Nootropics Depot Shilajit Review (PrimaVie)
Our verdict: Nootropics Depot shilajit is one of the better ways to buy this supplement. It uses PrimaVie, the purified extract behind most of the human research, at 250 mg per capsule, and Nootropics Depot (ND) posts batch certificates of analysis (COAs) with heavy-metal results you can read yourself. The catch is the ingredient, not the product: shilajit’s evidence comes from a few small trials, so expect modest effects at best.
This review covers what ND sells, how its dose compares with the studies, what one published COA actually shows, how PrimaVie compares with resin, and who should skip it. We have not personally tested this product; this review is based on ND’s product pages, its published lab reports and the clinical research.
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Key Takeaways
- ND sells PrimaVie shilajit as 250 mg capsules (30 or 90 count) and as a bulk powder (30 or 60 grams).[11]
- ND lists the extract as standardized to at least 50% fulvic acids and at least 12% dibenzo-alpha-pyrones.[11]
- The best-known trials used 250 mg twice daily (500 mg a day); 250 mg once a day did not beat placebo in a muscle-fatigue study.[1][2]
- A COA we reviewed showed lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury well under ND’s stated limits, but it did not report a fulvic acid assay for that batch.[12]
- At the time of writing, the 90-count bottle cost $29.99, or about $0.67 a day at the studied 500 mg dose.[11]
Nootropics Depot PrimaVie Shilajit
PrimaVie purified shilajit in 250 mg capsules or as a powder, with batch COAs that include heavy-metal testing. The capsules are the easiest way to match the doses used in trials.
Capsules (250 mg): Check Price On Amazon
Powder: Check Price On Amazon
What Is Nootropics Depot Shilajit?
Nootropics Depot is a supplement company in Tempe, Arizona, known for single-ingredient products and published lab reports (see our full Nootropics Depot review). Its shilajit line is built on PrimaVie, a branded purified shilajit extract originally developed by Natreon. ND describes it as sourced from the Himalayas, purified to remove impurities and tested in independent labs for heavy metals, microbes and active compounds.[11]
If you are new to shilajit itself, start with our shilajit ingredient guide, which covers what it is, fulvic acid and the full safety picture.
Product Facts: Capsules Vs Powder
| PrimaVie Shilajit Capsules | PrimaVie Shilajit Powder | |
|---|---|---|
| Extract | PrimaVie purified shilajit (asphaltum) | PrimaVie purified shilajit |
| Standardization (per ND) | ≥50% fulvic acids, ≥12% dibenzo-alpha-pyrones | Not restated on the powder page we checked |
| Dose per serving | 250 mg per capsule | 250 mg per serving (you measure it) |
| Sizes | 30 or 90 capsules | 30 or 60 grams |
| Price at time of writing | $15.99 (30 ct) / $29.99 (90 ct) | $28.99 to $49.99, depending on size |
| ND suggested use | One capsule, one to two times daily, in the morning | 250 mg once daily |
| Testing | Batch COA posted, includes heavy metals | ND says each batch is tested for heavy metals and microbes |
Prices and sizes come from ND’s own product pages at the time of writing and can change; Amazon listings may offer different sizes.[11]
What The Research Shows At This Dose
Nearly every positive shilajit trial used a purified extract at 500 mg a day, usually split into two 250 mg doses. That lines up neatly with ND’s 250 mg capsule, as long as you take two a day rather than one.
| Outcome | Dose And Duration | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Testosterone in healthy men 45 to 55 | 250 mg twice daily, 90 days | Higher total and free testosterone and DHEA-S vs placebo[1] |
| Strength after fatiguing exercise (young men) | 250 or 500 mg/day PrimaVie, 8 weeks | 500 mg preserved strength in the stronger half of subjects; 250 mg no better than placebo[2] |
| Sperm count (men with low counts) | 100 mg twice daily, 90 days | Higher count and motility, but no placebo group[3] |
| Bone density after menopause | 250 or 500 mg/day, 48 weeks | Bone loss slowed in a dose-dependent way vs placebo[4] |
Put plainly: the evidence is real but thin. A 2024 systematic review of testosterone boosters rated PrimaVie only “possibly effective,” and only for men with age-related low testosterone.[6] The muscle-fatigue result came from a subgroup analysis.[2] A 2014 safety and efficacy review concluded that more well-controlled human studies of standardized products are needed.[5] There is no good human evidence that shilajit improves memory or focus, so we do not consider it a nootropic in the strict sense.
