Best Nootropics: Top Brain Supplements

Almost everyone has heard of nootropics by now. For those that haven't, nootropics are supplements, pharmaceuticals, or natural substances which improve mental performance in some way. Sometimes referred to as "smart pill", "cognitive enhancers" or "Limitless Pills" (after the movie of the same name), nootropics are essentially brain supplements.

Different nootropic supplements work in different ways; some can help you improve memory, focus, motivation, learning, and mental clarity. Others are used to help with age-related cognitive decline, anxiety, and even depression.

Despite what you might hear about there being a real-life Limitless Pill, the truth is that nootropics can't turn you into a superhuman productivity machine. However, effective nootropics like Mind Lab Pro can significantly increase not just productivity, but the quality of the work you get done, whether that means studying, coding, trading, strategizing or just reading for pleasure.

However, with so many nootropics and brain supplements on the market, choosing a high quality product that actually works is no easy task. While some nootropics work extremely well, others are a total waste of money. A small number may even be downright harmful!

To help you find the best nootropics for your needs, we have reviewed the top cognitive enhancers on the market. We examined their ingredients, dosages, customer reviews, and price to come up with our list of top-performing brain supplements.

In this article we explain what nootropics are, how they work, and which nootropic substances you should use for different purposes.

But before that, let's look at the best nootropics on the market right now. If you're ready to unlock your brain's potential and reach peak mental performance, here are the best nootropics for focus, memory, learning, and brain health!

Mind Lab Pro is - hands down - the single best nootropic supplement on the market today. As brain supplements go, this really is the complete package.

By using 11 of the most effective, robustly proven nootropic ingredients in existence, Mind Lab Pro delivers total enhancement - every aspect of brain function is improved and protected. From focus and information processing to memory retention and recall speed, Mind Lab Pro covers all bases and then some.

Mind Lab Pro even goes one step further than most nootropics and delivers long-term results through increased neuron development, protection from oxidative stress, and bolstered brain cell health.

Part of the reason we recommend Mind Lab Pro as the best nootropic on sale today is the quality of its ingredients. Each ingredient in Mind Lab Pro is in the most potent, purest form possible; the manufacturer has opted for branded ingredients whenever possible to maximize quality, purity, and ultimately, benefits for the end user.

Each serving of Mind Lab Pro delivers:

This is an extremely well-balanced and highly effective nootropic stack.

Users will enjoy instant increases in focus, concentration and processing speeds from the Citicoline. As a cholinergic, Citicoline increases neurotransmitter availability, which means more raw brain power. At the same time, the Tyrosine increases motivation by boosting dopamine production, and the theanine reduces anxiety.

While all that is going on, the Lion's Mane Mushroom, Bacopa monnieri, and Phosphatidylserine get to work overhauling your brain cells, providing long-term growth and cognitive enhancement.

Mind Lab Pro also goes the extra mile in terms of product purity and cleanliness. It is free of caffeine, gluten, soy, artificial preservatives, and allergens. It’s vegan-friendly, non-GMO, and non-irradiated. You won’t find any banned substances in these premium, plant-based, prebiotic NutriCaps; just highly effective brain-boosters backed by real scientific research. This advanced nootropic is safe, clean, and 100% natural, but it packs a serious punch.

Mind Lab Pro is the best all-round cognitive enhancer on the market today. However, if you're looking for something a little more streamlined - and economical - then Performance Lab Mind is the next best thing. This little stack manages to pack a serious punch while using just a few ingredients. The trick is that the ingredients used are of extremely high quality and potency, and each one has been proven in robust clinical trials.

All of Performance Lab Mind's ingredient are also found in Mind Lab Pro. You can therefore think of Performance Lab Mind as a kind of distilled, minimalist, streamlined version of Performance Lab Mind. The two stacks are very similar; Mind Lab Pro provides extra anxiety and memory function support, while Performance Lab Mind focuses on enhancing executive cognitive performance and brain health. Mind provides more Tyrosine than Mind Lab Pro to deliver even greater motivation support.

