Whether you are a CEO, an office worker, a teacher, a student, or anything in between, the most powerful force you have is your fired-up brain. However, many people find they don’t have the memory, mental clarity, focus, and concentration needed — even after a good night’s sleep — to be at their best. Until recently, it was thought that there was not much to be done about these issues. But fortunately, there is research and scientific evidence to suggest that some nootropics and brain supplements can help increase cognitive abilities. With that said, there are plenty of snake oil salesmen out there hawking brain supplements that don’t do anything at all. However, there are many that do provide brain-boosting benefits, and we want to help you find the best supplements for your needs.
What Are Nootropics?
Nootropics are a class of drugs that act specifically on higher-level brain functions. These supplements may aid in working memory, learning, and improve cognitive functions while protecting the brain from toxicity. Many nootropics are familiar substances that have been used in brain-boosting supplements for decades, like ginseng, caffeine, Ginkgo Biloba, B-complex vitamins, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Others are less familiar, like methylphenidate, modafinil, piracetam, and levodopa. Many of these compounds have not been extensively studied or scientifically proven. Yet some seem to have positive effects on working memory, attention, and cognition, although we don’t yet understand exactly how or why. Like many supplements, they are not regulated for effectiveness by the FDA, so there is a high frequency of overblown or misleading marketing claims.
Benefits of Brain Supplements and Nootropics
You might be wondering about the benefits of brain supplements and nootropics. There are many positive reasons to give these supplements a try.
The Best Supplements for Brain Fog: Reviews of 5 Products
Best Supplement for Memory
Qualia Mind Nootropics
Qualia Mind Nootropics is a brain supplement designed to provide users with a variety of mental and cognitive benefits. This brain supplement is backed by scientific evidence and research. This product has the power to boost various mental functions such as focus and concentration, mental clarity, cognitive performance, problem-solving, and memory. Simply put, the makers of this is a supplement claim it can help your mind work faster and better. Qualia Mind Nootropics brain supplement can also help regulate mood swings, allowing for a much more positive mental state overall. On that same note, this supplement also helps promote more energy throughout the day. It supports clean energy with no big bursts or crashes, just a steady supply throughout the day. Qualia Mind Nootropics does contain a wide variety of ingredients ranging from vitamins and minerals to extracts of various plants and seeds. This product is made with carefully sourced ingredients that are all-natural. T brain supplement does not contain any artificial flavors or sweeteners, plus it is also vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free as well. Qualia Mind Nootropics brain supplement comes with a 100-day money-back guarantee, just in case you are not happy with it, which is important because it is not cheap. Pros Cons
Best Brain Supplement for Mental Clarity
Neuro-Peak Brain Support Supplement
Neuro-Peak is another great brain supplement intended to provide users with a range of mental and cognitive benefits. This particular brain supplement is designed to help provide mental clarity and focus. Neuro-Peak is designed to support oxygen circulation to the brain. To accomplish this, there are some really high-quality ingredients used, such as vitamin B12, bacopa monnieri, ginkgo biloba, and rhodiola rosea. That said, there is not much information about whether or not this product is all-natural, organic, non-GMO, or vegan. It can also help increase memory, helping you remember better and faster. This supplement is also shown to assist with mood regulation, to help decrease mood swings and feel happier overall. On that same note, this product also claims to help reduce stress and anxiety. You may like Neuro-Peak because you just need to take a single daily dose, and a single bottle includes 30 capsules. This is one of the more affordable brain supplements, although it does not come with any kind of money-back guarantee. Pros Cons
Best Budget Brain Supplement
Havasu Nutrition Ginkgo Biloba
Brain supplements and nootropics can be very expensive, but they don’t have to be, as is shown by the Havasu Nutrition Ginkgo Biloba & Phosphatidylserine Brain Supplement.
It is one of the more affordable and cost-effective options on the market today. It comes with enough capsules for a full 60 days.
This supplement is designed to increase various cognitive functions safely and naturally such as memory, clarity, focus, concentration, and more.
The creators of this brain supplement claim it also helps provide a bit of clean energy without a crash hours later.
As the name implies, there are two main ingredients included in this formula which are pure and natural — ginkgo biloba and phosphatidylserine.
Havasu Nutrition Ginkgo Biloba & Phosphatidylserine Brain Supplement is gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan-friendly too. This brain supplement is made in the US, and it has been tested by a third-party lab.
