If you’re looking for a real versions of the “limitless pill,” you’re in luck because that’s exactly what I share in this article. But first I have to be honest with you… there are pills like the one from Limitless, they’re just not quite what you think. Now, most of you have either heard of or seen the 2011 thriller film Limitless, which stars Bradley Cooper as Eddie Morra. Eddie Morra, a man who turns his life around using a powerful nootropic drug called NZT-48. Ever since its release, Limitless has generated a huge deal of interest in nootropics.
Many people (including myself) first learned about nootropic “smart drugs” after watching the movie. All of a sudden, a ton of people became aware that smart drugs exist, beyond, say, Adderall and a few nootropic alternatives. A now-thriving market began to appear for them. Of course, people were curious to see if NZT-48 — the “perfect” smart drug — was real in some way.
Today, you can see ads and stories all over the internet with claims about finding the Limitless Pill. Even some products are named Limitless Pill in an attempt to fool people into buying a mediocre product or outright sham. The fact is, there is no real drug on the market that is exactly like the fictional pill in the movie. However, there are a handful of nootropics on the marketplace that are real and have very noticeable effects and real benefits. So the question now is: which of these substances bear the most similar effects to the Limitless Pill?
Life Without Limits: Effects of NZT-48
In Limitless, NZT-48 turned Eddie Morra from a struggling writer to a millionaire stock trader within weeks.
The effects all came from a single pill, but could be considered diverse and individual in nature.
The effects kicked in fast and hard. When Eddie first took NZT, it was as if all of the parts of his brain became seamlessly connected.
He could retrieve memories that he passively formed years ago and turned them into useful opportunities. In a way, it was like a retroactive photographic memory. For example, he could help his landlord’s wife finish a law school paper without any formal training in the field himself.
His energy and motivation were through the roof. After NZT intake, Eddie not only cleaned his filthy apartment but also wrote a novel he had writer’s block on.
With heightened social ability, he outshone others, impressing friends and colleagues with his wit and knowledge in conversation.
His enhanced analytical skills allowed him to discern unique patterns in financial markets, propelling his ascent as a stock trader. Together, these abilities (and various others) all led Eddie Morra to incredible success.
Eddie endured alarming side effects like prolonged blackouts and physical addiction, resulting in painful withdrawal symptoms.
This alone might exclude NZT-48 from a traditionalist’s definition of a nootropic, but its remarkable effects speak for themselves.
We’ve established there isn’t a pill granting these benefits, yet parts of NZT-48 can be seen in powerful real-world nootropic alternatives.
4 Real-World Equivalents of the Limitless Pill
Below you will find a complete list of my favorite Limitless Pill alternatives. If used wisely, these nootropics can be used to improve your quality of life.
| Name | Main Effect | Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| Modafinil | Attention, Wakefulness | 100 mg |
| 1p-LSD | Focus, Creativity | 12.5 ug |
| Phenibut | Relaxation, Anti-Stress | 300 – 500 mg |
| Desmopressin | Memory | 0.2 – 0.5 mg |
Now, let’s take a closer look at each one.
1. Modafinil
One drug that is constantly compared to NZT-48 is Modafinil, and the reasons for this are easy to see.
Originally marketed to enhance wakefulness for third-shift workers or those with narcolepsy, Modafinil has gained broader usage. Silicon Valley employees, top students, and high-achieving individuals notably use Modafinil off-label to enhance alertness and efficiency while working.
In an article in New York Magazine, Robert Kolker discussed the experiences that a number of people had on Modafinil and how it greatly improved their work performance. One person tried it for standard office work, and found that even tedious tasks became easier to tackle.
“Tasks that were usually soul-crushing now had his undivided attention. NY Magazine praised his hours spent fine-tuning ad campaigns for his new business, noting that his output was not only faster and longer but also better.
While not strictly a stimulant, Modafinil increases the speed of thought and helps with focus and attentiveness during tasks. It can act as a mood booster as well, which adds to its ability to help in social situations. It works by boosting the activity of dopamine, serotonin, and histamine in the brain.
This is exactly how I view the instantaneous, noticeable effects of NZT from the film. The user wakes up, much like Eddie did from his dull original state. Users swiftly engage in work and become lively at social gatherings due to heightened internal motivation.
Of course, this electric surge isn’t all of what a drug like NZT-48 has to offer. There are more sides to it than you might expect.
As of 2023, a handful of sites sell Modafinil. I recommend this brand.