This stack is perfect for developers, traders, athletes, college students, business professionals; anyone who needs sharper focus, faster processing speeds, quicker decision-making and reaction times, and increased motivation at short notice.

The Citicoline increases acetylcholine levels, which means increased neuron communication, and therefore more total brainpower. The Tyrosine boosts dopamine production, which raises motivation levels and improves mood. The Phosphatidylserine improves cell signalling and supports long-term brain cell development. Finally, you have a nice healthy dose of proanthocyanidins; these are antioxidants which readily cross the blood-brain barrier and boost cerebral blood flow.

Performance Lab Mind manages to deliver total cognitive enhancement using just four of the best nootropic ingredients in existence. It is the best option for those of you wanting a minimalist nootropic which focuses on boosting concentration and short-term performance. That said, it does still promote long-term brain health, and is designed for daily use.

Nootropics (smart drugs) are compounds (either synthetic or natural) used to positively augment cognitive performance. These substances, sometimes referred to as "smart pills", "smart drugs" or cognitive enhancers, work in different ways to improve different aspects of brain performance.

The best nootropics, when used together and intelligently, can deliver a diverse range of benefits, including:

The best nootropics have the potential to drastically improve your mental performance in a number of different ways. When used properly, the best nootropics can make a huge difference to your productivity, be it at school, at work, or in training.

Of course, nootropics won’t turn you into a genius - there is no real life Limitless Pill! But they can give your brain the boost it needs to enhance your daily performance and drive your success, both now and in the future.

If you type “nootropics” into Google, you’ll see more than five million results. Searching for "brain supplements" and "nootropic supplements" will give you over 400,000 additional results. How do you wade through millions of articles to find a genuinely top nootropic?

We hope our suggestions on the best nootropic supplements help you find the best choices to improve your mental performance. However, we do recommend doing your own research before using any nootropics, even our top rated nootropics. If you like to do your own research on smart pills, here are some important things to consider.

Have you ever heard the phrase “you are what you eat”? Well, it's true. If you want a nootropic that will actually deliver optimal brain performance, you need to choose one that uses high quality, proven ingredients. While you’re examining nootropic supplements, look for brain supplements with ingredients that are backed by solid scientific evidence and independent clinical trials.

The form of the ingredients used in a nootropic supplement is also important in determining the end results. The best nootropic supplement will use the purest, most bioavailable form of each ingredient (whenever possible). A nootropic supplement full of bog-standard, whole plant powders is never going to give you the same mental performance boost as a nootropic made with purified, concentrated extracts and concentrates.

Be aware that many manufacturers will claim their nootropic ingredients are "clinically proven" when in fact they are not. It should be easy to find scientific evidence to back up claims.

If a nootropic or smart drug lists proprietary blends on its ingredients list, then you know you're looking at a scam supplement! The best nootropic supplements all list their ingredients and their dosages on the label for everyone to see. Only low quality, scam nootropics hide the ingredient servings behind proprietary blends. They do this to hide the fact their nootropic is stuffed full of stimulants, synthetic smart drugs and ineffective plant powders. Why else would they hide the information?

If a nootropic supplement was truly able to boost your brain, then it should be obvious from the ingredients, so the manufacturer will want to shout about it! That's what the best nootropic supplements do, and they manage to make plenty of money!

If you’ve ever grabbed a coffee before a long work meeting or a late-night study session, you took advantage of a naturally occurring nootropic — caffeine. There’s nothing wrong with that. Caffeine is a stimulant and can give you the mental energy you need to power through a long day or a tough project. Caffeine and L-Theanine (a natural combo found in black tea) are often combined together for memory, focus, and increased mental processing.

However, caffeine comes with serious drawbacks, especially when used as a supplement. Not only does caffeine cause serious side effects when abused, but it can also easily cause addiction, dependence and withdrawals. That's why the best nootropic supplements are typically caffeine free. They naturally boost mental energy and fight fatigue without the use of stimulants, meaning you don't have to worry about side effects or nasty interactions with other drugs.

