Top 5 Nootropic Supplements Ranked
Nootropics are really popular, especially with the high demands of the modern workplace, here we’ve ranked what we believe to be the top 5 nootropic supplements. If you are into wellness you may have heard about nootropics, or essentially supplements marketed as brain food products.
Nootropics are basically food supplements that are cognitive enhancers, these supplements are used by people to improve memory, learning and attention spans. While there is science on brain enhancing drugs and while foods are technically drugs under certain definitions, these won’t be covered here. The nootropic supplements we will cover are strictly food supplements, of as natural origin as possible.
Natural nootropics or nootropic supplements have been widely studied in relation to memory disorders. These disorders include Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases, while nootropic supplements might be a useful preventative agent against these brain disorders. Ginkgo biloba, for example, is one extract that has been used for these purposes. This sort of natural plant extract has been scientifically studied for its effects on the brain, proven to boost brain function and to also make the brain healthier.
Natural nootropics have different methods of action. Some can dilate, or widen, the blood vessels in the brain leading to increased blood flow to the brain. This carries more oxygen into the brain and in theory improves cognitive performance. Oxygen supply is really important for muscle performance and also brain functioning.
The brain receives 15% of the body’s oxygen, with the brain constantly needing a nutrient supply to maintain nerve cells in optimal conditions. Some nootropics protect the brain as an antioxidant from toxins or accelerated aging. Nootropics can also encourage the development of new neurones, improving brain activity and neuroplasticity. Some nootropics are developed around releasing neurotransmitters, choline uptake and nerve cell communication.
Our Top 5 Nootropic Supplements
As with all supplements there are massive quality differences between different brands. Here we’ve selected products that are appealing and also contain natural nootropic compounds. Let’s cover what we believe are 5 top nootropic supplements on the market today.
Dose By Mindhoney: All-In-One Daily Natural Nootropic
Dose by Mindhoney provides an all-in-one formulation to help boost brain function featuring key vitamins, adaptogens and natural nootropics in one incredible natural formulation. The main health claims on the supplement bottle include support for energy production, brain focus, memory formation and mental clarity.
The suggested serving is 2 capsules, with this product containing 60 capsules or about one month supply of this well researched nootropic formulation. The product is available for around $42 a bottle. The great news with this product is the only non-active ingredient is the capsule shell, made of industry standard cellulose. When you look at the other ingredients, this product really knocks your socks off.
Dose Natural Nootropic Ingredients
There are so many actives in the product we can’t go through them all in detail, but we will cover the main ones. This product represents massive value for money for people wanting to start a nootropic. They have even included caffeine in the product and green tea extract, both influence the body to become more alert. You might make a saving on coffee or tea in the morning. Green tea extract contains known antioxidants that are thought to improve focus and protect cells from damage, including in the brain.
Key adaptogenic herbs are also included in this formulation including ashwagandha and rhodiola. Adaptogens are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals that help the body to adapt to stress and can support optimal brain functioning, while protecting nerve cells. Reductions in inflammation are central to how adaptogens function in the body.
Organic cordyceps is included in the formula too. This can support healthy energy levels in the body, supporting the energy requirements of the brain. One key nootropic compound in this formula is DMAE Bitartrate, which boosts acetylcholine levels, optimizing focus and memory formation. Acetylcholine is an essential brain neurotransmitter and this compound will support optimal brain health.
Another essential nootropic compound in this supplement is acetylated tyrosine. This brain boosting amino acid is essential for making neurotransmitters and supports optimal brain focus. The key vitamins included in this nootropic are vitamins B3 and B6. These are brain supporting vitamins that are essential for healthy energy production. We really love this product. It is one of our favourite nootropics on the market.
Advanced Brain Nutrients By Higher Nature
Advanced brain nutrients by higher nature seems to be quite popular. The main health claim on the supplement bottle is that advanced brain nutrients supports mental performance. There are 90 capsules in this product, being suitable for vegetarians. This product is available for around $35. This product is not as clean in terms of inactive ingredients as Dose by Mindhoney is. Mind health contains a simple cellulose capsule, however it contains magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide. In other words, this product could be cleaner.
In terms of main actives, this product contains both choline at 130mg and phosphatidyl serine at 15mg per capsule. These are two key components that can help with optimal brain health. Choline is very important for cellular structure, while also forming key neurotransmitters. This nootropic supplement also contains some B vitamins. The vitamins B3 and B12 contribute to optimal energy production, while vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid supports normal mental performance.
Carnitine is also included in this product. This amino acid can cross the blood brain barrier and will support with optimal energy production. It may have neuroprotective effects too.
Brain Focus Vitamins+ By Codeage
Brain Focus Vitamins+ by Codeage is another highly specialized nootropic formulation. This product is marketed at around $55 a bottle, offering a simple non-active capsulated liposome formulation with 30 capsules in. They recommend you take 2 capsules per serving.
