Qualia Mind Review

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dr jennifer hughes

Dr. Jennifer Hughes, MD
Medical Reviewer

Evidence Based Research To fulfill our commitment to bringing our audience accurate and insightful content, our expert writers and medical reviewers rely on carefully curated research.
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Our Rating: A-

Qualia Mind is a powerful nootropic backed by a well-thought-out formulation with ample supporting research, but it also comes with a hefty premium (which is admittedly offset by a generous subscription program).

We determined this rating by evaluating the following factors:

  • Ingredient Quality
    i
    Ingredient QualityA+
    All 28 ingredients in Qualia Mind are supported by research to work with the brain’s existing chemistry in support of its key functions.
A+
  • Supporting Research
    i
    Supporting ResearchA+
    Each Qualia Mind ingredient makes a compelling case on its own for safe and effective brain-boosting benefits.
A+
  • Reported Side Effects
    i
    Reported Side EffectsA
    All Qualia Mind ingredients are widely regarded as safe when taken in appropriate doses, and side effects are rare and infrequent, but more safety data on the complete product would help.
A
  • Brand Experience
    i
    Brand ExperienceA-
    Neurohacker makes an active effort to accommodate and engage with their consumers.
A-
  • Value for the Price
    i
    Value for the PriceB+
    There’s no denying the hefty premium attached to Qualia Mind, but thanks to subscription savings and superior product quality, they’ve redeemed most of the lost credit.
B+
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Welcome to our Qualia Mind review!

The “brainchild” of extensive neurobiology and organic chemistry research, Qualia Mind is regarded as one of the most comprehensive nootropic supplements on the market.

Naturally, such a lofty claim invites critique from reviewers like ourselves, so review we did, sampling the product, researching the ingredients, and speaking with the team to learn more.

We found that—unlike so many nootropic stacks that fall short with lackluster formulations and/or unwanted effects—Qualia Mind indeed lived up to the hype, providing a sustained boost in focus and memory without causing that “wired” feeling or drowsiness.

Here’s how we came to that conclusion, starting with a close look at Qualia Mind’s ingredients.

Qualia Mind
Qualia Mind
  • Qualia Mind contains a heavily researched blend of 28 nootropics that target vital chemical messengers and other signaling systems in the brain to enhance its memory, attention, and more.

Pros and Cons

  • Pros
  • Superior formulation quality
  • Very thoroughly researched
  • Effective in boosting memory, alertness, and more
  • Cons
  • Seven-capsule serving
  • Premium price

Who Is This For?

Because Qualia Mind has been proven effective for memory, focus, and alertness, it’s the ideal product for students and anyone else who is required (by work or otherwise) to focus on complex tasks for hours at a time.

Ingredient Quality

Summary:

Grade: A+

All 28 ingredients in Qualia Mind are supported by research to work with the brain’s existing chemistry in support of its key functions.

More than the ingredients themselves, this category awards products and brands credit for transparency and integrity of sourcing, testing, and manufacturing processes, which is just as apparent in what isn’t included on the ingredient list (artificial sweeteners, additives, etc.) as what is.

Several of the 28 ingredients in Qualia Mind (not counting capsule ingredients) come in highly absorbable forms—i.e., methylated, acetylated, or phosphorylated—which in turn enhances potency.

Here’s the ingredient list:

  • Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid)
  • Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol)
  • Thiamine (as thiamine HCl)
  • Niacin (as niacinamide)
  • Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal-5-phosphate)
  • Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin)
  • Pantothenic Acid (as calcium pantothenate)
  • Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCl
  • Artichoke Leaf Extract (4% cynarin and related flavonoids)
  • Bacopa monnieri Leaf Extract
  • Rhodiola rosea Root Extract (3% rosavins; 1% salidrosides)
  • DL-Phenylalanine
  • N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
  • Taurine
  • L-Theanine
  • Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine (alpha GPC)
  • Uridine-5-Monophosphate
  • Cognizin Citicoline
  • Organic Coffeeberry (90 mg caffeine) Whole Coffee (Coffea arabica) Fruit Extract
  • Velvet Bean (Mucuna pruriens) Seed Extract
  • Phosphatidylserine (from sunflower lecithin)
  • Theobromine
  • DHA (as Docosahexaenoic Acid from Algae)
  • Celastrus paniculatus Seed Extract
  • Ginkgo biloba Leaf Extract (24% glycosides)
  • Coleus forskohlii Root Extract (20% forskolin)
  • Pyrroloquinoline Quinone disodium
  • Huperzia serrata Leaf Extract (1% Huperzine A)
  • Other ingredients: Hypromellose, Rice Concentrate, Silicon Dioxide, Rice Extract Blend

Along with other Neurohacker products, Qualia Mind has been subjected to several rounds of beta tests in addition to the formulation research leading up to that point. 

As we’ll explore in more detail below, all of the active ingredients have been shown in research to safely promote the neurochemical processes contributing to enhanced memory, alertness, and/or concentration.

Though potential side effects are never out of the question with nootropic stacks—especially for people who don’t follow usage instructions—there are no “red flag” items on this ingredient list, including those that comprise the capsule.

Considering the consumer-conscious manufacturing process, the “thousands of hours of research and development by top scientists in complex-systems modeling,” as the Qualia Mind product page puts it, and the ample testing performed for this supplement, we award Qualia Mind an A+ for ingredient quality.

Supporting Research

Summary:

Grade: A+

Each Qualia Mind ingredient makes a compelling case on its own for safe and effective brain-boosting benefits.

Qualia Mind’s ingredient list may seem impressive at first glance by virtue of sheer size, but the larger the list, the larger the burden on the manufacturer to prove that they have accounted for the increasingly complex chemistry involved with balancing, in this case, more than two dozen nootropic ingredients. 

Hence, we set out to assess the research support behind this ingredient list with a more critical than usual air, almost haughtily declaring to ourselves that “no less than two dozen affirming studies will do,” only to be met by a breakdown of Qualia Mind ingredients with 144 (non-affiliated) studies cited.

The page in mention explains how the various stacks integrated into this formulation enhance the following brain functions:

  • Choline signaling
  • Glutamate signaling
  • Dopamine signaling
  • Resilience (brain’s resistance to stress)
  • Neurogenesis
  • Neuroprotection
  • Neuroplasticity
  • Cell membrane integrity
  • Cell energy and metabolism

Even with the wealth of studies provided by Neurohacker on this page—which we invite anyone serious about Qualia Mind to check out—we still feel compelled to examine at least a few outside sources assessing the safety and efficacy of the ingredients.

Here’s what we found in that vein, covering several of the major ingredients in Qualia Mind:

Acetyl-L-carnitine was described by this article in Alternative Medicine Review to exert a cholinomimetic effect, meaning it closely mirrors the action of the key neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which in turn enhances the body’s defense against dementia, depression, neuropathy, ischemia (cutting off of blood flow) of the brain, and more.

Bacopa Monnieri “significantly improved speed of visual information processing, learning rate, memory consolidation, and decreased anxiety with maximal effects after 12 weeks of administration,” says this review of the ayurvedic plant by St John Hospital & Medical Center.

Somewhat like Acetyl-L-carnitine, Alpha GPC facilitates the release of acetylcholine in the brain, which enhances learning and memory. This study from Angelo State University in Texas also showed that Alpha GPC can increase endurance performance and growth hormone secretion, adding another incentive for athletes.

A review of the “therapeutic usefulness” of citicoline finds that it activates the central cholinergic system, which is key for healthy neural function, while providing a bump in important hormones like adrenocorticotropic hormone (ATCH).

