Most people usually grab a cup of coffee or search for an energy drink when they feel tired or weary. Since most energy drinks are full of sugar and caffeine, they don’t provide long-lasting energy. But there might be one exception – Qualia Nootropic Energy shot developed by Neurohacker Collective. How is this energy shot different from other energy drinks? And is it worth trying it out? Read my full review.
What Is It?
Unlike most energy drinks, Qualia Nootropic Energy shot is a unique blend of potent nootropics that was designed to:
- Give you lasting energy
- Enhance your focus
- Improve your working memory
- Increase cognitive performance
Neurohacker Collective developed Qualia Nootropic Energy that contains 12 individual nootropics (herbs, amino acids, vitamins, and other nootropics) to provide better effects to a cup of coffee or Red Bull.
But the question is: Does it really work? How does it taste compared to other energy shots? And do I recommend it? Let me answer all the questions right away.
Qualia Nootropic Energy
This energy booster presents a great alternative to unhealthy energy drinks.
- Powerful nootropic benefits because of a variety of nootropic compounds (amino acids, vitamins, herbs, and others)
- No crash or jitters after the effects wind away
- Healthier than the regular energy drinks
- Effects that lasts longer
- Offers improvements in mental performance
- Provides an instant energy boost
- Quite expensive
- Contains caffeine
- Contains some synthetic compounds, such as natural bitterness masker
Use a discount code YOURINCEPTION for 15% off!
My Experience
Before we dig into the science, let me share my experience with this energy booster. I was lucky enough to get the first few samples before the product was even launched in 2019.
Since its launch, I have thoroughly tested and analyzed this potent nootropic energy drink. Here is what I found out.
The Effects
It takes about 5 minutes to feel the first effects after drinking a bottle of Qualia Nootropic Energy. You get slightly more focused, and you feel much more alert.
It’s hard to describe the exact feeling, but you can immediately notice that something is going on. After another 5 minutes, your mood seems to improve, your energy rises, and you become more productive.
It seems like your motivation improves as well, but I guess this is the result of other effects.
Compared to Bulletproof Coffee, Qualia Nootropic Energy provides a faster kick and clean lasting energy.
Overall, Qualia Energy made me feel more energized for about 2-3 hours. The best thing was that there was no crash after this period. Moreover, I noticed some improvements in cognitive functions as well.
What About The Taste?
One thing that most energy drinks have in common is that their taste ranges from OK to delicious. But as I mentioned before, Qualia Energy contains little sugar and lots of natural nootropic compounds and natural flavors (such as blueberry, raspberry and vanilla).
So, how does it taste? According to my experience, quite all right. It is definitely not as tasty as some of the Monster energy drinks (even though that’s a very subjective opinion), but on the other hand, it doesn’t taste bad at all.
The cool thing is that it leaves a somewhat bitter feeling in your mouth after you drink one bottle, so you immediately know that you drank something strong.
So overall, the taste of this energy booster is just fine.
Are There Any Possible Side Effects?
Drinking regular energy drink comes with unwanted side effects – from nausea to an energy crash. However, none of that happened with Qualia Nootropic Energy.
Qualia made me feel energized for about 2-3 hours, and then, the effects slowly winded away.
I believe this energy drink is safe and side-effects-free, but do consult your doctor before drinking it.
Now let’s check the ingredients to understand the science behind the supplement.
Ingredients
Here is the list of all ingredients in Qualia Nootropic Energy Shot:
| Amount per serving | |
| Niacin (as niacinamide) | 25 mg |
| Inositol-enhanced Bonded Arginine Silicate (as nooLVL) | 800 mg |
| EnXtra Alpinia Galanga Root Extract | 300 mg |
| N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine | 250 mg |
| L-Tryptophan | 250 mg |
| L-Theanine | 200 mg |
| Alpha GPC (alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine) | 200 mg |
| Wild Blueberry Fruit Extract | 200 mg |
| Organic Coffeeberry (90 mg caffeine) Whole Coffee Fruit Extract | 130 mg |
| Cereboost American Ging Root Extract | 100 mg |
| Celastrus paniculatus Seed Extract | 30 mg |
| Saffron Stigma Extract | 3 mg |
Niacin, 25 mg
Niacin, which is also known as Vitamin B3, is an important compound that is essential for the optimal functioning of our body.
