Top Legal Stimulants Available in 2023
Everyone could benefit from a little more get up and go, and so many of us would like to find something that can give us more energy and concentration without the jitters we typically get from multiple cups of coffee.
Others have been suffering from a cocaine addiction and would like to get their hands on a safe, legal alternative to the same.
Luckily, there are several legal stimulants out there and here we’ll break down just what they are, what they do and where you can find them.
The Best Legal, Over-the-Counter Stimulants
| Name | Effect Rating | Price | Where To Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modafinil | ☆☆☆☆☆ | $$ | Get Modafinil |
| Ephedra Sinica | ☆☆☆☆☆ | $$ | Get Ephedra |
| Ginseng | ☆☆☆ | $ | Get Ginseng |
| Guarana | ☆☆☆ | $ | Get Guarana |
| Kanna | ☆☆☆ | $$ | Get Kanna |
| Kratom | ☆☆☆☆ | $$ | Get Kratom |
| L-Tyrosine | ☆☆☆☆ | $ | Get L-Tyrosine |
| Piracetam | ☆☆☆☆ | $$ | Get Piracetam |
Now let’s take a closer look at each one, and what makes it an effective stimulant (and where to buy it over the counter).
1. Modafinil
Okay I admit, Modafinil isn’t exactly “over the counter”, but it might as well be. Though not available in the US without a prescription, you can buy Modafinil easily from several online vendors and ships directly to your door in most countries. I get mine here.
Not to mention, you can easily purchase various Modafinil brands over the counter in Mexico and elsewhere.
It has been called a “novel stimulant” by those who have studied its content and effects.
Some have even called this powerful nootropic “the new Adderall.” And what’s most interesting to mention here is that Modafinil has less potential for addiction than mainstream stimulants.
Military scientists have written about the drug, “Unlike…amphetamines, for example, modafinil is reported to have minimal peripheral side effects at therapeutic doses.”
2. Ephedra
Otherwise referred to as “Mormon’s tea”, “Ma Huang”, or “whorehouse tea,” Ephedra sinica is a traditional Chinese medicine which has been used for thousands of years as a natural stimulant and mood enhancer.
Ephedra sinica seeds are native to Mongolia and contain the active alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, both of which are potent in their energy-increasing effects. They act on the Central Nervous System and can cause vasoconstriction which may result in cardiac issues. Users are advised to use with caution and only in responsible doses.
Ephedra sinica is banned by the FDA but keep in mind there are more than 30 different species of ephedra. For example, supplements with ingredients containing Ephedra viridis are completely legal and quite effective.
3. Ginseng
Ginseng root was first used as a stimulant by Native Americans who also took it to treat headaches. It has since been found to be beneficial in several areas of general health and wellness.
Today, we know that Ginseng can optimize attention, boost the immune system, and contains a variety of powerful antioxidants.
A variety of disparate forms of ginseng exist from American ginseng to Siberian ginseng. Asian ginseng is the more-popular “hot stimulant” that boosts mental performance.
Ginseng is very affordable and you can get it in your local pharmacy, or online. Here is one at Absorb Your Health.
4. Guarana
Guarana’s seeds have been used to brew a stimulating drink for ages by native Amazon tribes. Today, it has been introduced to the Western world in the form of guarana powder which enhances athletic performance and reduces mental and physical fatigue.
Guarana is high in caffeine content which is part of why it works so well as a natural stimulant. Guarana supplements are readily available online and in a drugstore for as little as $6.99 for a 160 count bottle. Here is some pure Guarana in powder available from Amazon.
5. Kanna
Kanna is a succulent plant that has a well-established reputation for elevating mood and eliminating stress and anxiety.
One of the best things about this herb is that it does not appear to be habit forming in nature.
If you’re looking for a substance that can chill you out as much as boost you up, this is a good choice.
There is plenty of kanna powder for sale online. Some sources even offer a 1 gram packet of kanna powder for just $1.99.
I have not tried this product with kanna myself yet but it has pretty good reviews.
6. Kratom
It’s the subject of much controversy thanks to failed attempts by the FDA to coerce the Drug Enforcement Administration into banning the substance.
The Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) leaves have been used as a folk medicine for thousands of years in its native Southeast Asia.
Kratom is a plant from the coffee family that acts as a potent stimulant in certain doses. It has a solid reputation among users for its ability to offer increased energy, alertness, anxiety relief, and pain relief.
Green vein and white vein kratom strains are believed to be the best kratom strains for their stimulant effects while red vein kratom strains are more analgesic in nature. This is due to the different active alkaloid content present from strain to strain.
It is important to note that kratom is not legal everywhere. It has been banned in certain countries and certain states and municipalities here in the US.
Before attempting to purchase this research chemical, you should check the legal status of kratom in your area.
I’ve had success buying various kratom teas from Coastline Kratom, and they’re my preferred shop. However, finding a reputable kratom vendor can be tough so I urge you to do your own research.
7. L-Tyrosine
This natural dopamine booster is an amino acid that can treat anxiety, stress, and depression while promoting clean energy levels and improve fatigue-related memory problems.
L-Tyrosine produces both dopamine and noradrenaline which results in a significant increase in flagging energy levels.
L-Tyrosine is available in nearly every vitamin and supplement store across the US and elsewhere. It can also be purchased online, as well as on Amazon.
8. Piracetam
A member of the racetam family of nootropic drugs, Piracetam influences neuronal and vascular functions as well as cognitive function.
It can have both stimulant and sedative effects. These effects are dependent largely on dosage size.
Some users have suggested that Piracetam is most effective at potentiating other stimulants such as Adderall.
Others, however, have argued that Piracetam is a viable alternative to Adderall, writing, “My opinion is that piracetam is a better option for both long/short term increases in mental cognition and clarity.”[1]
Piracetam is available online, for example here.
A Nootropic Stack
There are a lot of great nootropic “stacks” available on the market, but these proprietary blends aren’t all so great. Many of them contain fillers and some of them do not offer accurate information on their labels.
As a result of this lack of transparency, customers don’t always know what they’re getting and may not even be receiving amounts of each compound sufficient to have the desired effect.
If you’re looking for a nootropic stack for energy and focus, I recommend Qualia from Neurohacker Collective. They are a reputable company with a strong presence among the nootropic community.
While their two-back bottle is a bit pricey at $120 per month, you’re getting a lot of excellent ingredients in their formula that would cost nearly 5x that if you bought them individually.
Conclusion
To summarize, each of the aforementioned nootropics is an all-natural, legal alternative to the far riskier and more addictive controlled substances available with a prescription.
Try them out and enjoy the feeling of a natural, less-medicated stimulation.