Thank you for your feedback. When it comes to nootropics, most ingredients have many different forms of varying quality and potency. In every case, we chose the absolute highest grade form of each ingredient for Qualia. Additionally, the quantity of ingredients in Qualia vastly exceeds what is typical for nootropic products. Our raw ingredients cost is actually higher than the market cost of many of our competitors. We encourage you to research the ingredients in our product, the forms of those ingredients, the dosages, and then compare that information with other nootropics on the market. We think you will then agree that Qualia is at the top end in price because it is at the top end in quality. Also, the pills and their contents definitely have a smell to them. This is normal and is due to the ingredient AlgaDHA, as you mentioned, as it is derived from algae and can have that smell/taste to it if you are sensitive to it. If you are finding the smell is too much, we are happy to supply a one bottle refund to your order.