It is mainly involved in synthesizing two important coenzymes, NAD and NADP, that are crucial for cellular energy (also known as ATP).
Niacin protects the cells from damage and, as such, contributes to healthier aging. [*] Other potential benefits of niacin include boosting brain performance, improving mental clarity, and reducing blood pressure. [*] [*] However, more studies are necessary to confirm those effects.
We can get niacin through food or supplementation. With supplements, there are some potential side effects, such as nausea, mainly from too high dosages – for example, taking more than 50 mg of niacin in one dose.
EnXtra Alpinia Galanga Root Extract, 300 mg
Alpinia galanga is a less researched compound that is a potentially potent nootropic that can be combined with caffeine or served as an alternative.
A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial showed that supplementing with EnXtra significantly increased alertness and calmness while decreasing daytime sleepiness. [*]
Unlike caffeine alone, EnXtra Alpinia galanga root can provide an energy boost without crashing. That makes it a powerful compound for energy drinks.
N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, 250 mg
L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that produces two important neurotransmitters – dopamine and noradrenaline. [*] [*] Amino acids are building blocks of proteins and, as such, part of many essential functions in the human body. NALT (N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine) is just a more bioavailable form of L-Tyrosine.
Studies show that supplementing NALT enhances cognition in animals and adults. Supplementing NALT is beneficial for people with ADHD [*], and it promotes cognitive flexibility in healthy adults [*]. It also improves cognitive performance when people are under stress. [*]
Some studies also show that tyrosine can improve physical performance, especially in harder, more stressful conditions. [*] [*]
Experts recommend taking 500-2000 mg per day, 30-60 minutes before a stressful activity.
Qualia Energy Shot contains 250 mg, which is a slightly low dosage.
L-Theanine, 200 mg
L-theanine is an amino acid that promotes relaxed focus. This nootropic calms you down while it increases your focus, overall cognitive performance and provides mental clarity. [*]
L-theanine is not sedative, but it can effectively decrease your stress levels. [*] It also improves GABA levels in your brain. [*] GABA is a neurotransmitter responsible for your ability to relax.
If you take l-theanine with caffeine, you don’t have to worry about the jitterry side effects of caffeine because l-theanine is known to decrease them. [*]
200 mg of l-theanine is an optimal dosage.
Alpha GPC, 200 mg
Alpha GPC is a cholinergic compound that increases the amount of acetylcholine in our brain. [*] Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter responsible for mental performance, including memory, learning, and focus.
Studies show that supplementing Alpha GPC may slow down cognitive decline. [*] In addition, supplementing Alpha GPC improves power output in adults. [*]
The recommended daily dosage is 300-600 mg. Qualia Nootropic Energy contains 200 mg, which is almost an optimal dosage.
Wild Blueberry Fruit Extract, 200 mg
Blueberries are some of the healthiest fruits and the most potent antioxidants. [*] Eating blueberries improves cognition, memory and lowers brain inflammation. [*] [*] [*]
However, most studies use a relatively high dosage of blueberry extracts (500-1000 mg). A relatively low dosage of the extract in Qualia Nootropic Energy means they added it as a support compound.
Organic Coffeeberry (90 mg Caffeine) Whole Coffee Fruit Extract, 130 mg
Each shot of Qualia Nootropic Energy contains 90 mg of caffeine. Caffeine is the primary reason for the energy-boosting effect of this energy drink. But not all people like caffeine.
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and the world’s most widely used psychoactive drug. [*] Its half-life in the human body is between 3 to 9 hours. [*]
There is no doubt that caffeine is a very strong stimulant that can cause unwanted side effects. On the other hand, Neurohacker Collective added a reasonable dosage of caffeine with an optimal dosage of L-theanine, which is a great combo.
Qualia Energy was developed to quickly boost your energy levels and not as a daily nootropic stack like Qualia Mind. Therefore, I understand the decision of Neurohacker Collective regarding the kind of caffeine content of this nootropic stack, and I totally support their decision.
But on the other hand, many people are not such fans of caffeine and would probably also like to have a version without caffeine. In this case, Neurohacker Collective would have to exclude organic coffeeberry from the formula.
