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Nootropics – or smart pills, brain supplements – are becoming increasingly popular nowadays. Many people are looking for ways to extend their mental performance and focus, increase energy, and stay more alert. Nootropics help with just that.
Like any supplement, nootropics are made of ingredients you’ll typically find in foods, though at more concentrated doses. Many brands use patented forms of these nutrients in specific combinations and dosages, which has been shown to produce an improvement in key brain areas such as memory retention, information processing, and overall brain cell health.
With so many nootropics on the market today, it’s even more important that you do the research on the manufacturer and the ingredients. We’ve tried to do the legwork for you by rounding up what we rate as the best nootropic supplements you can find right now.
You should still do your own research on manufacturers’ websites to see if their claims are supported by evidence. Based on our thorough inspection and analysis, we can confirm that the following 3 nootropic supplements are completely natural, use optimal doses of researched ingredients, are made by reputable companies, and enjoy excellent reviews online.
- Elevate your focus & concentration
- Get more done
- Boost memory function
- Improve mood & mindset
- Optimize long-range brain development
Hunter Focus |  |
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Mind Lab Pro |  |
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Performance Lab Mind |  |
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What Are Nootropic Supplements?
Nootropic is a term originating from Ancient Greek. It’s a combination of the words “noos” meaning “mind,” and “trope” meaning “a turning”.
It’s important to differentiate nootropics from drugs and prescription medications. Today’s guide will only show you food supplements; we’re not going to talk about prescription meds or brain drugs.
Today’s life can be stressful, hectic, and tough on the mind. Nootropics work by nourishing your brain with compounds that have been shown to enhance important mental functions.
You could say nootropics are like multivitamins for your brain – and you’d be correct.
A nootropic can be a single ingredient, such as Fish Oil, or it can be a combination of ingredients, such as Fish Oil, Ginkgo Biloba, and Maritime Pine Bark Extract. The very best nootropic supplements will have a combination of proven ingredients in clinical doses for maximum effect.
As we said, these nootropic ingredients are usually different vitamins, minerals, and plant extracts. When dosed correctly, these compounds work in synergy to keep your brain nourished and working efficiently. Not only that, some compounds like Lion’s Mane Mushroom have been shown to improve immediate brain function, but also protect long-term brain health.
You’ll also come across nootropics that contain caffeine for an extra “kick”. Whether you choose to go with such products or those that are stimulant-free, is entirely up to you.
The most important thing to remember when looking for a nootropic is the ingredient formula. Most supplements will show you on the label exactly how much you’re getting. If it contains a proprietary blend and doesn’t show you how much of each ingredient is in the supplement, it’s a red flag.
Are Nootropics For You?
People who’re serious about their brain health are also serious about their lifestyle. A varied, balanced diet and overall healthy routine should be the foundations for keeping a peak-functioning mind and body.
That said, nootropic supplements offer a great way to stay topped up with certain key nutrients that can help protect you from cognitive decline, improve mental function, and lift your mood & well-being.
A high-quality nootropic supplement will also provide you with certain herbal extracts and spices that aren’t commonly found in the human diet. These are often the key inclusions in the nootropic formulas – having the ability to give you a substantial mental boost.
Nootropic supplements are only going to get more popular, and it makes sense why – they work.
Before we show you our top 3 picks for this year, let’s check how we weed out the ineffective and unsafe products from the high-quality ones.
How we Rank Nootropic Supplements
What we look for in our reviews are different ranking factors including:
- Ingredients
- Value
- Short-Term Effects
- Long-Term Effects
- User Experience
- Clinical Evidence
- Safety
We don’t trial each and every supplement; instead, we analyze their ingredients and compare them to the available scientific evidence to see if they are safe and effective.
To sum up what we want from a supplement:
- The Formula – not just the ingredients themselves, but also their doses
- Price – not just the face value but also value for money that you get from using the supplement
- Testimonials – the product needs to have excellent feedback from customers
- The Company – the manufacturer should have high brand authority
- Where to Buy – we’ll have links to these products’ official websites for you to learn more, or buy if interested
The following nootropic supplements have all been analyzed for weeks to ensure they’re 100% natural, safe, and effective.
Best Nootropics in 2023
Here they are, our 1-2-3 in the Nootropics Champions League.