This particular nootropic supplement is focused on core nootropic compounds only, rather than a wealth of actives. Brain Focus contains a high dose of citicoline at 250mg and will support optimal brain health. Choline from citicoline forms a major component of many different brain compounds and building blocks. Choline derivatives form a major component of most nootropic supplements because of their known effects on the brain.
Vitamin B12 is provided too. This B vitamin will support optimal energy production throughout the body and should also support optimal brain health and metabolism.
This particular nootropic also contains phosphatidylserine at 50mg, that will support the optimal function of nerve cells through myelin production and cell membrane maintenance. Structural alterations in nerve cells are typical with ageing. Phosphatidylserine should support short term memory formation and general memory recall. This product also contains the adaptogen Panax ginseng.
This herbal extract contains antioxidant molecules that will protect and possibly enhance brain functioning, as a result of neuroprotection. It is an adaptogenic herbal extract that will encourage the body to respond better to stress. There is evidence that resveratrol can protect the body from radical damage, with studies showing that it might protect against the development of Alzheimer’s. We really like this product and it makes our top 5 nootropic supplements quite easily.
Alpha Brain By Onnit
Next on our top 5 nootropic supplements is the highly popular Alpha Brain by Onnit. The main health claims of this nootropic supplement are support for healthy cognition including mental speed, memory and focus. Alpha Brain retails at around $75 dollars, offering 90 capsules and providing 2 capsules a serving. This should last for just over one month.
This is quite an expensive but popular supplement. From the ingredients list we can immediately see this product contains maltodextrin. Maltodextrin might be harmful to the body. This is an additive that wouldn’t be our choice to include. Other than this, the rest of the inactives are industry standard for capsules.
The main active ingredient is Alpha GPC, a choline sub-category molecule. This is present in quite a high serving amount and should support optimal brain health. This is mainly through the production of brain neurotransmitters and maintaining cell structure. Alpha GPC protects against seizures and encourages hippocampus neurogenesis. This is where new neurone connections form.
We’ve mentioned phosphatidylserine in other supplements and it is found in many nootropics. This molecule helps to support optimal nerve cell function and speed of neurone transmission. It will also help with memory formation.
Alpha Brain also contains L-Leucine, a BCCA that will help the body with muscle maintenance and also to maintain a healthy metabolic rate. Other amino acids have been included too, such as L-Tyrosine and L-Theanine supporting the brain with essential building blocks. Theanine has neuroprotective effects on the brain. There are also plant extracts included, that might support neuroprotection through healthy antioxidant levels in the brain. This includes Bacopa leaf extract and cat’s claw extract. We like most of this supplement, however the additional sweetener in the product is an unnecessary no for us.
MEM Boost™ By California Gold
MEM Boost™ By California Gold is our final top nootropic supplement in our top 5 nootropics review. This product contains a month’s supply of a high-quality nootropic product. In terms of inactive ingredients, MEM Boost™ contains a very basic capsule for a supplement. The rest of the product is highly streamlined towards high quality active ingredients. This product is on sale at $36 per bottle.
The main actives in the product are Alpha GPC at 150mg and phosphatidyl serine at 50mg. Alpha GPC is a form of choline. As mentioned before, it will help to maintain the structural integrity of neurones, as well as providing a precursor molecule to certain neurotransmitters. Alpha GCP has been shown to enhance cognitive performance is different studies. This should help with optimal brain functioning.
Lion’s mane mushroom extract has also been included in this formulation. This extract has been shown to have the potential to improve both cognitive function and mood. This product also contains coffee extract, which will improve mental focus and cognitive awareness.
We like the simplicity of this product, combining some of the most powerful active nootropics into a formula with minimal inactive ingredients.
Conclusion
Nootropics, or natural nootropics as reviewed here, are food supplements that are cognitive enhancers. These supplements are used to improve memory, learning and attention spans. Nootropics can support optimal brain health and may help to prevent the development of cognitive disorders. Here we covered what we believe to be 5 top nootropic supplements.
Our favourite is Dose by Mindhoney. This is an incredible product, packed with multiple natural active ingredients. They’ve embraced the concept of providing a top product for customers, minimising inactive compounds.
Our next favourite nootropic supplement on our list is Brain Focus Vitamins+ by Codeage. This supplement is expensive, however provides citicoline and phosphatidylserine which will support healthy brain functioning. The price is why it is not our top choice as a nootropic.
In third we have MEM Boost™ By California Gold. This is a very simple product at a good price. It contains pretty much all the active nootropics you would want to see in a high-quality product.
Next we rate Alpha Brain By Onnit. There are some really good ingredients in there, however the product is let down by maltodextrin. This is a sweetener that is completely unnecessary in the product and potentially bad for the brain too. It is also quite an expensive product. However, you are getting lots of different active ingredients at decent quantities.
Advanced Brain Nutrients is the product in 5th on our list here. The product could be cleaner and could also include some different active ingredients that would improve the product a lot. Higher Nature is a really good brand and the introduction of L-Carnitine is unique.
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