Beyond the Hype: My Journey Through the Nootropic Maze and the 3-Step Framework to Actually Find the “Best” Brain-Boosting Drink for You

I’m a medical journalist, and a few years ago, I hit a wall. A big one. The relentless deadlines, the constant need for sharp analysis, the pressure to distill complex research into coherent stories—it was all taking a toll. I was living in a state of perpetual brain fog, teetering on the edge of burnout. That’s when I, like so many others, fell for the siren song of nootropics. The marketing was intoxicating: a simple drink, a “smart drug,” that could unlock the next level of my own mind, promising enhanced focus, memory, and creativity.¹

My first forays into this world were, to put it mildly, a disaster. I started with what I thought was a nootropic drink, a slickly-marketed can I grabbed from a local store. Instead of the promised “mental clarity,” I got a racing heart, hand-trembling jitters, and a wave of anxiety, followed by an epic crash that left me feeling worse than before.⁴ I had mistaken a high-stimulant energy drink for a cognitive enhancer—a common and costly error. Undeterred, I tried again, this time with a drink praised online, one that boasted a “proprietary blend” of exotic-sounding herbs. It tasted vaguely of swamp water and did absolutely nothing. Zero. I was just out $50 and felt like a fool.⁷

This frustrating experience framed the core problem I knew I had to solve, not just for myself but for my readers. The nootropic market is a confusing, unregulated “Wild West” that preys on our very real desire for a mental edge.¹⁰ It’s a world where finding a product that is both safe and genuinely effective feels less like a consumer choice and more like a high-stakes gamble. This is the story of how I stopped gambling and developed a system to find what actually works.

Part I: The Anatomy of a Broken Market: Why We Keep Buying Nootropics That Don’t Work

To understand the solution, we first have to dissect the problem. The nootropics market isn’t just a few bad apples; it’s a system almost perfectly designed to confuse consumers.

The Siren Song of the “Smart Drug” and the Billion-Dollar Hype Machine

The global nootropic market was valued at over $3.7 billion in 2022 and is projected to explode to over $11 billion by 2030.⁴ This growth is fueled by a perfect storm: a high-pressure culture demanding constant cognitive performance, and the collision of the “sober curious” movement with a booming, and largely unchecked, supplement industry.⁴

Brands capitalize on this by using a very specific language, promising to “boost cognitive function,” “enhance memory,” and “promote mental clarity”.¹ The problem, as researchers and critical consumers have found, is that there is often a massive gap between these claims and the scientific evidence for the actual, finished products being sold.¹⁵

The “Proprietary Blend” Shell Game

One of the industry’s most pervasive and deceptive tactics is the use of “proprietary blends.” A company might list exciting ingredients like Bacopa monnieri or Rhodiola rosea, both of which have some scientific backing. However, by lumping them into a blend, they obscure the exact dosage of each component.¹³

As sports dietitian Angie Asche notes, “The dose really does matter.” She explains that companies often “just group everything under a ‘proprietary blend’, so it’s hard to say if the dose is going to be effective or not”.¹³ This allows a manufacturer to include a microscopic, clinically irrelevant amount of an expensive ingredient just to be able to put it on the label—a practice known as “label dressing.” This leaves consumers with no way of knowing if they’re getting a therapeutic dose or just a sprinkle of marketing dust, a frustration echoed in user complaints about feeling that products are “underdosed”.⁸

The Regulatory Void: A Consumer Minefield

Here lies the most critical failure of the market: nootropic drinks are regulated as dietary supplements, not drugs. This means that, unlike pharmaceuticals, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety or effectiveness before they land on store shelves.¹⁰

This regulatory void has created a minefield for consumers. The FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have issued multiple warnings to manufacturers and consumers about widespread advertising fraud, misleading claims, and illegal marketing in the nootropics space.¹⁰

The risks are not merely financial. The lack of oversight can lead to contamination. In a shocking example, an independent lab test conducted in August 2024 by the consumer advocacy group Lead Safe Mama found detectable levels of lead in Four Sigmatic’s “Think” mushroom coffee.¹⁷ This is a brand that actively markets its third-party testing for heavy metals and toxins ¹⁸, revealing a dangerous chasm between a company’s claims and the reality of its product. In the most extreme cases, dangerous and unlisted substances, such as the opioid-like drug tianeptine (dubbed “gas station heroin”), have been found in products marketed as cognitive enhancers, leading to severe health consequences and even death.¹¹

