The Best Nootropics For Memory of 2023 — Top Supplements

Which nootropic supplements are a surefire way to fuel your brain's memory full potential?

The Best Nootropics For Memory

There are tons of compounds and nootropic stacks that claim to be effective for memory enhancement, but not all are worthy.

While many nootropics focus only on some aspects of memory, like retention or recall, many stacks deliver comprehensive effects for memory loss and healthy brain function.

Our selection contains the best nootropics for memory, including natural herbs, vitamins, and potent synthetic compounds that yield proven benefits.

6 Best Nootropics For Memory On The Market

  1. NooCube
  2. Mind Lab Pro
  3. Performance Lab Mind
  4. Qualia Mind
  5. Alpha Brain
  6. PureRawz Pramiracetam

Best Nootropic For Memory Overall

If you find yourself struggling to remember things, suffer from low productivity, poor information processing, or bad long and short-term memory, this is a nootropic stack that provides all-around cognitive functioning and memory effects backed by scientific evidence.

NooCube

4.9/5 Our rating

Best for memory overall

#1 NooCube

A quality nootropic stack for optimizing mental processing, NooCube is full of active ingredients that boost memory and other aspects of cognition like attention span, focus, and brain energy levels.

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Ingredients

5/5

Effectiveness

5/5

Safety

5/5

Price

4.5/5

NooCube boasts a premium formula using cleverly selected, natural ingredients that synergize to enhance brain health by targeting neurotransmitter release and brain pathways.

Therefore, it is recommended for everyone who wants to achieve peak mental performance without stimulant side effects.

NooCube utilizes Alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine (Alpha GPC) to boost acetylcholine, thereby improving memory and fighting against memory loss, even as part of normal aging.

It also uses antioxidants, like Cat’s Claw and Bacopa monnieri, to protect against damaged neurons and help with memory impairment.

Combined with other ingredients, including l-theanine and l-tyrosine, taking Noocube can also benefit mood, stress, concentration, and anxiety.

Given the NooCube brand’s complete transparency for ingredient choice and its effects on boosting memory function, we consider it the best nootropic supplement for this purpose.

Pros

  • Caffeine-free, all-natural, Non-GMO, allergen-free nootropics, and label transparency with no proprietary blends
  • Evidence-based components that independent research suggest may be good for cognition, mental health, and Alzheimer’s disease, a leading cause of poor memory
  • No serious side effects and limited minor adverse reactions
  • Can enhance memory both directly and indirectly by boosting focus, concentration, and choline
  • Comes with a money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Noocube needs to be cycled to achieve desired results, particularly when used for long-term health benefits

Best Nootropic For Memory and Studying

Many people have problems with the formation of new memories, which is associated with learning impairment and issues with recollection. Good thing that best nootropics for studying and memory are intricately related, and there is a powerful nootropic supplement that works for both.

Mind Lab Pro

4.9/5 Our rating

Best for memory and studying

#2 Mind Lab Pro

Mind Lab Pro is the perfect supplement to meet the demand for high-level productivity when you need an instant memory boost, improved cognitive function, and learning ability.

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Ingredients

5/5

Effectiveness

5/5

Safety

5/5

Price

4.5/5

Mind Lab Pro is a nootropic stack designed to multi-task for brain performance. It is known to enhance and support brainpower in every possible way covering vitality, circulation, neuroprotection, and brain waves. Because of this, it offers potent effects for recollection.

Mind Lab Pro contains a synergistic blend of 11 nootropics that are put together to give you the exact results you want. It makes good use of ingredients like Phosphatidylserine and Lion’s mane mushroom to assist long and short-term memory.

Since Mind Lab Pro pairs phosphatidylserine with proven nootropics like Bacopa monnieri and Cognizin, the supplement can reduce stress and anxiety by eliminating distracting thoughts that can negatively influence memory retention and the mental processing required for learning.

Pros

  • Full-spectrum nootropic, which means it targets several portions of brain chemistry for overall cognitive enhancement
  • Works for every aspect of memory function from recollection and compartmentalization to enhance mental focus, concentration, and improved memory process
  • Mind Lab Pro can provide immediate effects as well as long-term plasticity and the accumulation of brain cells for brain protection
  • Boats a clean label, proven results, and 11 ingredients backed by clinical research

Cons

  • Some users experience delayed effects for some of the desired brain function outcomes

Best Nootropic To Improve Memory and Motivation

Improved memory without motivation does not allow you to fulfill your potential. Because of that, many nootropic users want to reduce their mental fatigue, boost brain energy, provide feelings of ambition while also improving recall skills and cognitive function.

