Nootropics are supplements said to make you smarter. That’s why they are often called smart drugs. However, this is something of a misnomer because, despite their name, nootropics won’t increase your intelligence.
Instead, they improve general brain function, allowing you to concentrate better, retain, and recall information more easily, and maintain focus for longer.
So, in reality, even the best vegan nootropics are not smart drugs at all but are best thought of as cognition boosters.
A lot of people turn to caffeine when they need a boost, but while caffeine can sharpen your mind, its effects are quire short-lived, and using too much can result in a host of unwanted side-effects, including anxiety and jitters.
A little caffeine can definitely increase cognitive performance, but too much can actually make it harder to concentrate.
Nootropics are beneficial for students, writers, accountants, athletes, gamers, and anyone else who needs their brain to function as well as possible. Some nootropics contain gelatin, which is made from animal bones and skins. As such, these products are not vegan-friendly.
But, in this review, we’re focusing on vegan-friendly nootropic supplements, which, of course, are also suitable for meat-eaters too.
Top 8 Vegan Nootropics
Mind Lab Pro is a multi-ingredient nootropic supplement. With 11 evidence-based, proven compounds, it’s one of the best natural nootropics currently available.
Designed to increase every aspect of cognitive function, this product is ideal for anyone looking to enhance mental performance.
Key Features
- Citicoline to energize brain cells
- Phosphatidylserine for better memory and for mood positivity
- Bacopa Monnieri for easier learning, retention, and recall
- Organic lion’s mane mushroom for a more stable mood and better concentration
- Maritime pine bark extract to increase energy, focus, memory and brain health
- L-tyrosine to improve multitasking and attention
- L-theanine for sharpness and clearer thinking
- Rhodiola Rosea for increased stress resistance
- Vitamins B6, B9, and B12 for more energy without stimulants
Unlike some supplements, Mind Lab Pro contains no fluff or fillers. Each ingredient is a proven cognitive enhancer. If you want to feel your brain working better, and enjoy increased productivity whatever you are doing, this product can help.
Pros
- Powerful formulation
- Highest-quality ingredients
- Easy to use
- Multi-buy offers always available
- Free from unwanted side effects
Cons
- Only available online
- Quite expensive
The manufacturers of Mind Lab Pro describe their nootropic as a universal brain booster. It is designed to optimize as many brain functions and pathways as possible. If you want to achieve optimal cognitive function, this supplement could be just what you are looking for.
2. Performance Lab Mind
Performance Lab makes some of the most interesting, effective performance-enhancing supplements around, including fat burners and pre-workout energizers. Mind is their vegan nootropic, and it’s a fantastic product!
Key Features
- Citicoline for increased mental energy, enhanced learning, and better cerebral blood flow
- Phosphatidylserine for stronger nerves, increased brain cell regeneration, and improved plasticity for faster learning
- L-tyrosine for better attention and retention of information
- Maritime pine bark extract for increased blood flow, free radical-neutralizing antioxidants, and better brain health
Performance Labs have a reputation for using the best, most potent ingredients in their supplements. With no fillers, each ingredient is tested and proven to work. This product is both safe and powerful and will enhance all aspects of cognition.
Pros
- Easy to use
- No unwanted side effects
- Boosts mental performance and recovery from cognitive exertion
- Free from synthetic additives
- Gut-friendly prebiotic veggie capsules
Cons
- Only available online
While not the most expensive nootropic on review, this product still isn’t cheap. The good news is that there are money-saving multi-buy discounts available. With its science-backed ingredients, this is one of the best nootropics for focus you can currently buy.
3. Brain Powher
Powher makes performance-boosting supplements especially for women, including fat burners and pre-workout energizers. Brain Powher is their female-orientated nootropic, and it’s designed to enhance all aspects of mental conditions, performance and health.
Key Features
- Lion’s mane mushroom for increased brain plasticity and learning
- Ashwagandha extract for lower stress levels
- Ginkgo biloba for a better mood and more energy
- Folate for faster problem solving and enhanced neural pathways
- Vitamins B6 and B12 for alertness and energy
- Magnesium for better concentration, learning, and recall
- Niacin for alertness, clarity, focus, and mood
- Citicoline to boost cognition and mood
- Thiamine to boost reasoning and problem solving
- Bacopa Monnieri extract to boost general brain health and increase attention
- Caffeine for increased energy and alertness
While Brain Powher does contain caffeine, it’s a relatively small amount – just 90mg, which is less than a standard cup of coffee.
This is enough to provide notable benefits, but not so much it will cause too many unwanted side effects. That said, if you are very caffeine sensitive, this may not be the product for you.
Pros
- Proven, tested ingredients
- Two-capsule dose that can be divided if required
- All-natural ingredients
- Designed especially for women
- Low-stim formula
Cons
- Some users may not appreciate even the small amount of caffeine in this supplement
- Only available online
- Quite expensive
If you tolerate caffeine well, you’ll probably enjoy the energizing aspect of this nootropic supplement. But, if even a little caffeine gives you the jitters, or you want a nootropic you can use at night, this is not the best option for you.
4. CBD Pure
Stress is a major inhibitor of cognition. When you are stressed, it’s hard to think of anything other than whatever is bothering you. CBD oil is a proven stress reducer. With less stress in your life, you should find that you are free to focus on the tasks at hand with fewer distractions.
Key Features
- Pure cannabidiol oil, extracted from organic hemp
- Non-psychoactive – won’t make you high
- Available as an oil or soft gel capsules
- Free from unwanted side effects
- Tested for and free from impurities, including pesticides, solvents, and heavy metals
CBD oil is an increasingly popular holistic supplement. It’s used to reduce stress and anxiety, to promote restful sleep, and even as a pain killer. This safe and natural substance won’t make you smarter, but it will remove the roadblocks that might be hampering optimal performance.