Cereboost American Ginseng Root Extract, 100 mg
Ginseng is a powerful plant with many benefits for cognitive performance. It contains ginsenosides (also called ginseng saponins), the potent and active compounds of this plant.
Studies show that supplementing Ginseng improves mental health and social functioning in just about 4 weeks. [*] It also has neuroprotective properties. [*]
Ginseng may also help with depression, DNA damage, blood flow and could even induce calmness. [*]
The recommended daily dosage is 200-400 mg.
Celastrus Paniculatus Seed Extract, 30 mg
Celastrus paniculatus is one of the less researched nootropics that may improve cognitive performance. This plant has been used in traditional Ayurveda medicine to alleviate cognitive issues and promote intestinal health. [*]
Animal studies show that it may be beneficial for improving cognitive performance under stress. [*] [*]
However, we still lack research that would confirm the efficacy and safety of supplementing Celastrus paniculatus.
Saffron Sigma Extract, 3 mg
Saffron is an expensive spice that acts as a strong antioxidant and has antidepressive properties. [*] Studies show that supplementing saffron helps with depression, PMS, and anxiety. [*] [*] [*] It may also improve mood in adults.
The recommended daily dosage of saffron is 15 mg, whereas Qualia Nootropic Energy only contains 3 mg. Sadly, it’s hard to expect any effects at such a low dosage.
Other ingredients
Besides the mentioned compounds, Qualia Nootropic Energy also contains other ingredients:
- Purified water
- Organic coconut sugar
- Malic acid
- Natural bitterness masker
- Potassium Sorbate
- Sodium Benzoate
- Natural flavors (blueberry, acai, raspberry, vanilla)
My Conclusion About The Formulation
Qualia Energy stands out in all aspects compared to the most popular energy drinks on the market (like RedBull and Monster). It’s healthier, more potent, may provide long-term benefits also for cognitive performance, and it is probably safer for drinking.
It does contain a few under-researched compounds and a few nootropic ingredients are underdosed, so it is far from a perfect energy booster. But compared to the alternatives, it definitely stands out as the best option so far.
What Do Others Say About It?
To get an overview of what kind of effects Qualia Nootropic Energy has on people, I searched for some opinions.
Here are a few of them:
“I love this stuff. I’m clear headed, sharp, quick and motivated but not in the fleeting way an energy drink or coffee will accomplish this. From this Qualia offering, I feel as I imagine one is supposed to feel when properly rested and with a dialed in nutritional and exercise regiment.”
“The best way I can describe it is that it gives me the energetic lift of a cup of coffee with no jitters or noticeable caffeine come down. I am flying through my to-do list and working out without feeling like it is a chore.”
“Using this product absolutely increased my overall motivation, energy, cognition, focus, as well as bringing more positive outlook and joy to all I’m engaged with!”
“This is hands down one of the best energy booster and cognition enhancer I’ve ever used. The effects are quite noticeable soon after you drink it. Super sharp focus and mental clarity. Doesn’t give me the jitters or anxiety like having too much caffeine does.”
What About The Pricing?
Taking high-quality nootropic stacks usually comes at a price. And that is true for Qualia Energy shot as well.
Twenty bottles of Qualia Energy cost $119. Since you are not supposed to take them every day (but rather follow a five-day on, two days off cycle), this would mean that you would have to pay around $4.25 per day.
Also, keep in mind you probably won’t drink a bottle every day during the week, so you can easily have the stock for at least 45-60 days.
To get the lowest price for Qualia Energy, click here >>
Your Inception Special Discount
To save money on Qualia Energy, you can do two things: First of all, I recommend subscribing. That’s how you will save 50% on the first order and an additional 20% on all other orders.
Secondly, use the discount code YOURINCEPTION and save an additional 15%.
That’s how you can get the price down to a very affordable level. All of a sudden, this supplement isn’t that expensive anymore.
Verdict
I recommend supplementing Qualia Nootropic Energy Shot. This is a great nootropic supplement in a form of an energy drink that can quickly boost your attention and energy.
It’s a perfect substitute for a cup of coffee or any less healthy energy drink whenever you need an additional boost of energy and focus.
