Having trouble remembering that phone number? How about retaining a chapter of that textbook? These are all problems that many of us have faced or are facing right now, but there are things we can do to help alleviate these problems. One of these is including supplements into our daily routine, in particular supplements that fall under the nootropics umbrella.
These are natural or synthetic made compounds that are sometimes called a smart drug. These supplements can affect and improve not only our memory but also cognitive skills and help with mental health and physical energy.
But like with almost everything, there is so much information and choice available that finding the right one for you and understanding the way they affect our body may be a little stressful. That is why we have compiled this comprehensive guide, so if you are looking to boost your focus or looking for something to help your memory keep reading.
Best Nootropics Reviews
L- Theanine
Our first nootropic is an amino acid type that is commonly found in tea and mushrooms. Thanks to its diverse features, L-theanine can be helpful to its user in many ways, and that is why we chose it for this list.
Product Highlights
- Known to improve mental focus and concentration
- Amino acid may have effects on brain chemicals (improved sleep)
- May contribute to reduced heart rate
- Improved cognitive functions
- Potentially helpful with weight loss
- Anti-inflammatory effects can help fight illnesses
The Good
L-theanine is an amino acid nootropic that has a lot of great benefits. Among these, the inclusion of antioxidants in the compound helps get rid of toxins caused by free radicals and other contaminants. These antioxidants can also help with cholesterol. Plus, it has active components that have shown the ability to help with blood pressure and fight against the degradation of the brain.
The Bad
There are a few issues, though, with the L-theanine nootropic. The compounds and capabilities of the nootropic may not be suitable to be used for those that drink regularly or are on CNS depressants. Some users also experienced digestive discomfort and stomach pains.
Pros
- L-theanine contains antioxidants which reduce toxin and cholesterol
- Potentially can help regulate blood pressure and prevent heart damage
- Nootropic aids in protection against brain degradation
- Stacked with caffeine elevates focus and energy without jitters or crashes
Cons
- May interact negatively with CNS depressants and alcohol
- Some experience digestive discomfort or stomach pains
BUY L-THEANINE ON NOOTROPICS DEPOT
Uridine Monophosphate
This next nootropic helps increase the synaptic plasticity in the brain, aiding in the formation of new connections. For this reason, uridine monophosphate is by far one of the top nootropics out there today for memory.
Product Highlights
- Can help improve clarity and memory
- Sleep cycles are improved when using this nootropic
- Able to be used as a cognitive enhancer
- Has been shown to increase gray matter and spatial memory
- May help with depression and the effects of bipolar disorder
- Potentially is capable of reducing aches and soreness
The Good
Uridine monophosphate comes in many forms and helps your brain function by working with the regeneration of your brain’s cells and connections. This is done by building RNA, making it one of a small category of nootropics that offer neuroprotection abilities. Along with this, it is also capable of elevating dopamine levels, which can enhance your mood and give you more energy.
The Bad
Now there are some things that could affect your results and your final decision to use this nootropic. Like most natural remedies, the results are not instantaneous. It may take several weeks for you to see any signs that the nootropic is doing its job. Also, some that have used this supplement have experienced skin irritations like rashes and breakouts.
Pros
- Uridine has been shown to build RNA in the brain
- Nootropic helps boost dopamine levels in the brain
- When taken in powder form dissolves fast for quicker results
- Can be used as a neuroprotectant
Cons
- Takes a while to see results
- Some have experienced rashes and breakouts
BUY URIDINE ON NOOTROPICS DEPOT
Alpha BRAIN
If you are looking for a nootropic stack blend that can help you maintain focus and get into the flow, this proprietary blend from Alpha BRAIN may be a great option for you.
Product Highlights
- B6 (10 mg)
- L- Tyrosine, L-Theanine, Oat extract, Phosphatidylserine (650 mg)
- Cat’s Claw extract (350 mg)
- GPC, Bacopa extract, Huperzia Serrata extract (240 mg)
- L-Leucine, Vinpocetine, Pterostilbene (65 mg)
- May help with neuronal firing
- Limited side effects
- Nontoxic
The Good
This is the first proprietary blend on our list, but one well worth taking a look at. The product is designed to help improve what many call the flow state. In other words, it elevates your focus and attention so that you can block out all distractions.
The company that crafted the blend opted to leave the product stimulant and caffeine-free, making it usable for those sensitive to either. Because of this and the focus on high-quality ingredients, the product also has limited side effects.
The Bad
Because this is a proprietary blend, there are some that will feel it detracts from the performance. In fact, the product includes several other blends that are crafted by the same company to make up the formula for it. This could be problematic for some. There have also been some concerns about the product’s overall quality, perhaps for that very reason.
Read our full review of Alpha Brain here.
Pros
- The product is keto-friendly and gluten-free
- Nootropic blend has been shown to improve flow state
- The formula is stimulant and caffeine-free
- Blend has almost no side effects
Cons
- Some may find fault with using a proprietary blend
- Problems with the quality of the overall product
Bacopa Monnieri
The next nootropic is also known as Brahmi and is a nootropic that contains compounds that help with memory and can help with inflammation among many other things.