Performance Lab Mind

4.6/5 Our rating

Best for memory and motivation

#3 Performance Lab Mind

With nothing important left out and nothing extra added, Performance Lab Mind is brimming with memory-boosting effects to keep your eyes on the prize and filled with ambition.

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Ingredients

4.5/5

Effectiveness

4.5/5

Safety

5/5

Price

4.5/5

Performance Lab Mind is another powerful blend of cognitive enhancers packed cleverly into a potent concoction that keeps it simple by using only 4 ingredients.

The best thing about this natural nootropic is that it provides mental energy and reduces brain fog while encouraging improved memory, focus, and concentration. The result is optimal productivity for a prolonged period.

Citicoline, found in this nootropic supplement, boosts acetylcholine and supports remembrance and overall brain health. These benefits are improved with the phosphatidylserine included in the capsules.

It is common for stress levels and oxidative stress to make it harder to stay productive and motivated, but the tyrosine found in Performance Lab Mind will keep stress low and improve your mood so you can stay focused and happy with the work you do.

Pros

  • Does not contain caffeine, racetams, or any other kind of stimulants or unnecessary additives
  • Only contains four active, research-based supplements for targeted support for cognitive abilities
  • Provides high mental energy levels without contributing to sleep deprivation and other sleep issues like insomnia
  • Works well during periods of high anxiety and stress because it balances citicoline with l-tyrosine for complementary effects that keep your productivity high and anxiety low

Cons

  • Only available from the official website
  • Since it only contains four substances, some people may want to stack other nootropics with it

Best Nootropic For Mental Clarity and Memory Recall

One supplement stands above the rest if you want to achieve clarity that coincides with better recollection and recall of information and emotions. It provides energy to clear away the brain fog and improve concentration to help you process the inputs.

Qualia Mind

4.3/5 Our rating

Best for mental clarity

#4 Qualia Mind

A nootropic for active, dynamic individuals who want top mental abilities and sharp focus, Qualia Mind is a well-calculated supplement to deliver long-lasting results to combat memory loss.

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Ingredients

4.5/5

Effectiveness

4.5/5

Safety

4/5

Price

4/5

Qualia Mind contains a whopping 28 ingredients, making it the most comprehensive collection you’ll encounter for brain function.

Not only does it help to improve mental reminiscence, but it also boosts creativity and learning and reduces the likelihood of memory loss or impairment.

It contains a combination of nootropics like ALCAR, PPQ, Huperzine A, Ginkgo Biloba, and Rhodiola Rosea that boost neurotransmitter levels and strengthen synaptic plasticity of cellular membranes. The result is clearing the cobwebs that impact the brain’s ability to work properly.

Qualia Mind supplement can promote brain energy without causing jitters, restlessness, and anxiety. It may also increase blood flow in the brain that can keep brain health optimal and cause you to feel mentally clear, even during times of high stress.

Pros

  • Delivers rapidly short and long-term memory boosting results
  • Has anti-inflammatory properties, can reduce oxidative stress, and provide more oxygen and nutrients resulting in an increased blood flow to brain cells
  • Works with dopamine for better anxiety and stress relief and improved resilience to stressful stimuli as well as mental energy and clarity of thinking

Cons

  • May cause side effects in some people, primarily because of Huperzine A, which can cause symptoms of cholinergic toxicity when it isn’t cycled
  • Contains 90 mg of caffeine that can contribute to uncomfortable effects associated with stimulants

Best Nootropic For Cognitive Functions and Memory

Want a product that works like no other to optimize heightened focus and welfare of cognitive function? Then you will be interested in the next supplement on this list that can help you reclaim your proper cognitive functioning and help with a wide variety of benefits to better brain function.

Onnit Alpha Brain

4.1/5 Our rating

Best for cognition and memory

#5 Alpha Brain

Alpha Brain from Onnit is a do-it-all nootropic stack that improves memory, offers cognitive enhancement, and focuses on several nervous system levels.

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Ingredients

4/5

Effectiveness

4.5/5

Safety

3.5/5

Price

4.5/5

Alpha Brain divides up ingredients into three unique and separate blends. The first, called Onnit Flow, contains a component makeup that amplifies resilience to anxiety and stressful emotions while simultaneously improving subtle aspects of cognitive function.

