The 2011 movie Limitless didn’t mark the beginning of smart drugs, but it definitely shed some new light on this category of drugs and supplements. The movie starred Bradley Cooper as Eddie Morra, a down-on-his-luck writer worried about his impending deadline and unable to pay the rent. His apartment was a pig sty. His girlfriend had finally gotten fed up enough to cut him loose. And he was generally just miserable to the point of not being able to function.

Enter NZT 48, a pill offered to him by his ex-brother-in-law. After taking it, Eddie finishes his entire book in an afternoon, he makes a killing in the stock market, and he can command the attention of any women he wants. Then of course, the action and intrigue begin as various forces try to use Eddie and get the drugs from him. It’s a good movie. You should see it if you get the chance. But what we’re concerned with for our purposes is the NZT 48 and whether or not there’s anything that resembles The Real NZT 48.

What is NZT 48?

NZT 48 is the fictional drug used in the movie. It’s advertised as enabling you to access 100% of your brain where we usually only use less than 20%. You feel more alert and awake. You think more clearly. You can access memories you didn’t even know you had. You know just what to do, and you have the energy to do it.

Where Can I Get The Real NZT 48?

When the movie came out, part of the marketing campaign was a number of websites supposedly selling The Real NZT 48. It was called thallanylzirconic-methyl-tetrahydro-triazatriphenylene. The website looked almost professional, but there were hints in some of the fine print. For example, we found the disclaimer, “We are not responsible if you die.”

Some of these websites are still around, and I’m sure they still gets lots of traffic from men and women who want to function at their cognitive levels. So, the real question is, now that we know NZT 48 is fake, is there something else, only real?

There are also TONS of nootropic supplements out there that are literally calling themselves the “inspiration behind the movie Limitless“, complete with fake tweets from the real Limitless Twitter page and saying celebrities are using their products.

Here’s just a few of them:

You can see our Neuro 3X review here.

You can read our Brian Plus IQ review here.

And check out our Accelerin review here.

Don’t be fooled…these companies are simply making false claims, and in most cases the supplements do absolutely nothing,

Benefits of Nootropics

Clearly, nothing will give you the drastic effects of the NZT 48 in the movie, but nootropics do work. Basically what they do is fire up some of the neurotransmitters in your brain so it can make better connections. And you end up with a wide awake feeling, better recall, enhanced long and short term memory, and in a lot of cases, a better mood with more energy.

The Real NZT 48

Okay, so we’ve established that there is no The Real NZT 48.

However, there are prescription drugs out there that can DEFINITELY help increase your cognitive performance.

Adderall

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 8 years, you’ve probably heard of Adderall. In it’s purest form, it’s essentially legal speed. Adderall uses a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, both of which are central nervous system stimulants, to produce increased focus, concentration, and motivation.

College students throughout the US use (and sometimes abuse) adderall to help them study for tests.

The downside to Adderall is that it can potentially become addictive, and tolerance to the drug builds steadily.

The longer you take it, the higher the dose you need to perform at the same levels.

I can definitely attest to it’s effectiveness, as I’ve taken it in the past.

I’ve also tested a TON of natural supplements that claim to be MORE effective than adderall, and with a lower prevalence of side effects.

Many of these often contain some variation of the word “Adderall”, and they include:

Addieup

This supplement uses a clever play on words to make it sound like it’s legit over the counter Adderall. When I first tested it, I have to admit, it worked REALLY well.

However, they FDA ended up banning the primary ingredient they were using (it’s called DMAA) and as a result they were forced to reformulate it.

Now, it’s not even HALF as effective as it once was, and it’s certainly not a REAL NZT pill.

You might still be able to find a few bottles of the old formula floating around on sites like eBay, but I wouldn’t hold your breath.

AdderRX

This supplement, which is marketed and sold by a company called NexGen nutraceuticals, promises to increase mental clarity, focus, and fine tune your cognition.

When I first tested it out I felt like I had taken a caffeine pill.

Well, it turns out that this is actually the primary ingredient in AdderRX, as well as several other potent stimulants like Bitter orange extract and DMAE.

Is it the real NZT pill? Far from it!

Modafinil

Another drug that has been likened to the real NZT is Modafinil. This drug was made for the specific purpose of treating patients with narcolepsy, shift-work disorder, and excessive daytime sleepiness.

However, it’s off label use in ADHD and anecdotal reports show that it can be VERY effective at helping you stay alert and focused.

Will it make you smarter and able to conquer the stock market? Probably not.

But it can certainly help keep you awake and productive.

Typically, Modafinil is only available with a prescription from a doctor.

However, there are some websites that are selling legit Modafinil online without one.

One such one I came across recently is Afinil Express, click here to read my review.

Alternatively, there are some over the counter alternatives that can help mimic the effects of NZT 48.

Herbal Supplements

I’ve tested A LOT of supplements that claim to be “adderall alternatives” and to be quite honest, many of them were complete garbage.

However, one particular one that I noticed worked very well was a supplement called Optimind.

When I took it, I felt clear and energized, and far more motivated to get things done. I didn’t end up like Eddie Morra in the movie, and frankly that’s a good thing.

Who needs the drama? I just wanted that edge. And that’s what I got.

I talk about it in my detailed review, as well other supplements that work very well, in this article.

Have You Used The Real NZT 48 or Nootrobrain? Leave Your Review Below!

Ask A Question

User Questions and Answers

No Questions Have Been Answered For This Article.

Author: Rob Miller

Rob Miller founded SupplementCritique.com over 7 years ago, and has been the chief editor ever since. He has a diploma in Advanced Dietary Supplements Advisor, and worked at GNC for 3 years. He KNOWS supplements, both inside and out. Rob currently resides in Jupiter, FL, with his wife of 4 years.  Learn more about him in his Bio here. Follow him on Twitter , Facebook, LinkedIn, or find him on Google +. View all posts by Rob Miller