Joe Rogan, Elon Musk, and Obama All Use Smart Drugs. Here’s What Happened When I Tried the Same Nootropics for 7 Days

A popular content creator recently dove headfirst into the controversial world of nootropics—so-called “smart drugs” that promise enhanced cognitive function, laser focus, and boundless energy.

Inspired by the 2011 film Limitless, where a single pill transforms an ordinary writer into a superhuman genius, she tested whether real-life cognitive enhancers could deliver similar results.

Spoiler alert: the results were mixed, sometimes surprising, and occasionally just made her really good at winning scratch-off lottery tickets.

Here’s what happened when she experimented with everything from Amazon supplements to prescription-grade modafinil—and what experts say about the ethics and efficacy of cognitive enhancement.

The Limitless Premise: Fiction Meets Reality

In Limitless, the fictional drug NZT-48 unlocks perfect recall, heightened attention to detail, explosive energy, and enhanced charisma.

The concept isn’t entirely science fiction. Nootropics—substances claimed to improve cognitive performance—are widely used today, often without people realizing it.

Caffeine is the most common nootropic, and high-profile figures like Joe Rogan, Elon Musk, and even former President Barack Obama have publicly discussed using cognitive enhancers to manage demanding schedules.

But can over-the-counter supplements or prescription medications actually turn an average person into a super-genius?

Experiment #1: Brain Booster (Amazon’s Bestseller)

First up was Brain Booster, a supplement similar to Alpha Brain—the nootropic Joe Rogan famously promotes. With phosphatidylserine as a main ingredient and over 34,000 Amazon reviews, expectations were cautiously optimistic.

After taking it, she went about her day: prepped for a shoot, walked for 90 minutes, bathed her dog, met with clients, and continued working through the evening.

I did win on a scratch ticket so maybe it made me lucky but overall I don’t feel any different so not exactly NZT.

The verdict? No noticeable cognitive boost. She felt completely normal—no enhanced focus, no energy spike, and definitely no superhuman intelligence.

Experiment #2: Genius Mushroom (The Skeptic’s Choice)

Next came Genius Mushroom, a supplement using various medicinal mushrooms to promote focus and clarity. With 42,000 Amazon reviews, it seemed promising—though taking three capsules on an empty stomach was less appealing.

The day started rocky. She forgot her car keys and arrived 30 minutes early to a screening. But as the hours passed, something shifted.

It is the end of the day and I actually feel good. Out of all of them I thought this was going to be the most gimmicky and the one that I was going to make fun of.

After a 10-hour workday plus two hours of driving, she felt alert and energized—not her typical exhausted state by 6 p.m.

I mentally feel really good. I don’t feel a buzz or anything I just don’t feel exhausted.

Surprisingly effective. While not transformative, Genius Mushroom appeared to sustain energy levels throughout a demanding day without causing jitters or crashes.

Experiment #3: Red Bull (The $5 Nootropic)

Before testing prescription-grade modafinil, she tried something anyone can buy at a gas station: Red Bull.

Packed with niacin, taurine, B12, caffeine, and sugar, energy drinks are easily accessible nootropics millions consume daily without thinking twice.

After teaching classes all morning and facing a ruined outdoor shoot due to rain, she felt wired.

There’s so much caffeine taurine niacin in a Red Bull that I’m just like woah.

That evening, she edited for six straight hours with no problem. But later that night? Red Bull crash—hard.

The temporary energy boost came at a price, reinforcing that stimulants provide short-term benefits with inevitable comedowns.

Experiment #4: Modafinil (The Real Deal)

Finally came modafinil, perhaps the most well-known prescription nootropic. Originally developed to treat narcolepsy, it’s gained popularity among high performers seeking extended wakefulness and enhanced focus.

Experts describe it cautiously. One researcher noted modafinil is “a safer amphetamine,” but quickly added that doesn’t mean it’s harmless or free from cardiovascular risks or potential for dependency.

If you start using modafinil regularly you could very well find yourself in the position that you can’t function as well as you used to if you aren’t using it.

The effects kicked in noticeably.

This is definitely working now I can feel it. It’s almost the same effect as caffeine or Red Bull where I can feel it. It’s almost like it’s prying my eyeballs open.

She became hyperalert and energized—perfect for staying awake during a 90-minute drive to film at the Stanley Hotel.

But there was an unexpected downside.

I actually feel like it stunted my creativity. It’s like I could only focus on one thing at a time when I’m normally used to multitasking and thinking about a lot of things at once.

Modafinil enhanced wakefulness but narrowed cognitive flexibility. While beneficial for single-task focus, it hindered the creative, multitasking mindset she typically relied on.

What Experts Say About Nootropics

Despite widespread marketing claims, most over-the-counter nootropics lack robust scientific evidence supporting cognitive enhancement.

One expert warned against purchasing supplements from Amazon for cognitive enhancement, noting many substances haven’t been proven effective.

All they’re doing is making you have very expensive urine.

Prescription nootropics like modafinil show more promise but come with significant caveats around safety, dependency, and side effects.

The Ethical Dilemma of Cognitive Enhancement

Beyond efficacy lies a thorny ethical debate. If cognitive enhancers become more effective and accessible, who gets access? What about fairness in competitive environments like academics or sports?

One researcher expressed deep concern about students and athletes using these drugs.

It’s one thing for a fighter pilot or maybe a surgeon who’s been up for 18 hours. It’s another thing altogether for a college student to take this to do better on an exam.

The term “cognitive steroid” captures the controversy. Just as performance-enhancing drugs create unfair advantages in sports, nootropics could widen existing inequalities.

Wealthy individuals with access to expensive pharmaceuticals could gain significant advantages over those without resources, fueling societal disparities rather than leveling the playing field.

The Bottom Line: No Magic Pill Exists (Yet)

While some nootropics produced noticeable effects—particularly modafinil and surprisingly Genius Mushroom—none delivered Limitless-style superintelligence.

Key takeaways from the experiment:

• Most Amazon supplements showed minimal to no cognitive impact
• Medicinal mushroom blends may offer sustained energy without jitters
• Caffeine-based products like Red Bull provide short-term boosts with inevitable crashes
• Prescription modafinil enhances wakefulness but may reduce creative thinking
• True cognitive enhancement remains beyond current pharmaceutical capabilities

Experts agree that while humans naturally seek ways to maximize mental performance, current nootropics fall short of transformative enhancement.

Until science develops genuinely effective cognitive enhancers, the best strategies remain timeless: adequate sleep, regular exercise, proper nutrition, stress management, and lifelong learning.

Oh, and maybe occasionally buying scratch tickets after taking mushroom supplements—apparently that strategy has merit.