Onnit Flow blend contains l-tyrosine, cat’s claw extract, and phosphatidylserine that stimulate alpha waves in the brain and regulate cortisol levels.

The Onnit Focus part of Alpha Brain works to improve memory because it utilizes several ingredients like Alpha-GPC and Huperzia Serrata. While these ingredients primarily enhance memory, they improve cognitive function in other ways.

Finally, the Onnit Fuel blend uses pterostilbene and l-leucine to shield the brain from damage and enhance protein production, respectively. This brings a brain protection element to the results of Alpha Brain, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Pros

  • All the nootropics work together to improve cognitive functions in a multitude of ways that can eliminate fatigue, aid in the maintenance of anxiety disorders, and enhance memory
  • Provides a burst of energy without causing nervousness, crashing, jitters, and other side effects of stimulants
  • Fast onset and long-lasting duration

Cons

  • Some ingredients in Alpha Brain require cycling, particularly Huperzine A, while others work best when taken over a prolonged period
  • Uses proprietary blends that hide the amount of each ingredient, so it’s hard to tell if the nootropics work as intended
  • It is pricey compared to some of the alternatives

Best Racetam For Memory

Racetams are members of a class of smart drugs offering stimulating qualities. While a couple of racetams are classified as prescription nootropics, many are available as supplements, which can be useful for memory and cognition.

PureRawz Pramiracetam

3.8/5 Our rating

Best racetam for memory

#6 PureRawz Pramiracetam

Pramiracetam available from PureRawz is the highest quality product available and great for those looking to fight cognitive decline or looking for an advantage to improve memory and cognition.

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Ingredients

3/5

Effectiveness

4.5/5

Safety

2.5/5

Price

5/5

Pramiracetam is similar to other racetams, but has much stronger effects, offering potency up to 30 times the original substance, Piracetam.

It is known for the brain protection it offers and can protect nerve cells enough to benefit patients with neurodegenerative disorders or brain injuries. Pramiracetam can also be a great tool used to improve mood and reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

In addition, it may help ward off sleep deprivation and make it easier to think and process information when encountering depression, stressful situations, or burnout and exhaustion because of the energy burst it can provide.

Several studies have strived to find health benefits with racetams in participants with early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, but more need to be completed to come to a sound conclusion.

Pros

  • Very potent, so a low dose is sufficient for most people to get the benefits they want
  • Offers neuroprotective features in addition to benefits for improved cognitive function, mood, depression, and anxiety
  • Affordable, especially when considering the potency and long-lasting properties

Cons

  • Being a synthetic compound, it can cause severe side effects in some people, including headaches, insomnia, nausea, and irritability
  • Not as much researched as other racetam nootropics

The Most Effective Nootropics For Memory To Stack

Many natural herbs, vitamins, and amino acids qualify as memory-boosting nootropics and work in various manners to improve vitality, circulation, and cognitive skills to yield results.

They are available as capsules, but you can also use others in extract form. Based on the evidence and scientific research, here is the list of best nootropics for memory retention, recall, and emotions.

Citicoline (CDP-Choline)

Citicoline, also known CDP-Choline, is a choline source that occurs naturally in the body.

It is essential for synthesizing acetylcholine, improves signaling between neurons, and fosters the synthesis of new neurons. This process enhances memory and retention and functions necessary for information retrieval.

Citicoline

The production of acetylcholine works on several mechanisms that also help with awareness and remembrance aspects. The neurotransmitter acetylcholine can help form connections that make it easier to remember learned information.

CDP-Choline offers neuroprotection as well, so it is one of the most popular nootropics for those of advanced age and can help with the loss of memory-related functioning.

Another area that citicoline improves is blood flow to the brain which can cause poor cognition, exhaustion, and heart disease.

Given its regenerative potential of stimulating cellular growth and repair, CDP-Choline is also used as a treatment to recover from brain injuries, many of which impair recollection (1).

Bacopa Monnieri

Bacopa monnieri ranks highly in alternative medicine as a cognitive enhancer regulating stress’s physical and chemical consequences. However, studies show that Bacopa monnieri has a dramatic impact on acetylcholine and other chemicals that greatly aid remembrance (2).

Bacopa monnieri

The ancient herb Bacopa also possesses antioxidative and anxiolytic features that may help prevent arterial plaque buildup.

Why is this important? Because it can help you eliminate roadblocks that dampen retrieval and recollection processes. For example, it may help patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.

