Last Updated on December 22, 2019 by The HealthRanks Team

It’s no secret anymore, nootropics really do work and help improve brain function.

A lot has changed over the years so we came up with an updated “2020 friendly” version of the top nootropics on the market.

Nootropic supplements, also known as smart drugs, are supplements for your brain that help boost your memory, focus, energy, and output.

“work smarter, not harder”

They’re made with both natural and artificial ingredients that improve cognitive function, allowing you to tackle to-do lists, study guides, presentations, or just a regular day with ease.

We’ve ranked the best nootropics on the market based on performance, price, and quality of the supplement. After the rankings, we broke down exactly what nootropics are, along with the benefits and side effects.

So what’s the best nootropic supplement on the market in 2020?

And the winner is…

1- Nootrogen – Ultimate Nootropic

Nootrogen is a relatively new nootropic supplement with groundbreaking potency and incredible reviews, making it our #1 recommended nootropic on the market.

Made by the UK supplement company Vita Balance, Nootrogen has quickly risen to the top as a popular brain boosting supplement, especially for college students. This is primarily because users of Nootrogen are able to lock in and focus for longer periods of time which increases productivity, and it allows one to retain information better.

If you put in long hours of focused work or studying, this is one of your best options available that doesn’t require a prescription.

Compared to other leading brands of nootropics, Nootrogen is one of the closest brain boosters, in terms of memory, focus, and cognition, to Adderall, a popular prescription brain supplement.

However, unlike Adderall, the natural ingredients in the Nootrogen brain blend are not known to be addictive or cause nasty come-downs.

Some of the main ingredients:

Dimethylaminoethanol – improves mood, boosts memory function, increases physical energy, and raises levels of cognitive processing in the brain

Glutamic acid – works to improve mental focus and concentration

Acetylcholine – acts on both the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system

Magnesium – a critical component in the activation of nerve channels that are involved in synaptic plasticity

Bacopa Extract – improves cognitive function by improving the neural pathway for the transmission of nerve impulses

Here’s the official supplement label:

With one of the most innovative and diverse blends of natural brain boosting ingredients, combined with a relatively low price compared to other leading brands, Nootrogen is the best option overall when it comes to an all-around nootropic supplement.

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2- Zhou Nutrition NEURO-PEAK

An Amazon best-seller and a favorite by many, NEURO-PEAK is our #2 recommended nootropic on the market.

Memory. Focus. Clarity. These are the three pillars of NEURO-PEAK.

This nootropic was formulated by a physician who specializes in anti-aging. He combined just the right amount of each ingredient to naturally increase blood circulation to the brain and support memory, focus and clarity.

Zhou Nutrition’s NEURO-PEAK offers the benefits of several mental supplements in a single, once-a-day natural supplement.

Main Ingredients:

DMAE – a naturally occurring compound in the brain and precursor to the neurotransmitter choline

Rhodiola Rosea Extract – promotes cognitive and physical vitality, improves general cognitive health and reduces mental anxiety

Bacopa Monnieri – reduces anxiety while improving memory formation

Phosphatidylserine – treats Alzheimer’s disease, age-related declines in mental function, and ADHD

Vitamin B12 – a water-soluble vitamin that keeps your nerves and red blood cells healthy

Ginkgo Biloba – improves memory and stimulates brain function by improving blood flow to crucial parts of the brain

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3- Neurofuse

Neurofuse is a nootropic pioneer and is one of the most potent brain supplements.

The supplement sort of gives you a caffeine-like energetic buzz, which a lot of people like, but others have a hard time falling asleep (you might try a natural sleep aid). If you need a more calm nootropic for deep focus, probably not the nootropic for you.

It’s also one of the more expensive nootropics on the market, compared to the other leading brands.

Main Ingredients:

Alpha Lipoic Acid – Enhances the body’s ability to use its own insulin and helps lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

Bacopa Monierri – A natural herb found to reduce anxiety while improving memory formation simultaneously.

Caffeine Anhydrous – Enhances cognitive performance while increasing mental alertness.

Choline Bitartrate – A macronutrient that’s important for liver function, brain development, nerve function, muscle movement, supporting energy levels and maintaining a healthy metabolism.

DMAE Bitartrate – A naturally occurring compound in the brain, DMAE is a precursor to the neurotransmitter choline.

