Alpha Brain vs. OptiMind is a fight that will bring in big pay-per-view numbers, simply because these two nootropic stack formulas are so damn popular.
Both feature a lot of marketing buzz, a strong internet presence, a big following of consumers… and a dash of controversy, too.
But all we want to know which one is the real deal… which one works better?
So without further ado, let’s get to the weigh in…
Table of Contents
Tale of the Tape
Alpha Brain |
vs. |
OptiMind |
||
Ingredients | Dosage | Ingredients | Dosage | |
B-6 (Pyridoxine HCl) | 10 mg | Vitamin D3 (as Cholecalciferol) | 385 IU | |
Vitamin B12 (as Pyridoxine HCl) | 0.5 mg | |||
Onnit® Flow Blend | 650 mg | Focus Blend | 1490 mg | |
L-Tyrosine, L-Theanine, Oatstraw Extract (Avena sativa), Phosphatidylserine | L-Tyrosine, Bacopa Extract (50% Baccosides), Taurine, Alpha Lipoic Acid, SERINAID® Phosphatidylserine, Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA), Caffeine, Vinpocetine, Sulbutiamine, Huperzine A (From Huperzia Serrata) | |||
AC-11® (Uncaria tomentosa Extract) | 350 mg | |||
Onnit® Focus Blend: | 240 mg | |||
Alpha GPC, Bacopa monniera Extract, Huperzia serrata Extract | ||||
Onnit® Fuel Blend | 65 mg | |||
L-Leucine, Vinpocetine, Pterostilbene | ||||
*These are not full supplement facts, just a comparison of dosages & ingredients. |
Round 1: Formulas
Both Alpha BRAIN and OptiMind make similar claims of better focus, attention, memory & processing speed. But they take different routes to get there.
Alpha BRAIN targets Brain Waves.
Alpha BRAIN features 4 of our Best 5 Nootropics – L-Theanine, Phosphatidylserine, Bacopa & Vinpocetine – along with several other effective ingredients for brain health.
Alpha BRAIN emphasizes Brain Wave support the most, especially with its Flow Blend for Peak Alpha state.
The Alpha in the names of the formula and the blend likely refers to Alpha Brain waves. The L-Theanine and Oatstraw check out for this purpose; it’s a solid formula for that feeling of “relaxed alertness” & peak productivity.
But Alpha BRAIN’s big draw is AC-11® — it’s the only formula in the universe that can use this branded cat’s claw herbal ingredient. However, the jury is still out on whether or not it works.
Alpha BRAIN makes claims of cognitive benefits for communication & verbal processing, which is interesting, rarely heard, and potentially may give it an advantage over OptiMind.
OptiMind targets Brain Chemicals.
OptiMind’s formula seems a little off-base from the start, using a tiny serving of Vitamin D3 (not a nootropic) and a serving of mislabeled B12. Taurine & Alpha Lipoic Acid are misplaced in a focus blend, and don’t add much.
OptiMind also uses caffeine – about as much as in a cup of coffee. Caffeine in nootropic stacks is a cop-out. Sure, it will stimulate you. But OptiMind fails to include the L-Theanine that stops that eases the jitters. Alpha BRAIN includes L-Theanine, and doesn’t even have caffeine.
OptiMind redeems itself somewhat with Bacopa Monnieri, Phosphatidylserine, Vinpocetine, and Huperzine-A, all of which are great nootropics.
OptiMind’s biggest claims focus on “Brain Fog.” The formula is just OK for this; it is missing some of the best nootropics for mental energy and clarity.
Round 1… Alpha BRAIN Wins.
Round 2: Dosages
Both Alpha BRAIN and OptiMind use proprietary blends, making it harder for us to evaluate and compare their dosages.
However, Alpha BRAIN is slightly more transparent about dosage, and its “Driving Force” AC-11® is clearly labeled 350 mg.
Guessing at Alpha BRAIN’s prop blends, we say the dosages look good except for the Focus Blend – its 240 mg is definitely low for the Bacopa and Alpha GPC.
OptiMind crams 10 ingredients into its 1490 mg Focus Blend. Subtract vinpocetine, sulbutiamine, and Huperzine-A, which are all effective in tiny dosages. Let’s guess the caffeine is 100 mg. That leaves almost 1400 mg for 6 active nootropics, making it plausible that OptiMind hits a few Critical Mass dosages.
Overall we’ve got to give the edge to Alpha BRAIN because they are more forthcoming about their dosages, and don’t lump everything into one mysterious prop blend like OptiMind does.
Round 2… Alpha BRAIN Wins.
Round 3: Ingredient Quality
Alpha BRAIN uses the wrong form of Tyrosine for brain health, and their B6 is the El Cheapo variety (P-5-P B6 is much better). Plus their Alpha GPC is a lesser nootropic; it would be so much better as Citicoline.
None of Alpha BRAIN’s herbal forms are standardized except for the AC-11® that is the driving force of the formula. Their phosphatidylserine is plain; soy-derived.
Alpha BRAIN’s label is clean though, with only two listings under “Other Ingredients.” That’s a good sign.
OptiMind also uses the lesser form of Tyrosine. Both should be using N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine for the best brain benefits.
However, OptiMind does a good job with Bacopa; it’s standardized to a high-potency 50% bacosides. Their SERINAID® is a quality branded PS, too.
OptiMind’s label isn’t as clean as Alpha BRAIN’s, but it’s not terrible… just some artificial colors that really don’t need to be in there.
Round 3… OptiMind Wins.
Round 4: Price
Alpha BRAIN | VS. | OptiMind | ||
1 Bottle (30-day supply) | $32.95 | 1 Bottle (30-day supply) | $43.31 | |
Price Per Capsule | $1.10 | Price Per Capsule | $1.35 | |
Price Per Serving | $2.20 | Price Per Serving | $2.70 |
Round 4… Alpha BRAIN Wins.
Round 5: JUDGEMENT
When Alpha BRAIN and OptiMind face off, we’ve got two heavyweights in one ring – these are among the biggest-selling nootropic stacks on the market today. But neither formula is a heavy hitter.
Still it’s easy to pick a winner. Here’s the thing: Alpha BRAIN is a leading formula that takes a 100% unique approach at boosting brainpower. It’s got a lot of sex appeal with its exclusive AC-11®, its clean label, and its brand story arc. In fact, Alpha BRAIN sits just outside our Best 5 Nootropic Supplements list.
OptiMind uses some outstanding nootropic ingredients. It even uses a couple of quality branded nutrients. But there’s nothing special about their formula; many other products feature many of the same compounds.
What really hurts OptiMind in the quality department is sloppiness and reputation. They make a bad label error in their supplement facts, mixing up Vitamin B6 and B12. Carelessness like this is a reflection of poor quality. So is scamming, and OptiMind is notorious for Autoship cons and bad customer service.
With that, the judges say…
In the OptiMind vs. Alpha BRAIN fight, the winner by Unanimous Decision is…
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