1. Hunter Focus by Roar Ambition – The No.1 Nootropic in 2023
“Focus by Hunter Evolve is a product that gives you more. More ingredients, more servings, and more quality.”
Overview
Leading the pack is Hunter Focus, a premium nootropic designed specifically for busy individuals in the 30+ age group – formulated to help you achieve every goal, overcome complex problems, and be the leader in every walk of life.
Although it is a new product, Hunter Focus is already making waves online. It’s produced by a highly respected U.K. company Roar Ambition, who manufacture their products in both the USA and the U.K. under strict regulations and to the highest FDA and cGMP standards.
- Unlike many other nootropics, Hunter Focus uses only the best ingredients for brain health, all of them scientifically backed and dosed for maximum performance.
Hunter Focus is free of synthetics, preservatives, GMO, gluten, soy, or flavors. It’s completely safe, vegan-friendly, offers amazing results, and is worth the premium price in our experience, if you’re able to afford it.
What’s Inside?
Hunter Focus contains 20 proven nootropic ingredients, all optimally dosed for performance.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom protects and rebuilds the nerves to keep your mind sharp as you age.
- Ashwagandha in Hunter Focus is shown to repair axons and dendrites to support long-term brain health. This heavily studied Ayurvedic herb is also a powerful mood enhancer, reducing stress hormones such as cortisol.
Bacopa in Hunter Focus is added to improve spatial memory and processing speed, while also increasing dendritic branching of your nerve cells to promote more efficient transmission of signals between your neurons.
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine is a highly bioavailable amino acid that increases levels of key neurotransmitters involved in executive functions, multitasking, and mental clarity. L-Theanine in Hunter Focus boosts the GABA brain chemical which expands creativity and diminishes anxiety.
Hunter Focus’ formula also contains passion flower, Maritime Pine Bark Extract to protect brain cells from oxidative stress, and the FDA-approved Phosphatidylserine, which is a healthy fat found in high amounts in our brain cells. Supplementation of Phosphatidylserine is linked to improvement in cognitive function across all boards.
How to Take?
Every bottle of Hunter Focus gives you 180 capsules, with a serving of 6 capsules per day, lasting you a full 30 days.
- The directions recommend taking 3 capsules of Hunter Focus with a big glass of water, two times per day.
For best results, take each dose of Hunter Focus with your morning and afternoon meals. This should help you stay at your sharpest mentally throughout the day.
Pros
- Tried and tested formula with 20 of the best-researched nootropics
- Real, concrete results
- Transparent formula shows you exactly what you’re paying for
- Free of harmful or banned substances
- Low-stim & vegan-friendly
- Glowing reviews online
Cons
- Not cheap
- Only available on the manufacturer’s website: www.hunterevolve.com
Conclusion
Hunter Focus is an excellent nootropic with a strong ingredient profile. What makes it stand out is the generous doses of some of the best ingredients on the planet. It offers more servings as well as more value overall.
Hunter Focus also contains no proprietary blends – you know exactly what you are getting, and how much. The dosages are in accordance with the latest science, too.
Obviously, Hunter Focus is not a cheap nootropic, which might deter some users. We understand it’s made to deliver the absolute maximum quality, but some people might prefer cheaper options. For us though, the value for money it offers is unrivaled.
Interested in Hunter Focus?
2. Mind Lab Pro by Opti-Nutra
Overview
With 11 evidenced ingredients, Mind Lab Pro labels itself as a “universal nootropic” designed to boost different areas of your brain function, including brainwaves, neurotransmitters, neurogenesis, and brain energy, to name a few. Mind Lab Pro works for people of all backgrounds – from athletes to university students, to people in their 60s, and even gamers.
Manufactured by Opti-Nutra, Mind Lab Pro is one of the best-reviewed nootropics you’ll find. It’s endorsed by high-profile individuals including Nigel Short (Chess Grandmaster) and David Williams.
While the ingredients in Mind Lab Pro are lighter than Hunter Focus in terms of dosages, Mind Lab Pro is a completely vegan-friendly formula and just like Hunter Focus, it’s free of synthetics or cheap filler ingredients. It’s manufactured in cGMP and FDA-approved facilities.
What’s in it?
Mind Lab Pro is specifically formulated with ingredients that promote brain energy, bright mood, enhanced memory, and ability to focus & concentrate.
