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Sleep

These are the supplements with the strongest evidence for improving sleep onset, depth, and consistency — no melatonin mega-doses needed.

Magnesium Glycinate

Doctor's Best High Absorption Magnesium

Magnesium glycinate is the best-tolerated form for sleep. It reduces cortisol and activates GABA receptors, helping you wind down. One of the highest-evidence sleep supplements available.

Dose
200–400 mg elemental magnesium 30–60 min before bed.
Price
~$20–$25
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L-Theanine

NOW Supplements L-Theanine 200 mg

An amino acid found naturally in green tea. L-theanine promotes alpha brainwave activity — a calm-but-alert state — without sedation. Stacks well with magnesium for falling asleep faster without grogginess.

Dose
100–200 mg before bed.
Price
~$12–$15
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Glycine

NOW Foods Glycine 1000 mg

Clinical trials show 3 g glycine before bed shortens time to sleep onset and improves subjective sleep quality. It lowers core body temperature, which is a key trigger for sleep.

Dose
3 g (3,000 mg) 30 min before bed.
Price
~$10–$14
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Focus & Cognition

Skip the nootropic stacks with 40 ingredients. These are the compounds with real clinical data behind them for memory, attention, and mental stamina.

Lion's Mane Mushroom

Host Defense Lion's Mane Capsules

Lion's mane stimulates Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), supporting neuroplasticity and memory formation. Best evidence is for long-term cognitive support, not acute stimulation. A good daily baseline nootropic.

Dose
500–1,000 mg extract daily.
Price
~$25–$35
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Citicoline (CDP-Choline)

Jarrow Formulas Citicoline CDP-Choline

Citicoline is a precursor to acetylcholine — the primary neurotransmitter for focus and memory — and also supports phospholipid synthesis in brain cell membranes. Highly bioavailable and well-studied.

Dose
250–500 mg daily.
Price
~$20–$28
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Bacopa Monnieri

Himalaya Organic Bacopa

An adaptogenic herb with strong evidence for improving memory acquisition and speed of information processing. Effects build over 8–12 weeks — not a stimulant, but a genuine cognitive enhancer with sustained use.

Dose
300 mg standardized extract (45% bacosides) daily.
Price
~$15–$20
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Longevity & Healthy Aging

Longevity supplementation is a long game. These compounds have the strongest research backing for cellular health, NAD+ metabolism, and reducing oxidative stress.

NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)

Tru Niagen Nicotinamide Riboside

NR and NMN are precursors to NAD+, which declines ~50% by age 50. Restoring NAD+ levels supports mitochondrial function, DNA repair, and sirtuins. Tru Niagen uses NR, which has longer clinical study history than NMN.

Dose
300–500 mg daily.
Price
~$40–$55
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Resveratrol

Jarrow Formulas Resveratrol 100 mg

A polyphenol found in red wine that activates SIRT1 (a longevity sirtuin). Best combined with NR/NMN. The evidence is promising — David Sinclair at Harvard stacks both — though human RCT data is still maturing.

Dose
150–500 mg daily with a fat source.
Price
~$18–$25
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NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)

NOW Supplements NAC 600 mg

NAC is a direct precursor to glutathione — the body's master antioxidant. It replenishes intracellular glutathione, supports liver detoxification, and reduces inflammatory markers. Strong long-term safety record.

Dose
600–1,200 mg daily.
Price
~$12–$18
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Testosterone Support

These aren't magic — nothing replaces sleep, strength training, and healthy body fat. But these compounds have meaningful evidence for supporting the hormonal environment needed for healthy testosterone levels.

Ashwagandha (KSM-66)

KSM-66 Ashwagandha by Jarrow Formulas

Multiple RCTs show KSM-66 ashwagandha (the clinically-studied extract) reduces cortisol by ~28% and increases testosterone in stressed men. The cortisol–testosterone tradeoff is real — lowering chronic stress hormones gives the HPG axis room to operate.

Dose
600 mg KSM-66 extract daily (morning or split dose).
Price
~$18–$26
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Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia)

Momentous Tongkat Ali

Also called Long Jack, tongkat ali works by reducing SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin), which frees up bound testosterone. A 2022 clinical review found consistent improvements in free testosterone across multiple trials. Synergistic with ashwagandha.

Dose
200–400 mg daily of a 100:1 standardized extract.
Price
~$35–$50
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Zinc + Vitamin D3

Thorne Zinc Picolinate + NOW D3 5,000 IU

Zinc deficiency directly impairs testosterone synthesis. Vitamin D acts as a steroid hormone precursor and low D3 is correlated with low T. Both are among the most commonly deficient micronutrients in men eating a Western diet.

Dose
Zinc: 15–30 mg/day. Vitamin D3: 2,000–5,000 IU/day (retest with blood work).
Price
~$15–$25 each
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