When you decide to purchase nootropic supplements, whether it be for mental clarity or short term memory, it’s an investment in your brain and your life. Since everyone’s brain chemistry is slightly different, you may be hesitant to make that investment if you’re not sure how a particular nootropic will work for you. Many top companies stand by their products with some type of money-back guarantee. That’s a good sign and a way for you to try a brain booster without risk to your bank account.

As you browse cognitive enhancers, you’re likely to see a range of prices. As we all know, price is not the sole indicator of quality. “You get what you pay for” often proves true, and bargain basement prices lead to bargain-basement results. At the same time, high-priced does not automatically guarantee high-quality.

Many top nootropics and smart drugs feature a combination of powerful ingredients for your mind.

 These quality ingredients come at a cost to the company, so you may pay a little more. You know what price point you’re comfortable with, and if you can match that with a brain booster that can improve your cognitive performance, that’s a solid investment.

A huge array of different substances may fall under the definition of "nootropics", including:

A small number of natural substances can stimulate brain cell maintenance, repair, growth, and proliferation when used correctly. Nootropics like Reishi and Lion's Mane Mushroom, Bacopa monnieri and Phosphatidylserine can dramatically increase the rate at which you repair neurons, create new brain cells, and the overall density of neurons.

These substances work in different ways, all o which can be called 'neurogenesis'. Lion's Mane Mushroom works by boosting the release of specific neuropeptides. Bacopa monnieri increases the number of branches linking your neurons together, which means faster thinking and memory recall. Increasing neurogenesis means enhanced cognitive performance in the short-term and slower cognitive decline over the long-term.

This type of botanical nootropic affects both your brain and your endocrine system, balancing the mental and physical stress response so you can shine under pressure. Adaptogens help to reduce the mental exhaustion and brain fog that result from high-stress situations; in simple terms, they prevent your hormone and stress response systems from getting drained. The adaptogen Rhodiola Rosea, for example, is great for beginners since its anti-anxiety benefits manifest quickly and are generally noticeable.

Phospholipids are naturally occurring fats found in the cells of all living creatures. They are an integral part of all cell membranes; two layers of phospholipids join together to form a cell membrane and act as a signal to other cells in the process. While these lipids can be made by the body (and are available from some foods), our phospholipid levels tend to decline as we age. Supplementing with phospholipids - like phosphatidylserine - is advised to support the regeneration and repair of brain cells.

This category of nootropic is critical to the optimal function of brain cell membranes over the long-term. Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an ideal starting nootropic for new users because of its lack of side effects and the variety of benefits it delivers, including improved focus, memory, problem-solving, communication, and mood.

 Choline is one of the most important nutrients for the proper functioning of the brain. As a conditionally essential nutrient, choline is a vital building block for several different brain tissues, and a key component of your primary executive neurotransmitter: acetylcholine. This is the neurotransmitter responsible for carrying out speech, muscle contraction, memory recall, memory processing, and pretty much every aspect of executive cognitive function.

Simply put, cholinergics are compounds which deliver choline to the brain. Choline itself struggles to cross the blood brain barrier. So while it is a good idea to get some every day from food, you are not going to make a significant difference to your acetylcholine levels by eating more eggs! That's why we use cholinergics; compounds which more readily cross the blood brain barrier and raise choline availability once inside. Popular cholinergics include Citicoline, Alpha-GPC, and Choline bitartrate.

Antioxidants work to safeguard your brain and memory from the damaging effects of free radicals, which attack brain cells and speed up cognitive decline. While there are plenty of antioxidants on the market, Maritime Pine Bark Extract is a particularly effective nootropic because it can easily cross the blood-brain barrier. This natural antioxidant also increases brain blood flow by triggering the dilation of blood vessels. That said, any antioxidant will promote overall good brain health and performance over the long-term, as well as better health more generally.

You may be surprised to see amino acids listed as potent nootropics, but they are highly effective brain boosters when used correctly. Amino acids are the building blocks for some extremely important neurochemicals. Clinical studies show that the targeted supplementation of these amino acids can drastically improve certain aspects of cognitive function (those associated with the specific neurochemicals).