Huperzine A – Used for Alzheimer’s disease, memory and learning enhancement, and age-related memory impairment.

Phosphatidylserine – Used for Alzheimer’s disease, age-related decline in mental function and ADHD.

Pikatropin – Used for mood enhancement, cognitive energy and focus, mental alertness, stress, anxiety, and relaxation.

Vinpocetine – Derived from the periwinkle plant, this supplement improves blood flow to the brain.

Vitamin B3 – Decreases the risk for heart disease and helps lower bad cholesterol levels in the body (similar to coconut oil or chaga mushrooms) .

Vitamin B6 – A vitamin needed for brain development and function. Also helps make the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine to regulate mood, and melatonin to regulate the body clock.

Vitamin D3 – Regulates calcium and phosphorus absorption and helps maintain healthy bones and teeth (2).

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4- AlphaBrain

AlphaBRAIN is one of the more recognizable and popular nootropic brands on the market.

Endorsed by entrepreneurs and popular media celebrities like Joe Rogan, the product continues to grow in popularity, especially in the tech space.

With a name like “alpha brain” you would think the supplement is a natural testosterone booster, but the nootropic blend is quite different from test boosters. While many have deemed AlphaBRAIN overrated, they have a lot of repeat customers that would say otherwise.

One of the most expensive nootropic blends on the market…But hey, label looks sweet.

Main Ingredients:

AC-11 – A type of natural herb that repairs damaged DNA.

Alpha-GPC – An essential type of acetylcholine that improves memory, concentration and mental focus.

Bacopa Monierri– A natural herb that improves brain cognitive functions and memory.

Huperzine A – Acts as an inhibitor of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme and slows down the rate of choline breakdown in the body.

L-Theanine – An amino acid known to promote relaxation without sedation and drowsiness.

L-Tyrosine – An essential amino acid that aids the production of dopamine in the brain.

Oat Straw – An Indian herb that restores nervous system integrity and emotional flexibility.

Vinpocetine – Improves blood and oxygen flow to the brain.

Vitamin B6 – A vitamin needed for brain development and function. Also helps make the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine to regulate mood, and melatonin to regulate the body clock (3).

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5 – OptiMind

Optimind was formulated to replace dangerous prescription ADHD medicine.

Their original formula didn’t go so well, they switched it up in 2015 and the new blend has done better. Still one of the more overpriced nootropics on the market.

Over the last few years, the market has been become saturated with Optimind advertisements – not a result of the quality of the product – but rather fancy commission bonuses for distributors.

The do offer a nice variety of natural ingredients in their blend, but you pay a pretty penny.

Main Ingredients:

Alpha Lipoic Acid – Enhances the body’s ability to use its own insulin and helps lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

Bacoside A – A natural herb that improves brain cognitive functions and memory.

Caffeine – Enhances cognitive performance while increasing mental alertness.

Choline – A macronutrient that’s important for liver function, brain development, nerve function, muscle movement, supporting energy levels and maintaining a healthy metabolism.

DMAE – A naturally occurring compound in the brain, DMAE is a precursor to the neurotransmitter choline.

GABA – Responsible for regulating nerve impulses in the body which helps maintain muscle tone.

Green Tea Leaf extract – Loaded with polyphenols like flavonoids and catechins, which function as powerful antioxidants.

Huperzine A – Acts as an inhibitor of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme and slows down the rate of choline breakdown in the body.

L-Tyrosine – An essential amino acid that aids the production of dopamine in the brain.

Phosphatidyl L-Serine – Used for Alzheimer’s disease, age-related decline in mental function and ADHD.

Sulbutamine – Composed of two modified thiamine molecules, crossing the blood-brain barrier much more effectively than thiamine.

Taurine – An amino acid (commonly found in most energy drinks) that improves mental performance, especially when combined with caffeine.

Vinpocetine – Improves blood and oxygen flow to the brain.

Vitamin B6 – A vitamin needed for brain development and function. Also helps make the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine to regulate mood, and melatonin to regulate the body clock.

Vitamin B12 – A water-soluble vitamin that keeps your nerves and red blood cells healthy.

Vitamin D3 – Regulates calcium and phosphorus absorption and helps maintain healthy bones and teeth (4).

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What are nootropic supplements?

Ever see the movie Limitless where Bradley Cooper takes a brain pill that unlocks some mental genius powers?

