Neurohacker Collective Qualia vs Thrivous Nootropic Stack

Neurohacker Collective Qualia is a combination of nootropic dietary supplements that compete with Thrivous Nootropic Stack. Nootropics improve focus, memory, mood, energy, and generally support brain function and enhance mental performance. This is a review of how the Qualia and Thrivous Nootropic Stack products compare, based on third-party assessments of nootropic ingredient evidence and effect. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Please consult a physician before and during use of these and other nootropics.

Of course you'd expect us, at Thrivous, to think our product is better. But I think you'll agree with us after looking at this comparison. Here's an outline:

1. Ingredient List – List all ingredients and dosages in each product.
2. Ingredient Evidence – Score each ingredient based on its level of scientific evidence, and score each product based on the average of its ingredient evidence scores.
3. Ingredient Effect – Score each ingredient based on its magnitude of nootropic effect weighted by its ingredient evidence score, and score each product based on the average of its ingredient effect scores.
4. Formula Effect – Score each ingredient based on its dosage weighted by its ingredient effect score, and score each product based on the sum of its dosage scores.
5. Product Value – Calculate the relative value of each product by dividing its formula effect score by its price.

The end result of the comparison is two scores – one score for each product. Together, the scores show the relative nootropic effect you may reasonably expect per dollar spent. And you'll see that Thrivous is clearly the better value.

Ingredient List

Here are the ingredients in Thrivous Nootropic Stack and Neurohacker Collective Qualia:

Thrivous (30 days for $66)		Qualia (30 days for $175.91)
This information is from Thrivous and Neurohacker Collective websites on 24 February 2017.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine	500 mg	Acetyl-L-Carnitine	800 mg
		Algal DHA	200 mg
Alpha-GPC	300 mg	Alpha-GPC	100 mg
Alpha-Lipoic Acid	150 mg
		Artichoke extract (5% cynarin)	500 mg
Bacopa Monnieri extract (25% bacoside)	600 mg	Bacopa Monnieri extract (45% bacoside)	300 mg
		Caffeine	90 mg
		CDP-Choline	75 mg
		Centrophenoxine	250 mg
		Coleus Forskohlii (20% forskolin)	10 mg
		DHEA	20 mg
		DL-Phenylalanine	300 mg
Ginkgo Biloba extract (24% flavone glycoside, 6% terpene lactone)	90 mg	Ginkgo Biloba extract (24% glycoside)	50 mg
		Green Tea extract (98% polyphenol, 45% egcg)	500 mg
		Gynostemma Pentaphyllum extract	300 mg
		Hordenine	20 mg
		Huperzine A 1%	5 mg
L-Theanine	200 mg	L-Theanine	200 mg
		Lion's Mane extract (30% polysaccharide)	500 mg
		Lithium	3 mg
Magnesium (from Magnesium Glycinate)	200 mg	Magnesium (from Magnesium Threonate)	75 mg
Melatonin	5 mg
		Mucuna Pruriens extract (98% l-dopa)	100 mg
		N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine	250 mg
		Noopept	30 mg
		Phenylethylamine	500 mg
		Phosphatidylserine	200 mg
		Piperine	10 mg
		Pterostilbene	119 mg
		Pyrroloquinoline Quinone	10 mg
		Quercetin	200 mg
Rhodiola Rosea extract (2% salidroside)	300 mg	Rhodiola Rosea extract (1% salidroside)	300 mg
		Taurine	500 mg
		Theobromine	150 mg
		Turmeric extract (83% curcuminoid)	572 mg
		Uridine	500 mg
		Vinpocetine	30 mg
Vitamin B Complex	51 mg	Vitamin B Complex (Partial: B1, B3, B5, B6, and B12)	221 mg
		Vitamin C	250 mg
		Vitamin D3	2000 IU
Zinc (from Zinc Sulfate)	11 mg	Zinc (from Zinc Picolonate)	15 mg

Ingredient Evidence

Let’s look at the strength of scientific evidence for nootropic effects from ingredients in these products. To score them, I’ll use evidence ratings from Examine.com, an independent and unbiased encyclopedia on supplementation and nutrition that is not affiliated in any way with any supplement company. In cases when Examine.com does not provide an evidence rating, I'll flag the ingredient and estimate the rating.

For each ingredient, the “evidence” column indicates the level of evidence on a scale of 0 to 4 for the nootropic outcome with the most evidence. For example, Bacopa scores 3 in evidence because multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies support its effect on memory.

