By Robert James

Best Nootropic Supplements: Smart Brain Pills for 2024

When it comes to supplements, the first ones that come to mind are supplements for weight loss, sleep, health and wellness, muscle growth, and the occasional energy boost. However, the brain can benefit from supplements too, and compounds designed specifically to benefit brain function and health are called nootropics, or sometimes brain pills.

Because everyone wants to have an advantage at work or in school, it's only natural for supplement companies to manufacture formulas that cater to people who want a brain boost. The thing is, there are far too many nootropic formulas out there and sorting through can be confusing and at times, risky for our health.

To help narrow down the search for the best nootropic supplements, I made a list of the 6 best nootropic formulas ever. These were chosen for their formula synergy, ingredient quality, and cost, so regardless of what brand you go with, your brain will benefit from it.

Best Nootropic Supplements Today

Call them what you like – Smart pills, brain pills, smart drugs, brain supplements – They're all collectively known as Nootropic Supplements.

In my top nootropics list we look at how cognitive performance and mental performance might be improved. Can they improve memory loss, cognitive decline and improve brain activity? Let's find out.

Best Nootropic Supplements at a glance

• Best for brain boosting – Mind Lab Pro
• Best for brain cell recovery – Hunter Focus
• Best for sleep – For Sport REJUVENATE
• Best for overall value – NooCube
• Best selling overall – Alpha Brain
• Best for Gamers – Command Nootropic
• Best for women – Powher

At a glance

Mind Lab Pro is definitely the best when it comes to all matters concerning brain boosting. It's considered a universal nootropic supplement because of its well-rounded and synergistic nootropic formula.

It's known to help you utilise the brain's 6 Pathways. These are:

• Brain Chemistry: Optimises memory, processing speed and attention.
• Brain Energy: This reduces mental cloudiness, and supports quick thinking.
• Brain Regeneration: This helps improve brain health.
• Brain Circulation: Increases oxygenation to the brain.
• Brain Protection: Prevents brain degradation.
  Brain Waves: Promotes creativity, productivity and learning.

Mind Lab Pro's key ingredients are:

• Citicoline
• Bacopa Monnieri
• Phosphatidylserine
• Rhodiola Rosea
• L-Theanine

These are all some of the best in the nootropics industry, so to see them combined in one brain-boosting formula is definitely worth every penny.

At a glance

Hunter Focus' angle is to more about brain cell regeneration and recovery, which could translate to better performance and health over time. You see, the brain is just like any organ: It takes quite a beating over time, especially when we're highly stressed or if we're not exactly living a “pro brain” lifestyle. It's by far the most comprehensive nootropic available right now, which does mean it's 6 capsules a day, but there's nothing that even comes close to Hunter focus right now.

Hunter Focus' ingredient synergy is anchored towards Lion's Mane, Ashwagandha, and Phosphatidylserine. Lion's mane augments brain recovery, ashwagandha helps neutralise stress and keeps us calm and relaxed, while Phosphatidylserine helps with everything from memory and cognitive function through to long term brain health. There's a dozen more ingredients in here, and they're all in functional doses. Nothing else on this list comes close unless you really want to avoid the dose of caffeine that's in Hunter Focus.

The combination of long-term brain health ingredients is not new, but the fact that Hunter Focus anchored their formula on it makes them unique and deserving of this spot in my list.

At a glance

For Sport REJUVENATE is packed with 5 core ingredients to help you get better quality and longer sleep.

For Sport Rejuvenate isn't just for sports people, anyone who wants a good sleep will benefit from the carefully selected ingredients in this sleep nootropic.

REJUVENATE's ingredients are:

• Magnesium
• Ashwagandha
• Valerian Root
• L-Tryptophan
• L-Theanine

Well priced against the competition there are currently no bundles or reductions but you can buy all three of the For Sport supplements together.

At a glance

NooCube can be considered the best nootropic when it comes to cost and overall value. It's not at the level of Mind Lab Pro (actually, far from it), but it's not so bad that NooCube doesn't deserve to be in a top 5 best nootropics list.

