It’s a battle between influencer-driven Qualia Mind and nootropic company giant Performance Lab, which manufactures Mind Lab Pro.
Both brain supplements claim to enhance cognitive function, so I put them to the test taking an entire bottle of each. Here’s my verdict.
Quick Verdict
Without a doubt, Qualia Mind is the better nootropic in this comparison and one of the best on the market. Its support from fitness and wellness influencers is well deserved, and the product delivers noticeable short—and long-term cognitive benefits.
But it is also the most expensive product on the market, and Mind Lab Pro is three times cheaper per serving while still being a solid and well-formulated nootropic. Qualia Mind also contains caffeine, so you can rely on it to give you an instant energy boost.
If you are only after long-term effects and prefer a more budget-friendly option, Mind Lab Pro is also an excellent choice.
| Feature | Winner |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Qualia Mind |
| Dosage | Qualia Mind |
| Short-Term Effects | Qualia Mind |
| Long Term Effects | Qualia Mind |
| Third-Party Testing | Draw |
| Clinical Research | Mind Lab Pro |
| Side Effects | Draw |
| User Reviews | Draw |
| Price | Mind Lab Pro |
Quick Verdict
Qualia Mind has the superior formulation hence why you need 7 pills per serving to ingest all the ingredients. You can also save 15% using code “LBEB” at checkout.
If you don’t want caffeine in your nootropic or Qualia Mind’s price scares you, Mind Lab Pro is an excellent non-stimulant nootropic for a quarter of the price per serving.
What Is Qualia Mind?
Qualia Mind is a premium nootropic supplement combining 28 ingredients in perhaps the most complete and well-dosed formulation on the market.
Neurohacker Collective is the company producing Qualia Mind.
They concentrate on developing supplements that promote cognitive performance, mental health, and total physical well-being.
Their method combines rigorous scientific research with holistic health ideas in order to address the underlying causes of health problems rather than merely the symptoms.
My Qualia Mind review goes into detail about the formulation and my experiences.
What Is Mind Lab Pro?
Mind Lab Pro is a tool for improving performance by increasing clarity, creativity, and motivation.
It distinguishes itself in the competitive brain health supplement industry for several reasons. Mind Lab Pro is a unique combination of 11 research-backed components. This synergistic combination is one of the few that has been clinically researched and regulates a variety of brain health concerns.
The key to its effectiveness is the comprehensive approach to maximizing one’s potential by having a better memory, digesting information rapidly, and effortlessly filtering distractions.
My Mind Lab Pro review goes into detail about the formulation and my experiences.
Qualia Mind vs. Mind Lab Pro Main Differences
Benefits
Both products seek to improve brain function and use many of the same ingredients to achieve the desired results, which include better focus and memory, reduced stress and anxiety, and increased creativity and productivity.
Mind Lab Pro helps you always be on your A-game by processing information quickly, memorizing and recalling words and information, filtering out distractions, and thinking clearly, even in difficult situations.
Qualia Mind improves focus, memory, and mental clarity across key brain systems. Its goal is to help your body’s natural ability to upregulate the production of important neurotransmitters, BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), and other pathways required for healthy brain function.
Ingredients
Qualia Mind and Mind Lab Pro have fully transparent ingredient lists showing exactly how much of each ingredient is in each serving. This not only allows us to compare the quantities to available clinical research but also creates trust in the company.
The two products share a few common ingredients, which are staples of most nootropics. I will start with these before looking at the different components included in the two formulations.
A key difference between them is the presence of caffeine in Qualia Mind, which acts as a stimulant and provides fast results.
L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, is a very effective antioxidant and is contained in almost all nootropics for its positive effect on stress relief.
It also provides greater verbal fluency and executive function [1][2]. The recommended dose is 200 mg. Mind Lab Pro is slightly underdosed with 100 mg, and Qualia hits the mark with 200.
L-tyrosine is another shared cornerstone nootropic component linked to mind flexibility and cognitive control [3]. Qualia Mind contains 250 mg of L-tyrosine, compared to the 175 mg found in Mind Lab Pro.
No modern nootropic is complete without the ayurvedic herb Bacopa monnieri. Bacopa improves verbal learning, memory acquisition, and delayed recall by helping brain receptors process information [4]. Qualia again hits the recommended 300 mg of Bacopa, while Mind Lab Pro has only half of that.
Mind Lab Pro and Qualia Mind contain Citicoline, which optimizes brain pathways and boosts neural regeneration, focus, brain energy, and memory [9][10].
Rhodiola Rosea is used to aid the body in dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression [5]. The dosage in Mind Lab Pro is much lower than in Qualia Mind.
Both products also contain 100 mg Phosphatidylserine. Supplementation with the substance has been shown to increase cognitive function.
One promising Mind Lab Pro addition is Organic Lion’s Mane Mushroom. This mushroom shows significant promise for decreasing stress and increasing working memory, attention, and reaction time [6][7].