Bacopa monnieri is also linked with improving signaling between neurons which helps boost memory and prevent the onset of age-related cognitive decline. However, the most promising part is that it facilitates stimuli processing that adds a sustained result. It is a brain pill popular for stacking with many of the other nootropics on this list.

Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine is a substance found naturally in every cell in the body, although its concentration in the human brain is notably high. Research suggests phosphatidylserine supports optimal brain power as it helps create new cells in the brain that keep plasticity high (3).

Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine also manages brain chemical levels to lower anxiety and help you obtain a better mood.

These mechanisms factor into improving short-term memory and information retrieval. Also, it reduces the problems that stressful thoughts cause to your ability to remember prior experiences.

Since levels of this chemical naturally occurring compound decrease as we age, there is a lot of promise for the role a nootropic supplementation can play in enhancing neurotransmitter communication for those who suffer from declining alertness, improper functioning of receptors, and poor recollection.

Rhodiola Rosea

The Rhodiola Rosea is stacked with many smart drugs and other natural ingredients on this list because it offers a wide range of benefits, including a better attention span that can help with difficulty concentrating.

Rhodiola rosea

When we can’t focus, the stimuli do not get organized to retrieve the information later, and therefore, we will never be able to remember it.

Rhodiola Rosea fixes this issue while also helping with burnout, depression, sleep deprivation, and poor mood. Some people even use it for athletic performance and fitness regimens because it can help with recovery.

With all these benefits, it’s no wonder that Rhodiola is such a popular brain supplement, even if you only want to use it for memory (4).

Studies show that Rhodiola Rosea helps with recollection in animals, and there is certainly reason to believe that these benefits will present themselves in humans as well.

Huperzine A

The primary way that Huperzine A works is by aiding in the breakdown of acetylcholine, and the effects are often profound and improve cognitive function.

This can clear away the fog in the brain that dampens recollection and many other aspects of a healthy and active brain, including mental health.

Huperzine A

Huperzine may also prevent a decline in remembrance by normalizing glutamate levels and treating neurodegeneration (5).

Many people want to include it within a brain pill because it works best when combined with other supplements and drugs.

It can be an excellent choice for those combating age-related decline, but it is important to note that it can cause some side effects, more so than other natural options on this list.

However, it should be cycled and not consumed long-term to obtain the most satisfactory results.

Acetyl-L-carnitine

Acetyl-l-carnitine often referred to in its shortened name l-carnitine, is an amino acid and one of the most well-researched nootropic supplements.

More than one study concludes that it can help with age-related issues related to memory and attention span (6). Acetyl-l-carnitine can also help with tiredness and sleepiness in older adults, even with a moderate dosage.

Acetyl-L-carnitine

Also, there is evidence that acetyl-l-carnitine can help with Alzheimer’s disease. It can improve focus and behavior in people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and may even slow the progression of the disease.

Depression can hamper recollection, and acetyl-l-carnitine can help reduce symptoms associated with the disorder.

Not only that, but acetyl-l-carnitine may increase resilience to difficult emotions and stressful stimuli, especially when combined with other nootropics, particularly those like Rhodiola Rosea or Bacopa monnieri.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba, an adaptogenic herb, has been the focus of many studies and offers several benefits associated with nootropics (7).

Ginkgo biloba

It helps to improve focus and fog feeling in the brain and state of mind and promotes a positive perspective. In addition, it enhances memory, particularly short-term memory that has been impacted by decline and impairment.

Ginkgo biloba also improves blood flow and blood pressure by allowing blood vessels to relax and dilate.

Better circulation is related to healthy cerebral function because it gets more oxygen to the necessary mechanisms. This may help with other cognitive aspects like creative processes and problem-solving.

Ginkgo biloba also provides neurotransmitter production by regulating acetylcholine, low levels of which are connected to Alzheimer’s. Studies involving older individuals show that Ginkgo biloba supplement showed improvements to many functions.

Panax Ginseng

Panax ginseng, also known as Asian ginseng, is among ancient elite adaptogens that have been used for their immense therapeutic benefits for centuries.

Panax ginseng

Therefore, Panax ginseng is versatile and can help memory by influencing remembering ability and mental state. It acts as a natural stimulant to increase both mental and physical energy.

This can improve focus and categorize information for later recollection and retrieval. In addition, it synergizes well with other drugs, and many nootropics work well with Panax Ginseng, specifically Ginkgo biloba.

