Top Five Nootropic Brands For Focus

One of the top complaints that people have around productivity is an inability to focus. You may sit down with the best intentions to get some work done, but as soon as you open your computer, the mental and real-life distractions start rolling in. 

The mental trap is that the harder you try to focus, the more resistant your mind will be. Tell yourself you’re going to work on a project for the next two hours, and your brain will immediately conjure up five different things that you should be doing instead. 

This is where nootropics can come in with an incredible assist.

This article will discuss what nootropics are, how they work, and which brands have the best formulations to enhance focus. 

What Are Nootropics?

Nootropics are cognitive-enhancing supplements that facilitate memory, learning, productivity, creativity, motivation, and focus. These supplements can be derived from a number of sources, including amino acids, natural herbs, vitamins, fats, and synthetic compounds.^[1]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32473365/^[2]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27612937/^[3]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11536383/^[4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3575939/

Generally speaking, nootropics improve cognitive function by promoting blood flow to your brain, enhancing neuroplasticity (your brain’s ability to learn and change), enhancing resilience to stress, and supplying your brain with nutrients it needs to function optimally.^[5]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16284628/^[6]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27765355/^[7]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5021479/^[8]https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2019.00363/full

Some of the most well-known nootropic compounds for focus include ginkgo Biloba, caffeine, Bacopa Monnieri, Noopept, oxiracetam, and aniracetam. 

While you can find single-ingredients nootropics, many brands will create a nootropic formula to round out the effects of the supplement and make it even more effective. With that being said, there are hundreds of cognitive-enhancing formulas on the market today, so it can be tricky to wade through and find the one that’s right for you. 

Top Five Nootropic Brands For Focus

#1 Thesis

Thesis is a company that was founded on the concept that you can change your brain. Whatever your issues may be (lack of motivation, issues with focus and attention, memory problems, and so on), when you work with the neurotransmitters in your brain, you can rebalance these chemicals and become the most efficient and effective version of yourself. 

Thesis is unique among the nootropic brands due to its personalized approach. Unlike other brands that have a specific nootropic formula targeted at their consumer base, Thesis personalizes their nootropics to match what your brain needs during this time in your life. By taking a short quiz, you get a nootropic formula that is unique to you and your brain chemistry. 

While most brands out there throw a bunch of brain-supportive nutrients into a capsule, Thesis makes sure that the supplements you’re taking daily are targeted for your needs. This not only maximizes your brain power but also cuts out potential side effects that could happen when you’re consuming nutrients that your body doesn’t necessarily need. 

Thesis also pulls their ingredients from a range of sources, including medicinal mushrooms, ancient herbs and adaptogens, and isolated nutrients that have been studied for their impact on neurological health. 

Pros

• Personalized formula
• High-quality ingredients (third-party testing) 
• Research-backed ingredients 
• Reputable vendor sourcing 
• Vegan, gluten-free, egg-free, and nut-free
• Caffeine-free options available 

Cons

• You have to take a (short) quiz to find your unique nootropic formula.

#2 Qualia Focus

Qualia is a nootropic company that has a line of different brain-boosting supplements, including Qualiam Mind, Qualia Mind Caffeine-free, Qualia Mind Essentials, Qualia Focus, and more. 

The Qualia Focus blend is specifically designed to help boost your focus by combining 14 ingredients that support mental energy, memory, and concentration. These ingredients were specifically chosen for their synergistic qualities, building on each other to maximize each nutrient’s effectiveness. 

Along with a blend of b vitamins, Qualia Focus includes L-theanine, Ginkgo, American Ginseng, and a few other research-backed brain-boosting nutrients. This formula does include caffeine, so if you’re caffeine-sensitive, it may not be the best option. 

Pros

• Vegan and gluten-free
• Research-backed ingredients
• Synergistic blend of nutrients 

Cons

• Single formula, no personalization
• No caffeine-free option
• Tends to be on the pricier side
• Doesn’t address other areas of cognitive health, such as mood. 

#3 NooCube

NooCube is a nootropic blend formulated with the help of neuroscientists by Wolfson Berg Limited. NooCube prides itself on its research-backed ingredients that support enhanced productivity and a sharper mind. 

Much like the other companies on this list, NooCube uses only the highest quality ingredients that are backed by research. Their nootropic blend is completely caffeine-free, which is beneficial for those that are avoiding caffeine but may be seen as a drawback for those that enjoy a little energy boost. 

The formula includes nine ingredients; Alpha GPC, Huperzine A, Cat’s Claw, Bacopa, Oat Straw, L-theanine, L-tyrosine, Pterostilbene, and resveratrol. You can readily find research for each of their ingredients on the website. The company also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, so if you’re not satisfied with their blend, you can get a refund and try another nootropic brand. 

Pros

• Designed by neuroscientists 
• 60-day money-back guarantee 

Cons

• Single formula, no personalization
• Caffeine-free
• A portion of the population cannot tolerate oat straw

#4 Mind Lab Pro

Mind Lab Pro is a nootropic produced by the company Opti-Nutra. Opti-Nutra is known for formulating high-quality supplements to enhance human performance in areas of sleep, energy, vision, brain health, and more. 

Mind Lab Pro has undergone several revisions as this company continues to tweak its formula to produce what they call “the most effective nootropic formula ever made.” 

The formula is composed of 11 ingredients, including amino acids, b vitamins, medicinal mushrooms, and herbal extracts. There is no caffeine, and with the single formula, there is no option to personalize. 

With that being said, the formula is made with entirely natural ingredients and includes nutrients like L-theanine and lion’s mane, which have been shown to reduce stress. In this way, Mind Lab Pro is a good choice if you are looking for a steady, calm feeling as you engage in your productive tasks. 

Pros

• May support your brain against stress
• Made with all-natural ingredients
• Money-back guarantee 

Cons

• One size fits all approach, no personalization to the formula
• Caffeine-free
• On the higher end of the price range 

#5 Brain Pill

Brain Pill is all about stamina and avoiding the mid-day crash. When it comes to maintaining focus, nothing is more challenging than sudden mental fatigue. The primary goal behind Brain Pill’s formula is to help you stay on task longer by increasing your ability to focus. 

They include the branded ingredient Cognizant, a form of the pharmaceutical Citicoline, which has been used to assist in memory loss in the aging population. 

Along with Cognizant, Brain Pill combines several B vitamins, amino acids, natural herbs, and Synapse (a patented Bacopa Monnieri extract). They break their formula down into two parts; the Focus Fuel and Cognitive Energy Formula and the Advanced Memory Matrix and Brain Accelerating System. 

Brain Pill consists largely of natural ingredients but does include some man-made ingredients as well, so if you’re looking for an all-natural formula, you may want to try another option. 

Pros

• Enhances stamina 
• Provides focus as well as memory support
• Discounts with bulk purchases

Cons

• Not all-natural
• One-size-fits-all formula, which may not be effective for everyone