Stackexpand_less
Analysisexpand_less
Please sign in to access analysis.
Profileexpand_less
Supplementsexpand_more
BrainEssence
Pure Essence
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(79 ratings)
Acetyl L-Carnitine 500 mg
Score 88.0
A premium, comprehensive brain health formula featuring ALCAR, ALA, Phosphatidylserine, Huperzine-A, and a wide array of adaptogenic and nootropic herbs.
Quantity: 60 Tablet(s)Servings size: 2 Tablet(s) (30 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Brain Health
Energy
Mental Focus
Mood Support
Metabolism Boost
leaderboard Score 88.0
A premium, comprehensive brain health formula featuring ALCAR, ALA, Phosphatidylserine, Huperzine-A, and a wide array of adaptogenic and nootropic herbs.
BrainEssence is a complex and thoughtfully formulated supplement designed for extensive brain support. It includes Acetyl-L-Carnitine (500mg), Alpha Lipoic Acid (100mg), Phosphatidylserine (100mg), Huperzine-A (100mcg), Fisetin (10mg), along with a blend of adaptogenic and cognitive herbs such as Bacopa monnieri (300mg), Schizandra (200mg), Mucuna pruriens (200mg), Ashwagandha (200mg), Rhodiola (50mg), and Gotu Kola (75mg). This broad spectrum of ingredients addresses various aspects of brain health, including neurotransmitter function, mitochondrial energy, neuroprotection, stress adaptation, and memory. While the price per serving is high at $1.68, the sheer breadth and quality of the ingredients justify the cost for those seeking a premium, all-in-one brain supplement. Nutritionists and online reviews generally highlight the benefits of these individual ingredients for cognitive enhancement and stress resilience.
- Highly comprehensive formula with a wide array of synergistic ingredients for multi-faceted brain support.
- Includes strong foundational nootropics like Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Phosphatidylserine, and Huperzine-A.
- Incorporates adaptogens like Ashwagandha and Rhodiola for stress resilience and mood support.
- Contains research-backed herbal extracts such as Bacopa monnieri for memory and cognitive function.
- Very high price per serving ($1.68), making it less accessible for many consumers.
- Some individual ingredient dosages (e.g., ALA at 100mg) are on the lower side for standalone efficacy, though likely intended for synergy within the complex.
- Due to the extensive ingredient list, individuals should review for potential interactions with medications or existing health conditions.
- Huperzine-A requires cycling to avoid potential downregulation of enzymes.
$50.52($1.68 per serving)
 iHerb | $ 50.52 | |
 Vitacost | $ 50.59 |
| Ingredient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
| Acetyl-L-Carnitine | 500 mg |
| Bacopa monnieri extract | 300 mg |
| organic Ashwagandha extract | 200 mg |
| Mucuna pruriens | 200 mg |
| Schizandra extract | 200 mg |
| Phosphatidylserine | 100 mg |
| Alpha Lipoic Acid | 100 mg |
| Gotu Kola extract | 75 mg |
| Rhodiola extract (Siberian rhodiola root extract) | 50 mg |
| Fisetin extract | 10 mg |
| Chinese Club Moss extract (Huperzine-A) | 100 mcg |
Categories
Acetyl L-Carnitine 85.0
Acetyl-L-Carnitine is a key component at a good 500mg dose, but this product integrates it into a far more complex nootropic formula, enhancing its utility beyond a simple ALCAR supplement and making it a standout in this collection for comprehensive brain support.
Goals
Brain Health 95.0
This product is explicitly designed for brain health, utilizing a broad spectrum of ingredients that enhance neuroprotection, neurotransmitter function, mitochondrial energy, and synaptic plasticity, making it exceptionally comprehensive for cognitive support.
Mental Focus 90.0
Ingredients like Huperzine-A, Bacopa, and ALCAR directly support neurotransmitter levels and brain clarity, leading to enhanced concentration, attention span, and overall mental sharpness.
Mood Support 88.0
The inclusion of adaptogens (Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Schizandra) and mood-supportive compounds like Mucuna pruriens, Phosphatidylserine, and ALCAR makes it a strong contender for promoting emotional balance and reducing stress, thus supporting mood.
Recommended Alternatives
85 Value 
Neuro Fuel
NS Natural Stacks
4.6
★★★★★
(97 ratings)
Neuro Fuel provides a higher 750mg dose of Acetyl-L-Carnitine and includes other relevant nootropic ingredients like Artichoke Leaf Extract and L-Phenylalanine for $1.36 per serving. This offers a potent brain boost at a slightly more accessible price point for a multi-ingredient formula.
82 Value 
CoQ10 + Alpha Lipoic Acid + Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl
Nature's Lab
4.9
★★★★★
(29 ratings)
At $0.83 per serving, this product provides a powerful synergistic trio of ALCAR (500mg), Alpha Lipoic Acid (300mg), and CoQ10 (200mg). While less comprehensive than BrainEssence, it offers excellent foundational support for mitochondrial health and energy, representing strong value for these core brain-supporting nutrients.