Cost Per Studied Dose
At the studied 500 mg a day (two capsules), the 90-count bottle lasts 45 days and works out to about $0.67 a day; the 30-count bottle lasts 15 days at about $1.07 a day. The powder is cheaper per milligram but requires a milligram scale to measure 250 mg accurately, and ND notes that many people mix it into a drink to mask the earthy taste.[11]
Match The Trial Dose With PrimaVie Capsules
Two 250 mg capsules a day equals the 500 mg daily dose used in the testosterone and muscle-fatigue trials. The 90-count bottle is the better value.
Capsules (250 mg): Check Price On Amazon
Powder: Check Price On Amazon
Heavy-Metal Testing: What ND Says And What The COA Shows
Heavy metals are the central quality issue with shilajit. A 2024 review reported around 65 metals in shilajit samples, including lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, with some samples above WHO and FDA limits.[7] Lab analysis of widely sold Indian and Pakistani shilajit found lead, arsenic and mercury above permissible limits.[8] And a JAMA study found detectable lead, mercury or arsenic in about one-fifth of Ayurvedic products sold online, most of which claimed to follow Good Manufacturing Practices.[9]
What Nootropics Depot Claims
ND states that every batch of its PrimaVie is tested in independent labs for heavy metals, microbial contaminants and active compound content, and that it provides full access to its COAs.[11] PrimaVie’s supplier describes the ingredient as a solvent-free aqueous extract standardized to more than 50% fulvic acids and more than 10.3% dibenzo-alpha-pyrones, which is slightly different from the at least 12% DBP figure on ND’s page.
What One Published COA Shows
We read the COA ND posted for one 90-count capsule lot (PMVCS1080526A, report dated August 2026).[12] It listed:
| Metal | ND Limit | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | ≤1.5 ppm | 0.0235 ppm |
| Arsenic | ≤3.0 ppm | 0.2809 ppm |
| Cadmium | ≤0.5 ppm | <0.01 ppm |
| Mercury | ≤0.5 ppm | <0.01 ppm |
All four were well under ND’s limits, and the lot also passed identity testing (HPTLC), capsule fill weight and water activity. Two caveats. First, that COA did not include a fulvic acid or DBP assay, so it confirms purity and identity but not the standardization claim for that batch. Second, the document does not name the testing laboratory. Results also vary by lot, so check the COA for the batch you actually receive.
PrimaVie Vs Shilajit Resin
| ND PrimaVie (Capsules/Powder) | Typical Shilajit Resin | |
|---|---|---|
| Research behind it | Used in the muscle-fatigue trial; named in the 2024 testosterone-booster review[2][6] | Not the form used in trials |
| Dose accuracy | Exact (capsules) or measurable (powder) | “Pea-sized” portions; guesswork |
| Purity documentation | Batch COA with heavy metals | Varies widely; often missing |
| Taste | None (capsules) | Strong, bitter, earthy |
Resin sellers often market their product as more natural or “live.” No research shows resin works better, and its dose and contamination levels are much harder to verify. If you still prefer resin, buy only from a seller that posts a third-party heavy-metal COA for the exact batch.
Nootropics Depot Shilajit Vs Tongkat Ali
Many shoppers compare ND’s shilajit with its tongkat ali. Tongkat ali has a larger evidence base for testosterone and stress hormones, with the clearest testosterone effects in men whose levels are low. Shilajit’s evidence is thinner but covers a few other outcomes, such as strength retention and bone density. See our Nootropics Depot tongkat ali review and the comparison section of our shilajit guide.
Who It Suits And Who Should Avoid It
A reasonable fit for: middle-aged men curious about the modest testosterone data, active people interested in the strength-retention research, and anyone who wants shilajit but does not trust unverified resin.
Skip it or ask a doctor first if you:
- Have prostate cancer or another hormone-sensitive condition, or take hormone therapy, since purified shilajit raised testosterone and DHEA-S in a trial.[1]
- Are pregnant, breastfeeding or under 18 (no safety data).
- Have kidney disease or a history of heavy-metal exposure.
- Take prescription medications; no drug-interaction studies are available.
- Want a brain supplement: ingredients covered in our best nootropics guide have far more cognitive evidence.
Side Effects And Interactions
Purified shilajit was well tolerated in trials. In overweight adults, 250 mg twice daily for 8 weeks caused no changes in blood glucose or lipids.[10] In men with low sperm counts, liver and kidney tests stayed normal over 90 days.[3] The postmenopausal trial ran 48 weeks.[4] Long-term safety beyond about a year is unknown, and interactions with medications have not been studied. Stop taking it and see a doctor if you develop any unusual symptoms.
