Our 10 Best Nootropic Supplements, Foods and Drinks Explained in 2024

Performance Lab® is performance nutrition. And when it comes to performance, make no mistake: Whoever you are and whatever you're doing, sharp cognitive function helps you be your best.

That's why our product line emphasizes brain-boosting cognitive enhancers called nootropics. Because the road to peak life performance is paved with brainpower.

In this article, we'll give you the details behind 10 Performance Lab formulas that can help your brain health and cognitive function in many different ways.

But first a little more about Performance Lab and what we stand for.

What is Performance Lab?

Our core mission is to create high-performance nutrition for high-performance people. Utilizing the world's most advanced nutrition technology. With natural ingredients. Clean labels. And nothing artificial, ever.

We deliver on this promise across multiple categories. From our NutriGenesis® multivitamins and minerals based on Nobel-prize winning research. To our Omega-3 NutriGels® sourced from eco-friendly marine algae. With every product in our range third-party verified for purity and potency.

Performance Lab® boosts performance in body and mind, but to many we've become known as "the nootropics company".

It all started in 2015 with our flagship nootropic Mind Lab Pro® (MLP®). We've been building on that success ever since.

The Performance Lab® formulas we're about to discuss help many aspects of wellness. But in this article, we're focusing on how they help the brain, specifically. They are:

Mind Lab Pro®: Clinically proven universal nootropic, the ultimate all-round brain booster
Performance Lab® Mind: Streamlined cognitive enhancer plus brain health and recovery
Performance Lab® MCT: Fast fuel for brain energy, brain health and overall performance
Performance Lab® Energy: Stim-free support for brain cell energy and clean mental vitality
Performance Lab® Omega-3: Supports healthy brain structure and general cognitive function
Performance Lab® Prebiotic: Boosts gut microbiome—the "second brain" for mood balance
Performance Lab® Caffeine 2: Healthy, balanced and performance-tuned "smart caffeine"
Pre Lab Pro®: Nootropic energizing pre-workout for peak athletic performance with no crash
Nu:tropic®: Convenient, great-tasting nootropic energy bars that boost your daily brainpower
Performance Lab® Sleep: Promotes deep, restful sleep that restores and recharges the brain

We've got formulas to support your brain from all angles. You can pick one Performance Lab® formula. Or take two or three. You can even take them all for a tremendous brain boost.

There's no wrong way to take Performance Lab®.

Yet, having so many brain-boosters in our line can get a little confusing. So if you've ever wondered, "Which Performance Lab® nootropic formula is right for me?" This article has all the answers you need.

Here's the Performance Lab® best nootropic products list for 2024. Our supplements, foods, and drinks explained. To enhance your brainpower naturally. Whoever you are, whatever you're doing.

#1 - Mind Lab Pro®

Mind Lab Pro® (MLP®) V4.0 is our flagship Universal Nootropic™ supplement that started it all.

It remains our most popular formula, designed to boost all types of brainpower in all types of people. We don't just claim this. We back it up with science.

MLP® is backed by two double-blind, placebo-controlled human trials:

Study 1: Subjects taking Mind Lab Pro improved performance on information processing tasks involving simple reaction time (SRT), choice reaction time (CRT) and anticipation.(1)
Study 2: Subjects taking Mind Lab Pro showed significant improvements across memory functions, including auditory, visual, visual working, immediate and delayed recall memory.(2)

MLP® is simple as 2-4 capsules per day. It typically starts working in around 30 minutes. First you may notice increased alertness. Sharper focus and speed of thought. Greater clarity, improved recall, and verbal fluidity. More motivation and a brighter mood.

Soon you may find yourself more productive. Performing better under pressure. And much, much more.

