Curious about the BrainStack nootropic supplement and whether it actually works?
BrainStack by Maven Lavs is a well-regarded cognitive enhancement product, seen as a good option for serious nootropic users.
It was designed to promote improved focus and optimal mental performance, without relying on drugs that have the potential to cause adverse effects.
According to the manufacturer, this supplement is made with an all-natural formula that “Supports Cognitive Function, Memory, and Concentration.” The product also comes with a 60-day productivity guarantee.
The ingredients are effective on their own but can also work to round out a stack containing other nootropic agents. What I particularly like about Brain Stack is that it has a balanced mix of different nootropics that address a few different areas of mental function.
Maven Labs was kind enough to send a bottle of BrainStack to us as Nootriment.com to review and below you will find an experience log as well as our impressions of the stack.

- Focus longer, clear brain fog & feel more motivated
- Boost energy, alertnes & memory
- Contains 12 safe and natural nootropic ingredients
BrainStack Overview
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It seems like a new nootropic stack hits the marketed every week, competing for a small piece of the pie left over from Alpha Brain’s domination.
While BrainStack doesn’t have an endorsement from Joe Rogan, it does have a highly positive rating on review sites like Amazon.
The supplement is promoted to make you more productive, heighten drive and motivation, make it easier to learn and improve memory.
According to Maven Labs, this supplement works by increasing levels of neurotransmitters associated with memory formation, alertness, attention and behavior.
The ingredients in BrainStack also speak for themselves to some degree. While many brain supplements and focus boosters out there are nothing more than choline plus some fillers, BrainStack has a pretty robust formula.
The hallmark of this supplement is that it is so well equilibrated, giving you a lot of Cholinergic activity combined with Dopamine boosters, focus enhancers and neuroprotective supplements. Below is a list of the ingredients you will find in Brain Stack.
- GPC Choline – 175 mg
- Huperzine A – 150 mcg
- Hericium Erinaceus – 300 mg
- L-Theanine – 120 mg
- Caffeine – 60 mg
- Bacopa – 200 mg
- Pterostilbene – 50 mg
- Mucuna Pruriens – 200 mg
- GABA – 200 mg
- Vitamin B6 – 15 mg
- Vitamin B12 – 100 mcg
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCL – 300 mg
- Magnesium Glycinate – 200 mg
Ingredients List
Alpha GPC: Alpha GPC is the choline source of choice for many nootropic users, having the best bioavailibity and conversion into the acetylcholine neurotransmitter. This brain chemical is involved in memory, focus, reasoning, attention and information processing. It alo keeps your brain cells healthy and signaling properly.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCL: Another precursor to acetylcholine, this compound is known to increase energy production in the cells. ALCAR works synergistically with Alpha GPC to boost Cholinergic function.
Huperzine A: This natural memory-enhancing alkaloid completes the triad of supplements in BrainStack designed to increase acetylcholine levels. By preventing its degradation at the hands of acetylcholinesterase, Huperzine is known to improve memory and cognition.
Mucuna Pruriens: This plant is a natural source of L-Dopa which turns into the pleasure neurotransmitter Dopamine. In addition to boosting your mood, Dopamine is involved in focus, motivation and impulse control.
L-Theanine: Another mood boosting ingredient, L-Theanine increases alpha brain waves which are associated with calm focus.
Bacopa Monnieri: This herbal compound improves the way your neurons communicate with each other, resulting in better learning capacity as well as brain plasticity.
Hericium Erinaceus: One of the unique ingredients in BrainStack (they claim to be the first supplement to ever use this compound) is the Lion’s Mane or Hericium Erinaceus mushroom. It has been shown to improve nerve health, increase levels of Nerve Growth Factor and promote the development of new neurons and synapses.
Pterostilbene: Another neuroprotective ingredient, this natural supplement may have anti-aging benefits for the brain and be able to reverse some signs of cognitive decline.
GABA: GABA is one of the neurotransmitters in your brain, but it is also promoted as an anti-anxiety supplement. Studies show that GABA ingested orally cannot cross over into the brain, so we question its efficacy in this formula. It is more common to use GABAergic supplements like Phenibut or Picamilon.
Caffeine: The most widely used psychoactive stimulant, it makes sense to include it in the BrainStack capsule because it is so effective at boosting alertness. While caffeine on its own can produce anxiety and restlessness, including it here with L-Theanine and other anxiolytics ensures you get the benefits of the energy without the negative side effects.
Vitamin B6 & B12: The B vitamins play a very important role in brain function and it is positive to see them included in BrainStack in such solid doses. While you may not notice effects of these vitamins directly, they help to support the mechanisms of action for many of the other supplements in this stack and also support higher neurotransmitter levels.
Brain Stack Experience
We had the opportunity to give BrainStack a test drive for two weeks and did note some positive changes.
The first couple of days using this supplement produced negligible differences in cognitive function, but had a big impact on mood stabilization. This is most likely attributed to the combination of Mucuna Pruriens with L-Theanine.
On subsequent days, the effects of the supplement were more apparent which speaks to the fact that it can take time for many nootropics to fully kick in. This supplement makes it easier to sit down, turn off all distractions and simply get things done. We can personally attest to the increase in productivity it provides, raising alertness levels without producing restlessness and seeming to make ideas flow easier.
During the first week, we were using BrainStack on its own to determine how effective it was when not stacked with anything else. In the second week, other supplements like Noopept and Pramiracetam were added as well as additional Alpha GPC dosages.
In all such cases, BrainStack had a potentiating effect while also keeping mood and energy levels aligned. It actually made it significantly easier to get into productive states of flow. (Ever sat in front of a computer typing and felt like your fingers were moving faster than your thoughts?)
We also tried the supplement with Adrafinil one day and saw good results with no sleep disruption at the end of the day. Another noticeable change was in reaction time. As a hockey player, I found it sharpened my reflexes and made it easier to win face-offs.
Brain Stack Review
In the crowded marketplace of nootropic stacks, BrainStack by Maven Labs is one of the better ones. Its ingredients are balanced and well-rounded which is exactly what you want from a stack like this when using it on its own or taking with Racetams.
The supplement also gives you a healthy dose of neuroprotective compounds that can sometimes be left behind when users formulate their own personalized stacks. BrainStack is not the strongest nootropic out there, but it is a great solution for someone who wants an introduction to the world of nootropics.
Who knows, one day this supplement might even start competing with Onnit’s Alpha Brain for a bigger slice of the nootropic market share. You can buy Brain Stack for $50 per bottle or $34.97 when you purchase 6 bottles at once.
Article last updated on: April 6th, 2018 by Nootriment