One bottle is around $40.00, but you can easily nab SIX of these for the price of THREE.  I repeat. If you avail of their offer, you get not one, not two, not three, but six NooCube bottles for just $120.00. That's a 6-month supply for $20 a month!

But, why is it this cheap? Does it have poor ingredients? No. In fact, its key ingredients are top tier often cited in any best nootropics list or when ranking what the best nootropic is in general.

NooCube's ingredients are

• Bacopa Monnieri
• Tyrosine
• Oat Straw
• Theanine
• Alpha GPC
• Huperzia Serrata
• Resveratrol

The only reason why NooCube is so cheap compared to its competition is how the formula feels “thin” and modestly dosed. They aimed for an overall or rounded approach which inevitably divided the doses across eight key ingredients – with about half needing more dosages for potency.

Regardless, NooCube is one of the best nootropics out there if only because of the volume you can avail. It's also the best nootropic if you're looking to fill some gaps should your preferred nootropic be out of stock.

At a glance

Alpha Brain is one of the world's best selling nootropics with over 27,000,000 capsules sold. It's sold by former UFC commentator and popular podcast host Joe Rogan. The makers claim Alpha Brain as designed to help with memory, focus, and processing speed (or how fast you react to something). Alpha Brain is also one of the few nootropics out there backed by at least two studies. But is Alpha brain better than Mind Lab pro? Find out in our comparison test of Alpha Brain vs Mind Lab pro to see which one is the better of the two.

It contains the standard nootropics you'd expect from a standard nootropic brand, but none of the big name ones you'd want in this nootropic.

The key ingredients

• Tyrosine
• Theanine
• Phosphatidylserine
• Alpha GPC
• Bacopa Monnieri

In their own right, these ingredients are incredibly potent, especially since many of the best nootropics have them. However, what made Alpha Brain rank this low in my Best Nootropics ladder is how they made use of these ingredients with really low doses. It's a similar story to NooCube, but Alpha Brain doubled down on it

Regardless, Alpha Brain is still a leader in the nootropics world for a reason, and the low-doses are only low relative to the competition. Many other brands have it worse.

Command at a glance

Command Nootropics from Myprotein is a gaming focused supplement aimed at helping you to focus and boost your reaction times.

As a ready-to-mix powder blend, claims from the manufacturer on the key ingredients include:

1. Caffeine helps to increase alertness and improve concentration
2. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal cognitive function
3. Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal vision
4. Vitamin C Contributes to a reduction in tiredness and fatigue

Command Nootropics key ingredients are:

• Inulin
• L-Taurine
• Cognizin® Citicoline
• Green Coffee Powder
• L-Theanine
• L-Tyrosine,
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B Complex
• Electrolyte Blend

Suggested use:

• Mix 10g with 300-400ml water. Consume once daily.

At a glance

Powher is one of those brand of supplements that heavily caters to women. I mean, it's in the name. They're mostly known for their pre workout and fat burners for women, so it would explain why their nootropic “Brain Powher” has been slept on until today.

Powher ingredients

• Ashwagandha
• Citicoline
• Lion's Mane
• Bacopa Monnieri
• Ginkgo Biloba
• Natural Caffeine

Brain Powher only has six key ingredients which is a great start, as we prefer focused formulation over empty calories in my best nootropics. Fewer ingredients also often mean better dose focus. The dosages themselves not bad, but what made it rank this low was how Powher didn't really capitalise on their best nootropics.

Powher put their dose heavily on Lion's Mane which is a great nootropic, but not as potent as Citicoline or Bacopa monnieri, two key ingredients in the best nootropics. Then, we also have to consider that they also added caffeine at 90 mg. This isn't bad normally, but then users will now have to consider their total caffeine intake whenever they buy or prepare coffee. 90 mg caffeine is practically one cup of coffee already, so this also discounts Powher as a “relaxing” nootropic and not the best nootropic to take an hour or two before sleep.

Despite the drawbacks, Brain Powher is in my best nootropics list for a reason and it's largely due to the potency of their ingredient synergy.