Finally, DHA or docosahexaenoic acid is the most prevalent and arguably most important fatty acid in the brain, contributing to nerve creation, transmission, myelination, and much more from fetal development to old age

Taking into account the cumulative evidence in support of each ingredient, the amount of research covering these ingredients—some of which includes human trials—and the study of the complete product, we’re giving Qualia Mind an A+ for supporting research in our Qualia Mind review.

Reported Side Effects

Summary:

Grade: A

All Qualia Mind ingredients are widely regarded as safe when taken in appropriate doses, and side effects are rare and infrequent, but more safety data on the complete product would help.

Virtually any substance, psychoactive or otherwise, will elicit negative side effects if taken under the wrong conditions and/or in excessive quantities. 

This doesn’t mean ingredients shown to elicit side effects get a pass, but we factor the issue of dosage and other conditions into the equation for a fairer assessment.

We award or take away credit based on the severity and frequency of symptoms as well as the amount of research covering safety data for any given ingredient, and as a disclaimer, this category is not meant to accurately reflect anyone’s experience with the product.

After combing through numerous safety reports for each of the ingredients we reviewed above, we found that most of the active ingredients (including all of those listed below) can cause rare, mild-to-moderate symptoms that increase in probability with higher dosages, concurrent drugs or medications, and some pre-existing diseases and disorders. Here is a brief synopsis:

Acetyl-L-carnitine: Generally well tolerated. Reported side effects (especially with doses of 3g/day or more) include GI distress and/or cramping, diarrhea, and muscle weakness.

Bacopa Monnieri: Generally well tolerated. Reported side effects include fatigue, nausea, bloating, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and other GI symptoms.

Alpha GPC: Generally well tolerated. Reported side effects include heartburn, insomnia, confusion, and skin irritation.

Cognizin Citicoline: Generally well tolerated. Reported side effects include insomnia, headache, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, chest pain, and more.

DHA: Generally well tolerated. Sources differ between 3,000-5,000mg daily limit. Reported side effects include hypotension, unpleasant taste, headache, diarrhea, and more.

As much safety-affirming data as we have on Qualia Mind’s ingredients—both referenced by Neurohacker and exhumed by our writing team—we are crediting Qualia Mind with an A instead of an A+ for safety in our Qualia Mind review because we’d like to see more data on the complete formulation.

Otherwise, we found no red flags on the frequency or severity front regarding adverse effects for each ingredient.

Brand Experience

Summary:

Grade: A-

Neurohacker makes an active effort to accommodate and engage with their consumers.

Since each customer’s brand experience often encompasses a broad range of factors, we assess customer service, site content, shipping and return policies, packaging quality, and anything else that constitutes a direct or semi-direct interaction between the brand and the consumer in this category.

Neurohacker offers phone, email, and text messaging support (per our Neurohacker review), and our experience was overwhelmingly positive with the exception of the phone service, which didn’t respond after we left a voicemail.

Still, the email and text services furnished prompt and very helpful responses to our questions within fifteen minutes each.

Shipping cost is neither too expensive nor groundbreakingly cheap, and options include standard ($7.98) or priority ($12.98).

By contrast, the return policy offers customers 100 days to feel 100% satisfied or receive 100% money back, which is as generous as it is an effective mnemonic.

Our personal experience with Neurohacker and their products—which we will detail more below—has not involved any shipping or product quality issues that would have necessitated customer support outside of the review process.

Overall, the brand experience was a positive one with one somewhat glaring exception (the phone issue), earning Qualia Mind and Neurohacker a A- in our Qualia Mind review for brand experience.

Value for the Price

Summary:

Grade: B+

There’s no denying the hefty premium attached to Qualia Mind, but thanks to subscription savings and superior product quality, they’ve redeemed most of the lost credit.

Qualia Mind is priced at $139 for a standalone purchase on the Neurohacker website. 

With the exception of Qualia Resilience, this and other Neurohacker price points reflect a 10-15% bump in price over their closest competitors.

