OptiMind Review – Good Ingredients, But Damn Scammy

Oh, OptiMind. Where did you go wrong?

You started with the best intentions, choosing some great brain nutrients and bringing them together into one complex.

But then you got greedy. Countless Autoship Scams later, the OptiMind name has been sullied with controversy.

But does the OptiMind formula still have nootropic value? Let’s find out.

About OptiMind

One of today’s best-selling brain formulas, OptiMind® combines 12 different brain-supportive compounds into a nootropic stack that’s designed to optimize neurotransmitters (brain chemicals). OptiMind is claimed to:

• Clear “brain fog,” enhancing focus, memory, alertness & mental energy. They also claim “dramatically improved” learning rates and less stress.
• Boost energy. They say if you take it for a month, you’ll have “higher overall energy levels,” and it will help you wake up feeling motivated.
• Work fast. OptiMind says its nootropic effects can be felt within one hour, guaranteed. It may help with long-term brain health, too.

Formula Notes

OptiMind’s main thrust is the proprietary 10-ingredient Focus Blend. Since OptiMind is supposed to work by boosting neurotransmitters, let’s do a quick rundown of the Focus Blend‘s ingredients and ask the same question of each:

“Does it help with brain neurotransmitters?”

• L-Tyrosine: YES, helps boost dopamine & fights stress hormones
• Bacopa extract: YES, it sustains acetylcholine & boosts brain health
• Taurine: YES, it helps GABA and acts as a calming neurotransmitter
• Alpha Lipoic Acid: NO, but it is a brain cell-protective antioxidant
• Phosphatidylserine: YES, acetylcholine, dopamine & serotonin
• GABA: YES, it acts as an anti-stress neurotransmitter in the brain
• Caffeine: NO WAY, it’s a stimulant drug!
• Vinpocetine: NO, but it’s one of the best nootropics for brain circulation
• Sulbutiamine: MAYBE, early research says dopamine & acetylcholine
• Huperzine-A: YES, one of the best nootropics for acetylcholine

As for Vitamins D3 and B12, yes, they affect neurotransmitters: When these vitamins are deficient, brain neurotransmitters seem to be low, too.

So overall, 8 of the 12 OptiMind ingredients help brain chemicals–validating it as a neurotransmitter formula. But OptiMind might do more. Many of its ingredients help the brain in other ways; boosting blood flow to the brain, helping brain cell regeneration, fighting stress, protecting brain cells and more.

OptiMind has 3 of our Best 5 Nootropics: Phosphatidylserine (#2), Bacopa (#3) & Vinpocetine (#4).

Looking at just the ingredients, OptiMind seems solid. Nearly all its ingredients are fine nootropics (we question caffeine and sulbutiamine). They also use some preferred ingredient forms: Their Bacopa is standardized, PS is branded (but soy-derived), and D3 is the best form of Vitamin D.

OptiMind Benefits

The big benefit? OptiMind promises to “clear brain fog.” It may help with focus, memory, alertness, motivation, mental energy, learning, and stress. They say you should take it “Because you will wake up feeling motivated,” and “you will go to bed feeling accomplished.” These claims check out because OptiMind is a neurotransmitter formula, and brain chemicals influence every aspect of mood and mental performance. However, the “overall energy” benefit is weak–it’s just caffeine’s stimulant effects.

Who Takes OptiMind?

Students, entrepreneurs, athletes, business executives and a whole lot more. Its neurotransmitter support could help anybody, and they cast a wide net with their marketing… but really, OptiMind seems best for younger populations seeking fast nootropic results. Some OptiMind ingredients help with age-related cognitive decline in older populations, but those potential benefits are treated as an afterthought.

Any Side Effects?

According to OptiMind, there are few reports of side effects; all the ingredients are safe and well-tolerated. If there are OptiMind side effects, it’s probably due to its caffeine. Caffeine side effects include nervousness, anxiety, tremors, indigestion, aggression, heart palpitations and more. If you try OptiMind, be aware of its caffeine content so you don’t consume too much caffeine from other sources.

Summary

OptiMind Advantages

• Good ingredients. It’s billed as a neurotransmitter formula, and many of its ingredients are good for that. Others round out the brain chemical benefits with other brain-supportive activities.
• Big numbers. They claim 20,000 customers, “hundreds of thousands” of capsules sold, and have 18,000 Facebook “likes.” OptiMind is HUGE, which may reflect customer loyalty.
• Free trial & guarantee. You can get a 14-day supply of OptiMind free, with free shipping, too. They also have a 100% money-back guarantee… but be careful; see drawbacks below.

OptiMind Drawbacks

• Caffeine. They say OptiMind boosts energy like a cup of coffee without the jitters… but the formula includes caffeine, which is what causes coffee’s jitters in the first place! Plus, caffeine is not a nootropic.
• Proprietary blend. OptiMind only gives dosages on 2 of their 12 ingredients; all other dosages are hidden. This makes it impossible to know if any of their ingredients are actually backed by research.
• Bad reputation. OptiMind reportedly scams consumers. This includes Autoship Scammery and refusal to honor their money-back guarantee. There’s a lot of complaints about OptiMind’s customer service, as well.

Pricing & Buying Info

• $43.31 for 1 bottle, 32-day supply
• FREE 14-day trial available, but beware Autoship Scams
• Available from the OptiMind website only