The very structure of the market seems to favor marketing savvy over scientific integrity. Companies can use the language of science—touting “clinically-studied ingredients” and using terms like “neurotransmitter” and “cognitive function”—to build an aura of legitimacy.² They may even fund their own studies, which can be designed to produce favorable results.²¹ Yet, the regulatory environment allows them to sidestep the

rigor of science by hiding behind proprietary blends and avoiding the stringent, independent validation required for real medicine. This is the nootropic paradox: a market driven by scientific promises but often devoid of scientific proof.

My Personal Dead End

My own journey hit another dead end when I decided to try Onnit Alpha Brain. It was backed by a massive marketing engine and a celebrity endorsement from Joe Rogan.²² The reviews were wildly polarized: some users claimed it gave them a “machine gun” vocabulary, while others reported crippling nausea, vomiting, and headaches.⁷ I fell into the latter camp. A few days in, I was plagued by a persistent, dull headache that only vanished when I stopped taking the capsules. It was the final straw. Simply following the hype, even for a “clinically-backed” product, was a failing strategy. I realized the solution couldn’t be to just find a better product; I had to find a better way to

think about the problem.

Part II: The Epiphany: Your Brain Isn’t a Light Switch, It’s a High-Performance Engine

My initial mistake was viewing nootropics through the lens the industry had created for me. I was looking for a product to be a simple “light switch” for my brain—flip it on for focus, flip it off when done. This model is alluring but fundamentally flawed; it’s not how our complex neurochemistry works, and it inevitably leads to disappointment.²⁵

The epiphany came when I was researching engine mechanics for an unrelated story. It struck me with the force of a revelation: Choosing a nootropic is like calibrating a high-performance engine, not just picking a fuel.

This metaphor changed everything. An engine’s output isn’t just about the fuel you put in it. It depends on the engine’s unique design (your individual neurochemistry), the specific race you’re running (your performance goals), the quality and octane of the fuel (the ingredients), and how efficiently that fuel is delivered and combusted (the formulation and bioavailability).

Suddenly, the wild variations in user experiences made perfect sense.²⁶ Of course a fuel designed for a Formula 1 car would cause problems in a standard sedan! This analogy shifted my goal from finding the “best drink” to becoming the “expert mechanic” of my own brain. It empowered me to create an actionable framework based on three pillars of engine calibration:

1. The Engine Spec (Know Your Engine): Understanding your unique neurochemical profile, goals, and sensitivities.
2. The Fuel Analysis (Evidence-Based Ingredient Scrutiny): Evaluating individual compounds based on real science, not marketing claims.
3. The Dyno Test (Rigorous Product Vetting): Assessing the final, formulated product for quality, transparency, and safety.

Part III: Pillar 1 – Know Your Engine: A Practical Guide to Self-Assessment

Before you even look at a single product, you have to understand the machine you’re working with. The dramatic differences in user experiences—where one person finds Lion’s Mane life-changingly productive and another finds it anxiety-inducing ²⁶—is the ultimate proof that a nootropic’s effect is not an inherent property of the drink, but a unique

interaction between its compounds and your individual neurochemistry. Any “best of” list that ignores this is starting from the wrong place.

Tuning for Performance – Defining Your Goal

First, what race are you trying to win? “Cognitive enhancement” is too vague. Get specific. Are you looking for:

• Sustained Focus & Concentration: For deep work, studying, or powering through complex tasks.²⁸
• Memory & Learning: For acquiring and retaining new information or skills.²
• Stress Resilience & Calm: For managing anxiety and performing under pressure.¹²
• Motivation & Mood: For breaking through brain fog and overcoming procrastination.³¹

Your goal will determine which “fuel” components are most important.

Your Neurotransmitter Dashboard – A Simplified Guide

You don’t need a PhD in neuroscience, but understanding the key players helps you make smarter choices. Think of your brain’s chemistry like a car’s dashboard, with a few key gauges.