Mind Lab Pro’s final ingredient is Pine Bark extract, a potent antioxidant said to improve memory and blood flow [8].
As I said earlier, the caffeine in Qualia Mind is a vital part of the formulation. Caffeine stimulates the nervous system and increases energy levels, focus, and concentration almost immediately. The product has 90 mg of caffeine, which is roughly as much as you would get from an espresso.
What makes caffeine even more powerful is L-theanine and taurine, both of which are present in Qualia Mind, creating the ultimate nootropic combination.
I’ve already touched on L-theanine in this section, but the combination deserves mentioning because the amino acid further improves the benefits of caffeine while reducing its negative effects [12][13].
Taurine also works brilliantly with caffeine and is associated with improved performance while reducing the requirement for caffeine to get the same effect [15].
Huperzine A, a component of the Qualia Mind formulation, is thought to help with brain injury recovery and improve brain function in Alzheimer’s patients [9,10].
Continuing the long list of Qualia Mind active ingredients is Citicoline, which may improve episodic memory in adults, although the dose here is smaller than recommended [14].
Alpha GPC may improve cognitive function, memory, and focus [11].
Qualia Mind has more ingredients, such as Algae DHA, Ginkgo Biloba, L-dopa, and others, each contributing individually or synergistically to the overall very powerful and potent formulation.
Stimulant vs. Non-Stimulant
Qualia Mind is a stimulant nootropic as it contains caffeine. Mind Lab Pro is a non-stimulant product without ingredients capable of stimulating the nervous system rapidly.
Qualia Mind is also offered in a non-stimulant version, but I haven’t tried it, and this review is for the standard caffeinated version.
Short vs. Long-Term Effects
Nootropics generally work by building up over time and being used daily. The effects become more evident over time. My experience with reputable products typically shows moderate effects in week two and more significant ones in weeks three and four of my 30-day trials.
Manufacturers typically recommend 3 to 4 months of consumption to reap the full benefits, which is why purchasing 90 or 120-serving containers is less expensive per serving and the only method to determine a product’s full potential.
Qualia Mind operates excellently both in the short and long term. The caffeine + L-theanine + taurine combination is an unfailing energy and focus booster you can use anytime you need a pick-me-up.
However, the product also contains abundant nootropic elements, many of which are shared with Mind Lab Pro but in higher doses, which produces long-term cognitive enhancements.
Clinical Research
Mind Lab Pro is one of the few nootropics with complete formulation studies. Two studies have been conducted, and one is still in progress. Both are double-blind and placebo-controlled, and have found the product beneficial for processing information and memory [16][17].
But what’s more impressive is one was done independently by the University of Leeds.
Qualia Mind does not currently have a complete study. There is one extensive study found on their website, but it includes various comprehensive lifestyle changes in people with cognitive decline, and the nootropic was only one element of the whole picture.
Side Effects
The typical side effects one could expect from nootropics include gastrointestinal issues and headaches. With so many components in the two, it’s not impossible to experience some unpleasant effects. I am fortunate and haven’t felt any adverse effects from either product.
I’ve also looked through quite a few user reviews and haven’t found any serious complaints about side effects.
It’s worth noting the serving size of Qualia Mind is 7 capsules, which may be a bit too much for someone with a weak stomach.
User Reviews
Quali Mind has around 2,300 reviews and a total score of 4.5/5. I’ve scouted through many, and the vast majority of them highly praise the product, which does not surprise me.
Mind Lab Pro has received a 4.5-star rating from about 2400 reviews, the majority of which are positive. As I mentioned, I have not seen complaints concerning side effects, but a few hundred people have left negative reviews because they haven’t felt any benefits.
Price
| Product | First Purchase / 1 Bottle | One Time Purchase / 2 Bottles | Subscription / 4 Bottles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualia Mind | $39.00 / 22 servings w/ subscription ($1.77/ serving) | $159.00 / 22 servings ($7.22/ serving) | $139 w/ subscription ($6.31/serving) |
| Mind Lab Pro | $69.00 / 30 servings ($2.30/serving) | $138.00 / 60 servings ($2.30/serving) | $207.00 / 120 servings ($1.73/serving) |
You can save an extra 15% on Qualia Mind using code “LBEB” at checkout.
My Experience With Qualia Mind And Mind Lab Pro
My experience with both products has been great, but Qualia Mind brings more noticeable benefits because it contains caffeine, L-theanine, and taurine. This powerful stack works wonders for my productivity and focus and even strongly suppresses my urge to procrastinate.
Outside of these almost instant effects, the product also delivers considerable long-term enhancements. By the end of my test period, my ability to process and then recall new and complex information had significantly improved.
Mind Lab Pro has also benefited me, although slower. During my test period, my afternoon slump almost disappeared, and my concentration when writing articles improved. I am sure the effects would be even more profound with more prolonged use.
Should You Choose Qualia Mind Or Mind Lab Pro?
