Mind Lab Pro vs Thesis
Two flagship nootropics, audited side by side. Same rubric, same rules. Here's which one wins on each dimension — and which one wins overall.
Mind Lab Pro wins on score
Mind Lab Pro's single universal formula has been tested in two University of Leeds studies: a 30-day placebo-controlled study its authors call pseudo-randomised (PubMed 37194920) and a 60-day placebo-controlled study that found no improvement in choice accuracy or reaction time (PubMed 40149748). Mind Lab Pro is the one of the two whose formula has been tested, though weakly, in the two Leeds studies above. For buyers who value try-multiple-formulas convenience, Thesis is fair.
Read our methodology →Affiliate disclosureWe earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Our scores and rankings follow our published methodology; commissions do not influence them. Read our methodology
Mind Lab Pro
An 11-ingredient nootropic stack. Every dose is disclosed and the ingredients are backed by peer-reviewed evidence, though only citicoline, phosphatidylserine and L-theanine meet our reference doses. Our editor's choice for overall cognitive support.
Check Mind Lab Pro (≈ $69/mo) →
Thesis
4 personalised formula blends per month -- rotate until you find what works. Best for people who want to experiment. Ships from the US; the brand publishes no shipping-country list (its refund policy refers to orders outside the US) — confirm delivery to your address at checkout (checked 2026-09-30).
Check Thesis (—) →Quick specs side-by-side
Clinical dosing audit
Each disclosed ingredient dose vs. the minimum on our ingredient page for it, from peer-reviewed human clinical trials, where the page gives one; ingredients without a reference dose are listed but not scored. Underdosed ingredients flagged. Ingredients hidden inside proprietary blends cannot be evaluated.
| Ingredient | Clinical dose | Mind Lab Pro | Thesis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lion's Mane Mushroom | 1000-1800mg/day | 500mg✗ | — |
| Citicoline (Cognizin) | 250-500mg/day | 250mg✓ | — |
| Bacopa Monnieri (full-spectrum extract, 24% bacosides) | 300-450mg/day (≥50% bacosides) | 150mg✗ | — |
| Rhodiola Rosea (3% rosavins, 1% salidrosides) | 200-600mg/day | 50mg✗ | — |
| L-Theanine | 100-200mg/day | 100mg✓ | — |
| Phosphatidylserine | 100-300mg/day | 100mg✓ | — |
| N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT) | 2000mg/day (lowest positive trial) | 175mg✗ | — |
| Maritime Pine Bark Extract (95% proanthocyanidins) | 100-200mg/day | 75mg✗ | — |
| Vitamin B6 (NutriGenesis) | No reference dose on file | 2.5mg? | — |
| Vitamin B9 (NutriGenesis) | No reference dose on file | 100mcg? | — |
| Vitamin B12 (NutriGenesis) | No reference dose on file | 7.5mcg? | — |
| CDP Choline (Clarity) | 250-500mg/day | — | 250mg✓ |
| Panax Ginseng (Clarity) | No reference dose on file | — | 200mg? |
| Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) (Clarity) | 1000-1800mg/day | — | 500mg per capsule or per serving (not stated)? |
| 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (Clarity) | No reference dose on file | — | 30mg? |
| Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5'-phosphate) (Clarity) | No reference dose on file | — | 5mg? |
| Caffeine Anhydrous (capsules with caffeine only) (Clarity) | 100-200mg | — | 100mg✓ |
| Dynamine (methylliberine) (Motivation) | 100-150mg/day | — | 100mg✓ |
| Theacrine (Motivation) | No reference dose on file | — | 100mg? |
| N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine (NALT) (Motivation) | 2000mg/day (lowest positive trial) | — | 400mg✗ |
| Rhodiola Rosea (fermented salidrosides) (Motivation) | 200-600mg/day | — | 60mg (basis not stated)? |
| Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5'-phosphate) (Motivation) | No reference dose on file | — | 5mg? |
| Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) (Motivation) | No reference dose on file | — | 1000mcg? |
| L-Theanine (Camellia sinensis) (Motivation) | 100-200mg/day | — | 200mg✓ |
| Caffeine Anhydrous (Motivation) | 100-200mg | — | 150mg✓ |
| Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) (Stress Reset) | 300-600mg/day (KSM-66) | — | 120mg✗ |
| Saffron (Crocus sativus) (Stress Reset) | No reference dose on file | — | 28mg? |
| Zembrin (Sceletium tortuosum) (Stress Reset) | No reference dose on file | — | 25mg? |
| Rhodiola Rosea (fermented salidrosides) (Stress Reset) | 200-600mg/day | — | 30mg (basis not stated)? |
| Magnesium Bisglycinate (Stress Reset) | No reference dose on file | — | 84mg? |
| Dihydrohonokiol-B (honokiol extract) (Stress Reset) | No reference dose on file | — | 10mg? |
| Caffeine Anhydrous (capsules with caffeine only) (Stress Reset) | 100-200mg | — | 100mg✓ |
| L-Theanine (Camellia sinensis, capsules with caffeine only) (Stress Reset) | 100-200mg/day | — | 100mg✓ |