Ingredient	Evidence	Thrivous	Qualia
This information is from Examine.com, Thrivous, and Neurohacker Collective websites on 24 February 2017. *My estimates of the ratings for Centrophenoxine and DL-Phenylalanine correspond to the Examine.com rating for ingredients with a single double-blind study or multiple cohort studies. **My estimates of the ratings for Lithium, Phenylethylamine, Theobromine, and Vitamin B Complex correspond to the Examine.com rating for ingredients with multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine	3	X	X
Algal DHA	4		X
Alpha-GPC	2	X	X
Alpha-Lipoic Acid	3	X
Artichoke	1		X
Bacopa	3	X	X
Caffeine	3		X
CDP-Choline	2		X
Centrophenoxine*	2		X
Coleus Forskohlii	2		X
DHEA	3		X
DL-Phenylalanine*	2		X
Ginkgo	4	X	X
Green Tea	2		X
Gynostemma Pentaphyllum	0		X
Hordenine	1		X
Huperzine	2		X
L-Theanine	3	X	X
Lion's Mane	2		X
Lithium**	3		X
Magnesium	2	X	X
Melatonin	3	X
Mucuna Pruriens	2		X
N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine	3		X
Noopept	1		X
Phenylethylamine**	3		X
Phosphatidylserine	3		X
Pterostilbene	0		X
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone	1		X
Quercetin	2		X
Rhodiola	4	X	X
Taurine	2		X
Theobromine**	3		X
Turmeric (with Piperine)	2		X
Uridine	1		X
Vinpocetine	2		X
Vitamin B Complex**	3	X	X
Vitamin C	2		X
Vitamin D	2		X
Zinc	3	X	X

Thrivous Nootropic Stack Ingredient Evidence: 3.0

Qualia Ingredient Evidence: 2.2

In this comparison of ingredient evidence, Thrivous Nootropic Stack beats Qualia. The product ingredient evidence scores are averages of individual ingredient evidence scores. They reflect the Examine.com evidence scale of 0 to 4, where 0 is practically no evidence, and 4 is robust evidence.

Thrivous Nootropic Stack includes only ingredients that provide nootropic effects according to multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies on humans. Don't just take my word for it! Please look at the studies on Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Alpha-GPC, Bacopa, Ginkgo, L-Theanine, Magnesium, Melatonin, Rhodiola, Vitamin B Complex, and Zinc. And ask your physician to look at them with you.

Qualia includes some ingredients with substantial to robust evidence for nootropic effect, but most have only some to no evidence in human studies. Nine of its ingredients match ingredients in Thrivous Nootropic Stack. One of its other ingredients, Algal DHA, has robust evidence. Seven of its other ingredients have substantial evidence. Fourteen of its other ingredients have some evidence. And the remaining seven ingredients have little to no evidence in clinical studies on humans for nootropic effect, although some of them may be effective as geroprotectors or for other purposes. Consider that. Do you want to pay for and use a nootropic product that contains seven ingredients with little to no evidence in clinical studies on humans for nootropic effect?

Ingredient Effect

Now, let’s look at the magnitude of nootropic effect from ingredients in these products. To score them, we’ll use effect ratings from Examine.com. In cases when Examine.com does not provide an effect rating, I'll flag the ingredient and estimate the rating.

For each ingredient, the “effect” column indicates the magnitude of effect on a scale of 0 to 3 for the nootropic outcome with the most evidence. For example, Bacopa is rated 2 in effect because it may provide a notable increase to memory.

Ingredient	Effect	Thrivous	Qualia
This information is from Examine.com, Thrivous, and Neurohacker Collective websites on 6 March 2017. *My estimates of the ratings for Centrophenoxine, DL-Phenylalanine, Theobromine, and Vitamin B Complex correspond to the Examine.com rating for ingredients with a subtle effect. **My estimate of the rating for Lithium corresponds to the Examine.com rating for ingredients with a notable effect. ***My estimate of the rating for Phenylethylamine corresponds to the Examine.com rating for ingredients with no effect.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine	2	X	X
Algal DHA	2		X
Alpha-GPC	2	X	X
Alpha-Lipoic Acid	2	X
Artichoke	0		X
Bacopa	2	X	X
Caffeine	2		X
CDP-Choline	1		X
Centrophenoxine*	1		X
Coleus Forskohlii	1		X
DHEA	1		X
DL-Phenylalanine*	1		X
Ginkgo	2	X	X
Green Tea	1		X
Gynostemma Pentaphyllum	0		X
Hordenine	1		X
Huperzine	1		X
L-Theanine	2	X	X
Lion's Mane	1		X
Lithium**	2		X
Magnesium	1	X	X
Melatonin	3	X
Mucuna Pruriens	1		X
N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine	1		X
Noopept	2		X
Phenylethylamine***	0		X
Phosphatidylserine	1		X
Pterostilbene	0		X
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone	1		X
Quercetin	0		X
Rhodiola	2	X	X
Taurine	0		X
Theobromine*	1		X
Turmeric (with Piperine)	1		X
Uridine	1		X
Vinpocetine	1		X
Vitamin B Complex*	1	X	X
Vitamin C	1		X
Vitamin D	1		X
Zinc	2	X	X