MLP is the most versatile nootropic ever developed, with far-reaching brain benefits from 11 research-backed nutrients:

Citicoline, 250 mg
Phosphatidylserine (PS), 100 mg
Bacopa monnieri, 150 mg (full-spectrum extract, 24% bacosides with 9 bioactives)
Organic Lion's Mane Mushroom, 500 mg (fruit and mycelium)
Maritime Pine Bark Extract, 75 mg: (Standardized to 95% proanthocyanidins)
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, 175 mg
L-Theanine, 100 mg
Rhodiola rosea, 50 mg: Standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidrosides
NutriGenesis® B-Vitamins: Vitamin B6 (2.5 mg), Vitamin B9 (100 mcg), Vitamin B12 (7.5 mcg)

Mind Lab Pro® brain benefits:

Supports focus, attention and concentration for productivity
Clean natural mental energy without caffeine; no crashes
Boosts all memory types: short-term, long-range, learning
Supports clarity, multitasking and quick processing speed
Promotes a bright, balanced, calm and motivated mood

The best part? You may notice these benefits steadily increasing over time. After all, MLP® is designed to help make the whole brain healthier and more resilient the longer you take it.

Best for: If you are looking for one nootropic supplement that can do everything you need, Mind Lab Pro® is perfect for you. It's also a great nootropic for beginners because it demonstrates how today's best brain-boosters can make a big difference in your daily performance.

Buy Performance Lab® MLP® Now

#2 - Performance Lab® Mind

When we started Performance Lab® in 2017, we wanted to spin-off a brand-new performance-driven nootropic from MLP®. And so, Performance Lab® Mind was developed.

Mind is Performance Lab®'s primary brain-booster: A stim-free nootropic for high-powered cognition. It is designed as a streamlined version of MLP®, supplying four of its top nootropics for dynamic, driven and productive thinking:

Cognizin® Citicoline, 250 mg
Sharp-PS® Green (Phosphatidylserine), 100 mg
Ajipure® L-Tyrosine, 250 mg
Maritime Pine Bark Extract (95% proanthocyanidins), 75 mg

Mind features the Cognizin® brand of citicoline that is clinically shown to increase brain energy by 13.6% and brain regeneration by 26%; and Sharp PS® Green, an innovative, eco-friendly, sunflower-sourced form of the top research-backed nootropic for memory: phosphatidylserine.

Performance Lab® Mind brain benefits:

Supports focus, attention, motivation, mood, stress resistance and more
Promotes peak mental performance under pressure and while multitasking
Supports flexible neural structure associated with memory and learning
Helps restore brain chemicals for healthier recovery from mental exertion

MLP® blazed the trail, but Performance Lab® Mind is a breakthrough in its own right: a cognitive performance enhancer that also accelerates recovery from intense sessions. All without caffeine! And all while building your brain health over time.

Best for: Prefer fewer capsules? With Mind, 1-2 capsules is all you need (versus 2-4 capsules with MLP®). And due to its larger L-Tyrosine dose, Mind also delivers stronger support for mental performance under stress and healthier recovery from mental exertion.

Buy Performance Lab® Mind Now

#3 - Performance Lab® Energy

Your brain consumes 20% of your energy every day. Brain cells' ability to generate energy plays a big role in how well you perform cognitively, as well as in all other aspects of your life.

We developed Performance Lab® Energy as a stim-free supplement to maximize cell energy production throughout the body, especially where you need it most: within the brain.

Although it is technically an "energy supplement", Performance Lab® Energy is popular with our customers as a nootropic. Its revitalizing effects make the mind sharp, active and quick, boosting your performance while working, training, studying or any other activity where you need to excel.

This formula works by fuelling and boosting cells' powerplant mitochondria, as well as helping them to generate energy more efficiently. Its ingredients include:

MicroActive® Q10 (CoQ10), 100 mg
BioPQQ® (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone), 10 mg
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR), 750 mg
BioPerine® Black Pepper Extract, 2.5 mg
Bio-Enhanced® R-Lipoic Acid, 150 mg

Since mitochondria are densely packed into brain cells, Performance Lab® Energy literally boosts brainpower - for mental performance-enhancing benefits you can really feel.

Performance Lab® Energy brain benefits:

Revolutionary jitter-free energy: a clean cognitive lift with no crash
Stim-free mitochondria booster raises vitality at a cellular level
Safe, natural and legal way to revitalize mental performance
Boosts exercise performance by charging-up brain and muscles
Maintains robust cell energy linked to long-range brain health

The most sophisticated stim-free energy booster ever developed, Performance Lab® Energy is a must-have supplement for supercharging cognitive performance while keeping your brain healthy.

