Qualia Mind Review: Does It Actually Work?

Summary: Qualia Mind Review

Here is the Nootropic Geek’s official Qualia Mind review, an in-depth breakdown of this stellar, yet try-hard nootropic super-stack by Neurohacker Collective. As one of the most nootropic supplements to come out of the nootropic supplement market, Qualia has naturally garnered a lot of attention from students and professionals alike. However, many of those same people have been deterred by this stack for one big reason: Qualia Mind’s big price tag. Personally, I don’t think the high price on this stack is worth it, even though every ingredient in this formula makes sense for brain health and performance. Truly, though this product works well, it simply doesn’t work well enough to warrant the price tag — i.e., you can get similar results with a simpler nootropic stack at a more affordable price.

All the same, if you’d like to learn more about this interesting all-around brain booster, continue reading my review. Qualia has given us plenty to chew on here.

• BEST NOOTROPIC SUPPLEMENTS OF THE YEAR

About Qualia Mind

• From Neurohacker Collective comes Qualia Mind, a single-formula adaptation of the original Step One + Step Two Qualia stack.
• All-Natural, Synthetic-Free — Qualia Mind does the über health conscious a solid by removing Noopept and DHEA from the mix.
• While Qualia Mind is a significant improvement from the original Qualia, the formula is still trying to do too much, lessening the product’s overall value when you compare noticeable cognitive effects with the supplement’s price.

Qualia Mind Ingredients
Ingredients	Amount Per Serving
Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid)	100 mg (111% DV)
Vitamin D3 (as Cholecalciferol)	25 mcg (125% DV)
Thiamin B1 (as Benfotiamine)	50 mg (4167% DV)
Niacin B3 (as Niacinimide)	50 mg (313% DV)
Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxal 5 Phosphate)	20 mg (1176% DV)
Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin)	1000 mcg (41667% DV)
Vitamin B5 (as Calcium Pantothenate)	50 mg (1000% DV)
Choline (as alpha-GPC and Cognizin®)	110 mg (20% DV)
Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCl	500 mg
Artichoke Leaf Extract	400 mg
Bacopa monnieri Aerial Parts Extract	300 mg
Rhodiola rosea Root Extract (3% rosavins; 1% salidrosides)	300 mg
DL-Phenylalanine	300 mg
N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine	250 mg
Taurine	200 mg
L-Theanine	200 mg
L-Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine (alpha GPC)	200 mg
Uridine-5′-Monophosphate disodium salt	160 mg
Cognizin® Citicoline	150 mg
Organic Coffeeberry® (90 mg caffeine) Whole Coffee (Coffea arabica) Fruit Extract	129 mg
Velvet Bean (Mucuna pruriens) Seed Extract	100 mg
Phosphatidylserine (from sunflower seed lecithin)	100 mg
AvailOrn™ DHA (as docosahexaenoic acid from Algae)	80 mg
Celastrus paniculatus Seed Extract	60 mg
Ginkgo biloba Leaf Extract (24% glycosides)	50 mg
Coleus forskohlii Root Extract (20% forskolin)	20 mg
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone disodium salt	10 mg
Huperzia serrata Aerial Parts Extract (1% huperzine A)	5 mg

Serving Size: 7 Vegetarian Capsules
Servings Per Container: 22
Other Ingredients: Hypromellose, Rice Concentrate, Silicon Dioxide, Calcium Carbonate
Directions: As a dietary supplement, take 7 capsules with water first thing in the morning before eating. If stomach upset occurs, take with breakfast instead. Optimal dosage can vary based on body weight and sensitivity. Don’t take more than 10 capsules at once more than 12 in a day.

Okay, we have a lot of ingredients on our hands here. (Specifically, we’re looking at 20 ingredients, including the vitamins.) If you think I’m going to review every single ingredient in this nootropic stack …well, I probably will. Or at least I’ll cover the non-vitamin ingredients.

For a brief review on the vitamins: They’re solid, all presented in potent forms and sufficient dosages. Combined, they may assist with free radical resistance, dopaminergic mood status, and cerebral circulation.

However, you’re not spending $100+ on a multivitamin here, now are you? Let’s get to the ingredients that actually actually matter.

Qualia Mind Review: Ingredients

Acetyl-L-Carnitine – As opposed to standard L-carnitine, ALCAR can cross the blood-brain barrier, potentially boosting the brain’s mitochondrial output. However, ALCAR only seems to have any noticeable effects on elderly cognition. More on ALCAR.

Artichoke Leaf Extract – May have antioxidant and circulatory benefits on brain health. Although, there are better nootropic antioxidants for this purpose. (E.g., turmeric.)

Bacopa Monnieri Extract – Believed to improve memory and learning, Bacopa is an herbal cholinergic adaptogen with significant nootropic potential. One of my favorite natural nootropics. More on Bacopa Monnieri.

Rhodiola Rosea Extract (3% Rosavins, 1% Salidrosides) – Another Geek favorite, Rhodiola Rosea is a powerful anti-stress adaptogen with quick, noticeable effects on fatigue and cognitive clarity. More on Rhodiola Rosea.

