Neuro Optimizer and Alpha BRAIN is a fight between “Boring Ol’ Reliable” vs. a mysterious and trendy “Bro Code” formula.
We’re forecasting a fight for all ages. But Grandpa isn’t going down easily & the popular young Alpha is ready for a scrap.
Both these brain-boosters are pretty great, and both are in the mix for our Best 5 Nootropic Supplements list.
But which one comes out on top? Let’s get to it.
Table of Contents
Tale of the Tape
Neuro Optimizer |
vs. |
Alpha BRAIN |
||
Ingredients | Doses | Ingredients | Doses | |
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (from Acetyl-L-Carnitine Hydroxide) | 500 mg | B-6 (Pyridoxine HCL) | 10 mg | |
L-Glutamine | 500 mg | Onnit® Flow Blend | 650 mg | |
Taurine | 500 mg | L-Tyrosine, L-Theanine, Oatstraw Extract (Avena sativa), Phosphatidylserine | ||
Cytidine 5’-diphosocholine (Cognizin®) | 300 mg | AC-11® (Uncaria tomesntosa Extract) | 350 mg | |
Phosphatidylcholine | 120 mg | Onnit® Focus Blend | 240 mg | |
Phosphatidylserine (PS) (Sharp-PS®) | 100 mg | Alpha-GPC, Bacopa manniera Extract, Huperzia serrata Extract | ||
Alpha Lipoic Acid | 50 mg | Onnit® Fuel Blend | 65 mg | |
L-Leucine, Vinpocetine, Pterostilbene |
Round 1: Formulas
While Neuro Optimizer’s focus is brain health for men 40+, Alpha BRAIN concentrates attracting Alpha males for brain chemical boosts.
Neuro Optimizer keeps it simple. They use our top 2 Best5 nootropics, Cognizin® Citicoline & Phosphatidylserine (PS) (Sharp-PS®); for boost in brain chemicals, brain regeneration, memory performance, brain energy metabolism and MORE. The remaining ingredients bring more brain support to the table, including antioxidant activity for brain protection.
What’s cool about Neuro Optimizer is that it’s a nice 1-2 combo formula that helps with immediate nootropic-style brain demands (mental performance-booster) and long-range brain health, using solid, evidence-based ingredients only.
Neuro Optimizer works for everybody, but since younger crowds don’t usually address brain degeneration (although they should, the earlier the better), Neuro Optimizer is more popular among those in the 40+ crowd.
Alpha BRAIN’s formula isn’t quite as science-backed as Neuro Optimizer, especially because they put so much focus on their flagship ingredient: AC-11®. As promising as this patented cat’s claw herb sounds, we’ve got no strong research to back up AC-11®’s claims.
But Alpha BRAIN redeems itself by using Best5’s top premium nootropics (Bacopa Monnieri, Phosphatidylserine, L-Theanine & Vinpocetine), forming a complex that seems to target brain waves and brain chemicals most of all.
And we like the strategy behind their “Focus”, “Fuel” & “Flow” blends.
Formula-wise, Neuro Optimizer and Alpha BRAIN both have a strategy, which is more than you can say about many other nootropic stacks.
But at the end of the day, Neuro Optimizer does it better with a simple label, top tier high quality nootropics, and evidence behind each claim… which not only makes for a strong first round, but also lands Neuro Optimizer in the #5 slot in our Best 5 Nootropic Supplements overall.
Round 1… Neuro Optimizer Wins
Round 2: Dosages
Neuro Optimizer uses smart dosages for their two best nootropics: Cognizin® Citicoline at 300 mg & Phosphatidylserine (PS) (Sharp-PS®) at 100 mg.
The formula’s antioxidants, energizers and other nootropics are lighter in dosage, as is their Phosphatidylcholine at only 120 mg. You’ve got to take 4 caps to make 1 Neuro Optimizer serving, but you end up with good across-the-board dosing.
Alpha BRAIN’s dosages are just OK. At least, that’s our guess when we look at serving size, blend size and order of nootropics listed. AC-11® is the only ingredient not in a prop blend. 350 mg could be good or it could be terrible. We don’t know enough about AC-11® to see if it’s hitting the mark.
Since they hide every ingredient behind prop blends (except one), Alpha BRAIN loses dosage credibility.
Neuro Optimizer, on the other hand, is an open book; every ingredient has a dosage to match.
For a clear label, no hidden dosages, research, and strong ingredients: our winner this round is obvious.
Round 2… Neuro Optimizer Wins
Round 3: Ingredient Quality
Neuro Optimizer uses superior forms over Alpha BRAIN’s plain stacks.
Where Neuro Optimizer uses the highest quality Citicoline (Cognizine®), Alpha Brain subbed in basic Alpha GPC, which just isn’t as effective or versatile.
And while Neuro Optimizer used Phosphatidylserine (Sharp-PS®), Alpha BRAIN only used the plain & soy-derived Phosphatidylserine.
It doesn’t stop there. Alpha BRAIN uses the cheaper forms of B-6 & L-Tyrosine as well. (Booooo.)
We hand it to Alpha BRAIN for having a clean label; only 2 ingredients in their “Other” category.
And their Cat’s Claw herb (AC-11®) could be fantastic quality but again, we’re unsure it fulfills its promise.
For the better stack choices, Neuro Optimizer hits it home.
Round 3… Neuro Optimizer Wins
Round 4: Price
Neuro Optimizer | VS. | Alpha BRAIN | ||
1 Bottle (30-day supply) | $45.95 | 1 Bottle (15-day supply) | $34.95 | |
Per bottle | $0.38 | Per capsule | $1.17 | |
Per serving | $1.52 | Per serving | $2.34 |
Round 4… Neuro Optimizer Wins
Round 5: JUDGEMENT
Alpha BRAIN has sold 32+ million capsules for a reason. Plenty of jaws have dropped with Alpha BRAIN’s sexy marketing, unique ingredients (AC-11®), & top grade nootropics in 3 original blends.
They’ve got a clean “Other” label and thousands of customers backing them up. If only they had evidence to support their theory-driven main ingredient, AC-11®.
Theory isn’t enough with your opponent is heavily backed with research, a reliable company, and premium forms of nootropics.
Neuro Optimizer may not be as popular as Alpha BRAIN, but it does have pedigree on its side: Its manufacturer, Jarrow, is highly credible & reliable.
We have to mention Alpha BRAIN’s dosages are questionable & hidden behind prop blends. Neuro Optimizer is 100% transparent with all 7 of their ingredients.
At the end of the day, Alpha BRAIN relies heavily upon their marketing, theory, and basic forms of nootropics. It might have an advantage in terms of mental performance benefits, but Neuro Optimizer boosts cognitive performance too, along with overall brain function and long-term brain health.
It’s been a good clean fight, but the victor here is clear:
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