Table of Contents
- 1 Top 5 Best Nootropic Supplements of 2021
- 2 What Are Nootropics?
- 3 Factors to Consider When Choosing The Best Nootropic Supplements
- 4 Natural Nootropic Ingredients for Improving Cognitive Function
- 5 Why Do People Take Nootropic Supplements?
- 6 List of Synthetic Smart Drugs to Consider
- 7 Are Nootropics Safe, and Do They Have Side Effects?
- 8 How Much Do Nootropics Cost?
- 9 How to Use Smart Pills
- 10 Who Should Consider Taking Nootropic Supplements?
- 11 What is a Nootropic Stack?
- 12 Final Verdict – Which is the Best Nootropic to Buy?
(Ad) Have you ever wanted to boost your brain power, be more productive and feel smarter?
Join the crowd. The use of nootropics, also called “smart drugs,” and brain supplements is on the rise, with 14% of people already having tried them at least once.
Nootropics come with a long list of claimed benefits, from improving short-term memory and battling brain fog to feeling more motivated and productive.
However, choosing the best nootropics for your needs and lifestyle is no easy task. With so many nootropics to choose from, each one claiming to be the best, how do you really know which products are the most effective?
We’ve researched the best nootropic supplements on the market to help you find a product that fits your needs, lifestyle, and budget. Each product on the list below was evaluated on its ingredients, advertised benefits, dosage, price, and customer reviews.
If you’re ready to unlock your brain’s potential and fire on all cylinders, here are the best nootropics on the market.
Top 5 Best Nootropic Supplements of 2021
#1 Mind Lab Pro: Most Effective Nootropic
With the tagline “100% BrainpowerTM,” Mind Lab Pro is at the top of our list of best nootropics. The company boasts a formula that’s effective for everyone, from professional athletes to senior citizens.
The promise to unlock “‘100% brainpower” is a bold claim. But don’t be put off—they are not saying it’s a miracle drug or a limitless pill that will make you an overnight genius..
It simply means that Mind Lab Pro is a whole-brain optimizer that boosts ALL areas of cognitive function. Whereas, many nootropics target just 2-3 brain pathways – supporting only focus, or only brain fog. But this narrow-minded approach fails to tap into the brain’s huge potential.
Mind Lab Pro’s unique “universal nootropic” is designed to enhance almost everything, for everybody, including:
- studying and learning
- test-taking performance
- mental processing speed
- creativity and abstract thinking
- mood, relaxation, and mindset
- memory and recall
- communication and verbal fluidity
- strategic thinking
- attention, focus, and concentration
- motivation and mental drive
Mind Lab Pro boasts an unmatched list of potent, all natural nootropic ingredients that are free from stimulants.
Here is the full Mind Lab Pro ingredient list:
- citicoline
- phosphatidylserine
- lion’s mane mushroom
- bacopa monnieri
- l-theanine
- rhodiola rosea
- N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
- Maritime pine bark extract
- vitamin B6
- vitamin B9
- vitamin B12
All this adds up to the most advanced nootropic formula ever created. Crafted from nature and refined by science.
Mind Lab Pro is designed to help you be at your most focused and most productive with a daily recommended dosage of a couple of capsules.
If you’re looking for a nootropic supplement to help your brain fire on all cylinders, Mind Lab Pro is for you.
- Boost mental performance and help protect against cognitive decline
- 11 brain-boosting ingredients inside each pill
- Clean label with all dosages shown; no “proprietary” formulas
- Used by professionals, athletes, students, and senior citizens
- 100% money back guarantee
Click Here for the Lowest Price on Mind Lab Pro
#2 Performance Lab Mind: Top Nootropic for Energy and Motivation
Performance Lab Mind is one of the best smart pills for motivation and natural energy.
Whether you need it for pulling an all-nighter ahead of a big exam, tackling a tough project at work, or even attending a social event where you need to be at your brightest, Performance Lab Mind can give you a definitive edge.
Performance Lab Mind is the only nootropic on the market specially designed to support brain recovery from intense effort. It helps you to “bounce back” by restoring brain chemicals that get depleted in times of stress and pressure.
The aim is less burnout, a longer attention span, and peak cognitive performance today and the regeneration of new brain cells tomorrow.
Formula Overview
The power of Performance Lab Mind is based on a cocktail of ingredients that combine to optimize brain cell functions.
