.
Given the difficulty of finding a pharmacy that stocks unregistered drugs, many people choose to order nootropics online and have them shipped to their address. In theory, ordering any medication which is not registered Thai FDA is illegal.
However, in practice, we’ve yet to hear of anyone having any issue buying nootropics online and having them shipped to their address in Thailand for their personal use, a 30-day supply.
Our recommended nootropics vendor ships directly from Singapore and guarantees all shipments to Thailand with a free reshipment or a full refund in the highly unlikely event that the order doesn’t get through.
Basically, you have no risk.
But again, this isn’t legal advice and we advise you to always abide by Thai laws.
Top 2 Legal Nootropics in Thailand
Thailand’s drug laws are notoriously strict and many people don’t want the legal risk of ordering unregistered drugs online or the potential health risks of using prescription drugs off-label.
We get it.
That’s why we recommend two over-the-counter, 100% legal nootropics: Mind Lab Pro and Qualia Mind!
These powerful all-natural nootropics work across multiple areas of cognitive enhancement with virtually zero side effects. Let’s dig in:
-
Mind Lab Pro
Mind Lab Pro is the most effective legal nootropic we’ve ever reviewed and is our top pick for anyone looking for a safe, over-the-counter nootropic in Thailand!
In our experiences, there’s no ‘one pill solution’ to cognitive optimization. It often takes a stack of several different nootropics to get the results you’re looking for. Mind Lab Pro is the first nootropic we’ve ever reviewed that offers a complete ‘all-in-one’ solution. It contains a blend of 11 natural, well-researched, nootropics that work in synergy to boost focus, increase alertness, and kill fatigue!
The five most powerful nootropics in Mind Lab Pro are:
- Bacopa monnieri, to improve cognition and decrease choice reaction times [13].
- Citicoline, for its strong neuroprotective properties [14].
- Lion’s Mane Mushroom, or Yamabushitake, to boost mild cognitive impairment [15].
- Maritime Pine Bark Extract, to improve spatial memory [16].
- L-Tyrosine, to enhance mental performance [17].
Mind Lab Pro is undoubtedly the most powerful ‘whole-brain’ optimizer we’ve ever tested. It gave us a massive boost in memory, creativity, and productivity without any of the side effects of synthetic nootropics.
As it’s 100% natural, we’ve found it to be highly sustainable and consistently reliable. It’s our top pick for a natural nootropic and a great ‘every-day’ nootropic for anyone who wants to enhance, protect, and optimize their brain year-round!
-
Qualia Mind
The second legal nootropic we recommend is Qualia Mind by Neurohacker Collective. It’s one of the most advanced and comprehensive cognitive enhancers we’ve ever tried and is right up there with Mind Lab Pro in terms of its effectiveness.
Qualia has a two-step process: you take three tablets in the morning and then six more later on in the day. Each dose contains a unique blend of 21 natural nootropics that work synergistically to banish ‘brain fog’, boost willpower, amp up energy, and improve concentration.
Unlike other nootropics that contain high doses of caffeine, Qualia Mind is caffeine-free! This means that each dose gives a long-lasting burst of energy without any common side effects like headaches or jitteriness.
The five most effective nootropics in Qualia Mind are:
- Bacopa monnieri, for faster reaction times [18].
- Citicoline, to boost levels of neurotransmitters [19].
- Ginkgo biloba, for higher mental performance [20].
- Huperzine A, for its strong neuroprotective properties [21].
- Phosphatidylserine, to help retain cognitive functioning ability [22].
If you’re looking for a natural nootropic that lights you up like a firework, Qualia Mind is one of the best over-the-counter options in Thailand right now! We recommend cycling it for five days on, two days off, for maximum effectiveness.
The World’s Best Nootropic…
Legal nootropics are great for cognitive enhancement.
No doubt about it.
But sometimes, you just need the mother of all boosts to help you meet a tight deadline or crush your workload!
And that’s where Modafinil comes in.
Modafinil is a powerful wakefulness agent – known as a ‘eugeroic’ – that has been used in France since 1992 to treat patients with sleeping disorders such as narcolepsy. But shortly after receiving US FDA approval in 1998, Modafinil quickly gained notoriety for its off-label benefits. People found that a 100mg dose was found to dramatically increase attentiveness, concentration, and alertness [23].
Soon, legions of stressed-out students and working professionals began flocking to Modafinil for its ability to improve concentration, focus, learning, and working memory [24].
If you ever need to really knuckle down or even pull an ‘all-nighter’, Modafinil is the best nootropic you could ask for. A single tablet lets you work non-stop for 12+ hours without feeling fatigued. It works by elevating histamine levels in the hypothalamus region of the brain [25]. This increases wakefulness and prevents sleep [26].
Modafinil has earned a reputation as a phenomenal ‘smart drug’ because it binds to the dopamine transporter and inhibits the reuptake of dopamine [27]. This increases the amount of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in the prefrontal cortex, and significantly improves functions in several cognitive domains including working memory and episodic memory [28].
As a bonus, Modafinil also reduces reactivity to fear stimuli in the amygdala – the brain region involved in anxiety [29]. This means you can think more clearly and work more productively even if you’re stressed or worried.
In short, Modafinil is the world’s best nootropic for cognitive enhancement for one simple reason:
Nothing else comes close.
