A variety of studies have been conducted to find a conclusive answer on whether or not music can increase productivity and focus. And unfortunately, the end results are always pretty mixed. In some cases, many people found that music definitely made them more productive, while others found it distracted them from the work they needed to get done.

At some point in time, you may have heard of what’s known as the “Mozart effect.” One of the studies that is most commonly cited when it comes to music’s impact on the brain mentions the Mozart effect. It essentially suggests that listening to certain types of music (specifically, the classical works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart) can boost your spatial-temporal reasoning. While this study seemed to conclude that classical music in particular would be great for a work or study session, it’s since been debunked by a variety of other studies.

A study conducted by the University of Illinois had people perform a variety of work tasks while listening to music and they found that their work output was 6.3% higher than that of a control group that wasn’t listening to music. On the other hand, a different study tested 56 employees who were completing basic computer tasks and they were found to be more productive when there wasn’t any music playing in the background. As you can see, the end result these studies receive never seem to match up, meaning there’s no conclusive evidence as to whether it works or not.

Despite this mix of results from various studies, psychologist Francis Rauscher still believes music can have a powerful impact on your brain while working or studying. She ultimately says that the type of music that is effective for you will depend on what you’re personally interested in. If you hate classical music, it’s unlikely to help you focus. If rock music is more your thing, you may find that it helps you tremendously, despite the fact that it may distract other people.

So, the answer to whether or not music can boost your productivity and focus depends on you and the type of music you’re listening to. If you are interested in giving it a go, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best music for studying. Keep in mind that all of these might not work for you. It’s all about finding the right fit, so experiment with a few options to see how it impacts your focus.

Classical Music

While it may not be what you’d listen to while cruising around town in your car, classical music is certainly some of the best music for studying or working. It all comes down to the beats-per-minute in the music. That’s what gets your brain performing at an optimal level, thus making it a great choice for those study sessions.

In fact, a study was conducted that reviewed the impact of classical music on eight radiologists. They were asked to listen to classical music from the Baroque period and then questioned on how they felt. The radiologists mostly reported having a better mood and an increase in productivity.

Now, you may be thinking that you don’t want to listen to classical music from older periods, which is absolutely fine. There are plenty of classical versions of today’s popular songs that you can listen to and receive the same impact. It’s all about finding what works best for you.

The key reason that classical music works is because there aren’t any lyrics to distract you. Instead, it provides you with a peaceful, calm environment that’s ideal for study sessions.

Ambient Sounds & Noise

Ambient sounds are a great option when choosing music for studying because they are designed to keep your brain engaged at a subconscious level without being too “in your face”. When music is too distracting, it’s not good for studying because it prevents you from staying focused on the task at hand. Instead, you need something that keeps your brain engaged, but without directing your attention away from what you’re reading. Ambient sounds are perfect for this because they essentially provide the right amount of background noise.

If ambient noise sounds like your cup of tea, there are plenty of options you can try. In fact, if you’re someone who gets a lot of work done at a coffee shop, it’s likely because of the subtle background noise it provides. Studies have shown it’s helpful for boosting your creativity and increasing your focus.

If you’re a fan of working from the coffee shop, but find you can’t get there as often as you’d like, you can bring those coffee shop vibes to the comfort of your own home. Coffitivity is an app that provides you with the sounds of a coffee shop to give you the right amount of background noise so you can better focus on your work. There are also tons of free ambient noise videos on YouTube, such as the one below.

Instrumentals

Instrumentals are another great option to try when studying or working. You may opt for instrumental ambient sounds, which can provide relaxing vibes. Or you might prefer listening to instrumental versions of your favorite songs. This works well because you’re able to listen to familiar music without having lyrics to distract you from the work you’re focusing on.

While this type of music may work for a lot of people, keep in mind that it’s not for everyone. Unfortunately, some people may find themselves getting distracted by listening to familiar songs. You may be tempted to sing and dance along with the music even though the lyrics are missing. Again, it’s all about what works best for you!

The Same Song on Repeat

For some people, they may find listening to a variety of songs to be a bit distracting. If you were to create a studying playlist of multiple songs, the changing music and beats could actually direct your focus away from what you’re working on. For this reason, it’s a good idea to try listening to the same song on repeat. You’ll become accustomed to hearing the song and it should eventually get to a point where it isn’t distracting you anymore. It will likely start to feel like normal background noise.

Alternatively, if you want to create a playlist with multiple songs, it would be wise to choose songs that are similar in terms of the overall sound and the beat. This way, there won’t be any distraction when one song ends and a new one begins.