Thrivous Nootropic Stack Ingredient Effect: 1.5

Qualia Ingredient Effect: 0.7

In this comparison of ingredient effect, Thrivous Nootropic Stack beats Qualia. The product ingredient effect scores are averages of individual ingredient effect scores, weighted by individual ingredient evidence scores (from the “Ingredient Evidence” section above). They reflect the Examine.com effect scale of 0 to 3, where 0 is practically no effect beyond placebo, and 3 is strong effect.

Thrivous Nootropic Stack includes ingredients that may provide a magnitude of nootropic effect ranging from subtle to strong for focus, memory, mood, calm, sleep, and long-term brain function. Multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies on humans support these effects for all ingredients.

Qualia includes ingredients that may provide a magnitude of nootropic effect ranging from none to notable for focus, memory, mood, calm, energy, and long-term brain function. Judging from the individual ingredient effect scores, the most effective nootropic ingredients in Qualia are probably Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Algal DHA, Alpha-GPC, Bacopa, Caffeine, Ginkgo, L-Theanine, Lithium, Noopept, Rhodiola, and Zinc -- all of which are in Thrivous Nootropic Stack, except Algal DHA, Caffeine, Lithium, and Noopept. Then there are 21 ingredients that may provide subtle nootropic effect. And there are six that probably won't provide nootropic effect. Consider again. Do you want to pay for and use a nootropic product that contains six ingredients that probably provide no nootropic effect?

Qualia contains Caffeine, which may not be appropriate for daily supplementation without cycling. Daily use of Caffeine may lead to tolerance, which may dull its nootropic effects. So it may be best to take regular breaks from supplementation. If you want occasionally to use a nootropic that contains Caffeine, check out Thrivous Surge.

Qualia contains Huperzine, which may not be appropriate for daily supplementation without cycling. Huperzine may have a half-life of greater than 24 hours. So it may accumulate to excess in your body if you do not take regular breaks from supplementation.

Formula Effect

Next, let’s look at the effective dosages of ingredients in the formulas for these products. To measure them, we’ll compare each ingredient dosage against a recommended dosage. And we'll approximate the recommended dosage from the middle of the recommended range of dosage per serving for nootropic effect from Examine.com, taking into account both concentration and amount. In cases when Examine.com does not provide a recommended dosage, I'll flag the ingredient and estimate the recommended dosage.

Keep in mind that this is a simplified comparison, which does not account for factors like possible benefits from more servings per day, complementary interactions between ingredients, nonlinear relations between dose and effect within recommended ranges, and of course under-studied ingredients.

In the table below, for each ingredient, the "dosage" column indicates the recommended dosage for nootropic effect. And the product columns indicate the percentage (capped at 100%) of the recommended dosage provided by their respective formulas.

Ingredient	Dosage	Thrivous	Qualia
This information is from Examine.com, Thrivous, and Neurohacker Collective websites on 6 March 2017. *My estimates of the dosages for Phenylalanine and Lithium are the averages from clinical studies of on humans. **My estimate of the dosage for Theobromine is ten times the dosage of Caffeine. ***My estimate of the dosage for Vitamin B Complex is double the summed RDIs for B Vitamins.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine	1250 mg	40%	64%
Algal DHA	1000 mg		20%
Alpha-GPC	800 mg	38%	13%
Alpha-Lipoic Acid	450 mg	33%
Artichoke	N/A		N/A
Bacopa	300 mg (55% bacoside)	91%	82%
Caffeine	300 mg		30%
CDP-Choline	1250 mg		6%
Centrophenoxine	500 mg		50%
Coleus Forskohlii	500 mg		2%
DHEA	112 mg		18%
DL-Phenylalanine*	175 mg		100%
Ginkgo	180 mg	50%	28%
Green Tea	500 mg		100%
Gynostemma Pentaphyllum	N/A		N/A
Hordenine	N/A		N/A
Huperzine	125 mcg		40%
L-Theanine	150 mg	100%	100%
Lion's Mane	3000 mg		17%
Lithium*	750 mg		<1%
Magnesium	300 mg	67%	25%
Melatonin	3 mg	100%
Mucuna Pruriens	5000 mg		2%
N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine	1250 mg		20%
Noopept	20 mg		100%
Phenylethylamine	N/A		N/A
Phosphatidylserine	150 mg		100%
Pterostilbene	N/A		N/A
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone	21 mg		48%
Quercetin	N/A		N/A
Rhodiola	450 mg (1% salidroside)	100%	67%
Taurine	N/A		N/A
Theobromine**	3000 mg		5%
Turmeric (with Piperine)	290 mg		100%
Uridine	750 mg		66%
Vinpocetine	38 mg		79%
Vitamin B Complex***	51 mg	100%	100%
Vitamin C	950 mg		26%
Vitamin D	4800 IU		42%
Zinc	7.5 mg	100%	100%