The main ingredients include:
- citicoline
- phosphatidylserine
- l-tyrosine
- maritime pine bark extract
Performance Lab Mind is the perfect supplement for anyone—from students to artists to entrepreneurs—who requires dynamic brainpower. It is designed to protect you against brain fog, burnout and stress, and has been crafted with the intention of nourishing and restoring your brain for long-term cognitive health.
- Taken to improves focus and memory retention
- Designed to encourages blood flow to the brain for peak mental performance
- No caffeine, non-GMO, and no reported side effects
- Taken to help optimize brain cell membranes for efficient function and long-range health
Click Here for the Lowest Price on Performance Lab Mind
#3 Noocube: Best Smart Pill for Memory and Brain Health
Noocube is one of the best nootropic supplements for memory retention and learning. Noocube promises to “upgrade your brain,” and the company boasts more than 124,000 satisfied customers to date.
Like the other nootropic supplements on our list, Noocube’s benefits are said to include upgrading cognitive function, improving short-term memory, enhancing concentration, and increasing mental energy.
Noocube combines seven powerful ingredients into a single formula designed to improve your cognitive function without having to wait weeks to see any changes. By combining herbs and amino acids, Noocube boasts that their formula creates a synergy in the brain that is ideal for improving memory and upgrading learning capabilities.
Formula Overview
The ingredients inside of Noocube are all-natural and there are no reported negative side effects. The ingredient list is as follows:
- Alpha glyceryl phosphorylcholine (Alpha GPC)
- Huperzine A
- Cat’s claw
- Bacopa monnieri
- Oat straw
- L-theanine
- L-tyrosine
Each ingredient aims to have a positive effect on brain health and function.
If you’re looking for an all-around brain booster designed to enhance your ability to learn and retain information, Noocube ticks all the boxes. It has a well-rounded formula with high-quality ingredients and a full money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.
- One of the best nootropic stacks for memory retention and learning
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- No caffeine or stimulants
Click Here for the Lowest Price on Noocube
#4 Hunter Focus: Best Cognitive Enhancer for Focus and Productivity
Hunter Focus is our choice for the best nootropic supplement for focus and concentration. This brand is more than just a pretty bottle, though they do win top marks for stunning packaging.
The formula was specifically developed for men over the age of 30 [RH1] to help combat the effects that an aging brain has on productivity, focus, memory, and mood.
By combining nine powerful ingredients, Hunter Focus boasts the ability to give you the level of focus and concentration that comes from hunting even the most difficult prey. The key benefits people use it for include improved memory, concentration, and mood.
The R&D team behind Hunter Focus accurately equates the brain to a supercomputer, and they reason that this computer needs juice to run at full power. They explain that the brain functions by communicating through a series of chemical reactions and neural pathways. To keep this communication running at peak performance, the brain needs ingredients that fuel these reactions while also boosting blood and oxygen content for maximum brain activity.
Whether that prey is the equivalent of dominating a meeting, solving a complex problem, or remembering the name of someone you just met, Hunter Focus works to give your brain the nutrients it needs to focus on the task at hand.
Formula Overview
With nine clinically studied ingredients, Hunter Focus has everything you’ll find in the best nootropics, including:
- citicoline
- N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
- l-theanine
- lion’s mane mushroom
- maritime pine bark
- bacopa monnieri
- phosphatidylserine
- ashwagandha
- passionflower
If you’re looking for a cognitive enhancer to boost productivity, concentration, and mental performance, look no further than Hunter Focus. This product has a recommended dosage of 4 capsules daily for the best results.
- Natural nootropic stack for focus and productivity
- Taken for an elevated mood, greater creativity, and increased energy
- Designed specifically for professional men over the age of 30
- Money-back guarantee
Click Here for the Lowest Price on Hunter Focus
#5 Brain Pill: Best Smart Drug for Entrepreneurs
Brain Pill is the top smart drug for entrepreneurs that need to operate at peak mental performance. Every top performer is looking for an advantage over their competition, and that’s precisely what Brain Pill promises. Endorsed by a leading MD[RH3] [DdS4] , Brain Pill was designed to eliminate brain fog and mental fatigue while simultaneously improving learning abilities and bolstering memory.
