Qualia is a new nootropic supplement created by Neurohacker Collective. Find out if Qualia is the real deal today in our review.
What is Qualia?
Qualia is a nootropic supplement created by the team at Neurohacker Collective. It’s sold exclusively online through Neurohacker.com and promises to provide “cutting edge chemistry for radical cognitive enhancement”. By taking the supplement daily, you can “upgrade the hardware your consciousness runs on”, according to Neurohacker Collective.
NeuroHacker Qualia is far from cheap: it’s priced at $149 for a one month supply or $39 for a week’s supply, making it one of the most expensive nootropic supplements we’ve ever reviewed.
Qualia specifically promises to improve your cognitive ability (like memory, focus, and processing speed), your emotional state (like motivation, anxiety, and reactivity), and physiology (like strength, energy, and vitality).
Of course, there are the same promises made by plenty of other nootropic manufacturers. So what makes Qualia different? Let’s take a look at how it claims to work.
How Does NeuroHacker Qualia Work?
Qualia claims to use special ingredients and nutrients that support virtually every system in your body. For example, the system specifically mentions that it supports your neurochemistry by supporting the underlying pathways and processes that produce and regulate neurochemistry.
It also claims to support structural upregulation processes to enhance your neural structures. And, it boosts cellular energy by enhancing mitochondrial ATP production. These are some bold claims – so which ingredients does the formula actually use?
Qualia doesn’t use just 5 or 10 ingredients to achieve its active effects. Instead, it uses dozens of different ingredients. Ingredients are separated into different categories based on their effects:
Nootropic Compounds
These ingredients are added to the formula because they’re powerful psychoactive and neuroactive chemicals that affect receptor cites, synaptic enzymes, membrane structures, and other formulas in the brain.
Ingredients include Noopept, Phenylethylamine, Hordenine HCl, Uridine Monophosphate, Phosphatidylserine, Vinpocetine, Huperzine A, Theobromine, DHEA, and “Pure Energy” (Pterostilbene bound to caffeine)
Adaptogen Extracts
Herbal adaptogens concentrate active compounds while maintaining complex synergetic co-factors. That’s a fancy way of saying that the following plant extracts boost your cognitive ability in some form or another.
Ingredients include Bacopa monnieri (55% bacosides), Mucuna pruriens (98% L-Dopa), Ginkgo biloba (24% glycosides, 6% terpene lactones), Coleus forskohlin (20% forskolin), artichoke extract (5% cynarin), Rhodiola rosea (3% rosavins, 1% salidrosides), Lion’s Mane (30% polysaccharides), and Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract.
Choline Donors
Certain nootropics are classified as cholinergics, which means they support acetylcholine levels in the brain. Acetylcholine is a crucial neurotransmitter required for forming and storing new memories. In elderly people and those with Alzheimer’s, acetylcholine levels sharply drop off. Some of the following ingredients – like Alpha GPC – are actually used in modern Alzheimer’s and dementia treatments.
Ingredients include Centrophenoxine, Citicoline, and Alpha GPC.
Amino Acids
Many nootropic supplements now contain amino acids. Why? Well, your body uses amino acids as the building blocks for key neurotransmitters and hormones. Without amino acids, your body can’t produce essential compounds in your brain.
Ingredients in this category include Acetyl L-Carnitine, N-Acetyl Tyrosine, DL-Phenylalanine, Taurine, and L-Theanine.
Neuro-Vitamins
“Neuro-vitamins” is just a fancy name for the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients listed below. However, Qualia has included these vitamins and minerals in forms that are specifically designed to cross the blood-brain barrier. That means they’re more likely to affect your cognitive health than if you were to just take vitamin B1 or B3 on its own.
Ingredients include Vitamin B1 (as Benfotiamine), Vitamin B3 (as Niacinamide), Vitamin B5 (as Calcium Pantothenate), Vitamin B6 (as Pyrixodal-5-phosphate), Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin), Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid), and Vitamin D3 (as microencapsulated cholecalciferol).