The main example of this is Tyrosine. Tyrosine is a basic building block of the neurotransmitter dopamine. This neurotransmitter is responsible for goal-directed behavior; in other words, dopamine is what gets you motivated to do things! That's why drugs which trigger dopamine usually give people the most joy in anticipation of the drug!

Supplementing with Tyrosine has been shown to improve motivation, and by extension, cognitive performance in people placed in stressful, draining situations.

One of the most frequently overlooked category of nootropic is the cerebral circulation booster. This is a real shame, as increasing blood flow to and within the brain is potentially one of the most effective ways to bolster good brain cell health as we get older. It may also be a great way to instantly increase total brain power.

Natural nootropics like Ginkgo biloba and Maritime Pine Bark have been found to increase blood flow in the brain. These substances work in two main ways: by dilating your brain's blood vessels, and by making your blood more viscous (so it flows more easily). This means more oxygen and nutrients can reach your brain cells, which in turn means enhanced cognitive function on every level.

Vitamins can be effective cognitive enhancers when used correctly. The best nootropics typically provide a good dose of vitamins known to positively influence brain activity. The most important of these is Vitamin B12.

The best nootropics will not necessarily provide a comprehensive vitamin stack, particularly when the nootropic in question is designed for stacking with a standalone multivitamin (as is the case of Performance Lab Mind).

It is also true that vitamins will not positively affect brain function to the same degree as the likes of Citicoline, or a smart drug like Modafinil. But vitamins do influence brain function in a significant way, especially if you are deficient in key vitamins involved in mental performance – Let’s Visit Asia even mentions that vitamins can help you with jet lag and more.

For those of you who want to create your own nootropic supplement, we have compiled a list of the most effective and scientifically proven natural nootropic substances in existence.

This list is also a good reference point for when you're trying to find the best nootropic supplement for you; these substances all work in different ways, so some combinations will be better than others for your particular needs. In each case, we'll tell you how the nootropic affects brain function and what the scientific evidence has to say.

Citicoline is arguably the best all-round nootropic in existence. It has multiple different mechanisms of action, is extremely safe and well tolerated, and tends to work equally well for everybody. Also known as CDP-Choline or Cognizin in its purest, branded form, Citicoline is first and foremost a cholinergic. This means it delivers choline to the brain, where it is used to create acetylcholine (an important neurotransmitter) and phosphatidylcholine (a brain cell building block).

Studies have shown that Citicoline supplementation significantly improves cognitive function across several measures, including focus, learning, memory, reaction times, and even for slowing mild cognitive decline[2][3].

Huperzine A also works to increase acetylcholine levels in the brain. However, it works very differently to Citicoline, and it does not have any of Citicoline's secondary benefits. Huperzine A works by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. As you might guess from the name, acetylcholinesterase is the enzyme responsible for breaking down acetylcholine between your neurons. It is the brain's "safety valve" for acetylcholine levels. By inhibiting the enzyme, Huperzine A causes a steady build-up of acetylcholine in the brain, enhancing executive brain functions and overall mental performance[4].

The issue with Huperzine A is that it is not suitable for long-term use. If acetylcholine levels get too high, it can start to "gunk up" your neurons, leading to loss of focus and poor concentration. Cycle Huperzine A every few weeks, taking prolonged breaks after 3-4 cycles.

Bacopa monnieri is one of the best natural memory boosters in existence, if not the best nootropic for memory in the world. There is some disagreement over how Bacopa monnieri works exactly. Some people claim that it acts as a brain-specific antioxidant, while others believe it is an adaptogen. However, the best evidence suggests that bacopa monnieri works by triggering something called dendritic arborization[5]. This is where the branches which connect your neurons grow in both length and number. This means more intra-neuronal communication and total mental performance enhancement.

However it works, there are dozens of independent studies out there attesting to the memory-enhancing power of Bacopa monnieri[6]. In particular, Bacopa monnieri appears to be effective at improving short-term memory retention and recall in older people with mild cognitive decline[7].