Best for: If you prefer not to take caffeine for mental fatigue and brain fog, Performance Lab® Energy is the perfect formula for you. It's also great for those who are seeking a mix of mental and physical vitality and can be used as a stim-free pre-workout supplement for athletes.

Buy Performance Lab® Energy Now

#4 - Performance Lab® Caffeine 2

So far, we've presented Performance Lab® formulas that can boost the brain without caffeine. If you prefer caffeine, don't worry. We've got ultramodern caffeinated supplements too.

Let's start with Performance Lab® Caffeine 2: Smarter caffeine for peak cognitive performance. It's a great example of what Performance Lab stands for.

Caffeine 2 presents a new twist on the typical "caffeine pill" - delivering greater mental (and physical!) performance benefits in a clean format that is healthy for the brain. It supplies:

Natural Caffeine (from Coffea robusta seeds), 50 mg
L-Theanine, 100 mg
L-Tyrosine, 250 mg
NutriGenesis® Caffeine Balance B-Complex

Caffeine 2 L-Theanine boosts caffeine's benefits while reducing jitters. Its L-Tyrosine + NutriGenesis® B-Complex provide nootropic effects while restoring caffeine-depleted brain chemicals for healthy balance.

Another ultramodern feature: Performance Lab® Caffeine 2 is scalable. Each capsule supplies 50 mg caffeine, and you can take up to 4 capsules per serving. With this approach, you can find the caffeine dose - 50, 100, 150 or 200 mg - that delivers the best performance enhancements for you.

Caffeine 2 brain benefits:

Cleaner, healthier and more productive caffeine stimulation
Revitalizes cognition during multitasking, stress and fatigue
Balances caffeine energy with relaxation, creativity and clarity
Helps reduce jitters, crashes and other overstimulation effects
Restores what caffeine takes away, so you can use it every day

Best for: If you like caffeine as a nootropic but are weary of coffee and energy drinks, you'll love Performance Lab® Caffeine 2. Once you experience this formula's clean, energized cognition and sharp alertness without jitters or crashes, you'll never go back to ordinary caffeine again.

Buy Performance Lab® Caffeine 2 Now

#5 - Performance Lab® MCT

To achieve peak cognitive horsepower, the brain needs high-octane fuel. That's one reason why we introduced Performance Lab® MCT oil to our line.

Supplying purified C8+C10 MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) from 100% organic non-GMO coconuts, Performance Lab® MCT oil is the ultimate performance fuel for clean, efficient brainpower.

Performance Lab® MCT C8 and C10 are fast brain fuel: They are rapidly metabolized into ketones that cross the blood-brain barrier, enter brain cells' powerhouse mitochondria, and fuel production of ATP energy - delivering mentally energizing results you can really feel.

Performance Lab® MCT brain benefits:

Clean-burning alternative fuel for powering cognitive function
Optimizes brain cells' energy-generating mitochondria
Promotes mind-body vitality during intense mental exertion
Protects brain cells to support long-range health and clarity

Performance Lab® MCT oil also adds usage versatility to our line. You can add MCT to coffee, soups, salads, shakes and smoothies, or simply take it straight as fast-acting cognitive performance fuel.

Best for: If you are looking for fast-acting fuel to power-up your brain, Performance Lab® MCT is it. It also has bonus benefits for athletic training performance, fat burning and weight management efforts. Finally, if you follow any type of ketogenic lifestyle, our MCT can help power you to success.

Buy Performance Lab® MCT Now

#6 - Performance Lab® Omega-3

They are famously known for being heart-healthy, but Omega-3 fatty acids are also great for the brain!

In fact, Omega-3s are great for many things: joint comfort, bone strength, eye health, immune function, you name it.

So when we started Performance Lab®, we knew we had to develop an exceptional Omega-3 formula - especially since the market is littered with fishy, low-quality, eco-unfriendly products.

Performance Lab® Omega-3 is today's most sophisticated "healthy fat" supplement. Each serving of three NutriGels® supplies 1800 mg life's™OMEGA 60 algal oil, which includes:

DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), 540 mg
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid), 270 mg

The Omega-3s DHA and EPA in particular offer far-reaching brain support that make them must-have nutrients in any nootropic supplement regimen.