Panax ginseng contains antioxidants that can shield the body from damage caused by free radicals and inflammation. Consequently, research confirms that Panax ginseng can improve focus, well-being, memory, psychomotor functions, and ability (8).

L-Theanine

L-theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in green tea known for its relaxing qualities and tranquility-inducing features. However, it also offers some of the best properties of nootropics like wakefulness, concentration, mindfulness, and focus.

L-theanine

The primary relevant nootropic effect is the fact that l-theanine can help you process information to turn it into retrievable memory by reducing symptoms associated with anxiety (9).

L-theanine is very stackable with other smart drugs and nootropic supplements and may even reduce side effects while offering brain pill benefits of its own.

Many people use it as part of a nootropic stack, including maritime pine bark extract, Bacopa monnieri, CDP-choline, acetyl-l-carnitine, or prescription nootropics.

Racetams

Racetams are a class of smart drugs that act on many of the neurotransmitters that the body produces. These increases production at the AMPA receptors and the production of choline in the cholinergic system.

Piracetam

As a result, racetam nootropics, including pramiracetam, aniracetam, piracetam, and oxiracetam are popular for enhancing focus, energy, verbal communication, and the functions involved in education and memory (10).

Since a racetam nootropic enhances memory by acting on choline and other critical chemicals in the brain, it is suitable for lengthened success.

The issue is that a brain pill containing racetams is not for everyone since they can cause many side effects and adverse reactions in some people.

Still, despite the diverse side effects, these options deserve to be on this list because of the powerful results they can provide.

Why Should You Choose Natural Nootropics For Memory?

Natural ingredients are the most useful nootropics when looking for a brain pill or a complete nootropic stack.

Nootropics work by activating the production of neurotransmitters, adenosine receptors, high levels of choline, and other chemicals in the hippocampus, cells, and other portions of the body believed to affect cognitive ability.

Those nootropics that occur in nature like amino acids, fatty acids, and plants always give you a dosage that you can trust and contain no synthetic, potentially harmful drugs or supplements.

Because of this, they are not only more trusted but also just as effective, if not more so than their synthetic counterparts.

Many synthetic nootropics are more problematic for safety, and some are associated with issues like addiction or worsening various health conditions.

If you suffer from any issues and are at risk for specific problems, naturally appearing nootropics are often better.

Not only that, but doses of synthetic nootropics are often less reliable and more likely to cause serious issues or side effects like headaches, nausea, high blood pressure, and dizziness.

This is especially true if you are sensitive or at-risk to the intended results or the impact of choline.

What To Look For To Improve Memory With Supplements?

When you are looking for a brain pill or dietary supplement specifically for memory, there are some things to keep in mind and consider.

First, if you want a stacked supplement, remember that the more ingredients it contains, the more likely it will make unsatisfactory results. This is especially true with cheap products or those containing proprietary blends. Because of this, it is sometimes better to stack your own nootropics.

However, sometimes the properties that do not immediately help memory may indirectly improve it, especially over time. This is true of focus, energy, concentration, lower stressful response, better outlook, state of mind, and other positive results provided by many nootropics.

Another thing to look for is the possible adverse reactions like headache, choline toxicity, and poor sleep or sleep disorders. Many drugs, even those that offer beneficial features, can negatively affect the body and mind.

You also want to consider the dosage and form. Heavy doses can negatively affect the body, and also, too low amounts can be insufficient if you don’t want to take a capsule every hour for the entire day.

Furthermore, you may like one form more than another, like the ability to take one capsule instead of the powder form of a product. Capsule options are typically the most convenient but are sometimes more expensive.

Finally, you want to keep the specific results for memory in mind when looking for the best option for your unique needs.

For example, some supplements offer more acute results for short-term memory, while others are better for lengthy memory recollection.

In addition, there are different aspects of memory like recall, which can make it easier to remember things, and retention, which helps you keep the information for longer.

Conclusion

Many of nootropics available can be great for memory and related processes like focus, concentration, and the reduction of negative emotions.

Understanding which option to purchase can get confusing, but knowing the most effective ingredients and nootropics can help you narrow down your choices.

The best nootropics for someone trying to prevent or reverse mental decline will be different from supplement for a student looking to gain an edge, so you have to consider your needs.

Out of all the excellent nootropic supplements we reviewed, our recommendation goes for NooCube. This supplement’s synergistic and complementary properties directly enhance several aspects of memory and many other features of cognition.

Not only that, but it is safe, loved, and proven in the nootropics community.