Ginkgo biloba is a very interesting nootropic. It primarily works by increasing blood flow within the brain; in effect this means Ginkgo biloba brings blood to brain cells which may have been, up to that point, relatively starved of it. The active compounds in Ginkgo biloba are glycosides and terpenes. These compounds work together in two different ways; by increasing blood viscosity (making it thinner) and by vasodilation (expanding of the blood vessels within the brain).

Because it works by bringing more oxygen and nutrients to your brain cells, Ginkgo biloba supplementation is associated with improvements in a wide variety of brain functions, including learning, memory recall, and reaction times. This is one of the best nootropics for older adults potentially struggling with memory loss[8].

Lion's Mane Mushroom is a phenomenal nootropic; one that has uniquely lasting benefits. Studies show that Lion's Mane Mushroom increases the productions of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). NGF is a neuropeptide which controls the rate of growth and repair of neurons. More NGF means more, better maintained neurons. the data is quite conclusive on this one. Supplementing with Lion's Mane Mushroom does increase NGF expression in the brain, which leads to improved cognitive function[9].

This is one of the best natural ingredients for a brain supplement to have, especially if it is aimed at older adults wanting to fight memory loss and cognitive decline. The brain boosting effects of Lion's Mane Mushroom last long after you stop taking it (if you used it consistently for a good few months first).

Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid. it is the main structural component of all cell membranes, including your brain cell membranes! Without enough phosphatidylserine, you can't make new brain cells. Unfortunately, our phospholipid levels decline naturally as we get older, so our rate of brain cell creation drops off. Studies show that supplementing with phosphatidylserine drastically increases brain performance[10]; it is thought this effect results from enhance brain cell maintenance, creation, and signalling (phosphatidylserine is also an important signal in the cell cycling process).

L-Theanine is an amino acid found in abundance in black tea. In large quantities, theanine has powerful nootropic properties. For example, l-theanine is a one of the best natural anxiolytics - it soothes muscle pain, reduces tension, and promotes a calm, clear mind[11]. L-Theanine also works synergistically with caffeine, making at once more powerful and yet less likely to cause side effects. We recommend using a nootropic with at least some L-Theanine to counteract the negative effects of caffeine consumption.

Rhodiola rosea is, along with L-Theanine, one of the best natural ingredients for reducing anxiety and promoting a calm, clear mind. Rhodilla rosea is an adaptogen. This means it makes you better able to withstand stress. Technically speaking, adaptogens like Rhodiola rosea work by bolstering your endochrine system and central nervous system against stressors. It therefore protects you from feeling 'wiped out' - both mentally and physically - after a draining week at work or in the gym[12]. This promotes overall better cognitive function: less brain fog, better short-term memory, and better brain health going forward.

Rhodiola rosea is much more effective and reliable than the likes of oat Straw, which has shaky clinical evidence at best.

L-Tyrosine is another amino acid with incredible brain boosting potential. L-Tyrosine is the fundamental building block of the neurotransmitter dopamine. This is the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation. It is not a 'reward' signal as such; rather, dopamine makes you want to do certain things in the anticipation of reward. When you can't muster up the energy or the will to stick to a boring (but useful) task any longer - that's dopamine drain!

L-Tyrosine boosts dopamine production, which in turn increases motivation levels. Studies show that L-Tyrosine significantly improves cognitive performance among people placed in draining situations. So far, this amino acid has proven effective for boosting brain functions in people who are sleep deprived, placed in extreme cold, and given a work overload[13].

This should be in every nootropic stack designed for a college student, programmer, designer, trader, or anyone else who needs to perform at 100% on limited sleep and under intense pressure.

Maritime Pine Bark is a key ingredient in our recommended nootropics for a very good reason. This source of potent antioxidants is unique in that it also acts as a cerebral circulation booster.

Maritime Pine Bark is a rich source of proanthocyanidins. These are antioxidants which readily cross the blood brain barrier (unlike resveratrol and other more commonly used antioxidants). Once in the brain, these proanthocyandins not only protect your brain cells from harmful free radicals, but they also increase brain blood flow, driving oxygen and nutrients to your brain cells. This is a must-have for any nootropic stack claiming to optimize for lasting brain health.