The formula aims to optimize brain function without the crash that inevitably comes from taking a stimulant. The ingredients in Brain Pill are all-natural and completely clean. Brain Pill is packed with 13 potent nootropics:
- citicoline
- tyrosine
- phosphatidylserine
- vitamin B5
- vitamin B6
- vitamin B9
- vitamin B12
- l-theanine
- bacopa monnieri
- Huperzine A
- vinpocetine
- ginkgo biloba
- DHA complex
Brain Pill is perfect for people who have mentally challenging jobs and have to stay “on” for hours on end. If you’re an entrepreneur you need to maintain mental energy and stamina from dawn to well past dark, then you’ll appreciate the advantage that Brain Pill offers.
- Taken to eliminate brain fog for ultra-clear thinking
- Reported to combat mental fatigue
- Designed to improve memory recall
- Powerful nootropic stack with over 13 natural ingredients
Click Here for the Lowest Price on Brain Pill
What Are Nootropics?
There have been plenty of books and films about brain-enhancing smart pills. Flowers for Algernon, Lucy, The Lawnmower Man, and Limitless with Bradley Cooper are just some examples showing both the bright and dark sides of using cognitive enhancers to boost brain activity and make people smarter.
Nootropics are often referred to as a “smart drug,” even though nootropics aren’t technically drugs, and you won’t become the next Albert Einstein by swallowing a few pills. Still, it’s hard to ignore the claims that nootropics can have a positive impact on brain cells and even long-term brain health.
The most common reason people turn to nootropics and smart drugs is to “bio-hack” their daily performance. Depending on the specific nootropic stack you choose, the positive effects that you might experience in areas like focus, memory, stamina, mental clarity, and even mood can be conspicuous.
Factors to Consider When Choosing The Best Nootropic Supplements
With so many brain supplements on the market, it can be hard to find the best nootropics. Plus, everyone’s body chemistry is slightly different, so what might be an effective nootropic for some people could end up being useless for others.
The nootropic supplements on our list are some of the best nootropics available, but if you’re keen on doing additional research for brain supplements, the following five factors can help narrow your search:
Ingredients
What you ingest is important. Understanding what ingredients are in a nootropic supplement and how they affect your body is the first factor to consider.
In addition to looking at an objective list of the ingredients in a brain supplement, consider the quality and potency of what you’re taking. Check the label for milligram concentrations and look for clues about how the ingredients are sourced.
Stimulants
Though there’s no denying that a stimulant can have a (temporary) positive effect on brain function, a quality nootropic supplement will skip the caffeine and instead stick with ingredients designed specifically to boost your brainpower.
In some circumstances, you might want to combine a nootropic with caffeine, an alternative stimulant-containing supplement, or a cup of coffee, but check the label to avoid consuming too much of a good thing.
Safety
Check labels to ensure that your formula is free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), preservatives, artificial colors, or ingredients that you’re allergic to, like nuts, dairy, or soy. It’s also a good idea to look for any warnings that caution against taking the pills if you’re part of a sensitive group.
For example, if you’re pregnant, nursing, under or over a certain age, or have a pre-existing health condition, there might be warnings cautioning against using the supplements.
Product Guarantee
Many reputable companies will offer a money back guarantee on their supplements, so you can try the nootropic for a specified time period and then get a refund if you don’t feel any different.
If you’re at all skeptical about nootropics, make sure to buy from a company with a generous guarantee or return policy.
Price
There’s a wide range of prices you can expect to pay for nootropics and smart drugs. Though the price isn’t the number one determinant of quality when it comes to supplements, it is relevant.
For example, you might not want to buy the cheapest brand you can find. Often, there’s a reason that it’s so cheap. The ingredients could be of poor quality, or the potency might be low.
On the other hand, you don’t need to break the bank, either. The best nootropics on our list are all reasonably priced and contain high-quality, well-studied ingredients.
Natural Nootropic Ingredients for Improving Cognitive Function
The best nootropic brands on the market use natural ingredients in their brain supplements to boost cognitive performance. By steering clear of synthetics, brain cells can better recognize the chemical makeup and put all those vitamins and nutrients to good use.
Caffeine: This natural stimulant is often promoted as a nootropic because it makes you alert. Caffeine works to block adenosine, a neurotransmitter that’s responsible for making you feel tired. Blocking the adenosine neurotransmitter physically prevents fatigue. Further, caffeine also causes the body to produce more adrenaline.
Though caffeine can be an effective nootropic, in excessive quantities, it can cause jitters and an energy crash. Further, caffeine is addictive, and users can also build up a tolerance, diminishing its energy and brain-enhancing effects.