Thrivous Nootropic Stack Formula Effect: 12.2

Qualia Formula Effect: 13.6

In this comparison of formula effect, Qualia beats Thrivous Nootropic Stack. The product formula effect scores are sums of individual ingredient effect scores (from the “Ingredient Evidence” section above), weighted by individual ingredient evidence scores (from the “Ingredient Effect” section above) and product ingredient dosages.

Thrivous Nootropic Stack has an open formula that clearly indicates ingredient concentrations and amounts. Together they show that Clarity provides approximately full dosages of Bacopa, L-Theanine, Melatonin, Rhodiola, Vitamin B Complex, and Zinc; approximately half dosages of Ginkgo and Magnesium; and approximately third dosages of Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Alpha-GPC, and Alpha-Lipoic Acid.

Thrivous Nootropic Stack ingredient groupings and dosages enable supplementation strategies that match clinical studies. For example, studies typically administer multiple daily servings of Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Alpha-GPC, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Ginkgo. And studies indicate that Melatonin should be supplemented separately from ingredients that promote focus.

Qualia has an open formula that indicates ingredient concentrations and amounts. They show that Qualia provides approximately full dosages of Bacopa, DL-Phenylalanine, Green Tea, L-Theanine, Noopept, Phosphatidylserine, Turmeric, Vinpocetine, Vitamin B Complex, and Zinc; approximately half dosages of Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Centrophenoxine, Pyrroloquinoline Quinone, Rhodiola, Uridine, and Vitamin D; approximately third dosages of Caffeine and Huperzine; and small dosages of its remaining effective nootropic ingredients. While its long list of ingredients may look good, in reality at least 20 of its 38 ingredients may be dosed at an ineffective amount for nootropic purposes. Do you want to pay for and use a nootropic product that contains twenty ineffective dosages?

Qualia ingredient groupings and dosages don't enable supplementation strategies that match clinical studies. For example, using enough Qualia to achieve clinical dosages of Alpha-GPC or Ginkgo would result in excessive dosages of other ingredients. And studies indicate that Caffeine may become less effective if supplemented regularly.

Product Value

Finally, let’s look at the value of these products. A 30-day supply of Thrivous Nootropic Stack sells for $66 ($88 without a subscription). And a 22-day supply of Qualia sells for $129 ($149 without a subscription), which makes a 30-day supply of Qualia cost $175.91 ($203.18 without a subscription). These prices are from Thrivous and Neurohacker Collective websites on 6 March 2017.

Thrivous Nootropic Stack Value: 184

Qualia Value: 77

Thrivous Nootropic Stack is more than 2 times more valuable than Neurohacker Collective Qualia, judging from the combined metrics of this comparison. The product value scores are product formula effect scores (from the “Formula Effect” section above) divided by product prices and multiplied by 1000 (just to make them easier to read). Basically, they show the relative nootropic effect you may reasonably expect per dollar spent on these products.

As mentioned at the beginning of this product comparison, I'm confident that, after reading this review, you probably agree with me that Thrivous Nootropic Stack is the superior product. Whereas Qualia charges a high price for many ingredients with low levels of evidence or low magnitudes of effect or ineffective dosages, Thrivous Nootropic Stack focuses on ingredients with high levels of evidence and high magnitudes of effect and effective dosages. If you’re currently using Qualia, please talk to your physician about all the good reasons to switch to Thrivous Nootropic Stack.

By the way, if you happen to prefer placebo pricing, we can make a special arrangement to sell Thrivous Nootropic Stack to you for $203.18. ;) Otherwise, get Thrivous Nootropic Stack now for an effective price of $66.