Phosphatidylserine is one of the ingredients in Mind Lab Pro that contributes to not only an immediate improvement in your mental performance, but it also helps to protect and repair your neurons for whole-life brain health, being an essential fatty acid naturally found in your brain cell membranes.
Then there is Rhodiola Rosea which diminishes fatigue and promotes mental clarity. Rhodiola is one of the best adaptogenic herbs for combating anxiety and depressive mood. It also protects your brain cells from the detrimental effects of chronic stress.
Citicoline is the most absorbable form of choline – Mind Lab Pro uses this patented ingredient to improve your memory, information recall (quick-wittedness), and executive function.
Meanwhile, vitamins B6, B9, and B12 work in synergy to boost your metabolism of these nutrients more efficiently – while protecting the sensitive blood vessels in the brain from homocysteine.
Even though it’s completely caffeine-free, Mind Lab Pro is just as impressive at boosting energy and mental clarity as any nootropic on this list.
How to take it
With 60 capsules in a bottle, Mind Lab Pro will last you a full month if you take the recommended 2 capsules per day with breakfast or lunch. You can safely take up to 4 capsules of Mind Lab Pro per day if you need an additional boost.
Pros
- Research-backed formula
- Improves memory, focus, and long-range brain function
- Suitable for people of all backgrounds
- Endorsed by professionals and high-profile individuals
- Made by a respected supplement manufacturer
- Amazing bulk-buy deals
Cons
- Only available directly from its website: mindlabpro.com
- Lacks a stimulant “kick” (although some will prefer this)
- Lighter ingredient doses than Hunter Focus – effects are not as potent
Conclusion
Mind Lab Pro is an effective and high-quality nootropic. Its gleaming reviews and endorsements from respected individuals are proof of this. Mind Lab Pro has some of the best nootropic ingredients you’ll find anywhere and helps your brain work at its peak in a safe and light way.
The only downside for us is the inclusion of the B vitamins. Most of us already get enough of these basic nutrients through our diet. Mind Lab Pro would be even more effective if it replaced them with other proven nootropics, such as Ashwagandha.
Having said that, at least 8 out of 11 ingredients in Mind Lab Pro work to give you a potent brain boost – both short-term and long-term wise.
At the end of the day, Mind Lab Pro is a tried and tested formula; it works, and it has a thumbs up from us.
Interested in Mind Lab Pro?
3. Performance Lab Mind by Opti-Nutra
Overview
Performance Lab Mind is an ultramodern nootropic designed to elevate your focus, increase stress resistance, and improve multitasking and brain function in high-pressure environments.
Produced by the same specialist supplement company as Mind Lab Pro, Performance Lab Mind provides key nutrients that your brain needs to replenish certain neurotransmitters which usually get depleted when you’re under stress. As such, Performance Lab Mind is arguably the most effective nootropic on this list for improving your mood.
Performance Lab Mind is at the same time an extremely clean and streamlined formula. It’s completely vegan-friendly with PlantCaps® capsules for easy digestion and nutrient assimilation.
While Performance Lab Mind only has 4 ingredients, they are delivered in high doses, each targeting a different area of your brain function. Mind is free of gluten, GMO, soy, caffeine, artificial stuff, and common allergens – making it the cleanest quality nootropic on the market.
Performance Lab Mind is also extremely safe for everyday use, including for people who’re usually sensitive to nootropic ingredients such as stimulants.
What’s in it?
Performance Lab Mind is a streamlined yet highly effective formula. It contains a generous dose of FDA-qualified Phosphatidylserine (as Sharp PS® Green). Phosphatidylserine boosts neuron-to-neuron communication, enhances your focus, and wards off cognitive decline.
L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that helps your brain produce more dopamine which results in improved mental performance during stress, along with Maritime Pine Bark Extract which protects your brain cells from free radicals and boosts cerebral circulation (similar to Ginkgo Biloba, but better).
All of the ingredients in Performance Lab Mind are patented, standardized, and delivered in their highest-quality forms to ensure maximum efficacy.
How to take it
Performance Lab Mind contains 30 capsules per bottle, with a serving size of one capsule per day. You will ideally want to take it in the morning with a glass of water for best results.