Neuro-Anti-Inflammatories and Antioxidants
These ingredients go to work reducing oxidation in the brain, helping to relieve oxidative stress and cleanse free radicals. Some believe this can help clear up “brain fog”.
Ingredients include BioPQQ, Quercetin, Curcumin, Algal DHA, Green Tea Extract (98% polyphenols, 45% EGCG), and Bioperine.
Neuro-Minerals
These neuro-minerals include ingredients that affect certain aspects of brain health and are specifically designed to cross the blood-brain barrier.
Ingredients include Lithium Orotate, Magnesium Theonate, and Zinc Picolante.
As you can see, Qualia has an exhausting list of ingredients. All of these ingredients, fortunately, are well-studied and can be found in many other types of nootropic formulas. This is the first time, however, that we’ve seen all of these ingredients in just one single formula. That’s unique.
Neurohacker Collective actually goes into great detail about why each ingredient was chosen for use in the supplement. They explain how each ingredient works and why it works. Then, they reference scientific studies that reinforce the listed benefits. An approach like this is refreshing to see – especially since so many nootropic makers online just ignore the science. You can view Qualia’s scientific information here.
NeuroHacker Qualia Ingredients and Dosing
Qualia publishes its full list of ingredients on the side of its product packaging.
The formula is actually separated into two separate pills, including Qualia Step One and Qualia Step Two. The first step contains most of the nootropic ingredients and caffeine, while the second step contains mostly herbal extracts and nootropics.
Here’s how those ingredients break down:
Qualia Step One
Qualia Step Two
Overall, these are the strong dosages we like to see from a powerful nootropic supplement. There’s 30mg of vinpocetine, for example, and 100mg of Alpha GPC, both of which are right in line with the recommended dosage and the dosage used in scientific studies. There’s also a hefty dose of B vitamins and other minerals and nutrients.
Each serving of Qualia contains over 200mg of a caffeine blend, which is about the same amount of caffeine in two strong cups of coffee. Please note that you’re taking this dose of caffeine all at once, so those who are caffeine-sensitive may notice some side effects.
Update: According to a rep from Neurohacker, there is 90mg caffeine in this formula (in the form of Pure Energy, which is Pterostilbene bound to Caffeine. 209mg is the compound overall).
Noopept is one of the most powerful active ingredients in Qualia. Typically, Noopept is taken in doses between 10mg and 30mg per day. In Qualia, you get 30mg per day – which is the powerful dose you like to see if you’re taking Qualia for cognitive benefits.
Overall, Qualia has the dosage we would expect to see at this high price range. It’s a powerful dosage of proven nootropic ingredients.
Qualia Pricing
Qualia is available in either a 1 week or 1 month supply. Here’s how pricing breaks down:
- 1 Week Supply (5 Servings): $39
- 1 Month Supply (22 Servings): $149
You can also pay $129 for a monthly supply on the autoship subscription, in which case you can request to order one bottle every 3, 4, or 5 weeks.
Please note that a weekly and monthly supply don’t take you through every day of the week or month. This pricing makes Qualia one of the most expensive nootropics we’ve seen sold online thus far, although it appears to back up this high price tag with some of the strongest dosages and ingredients lists we’ve seen.
Who Makes Qualia?
Qualia is made by a company named Neurohacker Collective, LLC. That company is based at the following address in California:
179 Calle Magdalena Suite 100
Encinitas, CA 92024
You can contact the company by email at [email protected] or by phone at 1 (855) 281-2328.
Qualia is currently the only supplement made by the company. Neurohacker Collective does not appear to actually make the formula itself, as the product packaging states that the formula is “manufactured for” Neurohacker Collective. – Updated: As per a message we received from Neurohacker, it appears that they formulate and handle all of the quality control, they just contract out to a manufacture to put it all together.
Should You Use NeuroHacker Qualia to Boost your Cognitive Ability?