• The Pleasure-Pain Balance Scale (Dopamine & Serotonin): I borrow this brilliant analogy from Dr. Anna Lembke, author and psychiatrist.³² Imagine a balance scale in your brain.
  Dopamine is the chemical that tips the scale toward pleasure, motivation, and reward. It’s the “go” signal that helps with focus and drive.³³
  Serotonin is a key regulator that helps bring the scale back to a calm, stable equilibrium, influencing mood and well-being.³⁴ If you struggle with motivation and focus, you might be looking for ingredients that support dopamine. If you struggle with anxiety or mood instability, you might need more support on the serotonin side.
• The Brain’s Brake Pedal (GABA): Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. It’s the “brake pedal” that slows things down and prevents your brain from getting over-excited. It’s essential for reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of calm.¹³ If you often feel “stuck on the gas” with racing thoughts and jitters, ingredients that support GABA could be your target.
• The Learning & Memory Conductor (Acetylcholine): Think of an orchestra. Each musician can be a virtuoso, but without a conductor, it’s just noise. Acetylcholine acts like that conductor, orchestrating the communication between neurons that is essential for encoding new memories and learning new things.³⁷ If memory and learning are your goals, supporting acetylcholine is key.

The Pre-Flight Checklist (Self-Audit Questionnaire)

Answer these questions honestly before you proceed. This is your engine’s spec sheet.

1. What’s my baseline? Am I generally anxious, easily fatigued, or do I struggle most with focus?
2. What’s my caffeine sensitivity? Do I get jittery and anxious from a single cup of coffee, or can I drink it all day? This will determine whether you should seek out caffeine-free options or products that pair caffeine with calming agents like L-theanine.⁶
3. What are my lifestyle factors? How is my sleep, diet, exercise, and stress level? Nootropics are supplements, not replacements for a healthy lifestyle. Poor sleep will undermine any cognitive enhancer.²⁵
4. What medications or other supplements am I taking? This is non-negotiable. Many nootropic ingredients can have dangerous interactions with prescription drugs. For example, adaptogens like Rhodiola and amino acids like 5-HTP can interact with antidepressants (SSRIs, MAOIs), while Ashwagandha can affect thyroid and blood pressure medications.⁶
   Always consult your doctor before starting any new supplement.

Part IV: Pillar 2 – Fuel Analysis: The Definitive Guide to Nootropic Ingredients

Once you know your engine, you can start analyzing the fuel. This section is a no-hype, evidence-based guide to the most common ingredients you’ll find in nootropic drinks. We’ll cut through the marketing claims and look at the science.

• L-Theanine

• The Claim: Calm, focused energy without the jitters.
• The Science & Mechanism: An amino acid found primarily in green tea, L-theanine is a powerhouse. It works by increasing levels of the brain’s “calm-down” neurotransmitters—GABA, serotonin, and dopamine.³⁵ It also promotes the generation of alpha brain waves, which are associated with a state of “wakeful relaxation”.⁴¹ This makes it the perfect partner for caffeine, as it can smooth out the jittery side effects while preserving the alertness.¹²
• The Evidence & Dosage: Strong evidence. Human studies show that doses around 200 mg improve relaxation, reduce stress, and, when combined with caffeine, enhance attention-switching and alertness.¹³
• Safety & Side Effects: Generally very safe with minimal side effects reported, even at high doses.⁶
• The Verdict: Legitimate. An excellent choice for anyone, but especially those sensitive to caffeine or looking to reduce anxiety and improve focus simultaneously.
• Bacopa Monnieri

• The Claim: Enhanced memory and learning.
• The Science & Mechanism: A staple of Ayurvedic medicine, Bacopa is a true cognitive enhancer. Its main active compounds, bacosides, are believed to work through multiple pathways, including modulating the acetylcholine, serotonin, and GABA systems.³⁶ Most impressively, studies suggest it promotes the growth of dendrites—the branch-like extensions of nerve cells—which enhances communication between neurons.⁴⁵
• The Evidence & Dosage: Moderate to strong evidence. Clinical trials have shown it improves verbal learning, memory acquisition, and delayed recall.¹ However, this is not a quick fix. Benefits typically require consistent daily supplementation of 300-450 mg for several weeks or months.⁴²
• Safety & Side Effects: Generally well-tolerated, but can cause gastrointestinal issues like nausea and cramping, especially when taken on an empty stomach.⁶
• The Verdict: Legitimate, but requires patience. Ideal for students or professionals engaged in long-term learning, not for an immediate boost.
• Rhodiola Rosea