| Bacopa Monnieri (Neuroprotection) | 300-450mg/day (≥50% bacosides) | — | 300mg? |
| Ginkgo Biloba (Neuroprotection) | 240mg/day (24/6 extract) | — | 120mg per capsule or per serving (not stated)? |
| Mustard Seed (Sinapis alba) (Neuroprotection) | No reference dose on file | — | 50mg? |
| Broccoli Seed (Brassica oleracea) (Neuroprotection) | No reference dose on file | — | 125mg? |
| Turmeric (Curcuma longa) (Neuroprotection) | No reference dose on file | — | 200mg? |
| CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10 phospholipid) (Neuroprotection) | No reference dose on file | — | 100mg? |
| PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt) (Neuroprotection) | No reference dose on file | — | 20mg? |
| NADH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) (Neuroprotection) | No reference dose on file | — | 20mg? |
| Spermidine Trihydrochloride (Neuroprotection) | No reference dose on file | — | 10mg? |
| Selenium (amino acid chelate) (Neuroprotection) | No reference dose on file | — | 200mcg? |
| L-Theanine (Camellia sinensis, capsules with caffeine only) (Neuroprotection) | 100-200mg/day | — | 100mg✓ |
| Caffeine Anhydrous (capsules with caffeine only) (Neuroprotection) | 100-200mg | — | 100mg✓ |
Clinical-dose anchors sourced from PubMed-indexed human RCTs and Examine.com syntheses. See our methodology.
Score breakdown across 5 pillars
Pros & cons each
Pros
- 11 ingredients, every dose disclosed
- Third-party tested, allergen-free
- EU and US storefronts
- Caffeine-free
- 365-day affiliate cookie
Cons
- Premium price ($69/mo)
- 2 capsules per serving (2–4 per day suggested)
- 30-day money-back
Pros
- 4 personalised formulas/month
- Nootropics coach included
- Good formula transparency
Cons
- A one-time purchase costs more than the same formula on subscription
- No published shipping-country list
- Requires experimentation
Who is each one for?
Choose Mind Lab Pro if you...
- Want a single universal formula tested in two placebo-controlled University of Leeds studies (the 60-day one found no improvement in choice accuracy or reaction time)
- Don't want to manage a quiz-based selection process
Choose Thesis if you...
- Want to try multiple formulas before committing (4-week starter)
- Like the Thesis ecosystem (quiz-driven recommendations, formula switching)
- Are willing to pay $59 a month or more per formula for the personalisation flow
- Prefer caffeinated and caffeine-free formula options to mix and match
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Mind Lab Pro or Thesis?
Different philosophies. Mind Lab Pro takes a single universal formula approach — same 11 ingredients for everyone, every dose disclosed, $69/month. Thesis takes a personalisation approach — 4-week trial pack of different formulas, then you pick which works for you; on its US Clarity page a 1-month subscription is $59 a month; its site sells four formulas (Clarity, Motivation, Stress Reset and Neuroprotection, checked 8 October 2026). Mind Lab Pro's formula has been tested in two University of Leeds studies (the 60-day one found no improvement in choice accuracy or reaction time).
Is Thesis personalisation evidence-based?
The personalisation is questionnaire-based, not biomarker-based. There's no genetic test, no neurochemistry profile — just self-reported preferences and goals. The questionnaire matches you to one of 4 pre-formulated stacks. This is closer to a recommendation engine than to true personalised medicine. For some users this lowers decision friction; for evidence-graded buyers, the lack of objective personalisation signal is a limitation.
How does Thesis pricing compare?
Thesis (US Clarity page, checked 9 October 2026): $59 a month on a 1-month subscription, $147 for the first 3 months on the 3-month plan (then $207 every 75 days), or $89 plus $6.90 shipping as a one-time purchase. Mind Lab Pro: $69/month flat. On subscription a single Thesis formula costs less than Mind Lab Pro; several formulas cost more.
Are both caffeine-free?
Mind Lab Pro is fully caffeine-free. Thesis varies by formula — Motivation contains 150mg caffeine per two-capsule serving; Clarity, Stress Reset and Neuroprotection are sold with or without caffeine (100mg in the caffeinated versions). Check each formula's label.
How do their subscriptions work?
Both sell subscriptions you can cancel. Mind Lab Pro sells a one-time bottle at $69.00, or a monthly or four-month subscription its product page says you can "update or cancel anytime" (mindlabpro.com, checked 13 October 2026). Thesis's refund policy says you "can cancel your subscription at any time in your Thesis Account" or by contacting its team (takethesis.com, checked 7 October 2026). Check each brand's current terms before you subscribe.
Are these alternatives to Adderall?
No. Both are dietary supplements regulated under DSHEA. Always consult a clinician for ADHD treatment.