Lion’s mane mushroom: This ingredient is prevalent in many of the best nootropics. It’s been around for centuries as a staple in Chinese medicine. Lion’s Mane is often used in older adults as a way to slow or reverse cognitive decline, and it could even help with anxiety and depression.
Perhaps most impressive is the research showing that Lion’s Mane Mushroom stimulates brain cell regeneration and blood flow, while also stimulating the synthesis of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a protein that’s vital for neuron health.
L-theanine: Amino acids are literally the building blocks of life, and L-theanine, commonly found in mushrooms and tea, is an amino acid with a host of benefits that optimize brain health. Unlike other supplement ingredients that can take a while to feel “working,” the effects of L-theanine are noticeable right away.
Users who take L-theanine report increased alertness and concentration as well as having more energy and restful sleep. Further, L-theanine boosts Alpha brain waves, which are associated with a state of relaxed mental clarity.
Bacopa monnieri: Popular among students, this herb helps enhance memory and cognitive function, allowing the brain to retain information from learning. One study showed that bacopa monnieri also significantly improved the speed with which subjects could process information and commit it to memory.
Rhodiola rosea: Known as an adaptogen (a substance that helps the body achieve balance and homeostasis), rhodiola rosea is a favorite supplement of everyone from executives to elite athletes to help them maintain healthy stress levels and fight fatigue.
Rhodiola rosea also improves performance on mental tasks by as much as 20% compared to a placebo. If you’re looking to improve your capacity to work, this brain supplement might be a game-changer.
Panax ginseng: This plant from the Orient is used as a supplement for overall health, and it’s fondly been nicknamed the “general well-being medication.” This natural nootropic has been shown to improve memory and thinking skills, and it’s a popular choice among those battling Alzheimer’s disease.
Ginkgo biloba: Derived from the ginkgo biloba tree, this herbal supplement is a powerful antioxidant that’s also linked to enhanced brain function.
Ginkgo biloba has been used as a nootropic for as long as 10,000 years, and not only does it boost brain power and help prevent memory loss, but it can also reduce inflammation. As a result, blood flow to the brain increases, giving your brain more nutrients to handle high-powered tasks.
Maritime pine bark extract: Did you know that maritime pine bark extract is an antioxidant that’s believed to be more powerful than Vitamin C? Antioxidants are a critical ingredient in nootropics because they work to reduce oxidation and cellular aging in the brain. By keeping your brain young and in tip-top shape, you’ll be able to maximize function.
CDP choline: Also known as citicoline, this compound is a popular supplement among both older adults and young people. It can boost brain power in older adults, potentially treating age-related memory impairment and some evidence suggests that it can also improve memory skills in younger people.
Vitamin B12: Many people are deficient in B vitamins, so supplementing with vitamin B12 is a smart move. In addition to increasing serotonin (the happy hormone) and dopamine (the pleasure sensor) levels in the brain, B vitamins also help support cognitive function, alertness, and memory.
Disturbingly, the brain has been shown to shrink as we get older. Vitamin B12 can contribute to maintaining the brain’s size and preventing the shrinkage that is a normal consequence of aging.
Why Do People Take Nootropic Supplements?
Nootropic supplements do more than just make you feel smarter. They can have powerful effects on several psychological and physiological functions.
Brain Health
Nootropics don’t just give you a quick hit in the brain department. Smart drugs and nootropics also support the underlying health of your brain, supplying each brain cell with the nutrients they need for optimal function.
Improve Mental Performance
Whether you’re trying to focus on a task or struggling to start the day before your first cup of coffee, nootropics may help with a dramatic improvement in mental performance.
Short-Term Memory
Have you ever forgotten someone’s name literally seconds after being introduced? Ever walked into a room and forgotten why? Life is filled with distractions, and a smart drug in the form of a nootropic may help reduce or even eliminate those situations where your memory fails.
Focus and Productivity
Several prominent ingredients in nootropics are known to help with both focus and productivity. Citicoline is one such component, and it works to synthesize key neurotransmitters in the brain responsible for cognitive function.
Mood
You might find it surprising to hear that nootropic supplements also tend to be mood boosters, but it makes sense if you think about how the brain works. For example, if you’re feeling depressed or hopeless, you’re probably not motivated to learn or focus. By helping your mood, you also help your brain.
Learning
Nootropics may also help improve learning capabilities. As you’re more focused and your memory improves, learning becomes easier, and you’ll find that your performance improves in multiple areas, not just work or school.