• The Claim: Fights fatigue and stress.
• The Science & Mechanism: Rhodiola is a classic adaptogen, a class of herbs that helps the body “adapt” to and resist physical and mental stress.⁴⁸ It works primarily by modulating the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, which helps normalize stress hormone levels like cortisol.⁴⁹ It also influences key neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.³⁰
• The Evidence & Dosage: Moderate evidence. Studies suggest it can reduce fatigue under stressful conditions and may have benefits for mild to moderate depression and anxiety.⁴⁹ Effective doses in studies typically range from 200-600 mg of a standardized extract.³⁰
• Safety & Side Effects: Generally safe, but can cause sleep disturbances in some individuals and should not be taken with MAOI antidepressants.¹³
• The Verdict: Legitimate. A great choice for individuals dealing with burnout or stress-induced mental fatigue.
• Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)

• The Claim: Brain regeneration and long-term cognitive health.
• The Science & Mechanism: This is one of the most exciting natural nootropics. Its power lies in two unique compounds, hericenones and erinacines, which have been shown to stimulate the synthesis of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).⁵¹ These proteins are absolutely critical for the growth, survival, and maintenance of neurons, a process known as neurogenesis.⁵³
• The Evidence & Dosage: Emerging but very promising. Animal studies show significant improvements in memory and brain cell growth.⁵¹ Human studies are smaller but suggest it may improve cognitive function, especially in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.⁵⁵ Dosing is not yet standardized.
• Safety & Side Effects: Appears very safe, but user experiences can be polarized. Some report incredible benefits, while others report increased anxiety, highlighting the importance of individual neurochemistry.²⁶
• The Verdict: Highly promising, particularly for long-term brain health and neuroprotection rather than an immediate performance boost.
• Choline Sources (Cognizin® Citicoline, Alpha-GPC)

• The Claim: Boosts focus and mental energy.
• The Science & Mechanism: These are highly bioavailable forms of choline, an essential nutrient. The brain uses choline to produce acetylcholine, the “learning and memory conductor” we discussed earlier.²⁷ By providing the raw material for this key neurotransmitter, these compounds can support focus, attention, and mental energy.⁵⁷
• The Evidence & Dosage: Moderate evidence. Citicoline has been shown to improve attention and cognitive function in some human trials.⁵⁷ Alpha-GPC is also popular, though some research suggests its effects may not be significantly greater than caffeine or a placebo.⁵⁶
• Safety & Side Effects: Generally well-tolerated, though high doses can cause headaches or digestive upset.⁶
• The Verdict: Legitimate. A solid foundational ingredient for any stack aimed at improving focus and mental processing.

The Nootropic Ingredient Evidence Matrix

To help you navigate this complex landscape, I’ve distilled the research into a simple, at-a-glance matrix. Use this to compare ingredients based on scientific rigor, not marketing hype.

Ingredient	Primary Function	Strength of Evidence (Human Trials)	Effective Dose Range	Time to Effect	Key Risk/Interaction
L-Theanine	Calm Focus, Anxiety Reduction	Strong	100-200 mg	Acute (30-60 mins)	Very low risk.
Caffeine	Alertness, Wakefulness	Strong	50-200 mg	Acute (15-45 mins)	Jitters, anxiety, dependency, sleep disruption.
Bacopa Monnieri	Memory Enhancement, Learning	Moderate to Strong	300-450 mg	Chronic (8-12 weeks)	Can cause GI upset.
Rhodiola Rosea	Stress & Fatigue Reduction	Moderate	200-600 mg	Acute & Chronic	Avoid with MAOIs; may disrupt sleep.
Citicoline (e.g., Cognizin®)	Focus, Mental Energy	Moderate	250-500 mg	Acute & Chronic	Generally safe; headaches at high doses.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom	Neuroprotection, Long-Term Health	Emerging	Not standardized	Chronic (weeks to months)	Polarizing effects; may cause anxiety in some.
Panax Ginseng	Mental Fatigue Reduction	Moderate	200-400 mg	Acute & Chronic	Potential interactions with blood thinners.
Creatine	Cognitive Processing, Memory	Moderate	5 g	Chronic (weeks)	Primarily studied for physical performance.

