Hai guize, luk at me, u a sthoopit, i is the smart, u sux, fuk u.
Anyway, for people who haven't ravaged their brains with recreational substance abuse and a host of other poor choices, nootropics don't really cause a particularly-discernible difference, but for people who don't practice a healthy lifestyle/diet, they can be quite helpful when used dosed in the correct amount, frequency and understand how they are absorbed (water/fat solubility) and plan accordingly.
Combining nootropics (creating a "stack") is probably one of the most beneficial things you could do. Many of the options available on the market are molecular-ly similar, but, even the slightest difference in molecular structure can really make a difference in several . Many combinations are synergistic and will reduce dosage required to achieve the same effect(s). However, many don't perform sufficient research and will not use them properly and misdiagnose poor effectiveness. It is also cited that noticeable effects don't manifest for some because they cease administration when the effects are cumulative over a period of time.
For anyone who is interested in trying nootropics, what works for one person may not work for you, and what works for you may not work for someone else. You just have to try various options and weigh the pros and cons. However, I do highly recommend at least adding a choline source to your diet (either from natural sources or supplements). Choline is classified as an essential nutrient and can be found in eggs, chicken, cod (fish), broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, tofu, and more.
My personal regiment is pramiracetam, aniracetam, noopept, and choline bitartrate. In my experience, it is most certainly not placebo because the difference is clear-cut and currently make quite a difference for me.