75 Value 
PQQ Complex
Protocol For Life Balance
4.8
★★★★★
(74 ratings)
This complex provides a synergistic blend of ALCAR, PQQ, CoQ10, and B12 for $1.00 per serving. While some doses are lower than in BrainEssence, it offers a well-rounded approach to mitochondrial and brain health at a significantly lower price, representing a good 'entry-level' complex for similar goals.
95 Performance 
Memory Pro
Pure Encapsulations
4.3
★★★★★
(20 ratings)
Memory Pro offers a similar comprehensive approach to brain health, featuring a higher dose of Acetyl-L-Carnitine (750mg) and including a robust list of synergistic ingredients like Ginkgo, Bacopa, Phosphatidylserine, and Turmeric, making it an even more potent and clinically-backed option for memory and overall cognitive function.
93 Performance 
Memoractiv
Thorne
4.6
★★★★★
(395 ratings)
Memoractiv by Thorne is a premium brain support formula with high-quality, patented ingredients like Virtiva (Ginkgo Phytosome), KSM-66 Ashwagandha, and Lutemax 2020. While its ALCAR dose (250mg) is lower, its overall blend provides excellent support for focus, memory, and stress adaptation, making it a strong competitor for comprehensive cognitive enhancement.
90 Performance 
Brain Cell Support
Metabolic Maintenance
4.7
★★★★★
(233 ratings)
This product offers 500mg of Acetyl L-Carnitine and combines it with powerful, research-backed nootropics such as Cognizin (CDP-Choline), DMAE, Ginkgo Biloba, and Phosphatidylserine, providing a highly effective and targeted approach to neuronal health and cognitive function, making it a superior choice for brain support.
75 Budget 
NeuroIGNITE
Havasu Nutrition
4.1
★★★★★
(9754 ratings)
At $0.73 per serving, NeuroIGNITE is a significantly cheaper nootropic blend featuring Bacopa, Ginkgo, Phosphatidylserine, and DMAE, offering some similar brain-supporting ingredients to BrainEssence, though with a much lower ALCAR dose.
80 Budget
Neuro Fuel
NS Natural Stacks
4.6
★★★★★
(97 ratings)
This product offers a higher 750mg dose of Acetyl-L-Carnitine and includes other nootropic ingredients like Artichoke Leaf Extract and L-Phenylalanine, providing a focused brain boost at a lower price point ($1.36 per serving) than BrainEssence.
70 Budget 
Acetyl L-Carnitine & Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Source Naturals
4.6
★★★★★
(1770 ratings)
For a much lower price ($0.32 per serving), this alternative provides a foundational blend of ALCAR (500mg) and Alpha-Lipoic Acid, which are two core ingredients in BrainEssence, suitable for those focusing on mitochondrial and antioxidant support at a budget.
85 Value
Neuro Fuel
NS Natural Stacks
4.6
★★★★★
(97 ratings)
Neuro Fuel provides a higher 750mg dose of Acetyl-L-Carnitine and includes other relevant nootropic ingredients like Artichoke Leaf Extract and L-Phenylalanine for $1.36 per serving. This offers a potent brain boost at a slightly more accessible price point for a multi-ingredient formula.
82 Value
CoQ10 + Alpha Lipoic Acid + Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl
Nature's Lab
4.9
★★★★★
(29 ratings)
At $0.83 per serving, this product provides a powerful synergistic trio of ALCAR (500mg), Alpha Lipoic Acid (300mg), and CoQ10 (200mg). While less comprehensive than BrainEssence, it offers excellent foundational support for mitochondrial health and energy, representing strong value for these core brain-supporting nutrients.
75 Value
PQQ Complex
Protocol For Life Balance
4.8
★★★★★
(74 ratings)
This complex provides a synergistic blend of ALCAR, PQQ, CoQ10, and B12 for $1.00 per serving. While some doses are lower than in BrainEssence, it offers a well-rounded approach to mitochondrial and brain health at a significantly lower price, representing a good 'entry-level' complex for similar goals.
95 Performance
Memory Pro
Pure Encapsulations
4.3
★★★★★
(20 ratings)
Memory Pro offers a similar comprehensive approach to brain health, featuring a higher dose of Acetyl-L-Carnitine (750mg) and including a robust list of synergistic ingredients like Ginkgo, Bacopa, Phosphatidylserine, and Turmeric, making it an even more potent and clinically-backed option for memory and overall cognitive function.
93 Performance
Memoractiv
Thorne
4.6
★★★★★
(395 ratings)
Memoractiv by Thorne is a premium brain support formula with high-quality, patented ingredients like Virtiva (Ginkgo Phytosome), KSM-66 Ashwagandha, and Lutemax 2020. While its ALCAR dose (250mg) is lower, its overall blend provides excellent support for focus, memory, and stress adaptation, making it a strong competitor for comprehensive cognitive enhancement.
90 Performance
Brain Cell Support
Metabolic Maintenance
4.7
★★★★★
(233 ratings)
This product offers 500mg of Acetyl L-Carnitine and combines it with powerful, research-backed nootropics such as Cognizin (CDP-Choline), DMAE, Ginkgo Biloba, and Phosphatidylserine, providing a highly effective and targeted approach to neuronal health and cognitive function, making it a superior choice for brain support.