Part V: Pillar 3 – The Dyno Test: Putting Brands Under the Microscope

You know your engine and you’ve analyzed the fuel. Now it’s time for the final step: the dyno test. This is where we vet the final, formulated product to see if it actually delivers.

Beyond the Label: The Science of Delivery (Bioavailability)

An ingredient list is meaningless if your body can’t absorb and use the compounds. This is called bioavailability.⁵⁹ A product with 500 mg of an ingredient isn’t better than one with 250 mg if the first one passes right through your system while the second is efficiently absorbed. This is where formulation becomes critical. Some brands, like Magic Mind, claim to use advanced “nano-encapsulation” technology to shield ingredients from digestion and deliver them directly to the bloodstream, theoretically increasing their impact.²⁰ While such claims require scrutiny, it teaches an important lesson: look beyond the ingredient list to

how those ingredients are delivered.

The Red Flag Checklist: How to Spot a Low-Quality Product

Use this checklist to quickly weed out inferior products:

• It uses proprietary blends: This is the biggest red flag. If a company isn’t proud to show you its dosages, it’s likely because they are ineffective.¹³
• Lack of transparent, third-party testing: The company should test every batch for purity (no heavy metals, toxins) and potency (it contains what the label says). Crucially, they should make these results (a Certificate of Analysis or CoA) available to you.¹³
• Unrealistic “genius pill” claims: Language promising “limitless” potential or instant, dramatic results is a sign of marketing hype, not scientific reality.⁸
• No money-back guarantee: A reputable company stands behind its product. A lack of a guarantee suggests they don’t expect you to be satisfied.⁶³

Brand Case Studies: A Deep Dive into the Market Leaders

Let’s apply our full framework to three of the biggest names in the nootropic drink space.

Magic Mind: The “Synergy & Tech” Play

• Formula: A 2-ounce shot built around a blend of over 12 ingredients, including matcha (which provides caffeine and L-theanine), Ashwagandha, Lion’s Mane, Bacopa Monnieri, and the branded choline source Cognizin® Citicoline.⁶⁴ Their core concept is the synergy between these ingredients, particularly the “calm energy” from the matcha/L-theanine pairing.⁵⁷
• Transparency & Safety: Magic Mind is a mixed bag. They actively promote their third-party testing and state they will provide a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) to customers who email them—a huge plus.⁶¹ However, their formula is a proprietary blend. While some reviewers have managed to get specific dosages from customer service (e.g., 250 mg Ashwagandha, 125 mg Citicoline), this information is not readily available, which is a significant drawback.⁶¹
• User Experience: Generally positive, with many users reporting the promised “calm energy,” focus, and a lack of jitters or crash.⁶⁶ The main complaints are the high price point and the potent, earthy green tea taste that some find unpleasant.⁶⁸
• Verdict: A thoughtfully formulated product with a strong focus on ingredient synergy and delivery technology. The willingness to provide CoAs is a mark of quality. However, the use of a proprietary blend and the high cost per serving prevent it from being a clear-cut winner.

Onnit Alpha Brain: The “Clinically-Backed” Juggernaut

• Formula: A caffeine-free capsule based on three proprietary blends: “Onnit Flow” (L-Theanine, Oat Straw), “Onnit Focus” (Alpha-GPC, Bacopa), and “Onnit Fuel” (L-Leucine, Pterostilbene).²²
• Transparency & Safety: This is where Alpha Brain falters significantly. Their marketing leans heavily on two company-funded clinical trials.²¹ The first, from 2016, showed a significant improvement in verbal memory and executive function.⁶⁹ However, a second study from 2018 on soldiers showed no statistically significant effects.²¹ Relying on self-funded research is a potential source of bias. Furthermore, the entire formula is hidden behind proprietary blends, making a true dose analysis impossible. While Onnit is a large company, their flagship product is notably not certified by third-party programs like NSF Certified for Sport, which is considered a gold standard for supplement safety and purity.⁷⁰
• User Experience: Extremely polarized. For every user who feels it “fires up their brain,” there seems to be another who experiences severe side effects like nausea, vomiting, and headaches, or simply no effect at all.⁷
• Verdict: Alpha Brain is a marketing behemoth built on a high-risk, high-reward product. The clinical backing is questionable due to its funding source and conflicting results. The complete lack of dosage transparency combined with the numerous reports of severe adverse effects makes it a risky choice for the average consumer.

