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Best Nootropics & Smart Drugs: Top 3 Brain Supplements & Nootropic Stacks Of 2023

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Nootropics are health supplements that complement your daily productivity by enhancing your brain’s cognitive function. The human brain is a wonderful piece of the biological organ that can handle up to 1,000 basic operations per second. When it comes to more complex and cognitively demanding tasks, however, the human brain is limited in its capacity to multitask. 

However, in real life, factors like memory retention, focus, and mental stamina strongly determine our value and relevance as professionals. It is thought that nootropic supplements positively contribute to improving your brain health and cognitive function. 

The supplements we reviewed are all derived from natural sources and contain ingredients proven to improve your cognitive performance at school, work, and even in sports.

Top 3 Nootropic Brain Supplements For Cognitive Function: 

  1. NooCube – Overall Best Nootropics For Memory In The Market; Top Selling
  2. Mind Lab Pro – Top Nootropic Supplements For Improved Focus and Learning
  3. Focus Factor – Most Effective Smart Drugs For Mental Boost 

#1. NooCubeOverall Best Nootropics For Memory In The Market; Top Selling

NooCube

Occupying the coveted spot on our list today is the popular nootropic brain supplement from the NooCube brand. The product contains a formula of ingredients specially formulated by top neuroscientists in the industry. 

According to the website, the product works its magic by boosting the efficiency with which neurotransmitters in our brains function.

The active ingredients that make up NooCube’s nootropic supplements go beyond simply improving your memory and cognitive performance. According to the website, some of these ingredients have shown positive signs of reducing symptoms associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

The brand enjoys a lot of positive reviews from users, which is something we find encouraging. You may expect to experience better memory retention, less mental fatigue, and improved focus with every NooCube capsule you take. 

According to the product website, its effects set in faster too, in as little as 30 minutes, according to the product website.

Highlights

Ingredients:

NooCube places a lot of priority on the quality of its ingredients, and the brand ensures customers are also aware of this. 

Each of the active ingredients in the product has undergone deep research and vigorous testing to ensure the most optimum enhancement experience is delivered. 

Here is a peek at some of the ingredients you will find in a NooCube capsule:

  • L-Theanine & L-Tyrosine: These amino acids are essential ingredients that facilitate the reduction in stress levels. Commonly found in tea, they stimulate the release of adrenaline and dopamine hormones in the body and keep you energetic and focused.
  • Huperzine A: Neurotransmitters, like all organic materials, have a shelf life. Huperzine A works by slowing down the breakdown process of the brain’s neurotransmitters, leading to faster brain reaction and processing abilities.
  • Monnieri Bacopa: Complementing Huperzine A, Bacopa works on neurotransmitters too, but rather than slowing down the breakdown process, it focuses on repairing already damaged neurons and restoring them to fully functional states.
  • Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine: This active ingredient has been shown to have likely positive effects on stimulating the increase of neurotransmitters in the brain. It is considered a possible treatment for Alzheimer’s disease based on its connection to improvements in cognitive function.
  • Oat Straw: This ingredient takes a different approach to help boost brain performance, as it is likely to boost blood flow to the brain. Improved blood supply delivers more oxygen to the brain, which is the fuel it requires to maintain high-level performance.
  • Cat’s Claw: This delivers antioxidant and neuroprotective properties to the brain and its neurotransmitters. Better oxygen efficiency and protection of neurotransmitters from cell damage are advantages that enhance cognitive performance.
Enhanced Motivation and Energy Levels:

When faced with exciting prospects or imminent danger, the human brain reacts by releasing certain hormones to prepare you to handle such situations more efficiently. 

The brand leverages this powerful feature of the brain, artificially stimulating the production of dopamine and serotonin hormones in smaller but still effective amounts.

By enhancing blood supply to the brain, the product helps you maintain high-performance levels throughout the day. NooCube’s ability to deliver excellently across key performance areas earned them a spot on our list.

Improved Memory, Critical Thinking, and Creativity:

Combining NooCube’s health benefits during usage delivers enough to impact your day in these different areas. Users may achieve improvements in learning capacity, memory, focus, and cognitive clarity. 