Qualia Mind is able to recoup a solid share of points lost for the premium price (and then some) on the value end because the vast majority of even these close competitors do not achieve the same density or research-supported synergy of high-quality nootropic ingredients.

The second factor working to redeem Qualia Mind is their subscription program, which usually provides a 50% discount on the initial purchase price and regular discounts ranging from around 12-18% thereafter.

In the case of Qualia Mind, this drops the price from $139 for a standalone purchase to $69.50 on the first order, followed by a regularly discounted price of $119 for subsequent orders.

There’s no erasing this hefty premium, but considering these mitigating factors, Qualia Mind climbs its way back up to a B+ for value in our Qualia Mind review.  

Our Experience

Of the several members of our review team who ordered and sampled Qualia Mind, nobody reported long shipping times, damaged products/packaging, or any other upfront issues. 

The hard plastic bottles were well-insulated in the boxes to prevent them from bouncing around in transit, and the cotton balls enclosed in each bottle ensured that the capsules wouldn’t stick together.

Neither the lids nor the bottles gave us any issues throughout our use of the product.

Taking seven pills per serving isn’t ideal, but considering the ingredient list, we don’t doubt that Neurohacker was as efficient as they could have been with the serving size.

As for effectiveness, our reviewers consistently reported improvements in multiple aspects of cognitive functioning, including our level of alertness, mental energy and endurance, improved memory, and improved sociability.

We found ourselves fumbling for words less often, misplacing items less often, and most importantly—don’t judge—remembering where we parked the car with less brainstorming.

While Qualia Mind isn’t the first product to confer these benefits, it certainly did so with greater potency and consistency than any other nootropic supplement we’ve tried.

FAQs for Qualia Mind

Does Qualia Mind actually work?

Everyone’s results will vary based on a variety of factors, but our review team found Qualia Mind to consistently and potently enhance several key brain functions.

Does Qualia Mind work immediately?

Like most orally ingested substances, Qualia Mind capsules will take roughly an hour for effects to be noticed.

What are the side effects of Qualia Mind?

Because Qualia Mind stimulates alertness, you may feel restless after taking the supplement, and less frequently, some of the ingredients in Qualia Mind have been associated with nausea, indigestion, headache, and fatigue, among other symptoms.

Can I take Qualia Mind every day?

Neurohacker recommends you take Qualia Mind on a cycle of five days on, two (consecutive or nonconsecutive) days off, which helps your brain from becoming desensitized to it.

Can you drink coffee with Qualia Mind?

Neurohacker does not explicitly recommend or discourage taking Qualia Mind with coffee, though they do mention that Bulletproof coffee (keto-friendly, high-fat coffee) would enhance absorption of Qualia Mind due to the fat content. 

How many pills are in Qualia Mind?

Qualia Mind comes in a 154-count container, which equates to 22 servings, or a 28-day supply.

Can I take Qualia Mind with food?

Neurohacker recommends taking Qualia Life with food because some of the ingredients are fat-soluble, meaning fat could make them absorb more efficiently.

Final Thoughts

Qualia Mind is backed by a seriously well-researched ingredient list, but more exploration into the complete product would be a welcome addition to the reinforcing data.

None of the ingredients raise safety red flags, and side effects are both infrequent and generally mild.

Neurohacker maintains a pro-consumer approach throughout most of their policies and messaging, and save for one customer service issue, our experience with them was positive.

Qualia Mind is expensive enough to prohibit more casual supplement shoppers, but for those who are committed to finding a top-tier nootropic that can enhance focus, memory, etc., it’s a compelling value (especially with the subscription).

This product worked for our review team consistently, without any side effects.
All considered, we award Qualia Mind an overall grade of A, and would recommend this product to others looking for a serious brain boost.

Qualia Mind
Qualia Mind
  • Qualia Mind contains a heavily researched blend of 28 nootropics that target vital chemical messengers and other signaling systems in the brain to enhance its memory, attention, and more.



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