Nootropics have surged in popularity as people seek to enhance cognitive function, focus, and productivity. Let’s take a look at 5 popular products: Thesis, Alpha Brain, Alpha Brain Black, Magic Mind, and Cognition. Each has its unique formulation, benefits, and drawbacks, making them suitable for different needs and preferences.
Alpha Brain
Developed by ONNIT, Alpha Brain is the grandaddy of them all. Alpha Brain is the brain child of Joe Rogan and Aubrey Marcus and is the OG of the nootropics category. In fact, without the success of Alpha Brain, it is not certain that nootropics would have taken the mainstream by storm over the last decade. Here are a few considerations regarding this product; why you might want to check it out or pass.
Pros
Well-Researched: Alpha Brain is backed by scientific research, supporting its claims of enhanced cognitive function.
Caffeine-Free: It boasts providing mental clarity without the jitters, making it suitable for those sensitive to caffeine.
Popular Choice: This is the product that started it all. It has a strong reputation in the nootropic community, with many positive user testimonials.
Affordable: At $2.33 per serving for the 15 day supply, Alpha Brain is priced slightly lower than other premium nootropics.
Cons
Proprietary Blends: It is not clear what the dose is of active ingredients in the product, as they are bundled up as proprietary blends with a specific intention. This may be suboptimal to consumers who are sensitive to specific ingredients and cannot determine how much of each is in this product.
Not Instantaneous: Some users report that optimal results take a few days to notice. Others suggest that the effect of the nootropic wears off after a few hours.
Alpha Brain Black Label
A more recent release from ONNIT, this product represents the evolution of Alpha Brain. It has a transparent and simplified formula with the introduction of some powerful actives to support mood and motivation. It is marketed as the ‘break glass in case of emergency / get stuff done’ formula.
Pros
Enhanced Formula: Offers a more potent and refined, albeit simplified, formula compared to the original Alpha Brain, targeting advanced users.
Focus on Attention: Contains ingredients aimed at improving focus and mental clarity, which are beneficial for demanding tasks.
Cons
Really Expensive: $6.24 per serving is steep. More expensive than its predecessor, Alpha Brain, and it is the most expensive product in the nootropic category.
Potential Overstimulation: More potent ingredients with near clinical doses of some actives, it may cause jitters or crash for sensitive users.
Thesis
A relatively new entrant to the nootropic category, Thesis offers a variety of formulations for usage occasions through a personalized approach. Effectively, you take a quiz on their website which helps Thesis recommend one of their nootropic blends to meet your needs. They offer a variety of stacks to support focus, creativity, memory and energy.
Pros
Personalized Blends: Thesis offers personalized nootropic blends based on users’ specific goals, whether it’s focus, relaxation, or creativity.
Natural Ingredients: The company emphasizes using natural and science-backed ingredients.
Satisfaction Guarantee: Thesis provides a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, ensuring customer trust.
Cons
Expensive: $3.96 per serving with the starter pack makes this one of the more expensive nootropic products on the market.
Stimulants: some blends contain caffeine, which may lead to crash, impact sleep or have other negative effects for those sensitive to this ingredient.
Trial and Error: Finding the perfect blend may take time and experimentation.
Magic Mind
Unlike other nootropic products, Magic Mind offers an adaptogenic blend via a read-to-drink shot in an attempt to create a synergistic effect making it a holistic solution for boosting mental clarity, creativity and productivity.
Pros
Adaptogenic Ingredients: Combines nootropics with adaptogens, promoting stress reduction while enhancing focus.
Convenient: Available in a ready-to-drink format, appealing to those on-the-go.
Holistic Approach: Targets a combination of mental and physical wellness.
Cons
Taste: Some users find the taste less than desirable, which may affect regular consumption.
Less Focused on Pure Nootropics: The blend dilutes the nootropic focus with adaptogens, which may not suit those solely seeking cognitive enhancement.
Expensive: $4.95 per serving for a 30 day supply.
Grapple Science Cognition
Unlike other products on this list, we developed Grapple Science Cognition with the athlete in mind, both in the formulation and the packaging. There are no stimulants in Cognition, as our customers train in high intensity sports like grappling and MMA. Stimulants can increase heart rate and blood pressure while leading to jitters and crash. Cognition is the only product on this list that includes NooLVL, a combination of a bonded arginine silicate and inositol, which increases blood flow throughout the body and has tremendous cognitive effects backed by multiple research studies. With the exception of Alpha Brain Black Label, Cognition is also the only product that incorporates Mucuna Pruriens in the ingredient stack. Also known as L-Dopa, Mucuna Pruriens is a widely prescribed nutraceutical to people afflicted with Parkinson’s disease. This active helps increase dopamine and regulate dopamine response, providing positive mood support and improving mind-body connection.
Pros
Designed for Athletes: The unique blend supports mental and physical performance.
Stimulant Free: Cognition boasts a simple, transparent ingredient stack without stimulants, which provides calm, focused energy all day long.
Rapid Onset & Long Lasting: Customers start to feel the effect of Cognition within 15 minutes with many customers claiming that the cognitive energy from our product lasts them up to 8 hours.
Portability: The daily dose is packaged in portable sachets which makes it perfect for taking on the go, putting in your gym bag, or sharing with friends.
Affordable: At $2.91 per serving, Cognition costs less than most energy drinks but lasts all day. It is a premium nootropic reasonably priced compared to others on this list. The 24 serving box is designed to support one month of use (effectively $2.33 per day including your days off).
Cons
Once you incorporate Cognition into your daily regimen, you will no longer need excessive amounts of caffeine or other stimulants to train hard and stay productive throughout the day. Reducing or quitting caffeine is really difficult, however. You won't need your favorite energy drink anymore, and that's a really tough lifestyle change to make. You'll be better off for it.
