Top Nootropic Brands 2017

Blame Bradley Cooper for the surge in orders, but this new batch of body and mind boosters have been around long before his Limitless performance. Acing a test, keeping alert and pumping up energy are now much easier than eating walnuts and chocolate because of these supplements. They’re called nootropics, and they’re not slowing down.

Last year saw some literally “mind-boggling” stacks shoot up to the top ranks. Nootropic Geek, in his list of the Best Nootropics in 2016, identified two of his favorite natural stacks, Mind Lab Pro and Alpha Brain. Apart from the two, Nootropedia also named TruBrain, CILTEP, Nootroo, Neuro Optimizer, Nootrobox, Mindboost, OptiMind, NITROvit and Procera AVH. Some sites focused on the core ingredient rather than the brand and came up with armodafinil, L-theanine, nicotine, magnesium, Rhodiola Rosea, cacao, curcumin, Phenylpiracetam, and many others.

Typically, when looking for the top nootropics, the best choices should have the right combination of ingredients or enable the best results when taken in combination with other nootropic pills. They must be safe, known to be effective without the dreaded side effects, and the manufacturers must be transparent with the contents and dosage of the drugs.

After going through recommendations, reviews and feedback from the industry’s self-confessed nootro fans and influencers, here are this year’s three most popular brain and body supplement brands and why they are currently the drug of choice for students, office warriors, athletes, and anybody else. Let’s see if any of last year’s top picks made it to the Best Nootropics in 2017:

Mind Lab Pro

Wow! Nootropic users anticipate Mind Lab Pro to keep the throne this year. Many agree that it is the “ultimate nootropic supplement” and formulated to boost mental capacity, cognitive intelligence, focus, and emotional balance. Manufactured by a London-based supplement company, Opti-Nutra, Mind Lab Pro is a nootropic stack that contains 11 natural ingredients known to enhance different aspects of the brain and body. Each serving (one capsule) of the product contains, among other ingredients:

• 250mg of Cognizin® (citicoline), which promotes better brain performance, memory, and cognition, and fights neurodegenerative processes

• 50mg of phosphatidylserine that supports the metabolism of neurotransmitters

• 50mg of Rhodiola Rosea root, which stimulates and increases brain capacity

• 500mg of Lion’s Mane mushroom that triggers nerve regeneration

• 125mg of L-theanine, which enhances concentration and brain health

• Bacopa Monnieri, a herb that reverses feelings of stress and anxiety

• Pterostilbene, which boosts cognitive function and insulin sensitivity and lessens glucose and cholesterol in the body
• N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine (a better form of Tyrosine) that raises arousal and alertness

What makes this nootropic capsule the go-to supplement is that it covers all aspects of brain health. It is also all-natural, has undergone extensive clinical tests, has no known side effects, and makes all its ingredients known to buyers.

People who have taken the supplement attest to its effectiveness in delivering what its website promises. While Mind Lab Pro is not exactly cheap, Opti-Nutra offers a convenient deal if you buy in bulk. It also provides a 30-day money back guarantee should you find any problems with it – but we have yet to come across any such claim.

Another thing to keep in mind: Mind Lab Pro is gluten-free, soy-free, caffeine-free and vegan-friendly so anyone can take this nootropic without adverse results, and it doesn’t use fake energy boosters.

Onnit Alpha Brain Instant.  

The  Alpha BRAIN formula capsule released by Onnit was a hit last year with its natural core ingredients Bacopa, Cat’s Claw, Huperzia Serrata, and Oat Straw. This nootropic improves focus, memory, and motivation throughout the day.

This year, the Alpha BRAIN Instant drink takes the well-loved formula to the next level. It increases the dosage of the “Flow Blend,” consisting of the stack L-Tyrosine + L-Theanine + Oatstraw for concentration and creativity + Phosphatidylserine for a more powerful memory.  It still contains the AC-11®, a special Cat’s Claw brand that produces the same immune-enhancing and antioxidant functions.

Onnit has also added the black pepper extract BioPerine for better absorption of nutrients. Turning the entire thing into a powder drink mix was probably one of the best moves Onnit made as it now fits the lifestyle of many nootropic users on-the-go. While paling in comparison to Mind Lab Pro’s ingredients, Alpha BRAIN Instant has some individual ingredients like the Alpha-GPC and Pterostilbene that perform better than options like Choline Bitartrate and Resveratrol.

Once again, here are the benefits of its ingredients:

• L-Tyrosine, for the neurotransmitter L-dopa production

• L-Theanine, found in green tea, relaxes and maintains balance in the Alpha BRAIN formula

• Oatstraw (Avena sativa) a relaxing herb for managing stress

• Phosphatidylserine, an abundant compound in brain cell membranes

• Pterostilbene, a naturally occurring antioxidant that helps reduce oxidative stress, and
• Vitamin B6 for the synthesis of neurotransmitters and amino acids.

Alpha BRAIN Instant is basically the same old Alpha BRAIN you used to enjoy but in a more convenient and chic package. Onnit’s reputation as an environment-conscious company that delivers clean and green products helps boost the popularity of these products. What’s more, it comes at a lower price per serving, and that’s what makes it a really cool nootropic!

Nootrobox

This is one nootropic that shouts “Silicon Valley!” through and through. This supplement stack is designed by ‘propellerheads’ in San Francisco for techies and geeks like them. It comes in a 2-in-1 product package, RISE and SPRINT.

RISE consists of Bacopa, Rhodiola, and Alpha-GPC and battles fatigue, stress, and memory loss. SPRINT balances the supplement’s caffeine content with the calming benefits of L-Theanine. Having two products gives you the flexibility to tap the nootropic’s energy-boosting ingredients as needed, only when you need to be highly alert and productive. This combination “bio-hacks” the brain to effect a surge in brain performance when the situation calls for it. Creatives, in particular, need more than just a wake-up call from regular coffee or sugary colas; something that Nootrobox provides.

Nootrobox also contains Bacopa Monnieri (50% bacosides), Rhodiola Rosea (3% rosavins, 1% salidrosides), Alpha-GPC (high choline concentration), and quality B12 (as methylcobalamin). Moreover, RISE + SPRINT capsules are vegan-friendly, so they’re guaranteed “healthy,” whatever your diet preference is.

For Nootrobox’s 4-in-1 package, though, you get two more formulas. YAWN addresses problems in duration and quality of sleep – often an issue with workaholics, while KADO-3 is an Omega-3 stack to protect the brain and body regularly. What else can you ask for? A full brain hack in a box.