DL-Phenylalanine – As a nootropic, DL-Phenylalanine may improve mood and anxiety levels.

N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine – When the brain is overexcited and/or stress, tyrosine reserves run low. This is because tyrosine converts to catecholamine neurotransmitters — i.e., brain chemicals involved in increased mental activity. Supplementing L-tyrosine may alleviate the brain crash associated with activity, stress, sleep deprivation, etc., making it a prime “game day” nootropic. More on L-Tyrosine.

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Taurine – Some qualify taurine as a nootropic, others do not. I’m somewhat mixed. However, many supplements and energy drink formulators seem to favor this amino for its relaxing, semi-sedative effects. Perhaps as a counterbalance to caffeine? Hard to say. More on Taurine.

L-Theanine – Who doesn’t like L-theanine? (I love it, for whatever that’s worth.) Often stacked with caffeine for its complementary anxiolytic effects on stimulation, L-theanine may simultaneously calm the mind while sustaining caffeine’s focus sharpening benefits. More on L-Theanine.

Alpha GPC – While I prefer citicoline for nootropic choline donation (see the next ingredient), alpha GPC supplies quite a bit of choline, which, in turn, converts to acetylcholine (brain chemical associated with memory) and phosphatidylcholine (a key cell membrane component). More on Alpha GPC.

Uridine Monophosphate Disodium – As a basic genetic nucleotide, uridine is a hugely important compound. Yet, as a nootropic, uridine seems to possess significant brain energy and neuroregenerative potential. More on Uridine.

Citicoline (Cognizin®) – Citicoline is my preferred choline source because it not only supplies choline but cytidine as well — a precursor compound to uridine, which I’ve already detailed above. In other words, citicoline supplies even more awesome uridine to this formula. More on Citicoline.

Organic Coffeeberry® (90mg caffeine) – You know what caffeine is. Delivered via Coffeeberry, a decent coffee/caffeine brand, this compound comes paired with some brain-healthy antioxidants found in the coffee berry. More on Caffeine.

Mucuna Pruriens Extract (50% L-Dopa) – Many testosterone boosting supplements supply Mucuna pruriens extract for its LH/FSH enhancing benefits. However, as a nootropic, this herbal extract supplies L-dopa, a precursor compound to dopamine, the brain’s pleasurable “motivation molecule,” if you will.

Phosphatidylserine (Sharp-PS® Green) – Good job on the Sharp-PS® brand, Qualia. This particular phosphatidylserine, which is simply great for cognitive longevity, is sourced from sunflowers, as opposed to soy. More on Phosphatidylserine.

AvailOm® DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid from Algae) – A more bioavailable form of DHA. Even still, not too sure this was worth the investment. DHA is a great anti-inflammatory compound; yet, I’d still prefer to take it as a separate DHA supplement than to waste precious capsule space here.

Celastrus Paniculatus Extract – Known as the “Intellect Plant”, Celastrus Paniculatus seems to improve neurotransmission and neuroregeneration via antioxidant pathways. More on Celastrus Paniculatus.

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Celastrus Paniculatus Extract – Known as the “Intellect Plant”, Celastrus Paniculatus seems to improve neurotransmission and neuroregeneration via antioxidant pathways. More on Celastrus Paniculatus.

Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract (24%) – Traditionally recommended to old folks, Ginkgo seems to actually benefit cognition for all ages, thanks to its boosts on cerebral circulation and working memory. May also possess exercise performance benefits when coupled with Rhodiola. More on Ginkgo Biloba.

Coleus Forskohlii Extract (20% Forskolin) – Due to its cAMP spiking effects, Coleus Forskohlii is a popular fat burning option that may also improve neuron-to-neuron communication. The Coleus + Artichoke combo here may help with LTP neuronal growth.

Pyrroloquinoline Quinone – Despite a lack of quality research, PQQ seems like a promising brain energy enhancer. This compound may improve stress, sleep, and fatigue levels, while also offering significant antioxidant protection. More on PQQ.

Huperzine A (Huperzia Serrata Extract) – This semi-synthetic compound packs a powerful punch in tiny doses, improving memory and cognition by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme responsible for acetylcholine breakdown. More on Huperzine A.

Qualia Mind Review: Formula Analysis

Yes, it’s true: Qualia Mind is a massive nootropic supplement.

With its sizable formula, Qualia Mind requires a hefty 7-capsule serving size to meet its formula’s dosage requirements. And, of course, those 7-capsule servings require a hefty price tag (see “Pricing” section below) to fund such an ambitious product. Yet, even so… Qualia Mind is the slimmer and cheaper Qualia option, as compared to Qualia: Step One and Step Two.

But I think this actually works in Qualia Mind’s favor. (Maybe.)