Do not underestimate the brain boosting effects of B Vitamins. Every good, full spectrum brain supplement on the market today will contain a good serving of Vitamin B12, B9 and B6. These B vitamins are essential for maintaining healthy nerve cells (including neurons), healthy energy metabolism, and preventing cognitive decline (in some cases of cognitive decline)[15].

This article has focused on the best natural nootropics because we believe these substances offer the best balance between performance and safety.

However, many people recommend using synthetic nootropics - so-called "smart drugs" - for enhancing cognitive performance. We believe this is an extremely risky approach to boosting productivity, learning and brain health.

It is worth getting to know some of the most commonly-sed smart drugs so you know what you're dealing with.

Modafinil is classed as a "eugeroic", or a wakefulness-promoting agent. Modafinil was designed to keep fighter pilots awake during long sorties. It is not completely understood how Modafinil works. Some studies say that Modafinil significantly increases dopamine activity in the brain; this would explain why users report an immense rush of productivity while on Modafinil.

The lasting health effects of using Modafinil are not known. The drug can easily make you very productive, but the quality of your output is likely to be poor.

Adderall is probably the most widely-used "smart drug" in the world. This drug is prescribed for the treatment of ADHD. Adderall is an extremely powerful stimulant; it is actually just a brand name for a collection of four amphetamine salts. In other words, Adderall is pure amphetamine in different forms!

Worryingly, Adderall is the most abused smart drug in the world. Users enjoy drastically increased energy levels and greater motivation while on Adderall. However, this comes at a significant cost: energy crashes, heart problems, dependence, addiction, and withdrawal.

Noopept is often described as a racetam, which is totally incorrect. However, it does have very similar effects to Piracetam at drastically lower doses (5-10mg versus 1000mg and up). Noopept improves cognitive performance, reduces anxiety, and enhances verbal fluidity.

Like the smart drugs listed above, Noopept has not been studied for long enough for it to be deemed safe. The lasting health effects of Noopept are not known. Given that Noopept is thought to interfere with BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor), the long-term side effects could be severe.

According to the original definition of nootropics (as formulated by nootropics inventor Corneliu E. Giurgea), they are necessarily safe and free of serious side effects. However, this is not the definition used by most people today, which is why you will often see dangerous smart drugs like Adderall and Modafinil listed as nootropics!

The best nootropic stacks are generally very safe and free of any notable side effects. The best nootropics recommended on this page all use 100% natural ingredients which have been rigorously tested in human clinical trials.

These side effects are typically transient and mild. They also tend to result from the over-use of particular ingredients (such as Huperzine A), or the ingestion of unusual herbal extracts (e.g. Bacopa monnieri).

If you do experience any side effects while using nootropics, stop using them immediately and seek medical attention. We do not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment in any way shape or form. Do your own research carefully and, if you have concerns about a specific ingredient or nootropic stack, contact the manufacturer directly.

If you’re looking for the best nootropic on the market today, then we think the obvious choice is Mind Lab Pro. There’s simply no other nootropic offering the same breadth and depth of benefits as Mind Lab Pro right now.

Users of Mind Lab Pro enjoy:

As far as nootropics go, even the most potent smart pills and prescription drugs don’t offer the same benefits as this incredible nootropic stack.

Made with 100% natural ingredients backed by hard science, Mind Lab Pro is the ideal choice for a college student, business professional, or athlete looking to gain a mental edge over the competition.

For those of you looking for something less comprehensive, Performance Lab Mind could be the ideal nootropic. It is a slimmed down version of Mind Lab Pro, focusing less on anxiety and stress resistance and more on focus and motivation.

These two stacks are caffeine free and clinically tested. They are easily the best nootropics on sale right now.

For those of you with a more substantial budget and time to experiment, it may be worth building your own custom nootropic stack. This requires a lot of capital to purchase raw ingredients, but it can be worth it in the long run.