Is Modafinil Legal in Thailand?
Modafinil isn’t registered as a drug in Thailand, meaning that it cannot be prescribed by a Thai doctor and cannot be bought from a hospital or the majority of pharmacies, even if you have a prescription from a doctor in your home country.
A handful of Thai pharmacies in tourist areas such as Nana and Silom in Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai do sell generic versions of Modafinil (most commonly ‘Modafin’ from Alpha-Pharma) to customers without a prescription. This is technically illegal, however, the laws regarding the sale and possessions of unregistered non-narcotics are largely unenforced, much like the laws against prostitution.
It is legal to bring a 30-day supply of Modafinil into the country with you provided you have a certifying letter from the doctor who prescribed the medication. This letter must clearly state your name, symptoms, and sickness.
Technically, it is illegal to order Modafinil online and have it shipped to your address in Thailand. However, in practice, we’ve yet to hear of anyone having any issue getting a personal supply (30 days’ worth) of Modafinil shipped to their address in Thailand.
Our recommended Modafinil vendor ships directly from Singapore and guarantees all shipments to Thailand with a free reshipment or a full refund in the highly unlikely event that the order doesn’t get through.
Basically, you have no risk.
But again, this isn’t legal advice and we always encourage you to abide by Thai laws.
Top “Social” Nootropic
Modafinil is great for maintaining superhuman levels of productivity, focus, and mental clarity, but it doesn’t make you much fun to be around.
Fortunately, there’s another nootropic that fills this gap nicely.
It’s called: Phenibut — and it is the top “social” nootropic in Thailand right now.
Phenibut – aka ‘the happy pill’ – gives you a sense of extreme calm by lowering inhibitions and boosting confidence. It is similar to alcohol except with none of the side-effects like drowsiness or a hangover. Phenibut has become a popular alternative to ‘pre-drinks’ before heading out for the night as it makes you much more sociable without any loss of control.
Phenibut is also ideal for people who want to avoid alcohol for health or religious reasons. Fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders love Phenibut as it lets them have a good time while avoiding ethanol, which studies have shown can increase cortisol and lower levels of free testosterone [30].
So, how does Phenibut work?
Phenibut is an analog of GABA and was first synthesized in Russia in the 1960s. It has been prescribed in Russia and several other countries to treat a range of conditions including anxiety, insomnia, and depression [31]. Phenibut works by blocking impulses sent to the brain through nerve cells which has the effect of making users much more sociable.
Phenibut has also been shown to offer a range of cognitive benefits [32].
These include:
- boosting working memory
- increasing verbal fluency
- lowering fatigue
- increasing alertness
- and more!
Phenibut is so effective at lowering stress and anxiety that many users report an uptick in their sex drive!
But Phenibut isn’t without side-effects. Documented side effects include fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and stomach cramps. There are also reports of patients becoming dependent on and addicted to Phenibut and experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms when they cease use [33].
We recommend taking the following precautions:
- Limit Phenibut intake to less than 500mg for the initial dose.
- Never take more than 1,000mg for a single dose.
- Avoid using Phenibut more than two days per week or taking more than 4,000mg total per fortnight.
Always monitor your dosage carefully and adjust according to your tolerance levels.
Is Phenibut Legal in Thailand?
Phenibut isn’t registered as a drug in Thailand and is not prescribed or sold in the Kingdom.
As an unregistered drug, you can legally bring a 30-day supply when you enter Thailand provided you have a doctor’s prescription clearly showing your full name, symptoms, and condition.
Technically, it is illegal to order Phenibut online and have it shipped to you, however, we’ve yet to hear of anyone experiencing any difficulties in having a personal supply (30 days’ worth) of Phenibut shipped to their address in Thailand.
Our recommended vendor guarantees all shipments to Thailand and offers a free reshipment or a full refund in the highly unlikely event that the order doesn’t get through.
Even if your order is confiscated by Thai customs, Phenibut isn’t on the list of controlled substances and isn’t a narcotic.
Basically, you have no risk.
But again, this isn’t legal advice and we always encourage you to abide by Thai laws.
Nootropics Thailand | Verdict
If you were curious about buying nootropics in Thailand, hopefully this ‘A-Z’ guide has answered all your questions.
We’ve covered everything from the best nootropics to buy, their side-effects, safety, legality, and more!
Many in Thailand are using nootropics already! Don’t delay. Test out some of our safe recommendations above.
Buy Modafinil from our favorite online vendor for Thais or people living in Thailand!
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
- Ling J, Kritikos M, Tiplady B. Cognitive effects of creatine ethyl ester supplementation. Behav Pharmacol. 2009;20(8):673-679. doi:10.1097/FBP.0b013e3283323c2a
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- Sierpina VS, Wollschlaeger B, Blumenthal M. Ginkgo biloba. Am Fam Physician. 2003;68(5):923-926.
- 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
- moph.go.th. 2020. Pages – Main. [online] Available at: <http://www.fda.moph.go.th/sites/FDA_EN/Pages/Main.aspx> [Accessed 2 August 2020].
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Iglseder B. Doping für das Gehirn [Doping for the brain]. Z Gerontol Geriatr. 2018;51(2):143-148. doi:10.1007/s00391-017-1351-y
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
