Nootropic stacks come in different shapes, colors, forms, and dosages. And that, unfortunately, is the problem. As someone who is looking for a viable way to improve their mental health, finding the best nootropics or smart drugs often proves to be a tough call due to the wide variety of products involved.
It’s for that reason that we compiled this list that brings together some 10 stacks which in our view are some of the finest ones available on the markets currently. Hopefully, this breakdown will make it easier for you to find a system that not only works for your brain and neural health but is also friendly to your pocket.
Top Nootropic Brands in 2024
Brands | Manufacturer | Price | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mind Lab Pro | Opti-Nutra LTD | $$ | ||
Qualia Mind | Neurohacker Collective | $$$ | ||
Awaken | Awakened Alchemy | $$ | ||
Noocube | Wolfson Berg Limited | $ | ||
Lumonol | Avanse Nutraceuticals | $$ | ||
Nitrovit | Unknown | $ | ||
Performance Lab | Opti-Nutra LTD | $ | ||
Brain Pill | Leading Edge Health | $$ | ||
Alpha Brain | Onnit | $$ | ||
CILTEP | Natural Stacks | $ |
1
Mind Lab Pro
Mind Lab Pro is a nootropic stack that brings together different supplements with the aim of achieving a multi-prong approach to mental health. This product aims to achieve four objectives these being memory, overall performance, mindset, and structural impact repair.
The product comprises several well-known nootropic compounds among them Citicoline, L-theanine and Vitamin B12. Citicoline, in particular, is renowned for its ability to improve mood balance and memory. L-theanine promotes wakefulness while B12 is known for improving cognitive functions.
How And When To Take It
It’s recommended to take 4 capsules per day. You can either take 2 in the morning and 2 later in the day or all 4 at once. Because it contains L-theanine which promotes wakefulness, we’d advise against taking it just before bedtime.
Pros
Cons
2
Qualia Mind
Qualia has since diversified its product line to provide Qualia Focus and Qualia Mind. And while Qualia Focus seems like a great one for beginners, it’s Qualia Mind that seems like the real winner. The noot brings together 28 vegan-friendly ingredients.
Six of these ingredients are nootropic compounds while 7 of them are neuro-vitamins. 2 of the ingredients are antioxidants while 6 of them are adaptogen extracts. Then we have 2 choline donors and 5 amino acids.
One thing we noticed about this smart drug is that it doesn’t include any proprietary blends. This, therefore, means that it should be safe to use for most people.
How And When To Take It
To get the best results from using Qualia Mind, the manufacturer recommends taking 7 capsules per day. However, the product’s effects aren’t dose-dependent and may vary depending on your body weight, chemistry, and general sensitivity.
Pros
Cons
3
Awaken
Awaken by Awakened Alchemy is the go-to supplement for any biohacking transhumanists out there. This nootropic stack doesn’t leave anything to chance as it seeks to meet the needs of the natural, organic and health-conscious types.
A closer look at its list of ingredients reveals the like of l-theanine, PQQ, n-acetyl l-tyrosine, and CDP choline are some of the ingredients that comprise its diverse list of ingredients.
One thing that drew our attention to this product is that it is designed to be immediate-acting.
Therefore, if you’re looking to make some quick wins this might be the best product for you.
On the flipside, though, products that bring some near-instant results also tend to build a tolerance over time. And that seems like the case with Awaken. Therefore, your best bet would be to include a few off-cycle sessions in the course of using it to attain long-term efficacy.
How And When To Take It
The company recommends starting with 2 capsules in the morning. However, if you are an advanced user, you may want to take 1 extra capsule early afternoon for a pick-me-up effect later in the day.
Pros
Cons
4
NooCube
Described as a synergistic blend that can help support mental speed, memory, and focus, Noocube seems like a nootropic cut from a different cloth. To begin with, it is claimed to boost brain power effectively giving the user an IQ jump of 50 points.
Keeping that in mind, NooCube may seem like one of the brightest and best-made stacks in this game. But is there more than meets the eye? Well, this smart formula is almost perfect except for the fact that it’s offered in some pretty small doses. Besides that, in terms of potency, this stack seems a bit lackluster.
But worry not, on a scale of 10, NooCube fetches an incredible 7.5/10. That’s to say that it’s good enough though not as perfect as the company’s sales copy might have you believe.
Considering its list of ingredients and approach, it’s possible to see that the product heavily relies on a choline-based strategy. Some of its key ingredients include Huperzia, Bacopa, and Alpha-GPC which are known for stimulating the mind without the jitters typical of caffeine.
How and When To Take It
It’s recommended to take 2 capsules with breakfast. However, those with higher tolerance should consider increasing their dosage to 3 or 4 capsules per day. Care should be taken not to exceed 4 capsules a day.
Pros
Cons
5
Lumonol
If you live outside the US and would like a product that you can order and receive in a matter of days, Lumonol might not be your best bet. Their shipments seem to take unbelievably long to arrive even for EU countries.
But if you’re lucky to finally get your bottle, the product might prove to be worth the wait. To begin with, this is one of the few stacks that contain Noopept as part of their list of ingredients.
