Sleep
Sleep is the single highest-leverage nootropic intervention — no compound compensates for poor sleep quality. These compounds support onset (falling asleep faster), architecture (more deep and REM sleep), and recovery (feeling rested). Magnesium deficiency is extremely common and directly degrades sleep architecture — it is the first thing to rule out.
Top compounds
| Compound | Rank | Score | Cost | Target | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep | — | 10/10 | Free | architecture | long term |
| Melatonin | — | 9/10 | Budget | onset | acute |
| Ashwagandha | — | 8/10 | Budget | recovery | medium |
| Glycine | — | 8/10 | Budget | architecture | acute |
| Magnesium L-Threonate | — | 8/10 | Premium | architecture | medium |
| Magnesium | — | 8/10 | Budget | architecture | medium |
| Oleamide | — | 8/10 | Budget | onset | acute |
| Valerian Root | — | 8/10 | Budget | onset | acute |
| Exercise | — | 7/10 | Free | architecture | long term |
| 5-HTP | — | 7/10 | Budget | onset | acute |
| CBD | — | 7/10 | Mid | onset | acute |
| GABA | — | 7/10 | Budget | onset | acute |
| Kava | — | 7/10 | Mid | onset | acute |
| Lemon Balm | — | 7/10 | Budget | onset | acute |
| Passionflower | — | 7/10 | Budget | onset | acute |
| Reishi | — | 7/10 | Mid | recovery | medium |
| Phenibut | — | 7/10 | Mid | onset | acute |
| Diet | — | 6/10 | Free | architecture | long term |
| L-Theanine | — | 6/10 | Budget | architecture | acute |
| Epithalon | — | 6/10 | — | architecture | long term |