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Best Brain Supplement for Improved Cognition
Vital Vitamins Nootropics Brain Booster
This Vital Vitamins Nootropics Brain Booster is another highly-rated, top-notch brain supplement to keep in mind. Although it is popular, it is also quite cost-effective. Although this is one of the less-expensive options, it does come with a fairly generous supply. It features a 60-day, money-back guarantee, just in case you are not happy with the results. You’ll notice the Vital Vitamins Nootropics Brain Booster starts working within days which is quite impressive. All ingredients are made of high-quality vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts. Some of the main ingredients here include vitamin B12, bacopa monnieri extract, ginkgo biloba, rhodiola rosea extract, and DMAE. The combination of ingredients in this product is shown to improve various cognitive abilities such as memory, reasoning, rational thought, focus, mental clarity, concentration, and more. This Vital Vitamins Nootropics Brain Booster can help relieve stress and anxiety, and provide clean energy throughout the day without a hefty crash later. There are no harmful additives, GMOs, or gluten in this product. This brain booster is produced in the US in an FDA-approved lab. Pros Cons
Best Brain Supplement for Concentration
Organic Lion’s Mane Mushroom Capsules
Lion’s mane mushrooms have been used as a brain supplement for a long time, and this product is made with 100% pure lions mane mushrooms. There are also some other ingredients included, but everything is natural — all-natural vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts. There are no GMOs or harmful additives added. Plus it is gluten-free, hormone-free, and it does not contain any of the top 8 allergens known to man. There is one very special ingredient included in these Organic Lions Mane Mushroom Capsules, which is called BioPerine, a patented black pepper extract which is proven to aid in the absorption of these vitamins, minerals, and extracts. This is an ingredient that helps the body absorb everything contained in the Organic Lions Mane Mushroom Capsules. This product is made with mushrooms grown in the US, and the capsules are made in the US, in an FDA-registered and GMP-certified lab. This is a maximum-dosage product, so it is very potent and strong. One bottle of Organic Lions Mane Mushroom Capsules comes with a total of 90 capsules. This will last you a total of one month, as each dose consists of 3 capsules. Lion’s mane mushrooms have been shown to have many benefits. When it comes to cognitive functions, these mushrooms can help improve long- and short-term memory, focus and concentration, and mental clarity. It assists with overall general cognitive abilities. Lion’s mane can also improve immunity and immune system function. These Organic Lion’s Mane Mushroom Capsules help reduce inflammation in the body and provide anti-oxidant benefits. Pros Cons
Scientifically Effective Nootropics
Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa Monnieri is an herb native to India and has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat anxiety and improve memory and cognition. Preliminary studies in rats and humans have demonstrated its potential to improve learning and the creation of new memories. The most common side effect is nausea and gastrointestinal upset. Although early research in this herb shows its promise as a nootropic drug, the FDA has warned many supplement manufacturers that they are making unproven and illegal marketing claims about the effectiveness of this herb.
Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine is a fatty acid that is required for healthy brain functions. Supplements of phosphatidylserine have been proven to slow, halt, or reverse the deterioration of nerve cells, support short-term and long-term memory, learning, concentration, communication, and rapid motor functions. It has been accepted by the FDA as a supplement that reduces the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly. Importantly, the source (soy-derived or animal-derived) of phosphatidylserine appears to influence how effective it is in supporting brain health.
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea is a flowering plant native to Arctic climates. It has been used for centuries in traditional cultures and traditional Chinese medicine to reduce stress and increase physical endurance. Many studies support the multiple adaptogenic effects of Rhodiola Rosea, particularly in reducing fatigue and improving muscle recovery and supporting cognition and mood. However, these studies are generally of low-quality, and the FDA warns that there is insufficient scientific evidence to support many of the marketing claims made about this herb.
Unproven Nootropics
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba is a very common ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is used to treat Alzheimer’s and memory issues. Scientific study of this herb has mixed results, due to the low number of high-quality trials that include large numbers of patients, good controls, and double-blinding. More high-quality studies are needed to determine the true effectiveness of ginkgo.
DMAE
DMAE is an organic chemical that is a precursor to many other chemicals and processes in the body, notably required for the manufacture of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. DMAE (also known as 2-Dimethylaminoethanol or deanol) is a common ingredient in cosmetics and topical applications due to its anti-inflammatory and skin-firming effects. A couple of studies in the 1970s suggested that DMAE may be a good alternative treatment for ADHD in children, but no scientific tests have demonstrated its effectiveness in boosting mood or cognition. Some people experience adverse side effects, and it is not recommended for people with a history of epilepsy of convulsions. Because there is so little proven understanding of how many of these compounds work and why, it’s best to be cautious with your dosage and check with your physician if you have any medical conditions or concerns. Did you find the best supplements for brain fog to meet your needs? Brain supplements, otherwise known as nootropics, can be beneficial for the brain, and this is true in more ways than one. If you are tired of suffering from brain fog, not remembering where you put your keys, and can’t seem to focus or concentrate on anything, it might be time to look into one or more of these supplements. Although these supplements are not FDA approved, there is enough anecdotal evidence to support giving them a try.