In most comparisons between nootropics, I have a clear recommendation to give, but here the task is more complicated.
Qualia Mind is one of the best nootropics on the market, containing a ton of ingredients addressing all aspects of mental performance and brain health. It is also a potent stimulant you can always rely on to tackle any demanding task.
Many of Mind Lab Pro’s ingredients are also in Qualia Mind and in much higher doses in the more premium product.
But at the same time, Qualia Mind is three times more expensive than Mind Lab Pro, which is a very good nootropic in its own right. If money is not an issue for you and you are not caffeine intolerant, Qualia Mind is worth it.
You can likely get the same or comparable results if you take Mind Lab Pro long enough and rely on old-school methods of stimulation, like simply drinking coffee.
Best For Short & Long Term
Qualia Mind
Code “LBEB” saves 15%
A comprehensive stimulant-based nootropic formula for effective cognitive enhancement.
CHECK CURRENT DEALSBest Non-Stimulant Option
References
- Hidese, S., Ogawa, S., Ota, M., Ishida, I., Yasukawa, Z., Ozeki, M., & Kunugi, H. (2019). Effects of L-theanine administration on stress-related symptoms and cognitive functions in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial. Nutrients, 11(10), 2362.
- Williams, J. L., Everett, J. M., D’Cunha, N. M., Sergi, D., Georgousopoulou, E. N., Keegan, R. J., … & Naumovski, N. (2020). The effects of green tea amino acid L-theanine consumption on the ability to manage stress and anxiety levels: A systematic review. Plant foods for human nutrition, 75, 12-23.
- Steenbergen, L., Sellaro, R., Hommel, B., & Colzato, L. S. (2015). Tyrosine promotes cognitive flexibility: evidence from proactive vs. reactive control during task switching performance. Neuropsychologia, 69, 50-55.
- Morgan, A., & Stevens, J. (2010). Does Bacopa monnieri improve memory performance in older persons? Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. The journal of alternative and complementary medicine, 16(7), 753-759.
- Cropley, M., Banks, A. P., & Boyle, J. (2015). The effects of Rhodiola rosea L. extract on anxiety, stress, cognition and other mood symptoms. Phytotherapy research, 29(12), 1934-1939.
- Docherty, S., Doughty, F. L., & Smith, E. F. (2023). The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion’s Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study. Nutrients, 15(22), 4842.
- La Monica, M. B., Raub, B., Ziegenfuss, E. J., Hartshorn, S., Grdic, J., Gustat, A., … & Ziegenfuss, T. N. (2023). Acute Effects of Naturally Occurring Guayusa Tea and Nordic Lion’s Mane Extracts on Cognitive Performance. Nutrients, 15(24), 5018.
- Schoenlau, F. (2021). The multifactorial contributions of Pycnogenol® for cognitive function improvement. In Nutraceuticals in Brain Health and Beyond (pp. 335-341). Academic Press.
- Li, J., Wu, H. M., Zhou, R. L., Liu, G. J., & Dong, B. R. (2008). Huperzine A for Alzheimer’s disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (2).
- Mei, Z., Zheng, P., Tan, X., Wang, Y., & Situ, B. (2017). Huperzine A alleviates neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and improves cognitive function after repetitive traumatic brain injury. Metabolic Brain Disease, 32, 1861-1869.
- Parker, A. G., Byars, A., Purpura, M., & Jäger, R. (2015). The effects of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, caffeine or placebo on markers of mood, cognitive function, power, speed, and agility. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(sup1), P41.
- Williams, J. L., Everett, J. M., D’Cunha, N. M., Sergi, D., Georgousopoulou, E. N., Keegan, R. J., … & Naumovski, N. (2020). The effects of green tea amino acid L-theanine consumption on the ability to manage stress and anxiety levels: A systematic review. Plant foods for human nutrition, 75, 12-23.
- Haskell, C. F., Kennedy, D. O., Milne, A. L., Wesnes, K. A., & Scholey, A. B. (2008). The effects of L-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood. Biological psychology, 77(2), 113-122.
- Jasielski, P.; Pi?del, F.; Piwek, M.; Rocka, A.; Petit, V.; Rejdak, K. Application of Citicoline in Neurological Disorders: A Systematic Review. Nutrients 2020, 12, 3113. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12103113
- Souza, D. B., Del Coso, J., Casonatto, J., & Polito, M. D. (2017). Acute effects of caffeine-containing energy drinks on physical performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European journal of nutrition, 56(1), 13-27.
- The Efficacy of A Nootropic Supplement on Information Processing in Adults: A Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Study Volume 49- Issue 1. Andrea Utley, Yadira Gonzalez and Carlie Abbott Imboden
- Efficacy of the nootropic supplement Mind Lab Pro on memory in adults: Double-blind, placebo-controlled studyCarlie Abbott-Imboden, Yadira Gonzalez, Andrea Utley
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