List of Synthetic Smart Drugs to Consider
If you have acute needs that a natural nootropic can’t fill, there are always prescription-strength and synthetic medications to consider.
If you do seek a prescription from your doctor for a synthetic drug, keep in mind that there could be side effects to contend with.
Modafinil
Generally prescribed for narcolepsy patients and sleep apnea sufferers, Modafinil helps you stay awake. This can be especially beneficial if you have strange work hours or a very busy schedule and find yourself nodding off at inopportune times. Like other drugs, Modafinil users run the risk of developing an addiction, and withdrawal symptoms are similar to other drugs, including sweating, chills, nausea, and vomiting.
Adderall
You’re probably already familiar with Adderall as the drug that treats ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). It’s classified as a stimulant because it combines amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Together, these ingredients work to improve one’s ability to focus on a task at hand while reducing impulsive and fidgety behavior.
The advantage of taking a drug like Adderall is that you don’t have to wait to feel it working. While natural nootropics might take time to build up in the system, Adderall begins to work almost instantly, usually between 30 to 60 minutes.
However, taking Adderall can lead to addiction, including nasty withdrawal side effects. Other side effects can include nausea, weight loss, depression, diarrhea, and even an altered sex drive.
Noopept
This nootropic is made up of the synthetic nootropic molecule, N-phenylacetyl-L-prolyl glycine ethyl ester. Say that three times fast! This synthetic has been used as a cognitive-enhancing supplement for people who have suffered both oxidative stress and physical trauma.
However, there is little evidence showing its effectiveness in people without cognitive ailments. Further, Noopept is only available by prescription in Russa, so U.S. residents are out of luck.
Piracetam
One of the first official nootropics to be released to the market, Piracetam purports to boost memory and mental performance. It’s the synthetic form of gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that reduces neuronal excitability. In plain English, that means it produces a calming effect.
This is illegal as a dietary supplement, viewed as a drug by the FDA.
Are Nootropics Safe, and Do They Have Side Effects?
Though we can’t vouch for the safety of synthetic nootropics, those made with natural ingredients may be safer to use. That being said, every person is different, so it’s possible you could be allergic to one or more elements. Make sure you check the labels and consult with your doctor.
How Much Do Nootropics Cost?
There are almost as many price points as options on the market. Most of the top nootropic brands on our list range from $39 to $69 for a one-month supply. If you’re extra motivated to commit to using nootropics, you can buy multiple bottles at once and get a substantial discount.
How to Use Smart Pills
The instructions will vary based on the particular brand, but you can expect to take either one or two doses per day, consisting of one to four pills. Be sure to read the instructions carefully.
Some brands will recommend that you take your dose with a meal or with something that contains fat, like an Omega-3 supplement or MCT oil. The fatty acids help with absorption, and you might notice a difference in the overall effectiveness by employing this strategy.
Who Should Consider Taking Nootropic Supplements?
In today’s busy and hectic world, almost everyone can benefit from nootropic supplements and smart drugs. We are constantly being bombarded with demands, being asked to do more with less, and life isn’t getting any simpler.
A nootropic may give you an extra edge, making learning easier while boosting concentration, memory, and focus. Though you won’t get a photographic memory from taking a couple of smart pills, your life may improve in a lot of other ways, including at home, at work, and in social settings.
What is a Nootropic Stack?
As the Greek philosopher Aristotle noted, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” and this wisdom applies to nootropics. A nootropic stack combines two or more nootropic ingredients in a single formula. The effect is that users can experience a more pronounced impact on brain function than would occur by isolating an ingredient. We refer to this as a synergistic effect.
You can create a nootropic stack by buying one of the products on our list of the best nootropic supplements. No need to reinvent the wheel! Also, there’s a science to nootropic stacking. Some nootropics aren’t meant to be taken together, while others have a synergistic effect.
Final Verdict – Which is the Best Nootropic to Buy?
Our list of the five best nootropic supplements has something for everyone, but if you’re looking for a clear winner, then we recommend Mind Lab Pro. It has the most advanced formula with universal appeal. The company also uses premium ingredients and engages in stringent third-party testing for quality assurance.
Mind Lab Pro also has one of the most potent formulas available. There are no fillers or additives in the capsules. They’re packed full of nootropics that are designed to work and work quickly.
We only get one brain—and it’s essential to take care of it by feeding it the right nutrients.