2. LSD (Micro-dosed)
LSD isn’t just a drug indicated for hippies and counterculture anymore.
With the rise of interest in nootropics, many people have begun utilizing microdoses—smaller amounts of LSD for cognitive enhancement. The smaller doses do not cause sensory disturbances, but they retain plenty of other useful properties.
According to The Third Wave, a company whose mission is to end the stigma of using psychedelics, LSD microdosing has largely untold benefits to cognitive performance.
A typical day on an LSD microdose yields increased creative output, physical energy, emotional balance, and heightened spiritual awareness.
Similarly to Modafinil, work becomes a whole lot more fun. Not only that, but your creativity and ability to think outside the box soar, accompanied by a pleasant coffee-like buzz, facilitating flow.
These effects stem from LSD’s heightened activity in the brain’s serotonin systems and a unique “cross-wiring,” facilitating easier neuron communication.
NZT-48 in “Limitless” exhibits these properties as Eddie Morra employs a unique approach to pattern observation in the stock market. And he looked damn happy doing it!
3. Phenibut
A drug that we have consistently reported is Phenibut, which continues to rank in the top echelon of smart drugs for us and many other enthusiasts out there.
Primarily recognized for its anxiety-reducing and mood-enhancing effects, Phenibut offers long-lasting relief for over 24 hours with consistent results when dosed properly.
Phenibut smoothens general anxiety, removes inhibition like alcohol but without side effects, and relaxes without drowsiness.
Phenibut is ideal for stressful days or social gatherings, acting as a social lubricant with fewer side effects than alcohol.
The compound mimics GABA’s structure, the neurotransmitter managing excessive brain signals, including anxiety, by controlling them effectively.
In addition to acting as a beneficial nervous filter, Phenibut acts as a dopamine booster. Some experience heightened confidence and focus, with others finding it enhances music appreciation.
In “Limitless,” Eddie Morra didn’t display anxiety, but he was undoubtedly uninhibited—both professionally and socially—afterward.
After taking NZT-48, Eddie effortlessly charmed at parties and excelled in investment banking, his confidence unwavering as long as he consumed it.
4. Desmopressin
Desmopressin, although unusual, is noteworthy for its off-label use as a memory retention enhancer.
Some users even claim it even provides a photographic memory, which is especially useful when cramming for exams or studying in general.
The TV series “Limitless” (2015) showcases this further, portraying NZT-48 user Brian Finch instantly memorizing book contents by flipping pages.
However, the problem with Desmopressin is the side effect of hyponatremia, or low blood sodium.
Dehydration without electrolytes can lead to nausea, headaches, confusion, and seizures, similar to overconsumption of plain water.
This is due to desmopressin’s primary use case in stopping bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis.
Desmopressin is a bit harder to find online, but a few vendors do carry it. Anti-Aging Systems – which is recommended on the Longecity nootropics forum – used to sell it but no longer does. I could not find anyone else selling it.
Can You Combine These Drugs?
Some people might wonder if they could combine all these limitless effects into a single “treatment” rather than confining them to single substances. So could you stack Modafinil, LSD, or Phenibut together all at once?
Well, you could, but you need to be extremely careful, as these are some of the most powerful nootropics currently known to man, much like the case in Limitless with NZT. In addition to the fact that certain neurotransmitters are affected to a high degree by each drug, there are possible interactions to consider, and many are unknown.
Certainly, if you wished to try a combination, you would want to reduce the dosage of each drug because most of the ones we listed act in a stimulating manner. Too much of anything stimulating inevitably leads to anxiety – which is what we don’t want from a limitless experience.
However, in theory, Phenibut would pair excellently with LSD as it would promote a positive outlook along with the enhanced flexibility your brain experiences. Also, the serotonergic nature of LSD doesn’t clash with the primarily GABAergic nature of the Phenibut.
Just remember to keep yourself hydrated no matter what you do, as illustrated by a Longecity user who shared their experience being dehydrated while on a combination of Phenibut and Modafinil.
Conclusion
Here’s the truth: there is no perfect, real-world limitless pill like NZT-48 that will make you rich and powerful. However, there are top-notch nootropics available nearly emulate the power of the fantastic compound.
Modafinil and Phenibut come pretty darn close. Desmopressin also looks promising. And after some trials, 1P-LSD appears to be the closest thing to the NZT-48 pill from Limitless that is on the market today.
In the future, we should expect information on how to safely and effectively combine these effects as we continue our journey of transhumanism.