Performance Lab® Omega-3 brain benefits:

Maintains healthy brain structure and cell communication
Supports formation and connection of fresh new brain cells
Helps to maintain sharp cognition against age-related decline
Promotes a bright, healthy and balanced mood

Beyond its benefits, we are especially proud that our Omega-3 is ultra-clean: No fishy smell, fishy aftertaste or gastric distress. No mercury, heavy metals, PCBs, or toxic contaminants (unlike fish oil!). Just premium life's™OMEGA algal oil in vegan-friendly, carrageenan-free NutriGels®.

Best for: Omega-3 is one of those supplements that everybody should be taking. As a nootropic, it is best suited for those seeking mood support and nourishment for overall brain health. Beyond the brain, if you want to support your heart, joint comfort and much more, Omega-3 is a great choice for you.

Buy Performance Lab® Omega-3 Now

#7 - Performance Lab® Prebiotic

A big part of what we do here at Performance Lab® is respond to the latest scientific health discoveries with ultramodern dietary supplement releases and formula upgrades.

In recent years, the gut microbiome - a colony of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) that lives in in the GI tract - has been increasingly linked to mental performance. In fact, some scientists have called it the "second brain" and theorized that nourishing the microbiome may improve cognitive function.

Performance Lab® Prebiotic is our flagship fiber supplement that helps to do just that. In addition to a range of metabolic and digestive health benefits, prebiotic fiber "feeds" the microbiome to boost yet another pathway to peak mental performance. Each Prebiotic serving supplies:

Inulin-FOS (as Orafti® Synergy1) (FructoOligoSaccharides from Chicory Root), 2 g

For Prebiotic, we curated the best research-backed fiber (Orafti® Synergy1) for boosting the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotic strains that help mood, mental balance and the gut-brain connection.

Performance Lab® Prebiotic brain benefits:

Mentally distracted by hunger? Prebiotic supports appetite control
Supports healthy levels of the brain chemical serotonin
Clinically shown to optimize nutrient absorption in the gut
Promotes a healthy and balanced digestive system

Best for: Prebiotic offers novel brain chemical support for anyone seeking help with mood, motivation, and feelings of satisfaction. It does way more, too - if you want ultramodern gut health support for digestive, immune, cardiovascular and metabolic health, Prebiotic is a great choice.

Buy Performance Lab® Prebiotic Now

#8 - Pre Lab Pro®

Athletic performance requires brainpower. Think about it: motivation, discipline, focus, intensity. Whether you're a marathon runner, a bodybuilder, or a footballer, mind-over-matter is the secret superpower that drives you to victory. That's why Performance Lab® developed Pre Lab Pro®.

Pre Lab Pro® is our pre-workout athletic performance-enhancer. We call it the "world's smartest pre-workout nutrition" because it's nootropics-enhanced for smooth energy, focus and peak performance, with no crashing during or after your workout. Pre Lab Pro® supplies:

Red Beetroot Powder, 1500 mg
Setria® Performance Blend, 2200 mg
Natural Caffeine, 80 mg
L-Theanine, 160 mg
L-Tyrosine, 400 mg
Vitamin D3 (as NutriGenesis®), 500 IU
Potassium (as NutriGenesis®), 49.5 mg
Iron (as NutriGenesis®), 2.5 mg
Himalayan Pink Salt, 500 mg

Pre Lab Pro® uses a moderate dose of "athletic-tuned" caffeine, then pairs it with L-Theanine to balance stim energy with calm control and clarity. Its L-Tyrosine further sharpens focus in distracting environments, such as a busy gym.

With an exhilarating nitric oxide boost plus natural hydration support, Pre Lab Pro® helps you feel energized and motivated throughout your exercise session - no matter who you are, what your skill level is, or what sport you play.

Pre Lab® Pro benefits:

Boosts athletic, cognitive, and thermogenic (fat burning) performance
Maximizes brainpower for peak athletic intensity without overstimulation
Supports endurance, strength, power, stamina and speed
Great taste! Mixes more quickly and easily into a delicious berry flavored drink

Best for: Pre Lab Pro® is the perfect choice for anyone who wants a physical and mental boost during exercise. Use it to tap the power of your mind and take your athletic performance to the next level.