Pros
- Non-addictive
- Very easy to use
- Backed by a 90-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Not a nootropic in the traditional sense
- Very expensive
Because of its purity and popularity, CBD Pure is pretty expensive. However, it’s a very potent product, so a little goes a long way. That said, if you want to use this product regularly, you’d better prepare yourself for a significant monthly expenditure.
5. TruBrain The Drinks
TruBrain specializes in making brain-enhancing nootropic supplements, including a range of cognitive-enhancing coffees, capsules, bars, and powder sticks. TruBrain The Drinks is a one-ounce shot of nootropic liquid designed to give you a fast-acting boost anywhere, and anytime.
Key Features
- Caffeine for energy and alertness
- L-theanine for focus
- Uridine, Centrophenoxine, and Noopept for cognition and memory
- Magnesium for lower stress
- L-tyrosine for increased production of neurotransmitters
- Carnitine for neural energy
- Citicoline to protect the brain from free radicals
If you need an energy boost and don’t have time to stop for a coffee, why not chug down a shot of TruBrain’s The Drink? Each one-ounce serving is fast-acting and contains a range of proven nootropic ingredients. It tastes pretty good too.
Pros
- Instant effects
- Very easy to use
- Increases mental and physical energy
- All-natural ingredients
Cons
- Expensive
- Contains sugar
- Contains artificial sweeteners
- Contains caffeine
There is no denying the effectiveness of this product, but it’s not the cleanest supplement around. With sugar, 100 mg of caffeine, and artificial sweeteners (in admittedly small amounts), this might not be pure enough for some users. That said, it really works and is very easy to use.
6. Doctor’s Best Natural Brain Enhancers
Some nootropic supplements contain long lists of ingredients to boost cognition via a whole lot of different pathways. Doctor’s Best Natural Brain Enhancers is a much simpler product and uses just a couple of powerful, proven ingredients to increase mental performance.
Key Features
- GlyceroPhosphoCholine (GPC) to enhance all aspects of cognition, including memory, focus, and recall
- Phosphatidylserine to reduce the effect of aging on cognition by protecting against loss of brain plasticity and cerebral blood flow
It might only contain two active ingredients, but they are both proven and powerful. This supplement directly affects the health and function of your brain cells, leading to a noticeable increase in cognition in people of all ages.
Pros
- Simple, proven formula
- All-natural ingredient
- No stimulants
- A well-priced product
Cons
- Some users report that this product has an unpleasant odor and taste
Despite being caffeine-free, this nootropic can help give you a mental lift. Also, like caffeine, it may stop you sleeping, so it’s not recommended for use after 5pm. If you are looking for a daytime cognition booster, this could be the ideal supplement for you.
7. Gaia Herbs
Nootropics are nothing new, even if the word nootropics is a relatively new addition to the English dictionary. Lots of herbs and other substances boost cognition, and Gaia contains a few of the most well-known.
Key Features
- Saffron for less brain fog and more focus
- Ginkgo biloba to protect the brain from harmful free radicals
- Organic spearmint for increased cerebral blood flow
- Lemon balm for less stress and more calmness
While Gaia Herbs Nootropic Focus is not the most potent cognitive booster on review, it is the most natural. Because of this, it won’t cause unwanted side effects, although you won’t become Einstein overnight either! This product is ideal for people looking for a small but noticeable boost in focus and mental energy.
Pros
- All-natural, organic ingredients
- Very well-priced product
- Free from artificial additives
- Non-stim formula
Cons
- Not as potent as some other nootropic supplements
Gentle but still effective, Gaia is ideal for users who want a small but noticeable cognitive boost without lots of unwanted side effects. It’s also very budget-friendly, making it suitable for users who don’t want to spend a whole lot of money on their nutritional supplements.
8. Lions Mane
Lion’s mane mushroom is a common nootropic ingredient. It’s so-called because of its unique shape.
Also known as Yamabushitake or Hericium Erinaceus, Lion’s mane helps support the production of BDNF and NGF, both of which help promote the creation of new neurons for better brain function.
Key Features
- 100% pure Lion’s mane, including the fruit, mycelium, and extra-cellular compounds
There is a reason that Lion’s mane is in so many nootropic supplements; it really works! By increasing BDNF and NGF production, this supplement can help boot all aspects of cognition, including mood, memory, and focus.
It also supports immune system function and may protect your brain from the ravages of aging.
Pros
- All-natural ingredient
- Non-stimulant formula
- Non-habit forming
- Grown and made in the USA in an FDA-approved facility
- Organic and non-GMO
- Two-month supply per bottle
- Outstanding value
Cons
- Can cause drowsiness in some people
While rare, this product can cause drowsiness in some people. Because of this, start off on a low dose to see how you respond.
Only increase your dose once you know how lion’s mane affects you. But, if you experience no unwanted side effects, this product should help improve your short and long-term mental performance.
Bottom Line
If you find it hard to concentrate all day, either at work or school, nootropics can help. They won’t make you smarter – directly, at least – but will help maximize your brainpower so you can work or study at your best. This could, theoretically, make you seem smarter!
Cognition is the term used to describe all of the functions of the human brain, including memory, recall, focus, mood, problem-solving, and learning. A lot of brain experts call the ability of the brain to adapt and learn plasticity.
Brain plasticity tends to decline with age and is also affected by lack of sleep, stress, too little exercise, and an unhealthy diet.
Nootropics naturally increase brain plasticity, nerve function, and all the other aspects of brain health so that you can perform at your best.
Whether you need to pull an all-nighter for an exam, beat a tight deadline at work, or just speed up your reaction speeds on the basketball court, nootropics can help.
Visit the WL Fitness and Health homepage for more vegan friendly supplements!
Best Vegan Nootropics
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