Product Highlights
- Promotes relaxation and stress management
- Helps with memory and focus
- 100% all-natural Bacopa Monnieri Extract
- Crafted in a vertically integrated, botanic-only facility
The Good
Bacopa monnieri is one of the more gentle and subtle nootropics because it comes from a natural source. The nootropic is gentle but effective, though. The compounds in the herb are perfect for helping calm, anxious, and stressed feelings, thus being able to soothe an individual’s mind and emotions. There have also been some that use this due to its histamines for asthma and allergies. It also has bacoside, which can help fight off illness and boost the immune system.
The Bad
There are some flaws in this nootropic, though. The first is one common with any herbal supplement, and that is it will require a little time to build up in your system. During this time, you may not see very many of the benefits. Also, this nootropic sometimes causes brain fog and a reduced level of energy. For this reason, it is great to add to a nootropic stack with something that balances these side effects.
Pros
- Bacopa Monnieri offers subtle but effective results in cognitive abilities
- Offers a calm focus to the person who uses it
- Helps relieve symptoms of asthma and allergies
- Contains bacoside molecules that offer elevated antimicrobial capabilities
Cons
- Needs to build up before you can take advantage of the effects
- Some people experience brain fog and loss of energy
BUY BACOPA ON NOOTROPICS DEPOT
Mind Lab Pro
The last nootropic is another proprietary blend that is designed to be a whole-brain optimization tool. It is crafted with high-quality ingredients, and that is why the Mind Lab Pro formula is included on our list.
Product Highlights
- Citicoline (250 mg)
- Phosphatidylserine (100 mg)
- Bacopa Monnieri (150 mg)
- Lion’s Mane Mushroom (500 mg)
- Maritime Pine Bark extract (75 mg)
- L-Tyrosine (175 mg)
- L- Theanine (100 mg)
- Rhodiola Rosea (50 mg)
- B6 (2.5 mg)
- B9 (100 mcg)
- B12 (7.5 mcg)
The Good
This is the last of our proprietary blends on this list. Mind Lab Pro is a combination of many nootropics and a B-vitamin complex that serves to amplify those ingredients. The product offers a gradual lift in energy and focus. This allows for a more comfortable experience.
Unlike many other nootropics, this one doesn’t take long to start to see the effects. All in all, this nootropic helps gently to boost your brain function and delivers energy without any of the anxiousness some stimulants can cause.
The Bad
Being a proprietary blend, there are a few things that we would be remiss without mentioning. Some may find the price a little on the steep side. Other than that, several users have experienced headaches.
Read our full review of Mind Lab Pro here.
Pros
- Smooth lift in energy and focus
- Rapid distribution makes results almost instantaneous
- Ingredients used help increase and improve brain functions
- Offers elevated energy without any anxiousness
Cons
- Some may find Mind Lab Pro a little pricey
- A few users have experienced headaches
Nootropics Buyer’s Guide
Now that you have a few options to mull over when it comes to the best nootropics, we want to give you an idea of what you should be looking for when it comes to good nootropics. These are the features we used to craft our list and we know that they will help you make your final decision.
What do You Need it for?
The first factor to consider and perhaps the most important is what you are looking for the nootropic to help you with. Depending on the need, you will want to choose the product accordingly. For instance, if you are looking for something that is good for improving your memory, you may want to go for Bacopa Monnieri. Whereas if you want something that can be used to help calm the effects of caffeine and help with energy, then L-theanine is the right choice.
Ingredients
The next most important factor to consider when buying your nootropics is the ingredients. There are several aspects that fall under this category, though. The first is the quality of the ingredients. You may want to look at how they were sourced and if they are natural or synthetic. Many nootropics will have multiple ingredients and that means you need to really read the labels. Understanding the active ingredients will help you choose the formula that is the right one for you.
Here are some of the most common ingredients:
Caffeine – This is a nootropic we have all, for the most part, been using for a long time. Caffeine helps stimulate the nervous system by blocking a natural compound our body makes to help us sleep.
L-theanine – This nootropic is a very common amino acid that can be found in foods like tea leaves and certain mushrooms. The amino acid helps reduce stress and anxiety to aid in the sleep process. It is a great nootropic to use in stacks.
Rhodiola Rosea – This is a natural herb that is used as a nootropic quite regularly. The herb contains compounds that can help decrease your stress and help you relax. It also contains compounds that help with focus and energy.
Lions’ Mane mushroom – This is a nootropic that, much like caffeine, has been used for quite a while. It has properties that can help decrease the risk and effects of diseases like dementia. It is also great for use with anxiety and depression. Therefore it can be used for mood enhancement and even energy.
Bacopa Monnieri – This is another natural herb that is most often used to improve memory and learning capabilities. It also helps with increasing blood circulation in the brain to aid its focus and concentration.