Customer Service:

Many brands pay too much attention to maintaining product quality at the expense of proper customer service. NooCube delivers outstanding customer service through multiple access points for its customers.  

You are able to connect with NooCube’s product specialists and customer service managers every weekday via the website’s live chat feature or directly via a telephone call. 

We also liked the 60-day money-back guarantee offered by the company, which lets you try the product risk-free within a generous two-month period.

Pros

  • Excellent customer reviews
  • Natural and non-GMO ingredients
  • Free shipping
  • FDA-approved production facility
  • 60-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Only available on the product website
  • Longer shipping time

=> Click here to visit the official website “NooCube”

#2. Mind Lab ProTop Nootropic Supplements For Improved Focus and Learning

Mind lab Pro

While Mind Lab Pro’s claim as the best nootropic supplement globally may still be challenged by other top global brands, we believe they are not very far off at the least. It is difficult to argue against the established quality of a brand that has successfully sold over one million bottles of its supplements all over the world. 

The company includes 11 different nootropic ingredients in the production of Mind Lab Pro for maximum efficiency and results. 

According to the company behind the brand, Opti-Nutra, the product is designed to enhance the brain’s sharpness and productivity. Its ingredients have been developed through high-quality research to arrive at the best possible formula for the brand’s product.

A key component of the quality of nootropic supplements is the reliability of the brand’s claims. Mind Lab Pro has been independently evaluated by Leeds University in the United Kingdom and confirmed to have shown impressive significance in terms of its potential to improve cognitive function. 

Highlights

Top-Quality Production Facility:

Opti-Nutra manufactures the product in a GMP-certified and FDA-registered state-of-the-art facility in the United States. The facility is located in New Jersey and manufactures Mind Lab Pro under the best production processes. This is a mark of quality on the brand that we feel speaks a lot about the quality of the product. 

All-Natural Ingredients:

As expected of a top-quality brand, Mind Lab Pro’s nootropic supplement contains only natural and non-GMO ingredients. 

In addition, the company takes special care not to include additives or ingredients such as gluten or cellulose to ensure the supplement is also eco-friendly.

Below are some of the key ingredients you will find in the Mind Lab Pro nootropic supplement.

  • Cognizin: This is a derivative form of choline, specially designed and developed by the company and included in the Mind Lab Pro nootropic supplement. It is used to stimulate improved functioning of the neurotransmitters in the brain and may also improve memory.
  • L-Tyrosine & L-Theanine: These are two popular amino acids commonly included in most top nootropic supplement brands. They are included to stimulate the production of useful hormones like dopamine and adrenaline in the brain.
  • Phosphatidylserine: This is a common ingredient that is very important for good cognitive health and brain performance. Phosphatidylserine makes up to 15% of the brain’s fat content and facilitates the optimal operation of neurotransmitters and receptors in the brain.
  • Lion’s Mane: This is a variety of mushroom that may significantly enhance cell replication in the brain. Some studies have also linked the ingredient to improve cognition in adults with some form of cognitive deficiency.
  • Rhodiola Rosea: The root of this plant may help in enhancing the brain’s processing power and learning capacity. It is considered useful in reducing cortisol, a stress hormone often released when the brain undergoes lots of stress.   
  • Bacopa: This is responsible for stimulating nerve growth and restoring damaged brain neurons to improve cognitive performance and overall mental health.
Convenient Single-Day Dosage:

Often, supplements come with multiple dosage requirements per day, which may be stressful or impractical. If your work or routine usually requires difficult or busy schedules, then the Mind Lab Pro nootropic supplement might be a better fit for your needs. 

You will only need to take two capsules of the product to last you for most of the day. However, if needed, you may decide on taking an extra two capsules at lunchtime. 

Little to No Side Effects:

Because the supplement is manufactured with naturally occurring ingredients, there are generally very few chances of experiencing unwanted reactions or side effects when using the product. 

However, in very rare and isolated instances, users may experience nausea or stomach discomfort after usage. Luckily, these effects are usually short-lived and should clear within a few days. 