Music With a Simple Beat

When studying, the most important thing is obviously that you’re focused on the material that you’re reviewing. If you want music for studying, then you have to choose songs that complement the study session as opposed to taking your focus away from your work. Songs that have a complex beat are going to be more likely to distract you from what you’re reading.

For this reason, it’s key that you choose music that has a simple beat. A simple beat is still enough to get your brain functioning at the optimal level, while also creating the best environment for studying. Music that has been timed at 50 to 80 beats-per-minute are said to help induce an alpha state in the brain where your mind is calm but also alert, creativity is stimulated, and focus is heightened.

Helpful Tips for Choosing the Best Music for Studying

To really optimize your study session, keep these tips in mind when choosing music for studying:

• Pick the music that works best for you. It’s absolutely okay to experiment with different types of music to see what works best for you. If you aren’t sure, take a few ideas from this list and listen to them to see what sounds best to you. The type of music that works for you may be different from what works best for your friend, coworker, or whoever. It’s all about discovering what’s ideal for your brain!
• Keep the volume under control. You may be accustomed to blasting your music when you’re in the car, but this is not the time to make your room feel like a concert. Loud music is going to distract your focus from your work, so keep the volume levels to a minimum. It should literally feel like background music and not be at the volume you’d typically choose for listening to music.
• Create a playlist in advance. Before you sit down for your study session, create a playlist of songs first. Choose the type of music that works best for you and try to compile a playlist of songs that sound similar in terms of the overall music and the beat. This will help to cut down on any distractions from the changing in songs. They should all flow together and be complementary.
• Remember that studying is most important. No matter what kind of music you choose, you need to make sure it’s not taking your attention away from the most important task: studying. The music needs to complement your study session by providing a calm, peaceful atmosphere.

In the end, it all comes down to your personal preference. Experiment with the types of music we’ve shared here and see how it works for you.

If you have Spotify, here is a great playlist of songs that will help keep your study session chugging along.

The post The Best Music for Studying appeared first on Brain Wiz.

Today, we’ll be reviewing FOCUS, a caffeine-free supplement headlined by piracetam and other common nootropic ingredients; Noots markets it as a supplement designed boost motivation, energy, and engagement. Read below to see what the BrainWiz testers thought of Noots’ FOCUS nootropic.

Ingredients

• Piracetam, 500 mg
• ALCAR, 300 mg
• Theacrine, 50 mg
• Theanine, 100 mg
• NALT, 100 mg
• Total Blend, 1050 mg

Piracetam

A related compound to to GABA, piracetam is in many ways the grandfather of nootropic compounds and the hallmark of the “-racetam” class that includes oxiracetam (found in truBrain, for example) and others. It’s a nootropic compound shown to improve learning, memory, brain metabolism, and capacity. It works by enhancing the fluidity of cellular membranes and optimizing blood flow to the brain and optimizing acetylcholine function. It’s worth noting FOCUS contains no choline source itself, which seems like a bit of an omission on the part of the manufacturer.

ALCAR (Acetyl-L-Carnitine)

ALCAR is designed to easily cross the brain-blood barrier, and it functions as a mitochondrial energy optimizer. Continuous use of ALCAR may increase certain neurotransmitter levels in the brain, and may be useful in combating depression.

Theacrine

Theacrine is  used in FOCUS for its caffeine-like properties, without the jitteriness (supposedly). Studies show it may also improve mood and decrease irritability.

L-Theanine

A calming amino acid, l-theanine has been shown to enhance the effects of caffeine while reducing the jitters some people experience with caffeine consumption. This caffeine/l-theanine ratio is common in nootropic supplements, and though FOCUS is a caffeine free stack, the user may still benefit from theanine’s calming effects.

NALT  (N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine)

L-Tyrosine is linked to improving cognitive performance under conditions of stress, and the compound has been shown to actually reduce symptoms of stress itself, likely because it is involved in the production of dopamine.

Other ingredients: No other ingredients are listed for Noots’ FLOW stack, but the supplement is labeled as vegetarian, gluten free, and non-gmo.

Usage Guidelines

Simply take a single capsule an hour or so before you want to get in the zone, ideally with a meal or shake, to make sure it absorbs well.

What Our Testers Say

“I tried this both with and without coffee. It’s not a big energy booster, but it did help me, well, focus a bit. I’m a big fan of the theanine and caffeine combination, so one FOCUS pill, along with a cup of coffee, was the best combination for me. I did feel quite focused, but this feels more of a supplement I would reach for when I have big pile of work to push through. I do wish this had a choline source, as I’ve had some friends and other testers who experience headaches when taking racetam-class compounds without sufficient choline.”

