Can “smart drugs” actually make you smarter? You bet they can. Nootropics have repeatedly been proven to markedly enhance the full spectrum of cognitive abilities, making it possible to learn more in less time.

In fact, while different nootropics effect the brain in a variety of ways, almost all nootropics have one thing in common, and that’s the ability to improve the capacity for learning. And unlike basic stimulants such as caffeine, nootropics can do far more than simply increase alertness; nootropics can actually promote and protect brain health.

Nootropics for learning work in large part by modulating the production and release of acetylcholine, a crucial brain chemical often referred to as the learning neurotransmitter. Improved acetylcholine synthesis increases neuroplasticity, or the formation of new neural connections within the brain, which in turn results in better ability to acquire new knowledge, focus more intensely for longer periods, and retain information.

Nootropics can give a significant cognitive boost to students, people with information-intensive jobs, and anyone else who needs to learn quickly and efficiently and reliably recall stored information. Here’s a list of some of the best nootropics for learning.