Common ingredients in Nootropics

Caffeine

Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive drug in the world, and the large bulk of it is consumed through everyone's favourite cup of coffee. As a nootropic, coffee can jolt us out of a sleepy slump, enabling us to work with a ferocity that would rival that of a hungry cheetah that just spotted easy prey.

Caffeine gives us focus and what appears to be sharper and faster cognition, which can sometimes translate to better reflexes or hand-eye coordination. [5]

On top of brain function, studies found that regular coffee consumption can also have health benefits such as lower risk of type 2 diabetes, brain diseases, and even a longer lifespan.

Each cup of coffee (brewed, black) contains roughly 90-100 mg of caffeine. So, a formula consisting of 250 mg caffeine equates to about 2.5 cups of coffee.

Citicoline

Citicoline is perhaps one of the best and most effective nootropics available to the public. So few nootropics rival what citicoline can do for the brain. Also known as CDP Choline, much of the hype around this nootropic is due to how it works two ways.

First, it increases choline content. Choline is essentially the brain's primary nutrient, and a prerequisite for acetylcholine, the very neurotransmitter used for learning. You can say raising choline levels is the basic function of nootropics. [4]

Second, it increases uridine, another compound in the brain that also raises choline levels. This lets it also positively affect cognitive levels.

The most benefit Citicoline is known for is with memory, so many people who have problems with memory retention would benefit from Citicoline consumption. [1]

Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine also multitasks like Citicoline. It's known to help with age-related memory problems and illnesses, but it's most defining benefit is how it clears brain fog. What it essentially does is clear the brain of toxins that result in poor focus and short term memory problems. [3]

Vinpocetine

Vinpocetine is often cited for its brain-protective benefits, particularly against brain degenerative disorders. It's also an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. It's mostly known for boosting blood flow to the brain, which allows more oxygen uptake and nourishment.

L-Theanine

L-Theanine is the antithesis to caffeine. It's a compound found in tea and is generally responsible for the calming and mood-boosting benefits of the leaf-based beverage. Many take caffeine with l-theanine as the latter can neutralise the common side effects associated with caffeine intake like the jitters, crashes, and headaches. [6]

Creatine

Creatine is collectively known as a muscle builder because of how it improves muscle recovery rate. This is why creatine is often taken as part of a post-workout stack. However, creatine also has some nootropic side to it, as it's been cited to promote higher brain energy levels which can boost mental endurance.

Bacopa Monnieri

Also known as water hyssop, this one of the most common natural nootropics, and is a herb that is often used to increase longevity in traditional medicine. As a nootropic, bacopa monnieri works by boosting cognition by reducing stress and anxiety. Basically, the less you worry, the more you spend time learning. It's also known to help with memory.

Another perk it has is how it speeds up neuron communication. Boosting neuron communication means your brain's ability to learn new things (especially for students) is heightened.

Alpha GPC

Alpha-glycerophosphocholine or Alpha GPC is a popular nootropic marketed for its pro-choline benefits. It's similar to citicoline in a sense that it boosts brain energy and acetylcholine levels.

What separates Alpha GPC from other nootropics is how it helps with brain flexibility, or the brain's ability to quickly switch between several mental processes to respond to external stimuli. In other words, Alpha GPC helps you to respond faster and more efficiently. [2]

Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola rosea isn't so much a nootropic as much as it is an adaptogen. Adaptogens are natural herbs traditionally used to greatly reduce stress while also boosting mood. Many workout supplements use rhodiola to help users cope with the stress of weight loss, heavy lifting, or long distance running or cycling.

Panax Ginseng

Panax Ginseng is the most researched type of ginseng. Its nootropic benefits include mood boosting, benefits for the immune system, and learning perks. Some even take it as a supplement for blood flow.

Because of its blood flow benefits, you would also normally encounter Panax Ginseng in male supplements with claims on better erections.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba is one of the most popular memory boosters. With over 400 clinical trials, the science around its memory benefits is solid. This nootropic works by boosting brain circulation, which essentially spikes oxygen distribution. This can help clear away compounds that may make it hard for someone to remember better, while also fast-Tracking brain nutrients.