Where To Buy Nootropics Depot Shilajit
You can buy directly from ND or through its Amazon store. On Amazon, buy only from listings marked “Sold by Nootropics Depot” to avoid resellers and counterfeits. Whichever channel you use, look up the COA for your lot number on ND’s product page. For ways to save, see our Nootropics Depot coupon guide, and browse the rest of our Nootropics Depot product reviews.
Nootropics Depot PrimaVie Shilajit
A purified, standardized shilajit with batch heavy-metal testing. Choose capsules for exact dosing or powder for lower cost per milligram.
Capsules (250 mg): Check Price On Amazon
Powder: Check Price On Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nootropics Depot Shilajit Real PrimaVie?
ND sells its capsules and powder under the PrimaVie name and lists the ingredient as PrimaVie purified shilajit.[11] The batch COA we reviewed confirmed shilajit identity by HPTLC but did not include a fulvic acid assay.[12]
How Many Nootropics Depot Shilajit Capsules Should I Take?
ND suggests one 250 mg capsule one to two times daily.[11] The trials with positive results used 500 mg a day, so two capsules matches the research; one capsule (250 mg) did not beat placebo in the muscle-fatigue study.[1][2]
Is Nootropics Depot Shilajit Tested For Heavy Metals?
Yes. ND says each batch is tested, and the COA we checked showed lead at 0.0235 ppm against a 1.5 ppm limit, with arsenic, cadmium and mercury also within limits.[12]
Is The Powder Or The Capsules Better?
Capsules are easier and dose-accurate. The powder costs less per milligram but needs a milligram scale, and the taste is strong.[11]
How Long Before Shilajit Works?
ND’s page suggests effects in three to four weeks, but the trials measured results after 8 weeks to 90 days.[1][2][11] Give it at least two months.
Does Nootropics Depot Shilajit Increase Testosterone?
One 90-day trial of purified shilajit at 500 mg a day found higher testosterone in men aged 45 to 55.[1] Results in younger men or men with normal levels are unknown, and a 2024 review rated the evidence as “possibly effective.”[6]
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Dietary supplements are not evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, take prescription medication or have a medical condition. Read our full medical disclaimer.
References
- Pandit S, Biswas S, Jana U, et al. Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia. 2016;48(5):570-575. PubMed
- Keller JL, Housh TJ, Hill EC, et al. The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2019;16(1):3. PubMed
- Biswas TK, Pandit S, Mondal S, et al. Clinical evaluation of spermatogenic activity of processed Shilajit in oligospermia. Andrologia. 2010;42(1):48-56. PubMed
- Pingali U, Nutalapati C. Shilajit extract reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone loss to dose-dependently preserve bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteopenia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2022;105:154334. PubMed
- Stohs SJ. Safety and efficacy of shilajit (mumie, moomiyo). Phytotherapy Research. 2014;28(4):475-479. PubMed
- Morgado A, Tsampoukas G, Sokolakis I, et al. Do “testosterone boosters” really increase serum total testosterone? A systematic review. International Journal of Impotence Research. 2024;36(4):348-364. PubMed
- Hussain A, Saeed A, et al. Hazardous or advantageous: uncovering the roles of heavy metals and humic substances in Shilajit (phyto-mineral) with emphasis on heavy metals toxicity and their detoxification mechanisms. Biological Trace Element Research. 2024;202(12):5794-5814. PubMed
- Aldakheel RK, Gondal MA, Alsayed HN, et al. Rapid determination and quantification of nutritional and poisonous metals in vastly consumed Ayurvedic herbal medicine (rejuvenator Shilajit) by humans using three advanced analytical techniques. Biological Trace Element Research. 2022;200(9):4199-4216. PubMed
- Saper RB, Phillips RS, Sehgal A, et al. Lead, mercury, and arsenic in US- and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines sold via the Internet. JAMA. 2008;300(8):915-923. PubMed
- Das A, Datta S, Rhea B, et al. The human skeletal muscle transcriptome in response to oral Shilajit supplementation. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2016;19(7):701-709. PubMed
- Nootropics Depot. PrimaVie Shilajit Capsules and PrimaVie Shilajit Powder product pages. Accessed October 2026. Capsules; Powder
- Nootropics Depot. Certificate of analysis, PrimaVie Shilajit Capsules 250 mg, lot PMVCS1080526A (CoA ND-26-1132). August 2026. PDF