Noopept is probably one of the most sought-after nootropics nowadays. Originally designed in Russia, this “smart drug” has been the go-to choice for the betterment of mental health issues across the world.
Besides Noopept, Lumonol contains an energy blend which brings together Ginseng, Vitamin B12, and Guarana. So, not only does it enhance your brain health but also boosts your energy thereby improving productivity.
How and When To Take It
This 1160mg formulation can be highly potent if overdosed on. Therefore, it’s recommended to start by taking 2 capsules within a 24 hour period. You can take 1 capsule in the morning and another one in the afternoon. Don’t exceed 4 capsules per day.
Pros
Cons
6
Nitrovit
This is a synthetically formulated stack which is claimed to boost brain function. Indeed, over the last 5 years, the product has heavily relief on the claim of improving memory & recall, focus & concentration, and anxiety.
Just like Lumonol, this formulation also contains Noopept as its main powerhouse. And as we have already mentioned, Noopept has continued to attract mixed reviews on the markets. Fortunately, a vast majority of scientific and literature reviews out there seem to recognize its numerous benefits.
Besides Noopept it contains N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, huperzine A, centrophenoxine, alpha lipoic acid, phosphatidylserine, and alpha GPC.
How and When To Take It
One should take 2 capsules per day preferably with breakfast (or one in the morning and another one at lunch). However, it’s recommended to take a 2-days break every weak to prevent tolerance.
Pros
Cons
7
Performance Lab Mind
It’s tricky to find a good nootropic stack nowadays because some fly-by-night manufacturers have resorted to packing loads and loads of caffeine in their capsules. But Performance Lab seems different. And although it is designed to stimulate and enhance mental performance its ingredients are carefully selected and published for you.
So, indeed, one of the things we absolutely love about Performance Lab Mind is that the company behind it is quite transparent. Apart from publishing the entire formula of their product, they also don’t shy away from answering any relevant questions thrown at them.
Within each capsule it contains Cognizine, N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, Phosphatidylserine, and Maritime Pine Bark Extract.
How And When To Take It
The recommended dosage per serving is only one capsule. We recommend combing it with other supplements offered in Performane Lab's product line.
Pros
Cons
8
Brain Pill
Does this nootropic live up to the expectations set by its name? Well, Brain Pill doesn’t seem like a bad noot for anyone looking to improve their working memory. A look at its line-up of ingredients which comprises of Citicoline proves that it is designed to improve visual processing.
Some of the ingredients that provide Brain Pill with an oomph include Citicoline, Phosphatidylserine, Huperzine-A, Vinpocetine, L-Tyrosine, L-Theanine, and Gingko Biloba. And, therefore, if you’re looking for a caffeine-free formula this might just be the healthy pick-me-up to go.
How And When To Take It
It’s recommended to take Brain Pill by Leading Edge Health for 30 to 90 days in order to experience its full benefits. This nootropic stack recommends a 1 pill per day formula meaning one packet is meant to last you for 60 days.
Pros
Cons
9
Alpha Brain
Onnit, the manufacturer, describes it as “another gear for the brain.” That description alone suggests that this might be the extra kick you need to enjoy a competitive advantage in life. Or is it?
Some of the key ingredients behind Alpha Brain include some familiar names among them Alpha GPC, Bacopa Monnieri, Huperzine-A, and Cat’s Claw. Alpha GPC promotes cognitive ability while Bacopa helps promote memory function. Huperzine-A enhances your memory while Cat’s Claw is all about boosting mental power.
How And When To Take It
You’re supposed to take at least 2 pills of Alpha Brain. The effects are normally noticed in 15-30 minutes. You can also go for their “Instamix” formulation if you want a sweet-tasting and highly bioavailable liquid nootropic stack.
Pros
Cons
10
CILTEP
Compared to the nine other nootropic stacks reviewed, Ciltep is the one with the most straight-forward formula. And unlike Qualia, it only features a handful of ingredients which further reduces the risk of side-effects. Indeed, that’s what caught our attention prompting us to include it on our list of best nootropics.
One thing we’d like to note, to this end, is that Ciltep’s formula is entirely made up of natural nootropics. It is, therefore, vegan-friendly, paleo-friendly and non-GMO. The 5 ingredients that make Ciltep a potent stack include Artichoke extract, forskolin, acetyl-l-carnitine, vitamin B6, and l-phenylalanine.
How And When To Take It
You can start out by taking 2 capsules per day. If you’ve been taking noots for long, the recommended dosage is 3 capsule. You should never exceed 3 capsules per day and the capsules should be taken on an empty stomach.
Pros
Cons
Which Company Should You Buy From?
From the list above, we have seen all manner of nootropic stacks. Some of them come with some rather long lists of ingredients and quite a few others feature proprietary blends.
In our view, Mind Lab Pro and Qualia stand out as the best-made smart drugs so far. Mind Lab Pro, for instance, has a really well-thought-out formula which sees it achieve so much with eleven ingredients. Qualia Mind with its long list of ingredients is in our opinion an all-out war against memory and cognitive decline. Each serving of Qualia Mind contains a lot more value than any other of the products reviewed.
You can check them out to sample some of their benefits. And if you know what quality is in the biohacking world, chances are that you’ll also agree with the verdict we arrived at.