NeuroHacker Qualia is a premium-priced nootropic with a premium-list of ingredients. With dozens of proven ingredients in its two-step formula, Qualia appears to work as advertised to deliver a wide range of cognitive benefits directly into your brain. You may be able to buy the ingredients separately for a cheaper price. But the fact that Qualia has combined everything into one stack may make it more convenient for you.
Ultimately, Qualia is available online today and promises to boost all different parts of your cognition, emotional health, and physiology.
Honestly? Kind of made me tired. Step 1 woke me up because it’s loaded with caffeine. Step 2 made me yawn. I do feel sharp, but not $150 sharp…. Obviously will keep trying since i have a months worth. But kinda disappointed. Will stick to making my own stack.
Not impressed. Did the 5 days and had the opposite effects of what it claims. I felt groggy, unfocused, and couldn’t remember if I had blow out a candle before work and had to drive home. Don’t spend $150 on this.
I started taking it about a week and a half ago – and I can say that is has increased my mental endurance by 1 to 1.5 hour a day. Useful in stopping use of marijuana to treat ADHD. Probably could be used instead of ritalin for a lot of kids.
Would love if they can make this without caffeine, even 1 cup of weak coffee gives me anxiety so I won’t be trying this…
same here
So I see you making factual statements about this supplement, but I was really hoping for a usage review. I know these kinds of things can be subjective, so it would be great to have a panel of 3 to 5 independent individuals take this for a month and keep a medial diary of sorts… How about it?
Hi,
I would like to understand what research you have done on the possible adverse side-effects of the many ingredients used in Qualia in isolation and combination. This is a potent brew that has the potential to significantly alter the persistence and re-uptake of serotonin and other components of brain chemistry.
Kr
Ian
It’s tough to come out of pocket that deep for something untested. Have in said that, if it does what it claims, the price tag is absolutely understandable. The issue is getting comfortable spending $150 for a single months supply of an untested supplement. Especially when the supplement industry has such a high variance in quality from one company to another.
Oven their price tag, I think this company would have a easier time getting the supplement off the ground if they offered a money back guarantee or a discount on your first order.
I guess I’ll give it a few months to see if I can start picking up some honest reviews online before making my order.
Thank you for your review, supplement Police!
Nate.
Thanks for reviewing Qualia. There are a few inaccuracies we’d like to correct:
#1. It reads:
“Each serving of Qualia contains over 200mg of a caffeine blend, which is about the same amount of caffeine in two strong cups of coffee. Please note that you’re taking this dose of caffeine all at once, so those who are caffeine-sensitive may notice some side effects.”
Our product contains 209mg of PURENERGY®, a co-crystal that combines caffeine with pTeroPure®. The PURENERGY® blend in Qualia contains 90mg of caffeine (about the amount in a cup of black tea).
When caffeine and pterostilbene are bound together, they produce synergistic effects. According to a recent study:
PURENERGY® delivers 30% more caffeine into the bloodstream than ordinary caffeine.
At 6 hours, there is 51% more caffeine from PURENERGY® than ordinary caffeine.
The half-life of caffeine in PURENERGY® is extended by nearly 25%.
It may also supply a number of other health benefits, like heart health, cognitive function, and athletic performance.
We chose to include caffeine in Qualia because it acts as a potentiator for the primary active ingredients in our blend. We wanted caffeine in a form that had better peak plasma time. The crystallized form we use produces longer lasting effects than caffeine alone, and allows less mg of caffeine to have a more significant effect with less crash more sustainably.
#2. It reads:
“Qualia is currently the only supplement made by the company. Neurohacker Collective does not appear to actually make the formula itself, as the product packaging states that the formula is “manufactured for” Neurohacker Collective.”
We have taken a novel approach to nootropics and cognitive enhancement, which is one of our key differentiators from other things on the market. We formulate and handle all the QC and just use a contract manufacturer for assembly.
#3. Updated address:
179 Calle Magdalena
Suite 100
Encinitas, CA 92024
Thanks!
:)
Thank you for the update. We have adjusted our review to reflect the changes.
— Supplement Police