Ginkgo Biloba – A natural herb that can be used to help bring heart rate and blood pressure down. This helps people reduce stress and create a calming mood.
Size (Quantity)
You are spending your hard-earned money, and so you will want to get the most for that. When looking at any nootropic, you will need to look at how many capsules you get for the price tag. This will help you decide if the product is right for your budget.
Potential Side Effects
Whenever you are taking a drug or vitamin, you will need to really dive into the side effects and interaction possibilities. You will need to understand what to watch out for to see if the nootropic is affecting your health negatively. Understanding the interaction possibilities will also help you choose the nootropic for you so that you can avoid any adverse reactions to preexisting conditions or medications.
Safety
Lastly, you need to stay safe. This means that you should consult your physician before you invest and begin a nootropics regimen to make sure that it is safe to use. This also means you need to understand if there are any factors that the nootropic doesn’t play well with, as we mentioned above. But above all, we cannot stress enough that you should see your doctor and discuss the use of any nootropic.
Nootropic FAQs
Even though we have covered everything you need to consider when buying nootropics, there are probably a few questions you still have. So in order to help with this, we collected some of the most commonly asked questions and answered them below.
What are Nootropics?
Nootropics are supplements designed to help improve brain functions. They help improve aspects like memory, energy, focus, and concentration, and even help with the learning process. They can be either synthetic or from natural sources and come in many different families like racetams and cholines. Many of them also help with energy and clarity.
Along with this, there are some nootropics that help with neurotransmitter function, which can help form a new connection in the brain by producing new brain cells. These drugs may help increase blood flow to the brain too.
How do Nootropics Work?
Overall, nootropics are supplements that help improve your cognitive skills. They do this by affecting the pathways of the brain-boosting blood circulation and interacting with natural chemicals made in our bodies. But each will be treated to a specific area. Here is a more in-depth look at some of the brain pathways that nootropics will affect:
Energy – The brain uses a lot of the energy stored in the body. Typically, it takes up about 20% of our reserves, which means this organ is the body’s biggest gas guzzler. Nootropics that affect this pathway might help with energy usage by affecting mitochondrial and other systems.
Chemicals – Some nootropics affect neurotransmitters that help with memory and cognitive functions. Many of them will elevate the production of these, help build new connections, and strengthen current ones, or even keep these chemicals from breaking down.
Blood flow – The brain needs a constant and steady flow of blood to function properly. Whether due to age or other instances, sometimes it doesn’t get the right flow. Many nootropics help boost the NO levels and blood vessel health, which can help deliver more of what your brain needs – oxygen and nutrients.
Waves – There are five different types of brainwaves, and each affects different parts of the brain in different ways. There are certain types of nootropics that affect these waves by raising the frequencies. This will help incite cognitive skills and increase their capabilities.
Protection – Some nootropics are antioxidant-rich, which means they can help fight free radicals and the damage they do to the brain. Nootropics with this capability will help build defenses and combat these with a multitude of adaptive processes.
Regeneration – There are a few nootropics that offer neurogenesis properties. This is the ability to grow and repair brain cells. They tend to do this by giving the brain more raw fuel and helping produce signals in the brain to begin to grow cells.
Where to Buy Nootropics?
There are many places where you can find nootropics. You can order online or even head to your local health and supplement store. No matter what you choose, you will want to take your time when purchasing the products. Pay close attention to the ingredients and do your homework.
Read reviews and customer feedback before purchasing, especially from an online source. There are many reputable online sources, but for every reputable one, there are ones that are less so. This means you will need to read reviews on the actual shops as well.
Are Nootropics Legal?
This is truly dependent on the country you live in. In the US, for example, the government has not put any restrictions on supplements or drugs sold as nootropics except those put on standard vitamins and supplements. But in Canada, some nootropics, in particular racetams, have been deemed a drug, and this means they can’t be sold over the counter. So the best way to answer this is you will have to do some research to see if the nootropics you are considering are legal in your country.
At What Age Can You Use nootropics?
Like many questions, the answer is it is up to you. When it comes to children and nootropics, the question gets even more personal. Most physicians will suggest trying to build your child’s cognitive skills, memory, and focus by maintaining a healthy diet and making sure they have an outlet for their mental and emotional support. There are times when using a supplement is suggested, in particular, if a child has deficiencies in certain aspects due to preexisting health concerns.
So when it comes to the age at which you can use nootropics, the answer is really up to you or, if you are underage, your parents. But many experts suggest not starting them too early as you will still be developing pathways and connections in the brain.
Final Thoughts
Nootropics are supplements that can help improve brain functions, memory, and even help with mood and energy. There are many types to choose from and a lot of information to collect before you begin using them in your daily life. Hopefully, the guide we have put together above has helped you find your way through the world of nootropics and will aid in your decision-making process.
The nootropics we took an in-depth look at are just some of the many options available to you. Still, they are ones we think are among the best nootropics on the market today. Our goal was to give you a wide variety to choose from so that you would easily be able to find the right nootropic for you.