Buy Performance Lab® Pre Lab Pro® Now

#9 - Nu:tropic

The newest Performance Lab® innovation is Nu:tropic: a nootropic energy snack bar that redefines health food and convenience food in one game-changing formula. Helping you to think quicker, work harder, play better and live smarter - all while delivering a satisfying sensory experience that simply feels good.

So how did Nu:tropic come about? We wanted a "convenience snack" made with brain-healthy foods and infused with some of the best nootropic nutrients known to science.

The result? Clean, wholesome bars loaded with nutrients to help with energy, brainpower and appetite control. For example, our Apple + Cinnamon Nu:tropic bar features the following ingredients:

Norwegian organic black oats, dates, golden flaxseed, chicory syrup, coconut oil, dried apple & apple juice concentrate, Omega-3, choline, phosphatidylserine (PS), B-Vitamins, Magnesium, Vitamin D3, Cinnamon, Himalayan pink salt

Of course, so you will look forward to them every day, we made Nu:tropic bars delicious: rich, nutty and buttery with notes of caramel and a smooth, indulgent texture. Available in four flavors: Apple + Cinnamon, Raisin + Almond, Salted Caramel and Maple + Pecan.

Nu:tropic® brain benefits:

Clears hunger-induced brain fog and moodiness as soon as you enjoy it!
Enhances many forms of memory: Short- and long-term, recall, learning
Promotes sharper focus, concentration, attention and clarity
Clean, stim-free energy. A natural, clear-headed, long-lasting vitality boost.

Nu:tropic bars are incredibly user friendly. It's never been this easy to get your daily brain nutrients.

Best for: If hunger is disrupting your mental performance, Nu:tropic bars can satisfy your gut and nourish your brain at the same time! If you've ever had trouble sticking to a supplement regimen, Nu:tropic will change the way you think about brain-boosting nutrition.

Buy Performance Lab® Nu:tropic® Now

#10 - Performance Lab® Sleep

Sleep is incredibly important for whole-body health and daily performance! This is especially true when it comes to brain health and cognition.

When we started Performance Lab®, we knew that a great sleep supplement had to be part of our initial offering. To help you fall asleep faster, extend regenerative sleep phases, and wake up primed to perform - all without the grogginess associated with synthetic melatonin that most other supplements use.

To get there, we developed an innovative nutritional approach to healthy sleep that includes:

Magnesium+ (as Magnesium Bisglycinate and NutriGenesis® Magnesium), 100 mg
CherryPURE® (Whole Montmorency Tart Cherry) (50:1 concentrated ratio), 500 mg
L-Tryptophan, 250 mg
Organic Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), 100 mg

This formula supplies natural low-dose melatonin (from cherries) to gently induce sleep, joint- and muscle-soothing antioxidants, 2X muscle-relaxing magnesium, and support for calming, stress-busting brain chemicals tryptophan and serotonin.

Performance Lab® Sleep brain benefits:

Accelerates sleep onset by relaxing your mind, muscles and nerves
Soothes sleep-disruptive muscle spasms, aches and limb movements
Safe, non-habit-forming sleep support - no groggy synthetic side effects
Enhances nightly brain cell renewal for revitalized next-day performance

Performance Lab® Sleep is effective solo, but even better combined with the other formulas in this article - due to its unique potential to enhance all their benefits via the profound power of a great night's sleep.

Buy Performance Lab® Sleep Now

Conclusion

Optimizing the brain is the single best way to enhance every aspect of your performance: At work, in the gym, your social life... everything.

To achieve maximum cognitive gains, you must combine several of the best supplements for the brain. But this can be challenging with multiple products from multiple brands that simply don't fit together well.

Performance Lab® provides a solution with the 10 nootropic supplements in this article. They are made to go together. Each one nourishes your brain in its own unique way.

And because each formula has Performance Lab® DNA, they are united by state-of-the-art ingredients, innovative formulation, clean labels and the greatest quality in the world.

No matter how you mix and match these Performance Lab® formulas, you will get a nootropic regimen that keeps your brain and body healthy as it powers you to peak performance, every day.