Four Sigmatic: The “Organic & Simple” Alternative

• Formula: Primarily known for its mushroom coffee. The “Think” blend is simple: organic coffee, organic Lion’s Mane mushroom extract, and organic Chaga mushroom extract.⁷² They make a point of using the mushroom’s “fruiting body,” not the less potent “mycelium,” which is a key indicator of quality.⁷²
• Transparency & Safety: This is the most damning part of the story. Four Sigmatic’s website claims they perform third-party testing for heavy metals.¹⁸
  However, an independent, third-party lab test from August 2024 found detectable levels of lead in their ground “Think” coffee.¹⁷ This is a catastrophic failure of quality control and a perfect illustration of why consumer vigilance is paramount. A company’s claims are not enough; independent verification is everything.
• User Experience: Before the safety concerns came to light, user sentiment was largely positive. Most reviewers agree that it tastes like good coffee, not mushrooms, and provides focus without the jitters associated with regular coffee.⁷⁵
• Verdict: The simple, organic approach and focus on quality ingredients is appealing. However, the independent finding of lead contamination is a non-negotiable red flag. It completely undermines their marketing and makes the product impossible to recommend until the issue is publicly addressed and resolved with verifiable proof. It stands as a stark warning to all consumers.

Top Nootropic Drink Brand Comparison

This scorecard summarizes our “dyno test,” rating each brand on the key pillars of our framework.

Brand	Core Concept	Ingredient Transparency (1-5)	Evidence-Based Dosing (1-5)	Third-Party Testing & Safety (1-5)	User Sentiment	Value (Cost per Serving)
Magic Mind	Tech-Infused Nootropic Shot	2 (Proprietary Blend)	3 (Some doses seem effective, others low)	4 (Provides CoA, but not public)	Generally Positive	~$3.00 – $5.95 63
Onnit Alpha Brain	Clinically-Backed Capsules	1 (Fully Proprietary Blends)	2 (Unknown doses, conflicting studies)	2 (Company-funded studies, no key certifications)	Highly Polarized	~$1.50 – $1.80 78
Four Sigmatic	Organic Mushroom Coffee	5 (Simple, clear ingredients)	3 (Doses not specified, but uses quality extracts)	1 (Independent test found lead contamination)	Generally Positive (Taste/Effect)	~$1.70 72

Conclusion: Your Personal Nootropic Blueprint

My long, frustrating journey through the nootropic maze didn’t lead me to a single “best” drink. It led me somewhere far more valuable: to a framework for critical thinking and a profound understanding of my own biology. The ultimate “cognitive enhancement” wasn’t a temporary boost from a bottle, but the permanent upgrade in my ability to navigate the complex world of health and wellness.

I urge you to stop searching for a magic bullet. Instead, become the expert mechanic of your own high-performance engine. Here is your four-step blueprint to do just that:

1. Define Your Race (Pillar 1): Before you shop, look inward. Use the Pre-Flight Checklist to get crystal clear on your goals, your sensitivities, and your unique neurochemical baseline.
2. Analyze the Fuel (Pillar 2): Use the Ingredient Evidence Matrix to identify the specific, scientifically-vetted compounds that align with your goals. Build your ideal “fuel” profile on paper before you look at products.
3. Run the Dyno Test (Pillar 3): Now, and only now, start vetting brands. Use the Red Flag Checklist to eliminate low-quality options immediately. Scrutinize the survivors for full dosage transparency and verifiable, clean, independent third-party testing. Do not trust; verify.
4. Start Low, Go Slow, and Document: Once you’ve made a choice, start with half the recommended dose to assess your personal tolerance. Keep a simple journal for a few weeks, noting your focus, mood, and energy levels. This helps you separate a genuine effect from a placebo and allows you to make informed adjustments.²⁶

By following this process, you transform yourself from a hopeful consumer, vulnerable to hype and deception, into an empowered, self-aware expert of your own mind. That is a cognitive enhancement no drink can ever promise.

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