Here are the potential benefits of a slimmer Qualia formula:

• Reduced Side Effect Risk – while the original 40+ Qualia formula(s) showcased some impressive nootropics, such a high list of nootropics runs the risk of negative ingredient interactions. Qualia Mind somewhat lessens that risk.
• Improved Nutrient Absorption – aside from negative ingredient interactions, some compounds act as competitive inhibitors when it comes to intestinal nutrient absorption. Fewer ingredients may help improve the absorption of each ingredient.
• No More Drugs – this has less to do with the slimness of Qualia Mind’s formula as it has to do with what was slimmed off, most notably: Noopept and DHEA. By removing these items, Qualia Mind seems like a relatively cleaner Qualia supplement.

Yet, it’s worth noting that the first two “improvements” are still weak points for Qualia Mind. While I give Neurohacker Collective props for their formula transparency, opting to display each ingredient’s dosage rather than going the non-transparent proprietary blend route, I still view this ingredient profile as perhaps too much for a single formula.

Even if most of the ingredient dosages are somewhat on point.

Qualia Mind’s high quality ingredients and heavy dosages earn the supplement high marks in my book.

When you stack up the benefits of Qualia Mind’s ingredients, you get a whole mess of enhanced memory, focus, energy, attention, relaxation, regeneration, and more. Essentially (and hopefully), what you get is a better balanced brain. Which is impressive …yet, all the while, buzzing in the back of my brain, are the questions: How much money can I save by supplementing a tighter formula with only Qualia’s best nootropics? Is it possible that the tighter, cheaper formula is actually better than Qualia Mind’s high quality mishmash?

In fact, yes.

Which is why I don’t really ever use/buy this formula.

The Pros

• Qualia Mind truly reads like Qualia 2.0, as compared to the Qualia Original Stack, supplying a tighter, more natural nootropic formula.
• High quality and high quantity — these are two of the primary measures of an awesome nootropic supplement. If the quality sucks and the dosages are low, then it’s a no-go. Fortunately, Qualia Mind excels in these categories.
• Noopept is a decent “as needed” nootropic synthetic. Yet, I’m not too hot on manufactured supplements using this ingredient. If you want it, buy it separately and stack it DIY-style with Qualia Mind, rather than going the Qualia Original Stack route.

The Cons

• Qualia Mind is tighter and more natural than the Original Stack. Yes… but it’s still a pretty hectic formula, more so than most successful nootropics on the 2018 market.
• Qualia Mind is expensive AF. Not quite as expensive as Qualia Original Stack, but still way more expensive than most brain health supplements.
• The Neurohacker Collective “collectivist” ethos comes across as strange to me. As I read Neurohacker Collective’s mission to “help build global alliance of responsible, empowered individuals and like minded groups” (which seems to have been removed from their website), I can’t help but roll my eyes. Nootropics are for personal health/performance enhancement. They function on the level of the individual. Let’s not bullshit ourselves here with this “come together” nonsense.

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Pricing

Single Order

• $159 for 154 capsules, a 22-day supply
• $7.23 per serving

Subscribe & Save 75%

• First Month
  • $39 for 154 capsules (first month), a 22-day supply
  • $4.05 per serving
• Thereafter
  • $139 for 154 capsules/month, a 22-day/month supply
  • $6.32 per serving

For all order options, even the first month of the “Subscribe & Save 75%” option, you’re paying way more for Qualia Mind than you would for any other standard good nootropic supplement (on a price per serving basis). Annoyingly, Qualia claims you save 75% with the subscribe option, when this is somewhat disingenuous: you only save 75% on the first month, after which you’re only saving about 13% per monthly shipment when the subscription part functionally takes effect.

Who Takes Qualia Mind?

Qualia Mind is the definitive Silicon Valley  nootropic stack. In many ways, Qualia feels somewhat dated to me — it’s a very 2010s stack to me, in the way it preys upon the millennial redditor’s end-all, be-all trust in clinically researched compounds. Having said that, all the compounds here do look great — this is a certainly brain nutritious stack for anyone looking to nourish their cognitive health.

But the same people who “take Qualia Mind” could likely achieve similar results with fewer ingredients at a more affordable price. So, with that, to answer the question of who takes Qualia Mind: try-hards, careerists, and strivers.

Where to Buy It

You can buy Qualia Mind through the Neurohacker Collective website, as well as on Amazon.

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Conclusion: Does Qualia Mind Work?

Yes, Qualia Mind works. Individually, Qualia Mind’s ingredients are all of exceptional quality and quantity, and they all make sense for the benefits advertised by Neurohacker Collective. However, collectively, the formula design is doing too much.

Anyone actually health-conscious wouldn’t “need” all these ingredients.

It seems like Neurohacker Collective had this concern in mind when they formulated Qualia Mind (a.k.a. Qualia 2.0), as the more refined and focused version of their original Qualia supplement stack. Even so, Qualia Mind is still too much.

All the same, if you’re one of the lucky ones who can afford a Qualia Mind habit, then you have nothing to lose here. Lot of great nootropics in this formula. But if you like to be choosey with your investments, you don’t need to spend this much to get these results.

Final Rating

Formulation Strategy
Brainpower Benefits
Brain Health Benefits
Transparency
Quality
Value
Average