“I took this with my pre-workout in the morning, and felt pretty good. I have had good experiences using ALCAR with my pre-workouts, and this was no different. I will have to try it during the day at work, and I will continue using it in conjunction with my pre-workout. I don’t think I felt much from the piracetam, though some compounds in that class don’t always work for me or give me any perceptible benefit.”

“Although this is not the most potent supplement I have tried, I do like it stacked with coffee. I used it a couple of times in addition to adaptogens like rhodiola to help me get through an inordinate pile of work, and will keep it in the rotation for it when work volume gets out of hand. Like Alexandra, I wondered why they didn’t include a choline source in the supplement.”

“Piracetam isn’t very effective for some people, but when I take it with theanine, it seems to be a good combination for me. There was a wave of concentration, and there was no jitteriness or anxiety associated with it, though it wasn’t a particularly ‘powerful’ stack in my opinion.”

BrainWiz Tips

• Take it with food for better absorption.
• Noots could be well suited for those with a caffeine sensitivity, though it does contain compounds that can have stimulatory effects.
• It pairs well with coffee or other caffeinated drinks.
• FOCUS gave us a mild energy wave. If you have trouble sleeping, avoid taking it less than six hours before bed.

Supplement Summary

Out testers generally felt positive effects from the FOCUS nootropic, to varying degrees. If you are an experienced nootropic user, this may not be strong enough for you. We also noticed the lack of a quality choline source in the supplement, which we generally like to see included when paired with racetams and related compounds. If it weren’t for that, it could be a solid entry-level stack, as well as a good addition to an already existing nootropic supplement regimen that contains adaptogens (at least in our experience).

With two stacks currently in the market, and two more slated to be released soon, we are interested to see how more of Noots’ formulas compare to FOCUS.

The post FOCUS by Noots Review: Nootropic Game Changer or Same Old? appeared first on Brain Wiz.

The list of ingredients in their newer Focus+ stack, is quite familiar, featuring a significant number of well-researched nootropics, paired with an unknown (but observationally high) dose of stimulants and adaptogens. Read on to find out what our testers thought about it, and whether or not Focus+ is on par with the best nootropics.

Excelerol Focus Plus Label and Indgredients

The Ingredients

Vitamin B12 – 1,250

An essential vitamin B nutrient, B12 plays an important role in numerous bodily functions, including neurological function and development.

Niacin – 5 mg

This is a common B vitamin linked to both increased cognition and longevity, and niacin is responsible for the famous (and harmless) “flush” some users get when taking it.

Huperzine 1% Standardized – 12.5 mcg

Huperzine A is a compound derived from Chinese club moss that has been used to improve cognitive performance in patients with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.

Vinpocetine – 600 mcg

Vinpocetine is a chemical derived from the periwinkle plant, and it’s known to increase cerebral blood flow. Doctors in Hungary have been prescribing this compound to treat cerebrovascular disorders for decades.

Proprietary Formulation – 650 mg

Guarana Extract

Guarana is a climbing plant native to the Amazon with seeds that contain almost four times the amount of caffeine as coffee. Even in low doses, it often provides more stimulation than caffeine alone  due to its concentration of phytonutrients.

Kola Nut Extract

The fruit of the kola tree, the kola nut has been used as a flavoring ingredient in many consumer products. It contains both caffeine and theobromine, an alkaloid also found in the cacao plant.

DMAE

DMAE Bitrate, or Deanol, is a chemical used to treat ADHD, improve memory, and boost cognitive function. Deanol is essential to the production and of choline, one of the building blocks of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It’s a chemical precursor to choline and boosts alertness.

Acetyl L-Carnitine

This compound pairs very well with choline; when combined, the two form the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Having both in the same supplement is a good hedge in case the body is deficient in either compound.

Bacopa Monnieri Extract

Bacopa Monnieri is an herb used as an antidepressant and a cognitive booster. While performing stressful cognitive tests, subjects taking Bacopa Monnieri experienced the herb’s nootropic effects and reduced both stress and cortisol levels.

Peppermint Oil

Often used as a flavoring agent, peppermint oil has also been used in the treatment of a variety of digestive problems. The smell of peppermint has been shown to enhance memory.

Tulsi (Holy Basil) Extract

A noted adaptogen, ursolic acid (the active ingredient in this extract) helps reduce the negative effects of stress. Note: In high dosages, research indicates ursolic acid may actually be an anti-fertility agent and could reduce reproductive capability in the short term. We’ve had good experience with adaptogens before, but wonder if it would have been a good idea to leave this ingredient out, given its potential side effects.