Pros
- Contains 4 of the most studied nootropics available
- Ingredients are safe, of clean quality, and highly bioavailable
- Works to replenish brain chemicals that are depleted by stress
Cons
- It would benefit from having more than just 4 nootropics
- Only sells from https://www.performancelab.com
Conclusion
Performance Lab Mind is a nootropic that isn’t pretending to be something it’s not. It provides you with 4 key nootropics, each targeting a different area of brain function, including your concentration, memory, stress resistance, and long-term brain nourishment.
You get what you see on the label, there is no junk or hidden filler ingredients. It’s an extremely clean formula that is expensive to manufacture, which is why we consider it to be an excellent value for money.
3 of the 4 ingredients in Performance Lab Mind are generously dosed, while the 4th one is a bit lighter. This makes it ideal for you if you want a safe and light nootropic that is gentle on your mind and healthy for everyday use without any concern about iffy ingredients or side effects.
Interested in Performance Lab Mind?
Top 3 Nootropics of 2023 – Final Verdict
There you have it folks, that was our guide to the best nootropics of 2023.
We’ve guided you through some of the basic things you should know when picking a nootropic, including the importance of ingredients, dosages, and company reputation among others.
We’ve also talked about the potential issues pertaining to nootropics – and supplements in general – and have driven home the importance of doing research for yourself before making a purchase.
Hunter Focus and Mind Lab Pro are currently our top picks when it comes to nootropics. Both are produced by innovative & respected supplement companies that have a proven track record in the industry.
Performance Lab Mind is another excellent option for people who just want to dip their toe into nootropics. It’s extremely safe and light, making it great for stacking with other supplements.
You said the Avantera was so expensive, yet these 3 are double, even more than triple the price!!
Christie,
At the moment of writing, a bottle of Avantera Elevate costs $64.95 for a one-time purchase (or $49.95 if you choose to subscribe to recurring delivery and payments). Mind Lab Pro and Performance Lab Mind are $69 per bottle. Hunter Focus costs $80. This is more than Avantera Elevate but not double nor triple the price like you claimed.
Having said that, the supplements we’ve featured here offer far more value for money than Avantera Elevate. They contain better-researched ingredients at higher dosages, so you are going to see more substantial benefits to your cognitive function in the long run.
Also, consider how many capsules you are getting per bottle. Hunter Focus gives you a massive 180 capsules, whereas Avantera Elevate contains 60.
When we working on this guide, pricing was one of the factors we looked into. So was the company reputation, the overall formula effectiveness, ingredient safety, and ingredient dosages. The supplements that ended up making our final “top 3” all offer more in terms of ingredient quality and potency. We can say with confidence that you get what you pay for in this case.
Hope that clarifies things a bit, but feel free to let us know if you have any questions.
Average person concerned w/brain freeze cannot possibly understand all the garble.. which item is of ANY value to brain?… thank you
magnesium oxide helps metabolize those other nutrients and you said it was a con. I don’t know I’m just bored. have fun with your brain.
What is the best option for energy in your opinion?
Out of the three, Hunter Focus is the best for energy. It is the only one on this list that contains caffeine; 100mg of it per serving to be precise. This dosage, combined with 200mg of L-Theanine that is in Hunter Focus, is ideal for giving you a clean energy boost without the side effects (jitters, anxiety, restlessness, etc.).
Hope that helps.
I appreciate your information very much! Being a 77 year old grandmother, in good health, I am concerned with keeping my brain as healthy as possible for as long as possible. My mother died of Alzheimer’s at 92 and my best friend at 83. I want to do whatever is best for the health of my brain. Which of the three would you recommend? I am considering the third. I need my B vitamins to be methylated, so I feel leary of the second one. Your information is very much appreciated.
Hello Bette,
I appreciate your comment very much. I am glad to hear you’re keeping your brain fit. As for your question, I think a high-quality omega-3 supplement coupled with a nutritious diet is already a great starting point, and I think most people including yourself don’t need much more than that.
However, if you’d like to try one of the supplements from this list, I agree with you that the 3rd option is the best in your case, as it doesn’t have the added B vitamins. Performance Lab Mind has the lightest formula out of the three supplements on this list, while still containing effective dosages of ingredients shown to have a positive effect on memory, focus, and long-term cognitive function.
Hope that helps.