Easily Digestible Capsules:

You can expect to begin observing effects within 30 minutes of usage of Mind Lab Pro’s nootropic supplement. This is because of the unique vegan capsule design that makes the product easily digested and quickly absorbed into the body.

Scientifically-Backed Ingredients: 

Not only does the company publish a comprehensive list of the ingredients that go into producing every Mind Lab Pro capsule, but these ingredients also have scientifically backed potency. 

In addition, we liked the fact that ingredients for the brand’s product were selected after successfully passing through rigorous quality testing and clinical trials. 

Pros

  • Free shipping for orders above $180
  • Recyclable product containers
  • Eco-friendly ingredients 
  • Available on Amazon
  • Excellent nootropic information resources on their website
  • Third-party laboratory tested
  • 30-day performance promise

Cons

  • Relatively costly
  • Available for purchase online only

=> Click here to visit the official website “Mind Lab Pro”

#3. Focus Factor – Most Effective Smart Drugs For Mental Boost 

Focus Factor

This nootropic supplement brand boasts the most impressive range of ingredients among the quality products on our top three list of supplements. Occupying the final spot, this brand is manufactured by Neurohacker and contains an amazing assortment of ingredients. 

In every Focus Factor capsule, you will find a combination of five amino acids, two antioxidants, six nootropic compounds, adaptogen extracts, seven neuro-vitamins, and two choline donors. 

While this may seem like an overkill of ingredients, we feel the brand brings a whole new level of detail into its ingredient mix with its users in mind.

The brand designed its supplement to improve mental focus, cognitive performance, and drive. And its 28-long ingredient list does not disappoint, as the product quality is backed by reviews and testimonials from even doctors who have used Focus Factor on their patients with impressive results.

Highlights

Impressive Brand Reputation:

Focus Factor has been around for quite a while, and in the process, it has built a solid reputation of consistent quality and reliability around its brand and product. 

Many professional athletes and doctors have independently reported using the nootropic supplement from Focus Factor to outstanding effect. 

We find this level of professional endorsement reassuring for average users who may be considering getting a nootropic supplement.

Highly Safe:

Like most top-quality brands, users should not have to worry about issues concerning safety when using these health supplements. It is quite difficult to find any reviews referencing unexpected reactions or effects from the use of the Focus Factor supplement. 

In the rare event that you experience any side effects, it is likely your system needs some time to adjust, and such effects should recede in a few days.

Research-Backed and Clinically-Tested Ingredients:

Developing a 28-ingredient product with every single component working in synergy to achieve the desired effect is a complex process. 

The development of Focus Factor involved many different professionals. Doctors, nutritionists, and neurobiologists worked together to develop the product’s best ingredient formulation.

If you are like us and wondered what an exhaustive list of Focus Factor’s ingredient list looks like, we have decided to help you out by listing them below:

  • Acetyl-L-Carnitine
  • Alpha GPC
  • Artichoke Leaf Extract
  • Bacopa Monnieri 
  • Celastrus Paniculatus Seed Extract 
  • Citicoline
  • Forskolin Root Extract 
  • DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
  • DL-Phenylalanine
  • Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
  • Huperzia Serrata Leaf Extract
  • L-Theanine
  • N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
  • Niacin
  • Organic Coffeeberry
  • Pantothenic Acid
  • Phosphatidylserine
  • Rhodiola Rosea Root
  • Taurine
  • Thiamine
  • Uridine-5
  • Velvet Bean Seed Extract
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin D3
Enhances Long-Term Mental Health:

The manufacturing company expects users to benefit from Focus Factor’s neurochemical and physiological properties in the short term. However, users may also get long-term health advantages and mental benefits from the brand’s nootropic supplement.

As we age, our acetylcholine levels usually begin to decline, affecting attention, learning, and memory in the process. Focus Factor may help to maintain the necessary levels or reduce decline rates to ensure our brains function better for longer. 

Pros

  • Vegan-friendly
  • 100-day money-back guarantee
  • Free of caffeine, gelatin, and gluten
  • 28 active ingredients

Cons

  • Relatively expensive
  • Four capsules per serving

=> Click here to visit the official website “Focus Factor”

How We Made This List of the Best Nootropic Supplements

We know spending time looking at all those technical product details and specifications can be boring and not really what you are looking for. Many brands use unsafe or low amounts of necessary key ingredients in their products, so you get very few results during usage. 