Ginkgo Biloba Extract

Ginko has been used in Chinese medicine  for thousands of years to promote memory. More recently, clinical studies and research reviews have pointed to its efficacy in fighting dementia and neural decline.

Rhodiola Extract

While there’s some evidence that Rhodiola Rosea can combat the effects of physical stress, it’s best known and well-researched to fight fatigue from mental challenges and tasks. Basically, evidence suggests this herb helps us better manage stress, and it also combats fatigue we might feel from mentally (and potentially physically) grueling tasks. Some early research also indicates Rhodiola could improve overall longevity and brain health  in mammals.

Phosphatidylserine

This is a widely-used nootropic compound that, until the 1990s, was very difficult to synthesize. Clinical testing and trials have linked it to improved cognition, and the compound has also been shown to reduce levels of cortisol (a well-known stress hormone).

L-Tyrosine

L-Tyrosine is linked to improving cognitive performance under conditions of stress, and the compound has been shown to actually reduce symptoms of stress itself, likely because it is involved in the production of dopamine.

Green Tea Extract, White Tea Extract, Black Tea Extract

All three of these teas contain varying quantities of polyphenols, caffeine, and l-theanine. An amino acid that’s becoming an increasingly common ingredient in nootropics, l-theanine promotes relaxation without being a sedative. Research suggests it also helps the brain deal with stress. Often paired with caffeine, l-theanine effects appear complementary to the world’s most popular stimulant. It may also increase brain activity and memory.

Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine (Alpha-GPC)

Choline is a vital compound in neurotransmission, and research suggests many Americans don’t get enough from their regular diets. (In fact, choline-based nootropics are increasingly common, and some of our testers have experienced enhanced memory and focus simply from supplementing choline.) This is the same form of choline as in popular stack (and BrainWiz tester favorite) Alpha Brain.

Citicoline

Choline is a vital compound in neurotransmission, and research suggests many Americans don’t get enough from their regular diets. (Choline-based nootropics are increasingly common, and some of our testers have experienced enhanced memory and focus simply from supplementing choline.) It’s a common ingredient in many nootropic stacks.

Other Ingredients: Glycerin, Hypromellose (Vegetarian), Titanium Dioxide, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Yellow.

Usage Guidelines

Take 1 capsule daily with plenty of water.

What Our Testers Say

“I was excited to try this, since I had such a great experience with with the guarana in Lumonol.  Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case with Focus+.  I took 1 capsule, with breakfast, and two full glasses of water, but that was still not enough to deter the jitters. I felt a ton of nervous energy, and actually had a harder time concentrating than usual. This feeling lasted for about 4 hours, when I crashed hard.”

“I wasn’t too excited to try this product, especially because they did not have specifics on how much Holy Basil, or at what concentration, the ”˜Proprietary Formulation contained.’ I also didn’t know whether or not that formulation contained enough of an ingredient, say, Rhodiola, to meet the minimal effective dose. I tested it, though I was also hesitant because Ursolic Acid has some potential side effects. I took it in the morning, with with a shake, and felt a definite rush of energy. This was as effective as my pre-workout for energy, but I didn’t get much more out of it.”

“I felt a tad on edge on this supplement, whether I took it with or without coffee. There were no real cognitive benefits while taking this either.”

“As I have mentioned before, I do my best to avoid artificial coloring. I understand that this is part of their branding, each individual pill is blue and green with each capsule individually labeled, but I believe that a product can be just as recognizable for its quality as it is for its branding.  I do like this product as an energy supplement, but don’t think I would consider adding it to my permanent rotation even if Excelerol removed their overkill, on-pill branding. I prefer to get my jolt from coffee.”

BrainWiz Tips

• This stack contains several stimulant ingredients, loaded with caffeine. We suggest you take this supplement with food, and away from other caffeine-containing beverages, like coffee or tea.
• Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, as this supplement can dehydrate you.
• Adaptogens like Rhodiola Rosea and Panax Ginseng may actually boost the effects of common stimulants like caffeine.
• As with any supplement or nutritional regimen, you should talk to your doctor or medical professional before use.
• The bottle suggests taking this supplement up to 3 times a day, but beware of taking it too late into the afternoon, especially if you have trouble falling asleep.

Supplement Summary

Focus+ may be a good alternative for non-coffee drinkers looking for a buzz, but for our testers, the benefits stopped there. Despite having an impressive list of ingredients, the fact that neither the quantities nor concentration of many ingredients listed makes us doubt there’s enough of them in the stack to really make a difference.

The post Energy That Comes Up Short? Reviewing Focus+ by Excelerol appeared first on Brain Wiz.