You could call nootropics a poor man’s Limitless pill.

Nootropic supplements include natural and synthetic brain boosters that improve your memory, focus, and cognitive ability.

There are hundreds of different kinds, each with their own special blend of ingredients offering optimum performance on the job, in school, or wherever you need that extra boost to dial in.

While these supplements are usually taken for a short term brain boost, some of the best products have shown long term results. The word nootropic literally means “to turn towards the mind” (5).

Let’s break down what’s exactly in them and why they work so well.

Caffeine

One of the most widely consumed drugs in the world, caffeine is an odorless, bitter tasting central nervous system stimulant.

In mild doses, caffeine can increase your bodies awareness and reduce drowsiness. It also relaxes your air passages to allow for easier breathing and contraction of certain muscles.

A caffeine tolerance can build up with use over time, making it harder to notice the effects on your body. However, taking monthly breaks can help reduce this tolerance (6).

Citicoline

Occurring naturally in the human body, citicoline increases a chemical in your brain called phosphatidylcholine.

As a drug, it was originally developed in Japan to treat Alzheimer’s disease, head trauma, dementia, strokes, memory loss, glaucoma, Parkinson’s disease and ADHD. Citicoline acts as a cell membrane stabilizer and also reduces free radicals in your system.

There is also evidence that citicoline helps release dopamine neurotransmitters in your brain (7).

Rhodiola Rosea

Also known as the “golden root”, rhodiola rosea is an herb found in Eastern Europe and Asia.

It was consumed by the Vikings to give them extra physical strength and is commonly used today as a weight loss, energy, and brain boosting supplement. It can help strengthen your stamina and endurance by increasing the red blood cells in your body.

It’s also known for reducing fatigue and other symptoms resulting from lack of sleep. For brain power, rhodiola increases the sensitivity in your brain neurotransmitters, increasing memory, focus, and mood (8).

Bacopa Monnieri

A natural herb that stimulates nerve transmissions and improves your cognitive awareness.

It’s also known for increasing blood flow to your brain and reducing mental anxiety. A great supplement for memory retention and focus, but beware of taking it on an empty stomach (nausea, bloating).

While you may experience immediate results with bacopa monnieri, studies have shown an increase in the effects over a period of time (9).

L-Theanine

Found naturally in tea (like chamomile and matcha) l-theanine is known to increase activity in the alpha frequency band of your brain which relaxes your mind without causing drowsiness.

Studies have also indicated that l-theanine can have a dramatic impact on mental alertness and arousal, making it a well-suited addition to a nootropic brain supplement (10).

What are the benefits of nootropics?

A brain supplement that improves memory, focus and performance. Sounds too good to be true, right?

As it turns out, many of the top nootropic brands on the market boast remarkable customer reviews of real people experiencing real results.

While there are no reports of people becoming “limitless” or superhuman, nootropics are exploding in popularity because people are noticing a difference in their performance with these smart drugs.

Some of the benefits of nootropics include:

promoting extreme alertness

improving short term and long term memory

enhancing mood and motivation

replacing dangerous prescription medications for ADD and ADHD

improving focus and mental cognition

While these are the most common benefits of nootropic supplements, remember that each product offers a unique blend that will have unique effects. People react to supplements differently, too.

Make sure you stick to the recommended dosage when first trying a nootropic. Taking too much when just starting out isn’t a smart thing to do.

What are the possible side effects of nootropics?

Before you take a new supplement of any sort, you want to make sure you know exactly what’s in the product and how it will effect your body.

Some nootropics will give you a stomach ache if taken on an empty stomach. Others might make you drink lots of water.

When it comes to nootropics, there are a number of different ingredients compiled in various combinations and you might not react the same way as others. Make sure you take a look at the label and follow the exact directions.

Combining too much of certain ingredients can be harmful to your body, even fatal. It is important that you always follow the recommended dosage as directed on the supplement label.

Recap

Nootropics certainly aren’t for everyone. Some people might not enjoy or be able to handle the altering effects they may have on your body and mind. But for those that want a boost with school or work, nootropic supplements could be be a game changer.

It could even mean scoring a letter grade higher on a test, or getting that promotion at work. You probably won’t know exactly how much they will help until you try one.

Check out our rankings at the top of this post and see which nootropic supplement best fits what you are looking for; whether it be price, quality, or effectiveness.