Noopept

It's not the most researched nootropic out there, but animal studies found a direct correlation between memory recall and formation and noopept consumption. [8]

Noopept is also credited as one of the first ever ingredients to be called a nootropic, with its synthesis going back to 1996. Due to its synthetic nature, Noopept is fast-acting and can last for several hours.

It's rare to see Noopept mixed in with other ingredients because it can actually work on its own. Furthermore, adding it with other ingredients may cause unwanted side effects.

Oat Straw Extract

Oatstraw is another of the natural nootropics that is said to help relieve anxiety and improve productivity while also keeping you relaxed. Experts also cite how it can increase nitric oxide content, which can promote better blood flow. [7]

Huperzine-A

Also known as Chinese Club Moss, Huperzine is a kind of nootropic that is literally added in micrograms due to its potency. It's been shown to enhance brain chemicals, brain cell regeneration, and mental energy. Researchers also speculate that it works by blocking enzymes that degrade acetylcholine and other important brain chemicals.

Pterostilbene

Pterostilbene is an antioxidant found in blueberries. Not exactly a nootropic, but this ingredient can help with brain health by improving brain plasticity. It's considered a safe ingredient because it's commonly found in nature.

CoQ10

CoQ10 is a popular antioxidant known for its brain energy benefits. Because of their antioxidant nature, they help keep the brain from getting attacked by free radicals.

Neuroscientists from the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School say “oral administration of coenzyme Q10 increases both brain and brain mitochondrial concentrations. They provide further evidence that coenzyme Q10 can exert neuroprotective effects that might be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases,” in their 1998 study involving rats. [9]

AC-11

The studies about AC-11 being a nootropic are still scarce, but current studies say it helps with DNA repair which can indirectly benefit the brain.

FAQs About Nootropic Supplements

References:

1. Fioravanti M, Buckley AE. Citicoline (Cognizin) in the treatment of cognitive impairment. Clin Interv Aging. 2006;1(3):247-251. doi:10.2147/ciia.2006.1.3.247
2. Bellar D, LeBlanc NR, Campbell B. The effect of 6 days of alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine on isometric strength. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:42. Published 2015 Nov 17. doi:10.1186/s12970-015-0103-x
3. Kim HY, Huang BX, Spector AA. Phosphatidylserine in the brain: metabolism and function. Prog Lipid Res. 2014;56:1-18. doi:10.1016/j.plipres.2014.06.002
4. Zeisel SH, da Costa KA. Choline: an essential nutrient for public health. Nutr Rev. 2009;67(11):615-623. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00246.x
5. Planning Committee for a Workshop on Potential Health Hazards Associated with Consumption of Caffeine in Food and Dietary Supplements; Food and Nutrition Board; Board on Health Sciences Policy; Institute of Medicine. Caffeine in Food and Dietary Supplements: Examining Safety: Workshop Summary. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2014 Apr 23. 6, Caffeine Effects on the Central Nervous System and Behavioral Effects Associated with Caffeine Consumption. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK202225/
6. Nobre AC, Rao A, Owen GN. L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17 Suppl 1:167-8. PMID: 18296328.
7. Kennedy DO, Jackson PA, Forster J, et al. Acute effects of a wild green-oat (Avena sativa) extract on cognitive function in middle-aged adults: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects trial. Nutr Neurosci. 2017;20(2):135-151. doi:10.1080/1028415X.2015.1101304
8. Ostrovskaia RU, Gudasheva TA, Voronina TA, Seredenin SB. Original'nyĭ nootropnyĭ i neĭroprotektivnyĭ preparat noopept [The original novel nootropic and neuroprotective agent noopept]. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2002;65(5):66-72.
9. Matthews RT, Yang L, Browne S, Baik M, Beal MF. Coenzyme Q10 administration increases brain mitochondrial concentrations and exerts neuroprotective effects. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998;95(15):8892-8897. doi:10.1073/pnas.95.15.8892