Opti-Nutra Mind Lab Pro vs Thrivous Clarity

Opti-Nutra Mind Lab Pro is a nootropic dietary supplement that competes with Thrivous Clarity. Nootropics support brain function and enhance mental performance – improve memory, cognition, and focus. This is a review of how the Mind Lab Pro and Clarity 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 Clarity and Opti-Nutra Mind Lab Pro:

Clarity (30 days for $30)		Mind Lab Pro (30 days for $65.00)
This information is updated from Thrivous and Opti-Nutra websites on 22 February 2017.
Bacopa Monnieri extract (25% bacoside)	600 mg	Bacopa Monnieri (45% bacoside)	150 mg
		Citicoline	250 mg
		Lion's Mane Mushroom	500 mg
		L-Theanine	100 mg
		N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine	175 mg
		Phosphatidylserine	100 mg
		Pterostilbene	500 mcg
Rhodiola Rosea extract (2% salidroside)	300 mg	Rhodiola Rosea (1% salidroside)	50 mg
		Vinpocetine	6 mg
Vitamin B Complex	51 mg
		Vitamin B6	2.5 mg
		Vitamin B12	7.5 mcg
Zinc (from Zinc Sulfate)	11 mg

Ingredient Evidence

Let’s look at the level of scientific evidence for nootropic effects from ingredients in these products. Some ingredients may have multiple nootropic effects. In those cases, we'll take into consideration only the effect with the strongest supporting evidence.

To score the ingredients, we’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.

In the table below, for each ingredient, the “evidence” column indicates the level of evidence on a scale of 0 to 4 for the nootropic effect with the strongest supporting evidence. For example, Bacopa is rated 3 because multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies support its effect on memory.

Ingredient	Evidence	Clarity	Mind Lab Pro
This information is updated from Examine.com, Thrivous, and Opti-Nutra websites on 22 February 2017. *My estimate of the rating for Vitamin B Complex corresponds to the Examine.com rating for ingredients with multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies.
Bacopa	3	X	X
Citicoline	2		X
Lion's Mane	2		X
Phosphatidylserine	3		X
Pterostilbene	0		X
Rhodiola	4	X	X
Theanine	3		X
Tyrosine	3		X
Vinpocetine	2		X
Vitamin B Complex*	3	X
Vitamin B6	1		X
Vitamin B12	1		X
Zinc	3	X

Clarity Ingredient Evidence: 3.3

Mind Lab Pro Ingredient Evidence: 2.2

In this comparison of ingredient evidence, Clarity beats Mind Lab Pro by a wide margin. 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 strong evidence.

Clarity includes only ingredients that provide nootropic effect according to multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. Don't just take my word for it! Please look at the studies yourself, and ask your physician to look at them with you.

Mind Lab Pro includes ingredients with varying levels of evidence for nootropic effect. About half of its ingredients have substantial support in peer-reviewed studies. Three of its ingredients, Citicoline and Lion's Mane and Vinpocetine, appear not to have as much support in scientific studies, but they do have some support. And three of its ingredients, Pterostilbene and Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12, may have little to no evidence for nootropic effect.

Ingredient Effect

Now, let’s look at the magnitude of nootropic effect from ingredients in these products. Some ingredients may have multiple nootropic effects. In those cases, as above, we'll take into consideration only the effect with the strongest supporting evidence.

To score the effects, 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.

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

Ingredient	Effect	Clarity	Mind Lab Pro
This information is updated from Examine.com, Thrivous, and Opti-Nutra websites on 22 February 2017. *My estimate of the rating for Vitamin B Complex corresponds to the Examine.com rating for ingredients with subtle effect.
Bacopa	2	X	X
Citicoline	1		X
Lion's Mane	1		X
Phosphatidylserine	1		X
Pterostilbene	0		X
Rhodiola	2	X	X
Theanine	2		X
Tyrosine	1		X
Vinpocetine	1		X
Vitamin B Complex*	1	X
Vitamin B6	0		X
Vitamin B12	1		X
Zinc	2	X

Clarity Ingredient Effect: 1.4

Mind Lab Pro Ingredient Effect: 0.8

In this comparison of ingredient effect, Clarity beats Mind Lab Pro. 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.

Clarity includes ingredients that may provide notable improvement to focus, memory, and mood. Multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies support these effects.

Mind Lab Pro includes ingredients that may provide notable improvement to focus, memory, and energy. Judging from the individual ingredient effect scores, the most reliable nootropic ingredients in Mind Lab Pro are probably Bacopa, Rhodiola, and Theanine.

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. And the product columns indicate the percentage (capped at 100%) of the recommended dosage provided by their respective formulas.

Ingredient	Dosage	Clarity	Mind Lab Pro
This information is updated from Examine.com, Thrivous, and Opti-Nutra websites on 22 February 2017. *My estimate of the dosage for Vitamin B Complex is double the summed RDIs for B Vitamins.
Bacopa	300 mg (55% bacoside)	91%	41%
Citicoline	1250 mg		20%
Lion's Mane	3000 mg		17%
Phosphatidylserine	150 mg		66%
Pterostilbene	N/A		N/A
Rhodiola	450 mg (1% salidroside)	100%	11%
Theanine	150 mg		66%
Tyrosine	1250 mg		14%
Vinpocetine	38 mg		16%
Vitamin B Complex*	51 mg	100%
Vitamin B6	N/A		N/A
Vitamin B12	1000 mcg		1%
Zinc	7.5 mg	100%

Clarity Formula Effect: 5.6

Mind Lab Pro Formula Effect: 2.7

In this comparison of formula effect, Clarity beats Mind Lab Pro by a wide margin. 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.

Clarity has an open formula that clearly indicates ingredient concentrations and amounts. Together they show that Clarity provides approximately full dosages of Bacopa, Rhodiola, Vitamin B Complex, and Zinc.

Mind Lab Pro has an open formula that indicates ingredient concentrations and amounts. They show that Mind Lab Pro provides approximately two thirds dosages of Phosphatidylserine and Theanine, an approximately half dosage of Bacopa, and small dosages of its remaining effective nootropic ingredients.

Product Value

Finally, let’s look at the value of these products. One bottle of Clarity (30-day supply) sells for $30 ($40 without a subscription). And one bottle of Mind Lab Pro (30-day supply) sells for $65. These prices are updated from Thrivous and Opti-Nutra websites on 22 February 2017.

Clarity Value: 187

Mind Lab Pro Value: 42

Thrivous Clarity is more than 4 times more valuable than Opti-Nutra Mind Lab Pro, 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 Clarity is the better product. If you’re currently using Mind Lab Pro, please talk to your physician about all the good reasons to switch to Thrivous Clarity.

By the way, if you happen to prefer placebo pricing, we can make a special arrangement to sell Clarity to you for $65. ;) Otherwise, get Clarity now for an effective price of $30.

[24 January 2017: Opti-Nutra presented a frivolous trademark infringement notification against this article. Thrivous presented a trademark infringement response. Thrivous reported this dispute to Lumen.]

[25 January 2017: Opti-Nutra presented a frivolous DMCA notification against the original image at the beginning of this article. Thrivous presented a DMCA counter notification, removed the original image, and replaced it with a different image. Thrivous reported this dispute to Lumen.]

[26 January 2017: Thrivous attempted to contact Opti-Nutra directly to discuss its concerns. Opti-Nutra did not respond.]