There are so many brands of best nootropics on the market now that there is very little chance of picking a quality product if you selected one at random.  

We, therefore, subjected all products reviewed to a rigorous evaluation process on factors that do matter to you. Only products that meet these criteria came out on top and made our list. 

Here is a look at some of the key factors we considered in selecting our top three nootropic supplements in 2023: 

  • Brand Reputation

Weak brands will very likely have difficulties building a reputation of quality around their brand or stick around as long as brands with higher quality products. All our top three products have been around for quite a while, and this is only thanks to their consistency with quality delivery.

  • Customer Reviews

Reviews are one of the best ways to evaluate a product’s performance independently.  While all brands will provide information that will encourage customers to purchase their products, we paid special attention to what existing users say about their experience of these products. 

We made sure to include only nootropic supplements that have reliable, unbiased customer reviews from the product website and third-party sources.

  • Verifiable Research and Clinical Backing

This was another key factor during our evaluation process. Variable evidence of the safety and quality of ingredients that go into making up a health supplement is paramount. 

We also understand this and included only products with ingredients that have been scientifically proven to be effective at enhancing cognitive function and brain health.

  • Customer Service

When shopping online for products, options like money-back guarantees and free shipping are always nice to have. 

While this does not necessarily make or break a product, it is an extra layer of reliability that only top brands are able to offer. 

So, we made sure our top three brands allow you to try their supplements risk-free for a reasonable length of time.

  • Price

Depending on your budget, the price can become a very important consideration when making buying decisions. 

The best brands understand this too and manage to strike a good balance between price and product quality. Nootropic supplements that give you the best value for money take priority, and only these made our top three.

  • Potential Side Effects

Sometimes, supplement products contain ingredients that are likely to trigger allergic reactions in certain users or cause undesirable side effects. Nootropic supplements carry this risk too.  

However, by including only brands that use all-natural ingredients from reliable sources on our list, we have brought the risk of unwanted outcomes to the nearest minimum. 

How To Buy The Best Nootropics: A Buying Guide For New Consumers

Because nootropics supplements products are designed to work with your brain and cognition, they deserve special attention before making a final choice on which to buy. 

Not only will you have to deal with hundreds of options available online and many over-the-counter pharmacies, but you will also need to ensure it is a perfect fit for you. 

Here are some of the factors to consider when choosing a nootropic brain booster:

Safety:

Much like in business, where the priority is capital preservation, ensuring you keep your health from declining is key. 

While your goal is to boost your mental health and cognitive abilities, you must focus your search only on products that have a very low likelihood of causing you other unwanted side effects. 

We recommend focusing on top brands which have been around the longest in your search or simply consider any of the select brands we have reviewed above.

Health and Personal Preferences:

No product appeals successfully to the preferences of everyone. You might have certain dietary preferences and want only plant-based ingredients in your products or have specific allergies you need to avoid triggering. 

It is always a good idea to take a detailed look at the provided list of ingredients in your product to be sure everything is in order before making a final decision.

Ingredients:

Beyond ensuring the ingredients contained in each nootropic supplement you fancy meet your needs, you also need to be sure they are top-quality. 

Reputable brands will provide you with useful information in this regard, but you should also carry out your independent research to make sure.

Some of the key ingredients that the best nootropic supplements must contain include L-theanine and L-tyrosine, Bacopa, Creatine, Choline, root extracts, and so on. 

Brand Reputation:

Popular and globally accepted brands are generally the best ones to go for. Oftentimes, we are tempted to try newer options, but that can sometimes mean exposing ourselves to the risks of consuming unsafe or low-quality supplements. So, sticking with the big brands makes much more sense.

Customer Reviews:

One of the best ways to independently verify the quality and reliability of a brand is by spending a bit of time looking into what other users have to say about its product. 

You will want to make sure your options include only nootropic supplements with enough verifiable online reviews. This way, you are able to paint a complete picture of what to expect after purchase. 

Third-Party Laboratory Evaluations:

The customer base can tell you a lot about user experience. But, only professional testing facilities can go into the usually nuanced and detailed quality and safety checks that are just as important to protecting your health. 

Many of the best nootropic brands will have their products evaluated by independent laboratories to give even more credibility to the safety and quality of their supplements.

Customer Service:

Even with products and brands that successfully pass the quality and safety checks, there is still plenty that can go wrong. This is why the customer service you get is important. You do not want to deal with brands with slow or unresponsive customer service. 

If your shipment ends up taking too long or your supplements arrive damaged on delivery, you may have difficulty getting things resolved when you deal with the wrong company. 

We recommend testing out a brand’s customer support for responsiveness before finally making a financial commitment to your supplement.

Price:

While it may not be the first thing to consider on your list, product pricing should not be left too far behind. While we do not recommend going for cheap, low-quality products, it is also important to make sure you are getting the best value for your money.

Like those we have reviewed above, high-quality nootropic supplements can still come with reasonable price tags. We recommend comparing multiple quality brands and considering how options like discounts and free shipping play into the overall purchase cost.

FAQs Related To The Best Nootropics Supplements

Q1. Who Should Use Nootropic Supplements?

First of all, nootropic supplements should only be taken if you have no preexisting medical conditions. If this applies to you, we highly recommend consulting your doctor first before taking any further steps.

You should avoid nootropic boosters or any other health supplements altogether if you are on prescription medication for depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s, or any cognitive-related health issue.

Q2. What Are the Benefits of Nootropic Supplements?

Nootropic supplements have highly positive effects on your cognitive, physiological, and psychological functions. This is why they are growing in popularity with people looking to enhance their mental health and cognitive performance.

The brain uses up a sizable amount of your body’s total energy requirement and may function less efficiently whenever it is running low on supply. Nootropic supplements may improve the blood flow to the brain and enhance cognitive performance due to better oxygen from the increased blood supply.

Finally, among other ways, nootropic supplements are useful during mentally demanding activities or jobs, as their users may benefit from better memory and concentration during these periods. It also stimulates the production of hormones responsible for alertness, balanced mood, and improved focus.

Q3. Can I Take Nootropic Supplements Before Exams?

There is no single way to answer this question, so to help you out, we will approach it from a few perspectives. 

First, nootropic supplements are designed primarily for adults, so you should refrain from taking these supplements if you are at an inappropriate age. You may risk causing damage to your brain cells if you take brain-enhancing supplements before they are fully developed.

Second, we do not recommend taking nootropic supplements specifically for taking an exam. You may eventually end up being unable to properly prepare should you experience any unfavorable side effects like headache or nausea. And that will likely deliver the opposite effect to the purpose for which the supplement was taken.

Finally, exams are not the optimal way to enjoy the benefits of nootropic supplements. Therefore, we recommend preparing well ahead of any test or exams rather than attempting to artificially boost your preparation with brain supplements on short notice.

Q4. Are Nootropics Addictive?

Caffeine-infused nootropics can be addictive if taken for long periods without breaks in between. This is why it is recommended to always take breaks in between every few days of consistent daily use. 

If you experience symptoms like jitteriness and insomnia before your next dose of supplements, it may be a sign that you are developing a tolerance. We recommend immediately taking a break and allowing your body to recover.

Q5. Do Nootropic Supplements Help You Lose Weight?

Nootropic supplements have no direct causal link with weight loss. However, it should be noted that some similar ingredients are used in manufacturing weight-loss supplements as well. Examples of these are Rhodiola, L-theanine, and L-tyrosine. 

If your goal is to burn some extra fat and lose more weight, weight-loss supplements are specifically produced for that purpose. 

Wrapping Up On Choosing The Best Nootropics & Brain Supplements 

The ingredients used in making these products have been used in various combinations in Chinese medicine for centuries. And from what we have seen in the healthcare industry, nootropic supplements can deliver amazing results when used correctly. 

You will get the best out of these supplements when they are complemented with a proper diet, regular exercise, and a physically active lifestyle.

We recommend taking special care to understand your reasons for considering taking these supplements and speaking with a medical professional should you need additional guidance in making sure you are able to get the best out of it. 

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