The human brain holds great potential for memory and recall, but few of us use it to its full potential.

We live in a fast-paced world where nearly everything is immediately available at our fingertips — information, entertainment, and more. Perhaps because of this, we have developed a habit of rapidly switching focus. The average human has an attention span of around 8 seconds. Yes, you read that correctly. Our attention span is around the same as a goldfish.

So, how do you tap into your brain’s true potential and harness all of that brain power to maximize your memory and focus? Many have looked to the world of nootropics to do so and no nootropic is as popular as Onnit’s Alpha Brain supplement.

Alpha Brain is a nootropic made with earth grown nutrients and other powerful ingredients to boost your memory, focus, and processing speed. It is completely free from stimulants (such as caffeine) and works by directly stimulating your neurotransmitters — essentially kicking your brain into high gear so you can achieve its full potential.

Here is a list of the ingredients you can find in Onnit’s Alpha Brain nootropic:

1. Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine HCl)
2. L-Tyrosine
3. L-Theanine
4. Oat Straw Extract
5. Phosphatidylserine (PS)
6. Cat’s Claw Extract
7. L-Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC)
8. Bacopa Extract
9. Huperzia serrata Extract
10. L-Leucine
11. Vinpocetine
12. Pterostilbene

Though many supplement manufacturers make lofty promises with their supplements, Onnit’s Alpha Brain nootropic is clinically demonstrated to provide the advertised benefits.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the 12 key ingredients in the Alpha Brain supplement as well as some of the scientific research that supports these benefits.

Overview of Onnit’s Alpha Brain Ingredients

Alpha Brain is designed to be taken once a day, preferably with a light meal, to maximize the benefits. In addition to several individual ingredients, this supplement also contains three proprietary blends – Onnit Flow Blend, Onnit Focus Blend, and Onnit Fuel Blend. Keep reading to learn more about these blends as well as the individual ingredients they contain.

Vitamin B6 as Pyridoxine HCl (10 mg)

Also known as pyridoxine, vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin and coenzyme that plays a role in supporting cognitive development and the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters. Vitamin B6 is an incredibly versatile nutrient, and the human body cannot synthesize it on its own, so it must come from food and/or supplements.

In terms of its cognitive benefits, vitamin B6 has been shown to improve mood regulation, primarily due to its role in creating mood-boosting neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This vitamin also helps decrease the damage caused by cellular toxicity which may help slow the progression of memory loss and cognitive decline, particularly related to Alzheimer’s.

Onnit Flow Blend (650 mg)

This proprietary blend contains four active ingredients: l-tyrosine, l-theanine, oat straw extract, and phosphatidylserine. These ingredients work together to boost memory and processing speed, enabling you to recall words and information more quickly while processing new information at a faster speed. Onnit’s Alpha Brain supplement contains a combined 650mg of these ingredients.

L-Tyrosine

An amino acid compound, l-tyrosine plays a role in the synthesis of catecholamine neurotransmitters like epinephrine and dopamine which are involved in memory, mood, and mental processing. By supporting neurotransmitter synthesis, l-tyrosine may slow or reverse the effects of cognitive stress.

The inclusion of l-tyrosine in Onnit’s Alpha Brain supplement is for the purpose of boosting attention and focus. This amino acid has been shown to promote working memory and to improve cognitive performance. Most notably, it provides these benefits in high-pressure thinking situations and in periods of fatigue, high stress, and sleep deprivation.

L-Theanine

This is an amino acid that has been shown to increase alpha brainwave activity which plays a role in boosting memory and information processing. L-theanine also helps settle excitable neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA to improve focus. This supplement has been shown to provide benefits for learning, creative problem solving and studying – any task that requires calm attention and focus. It may also reduce the stimulant effects of caffeine. In terms of its long-term effects, l-theanine protects neurons from oxidative damage, helping maintain healthy cognitive function during aging.

Oat Straw Extract

Oat straw is a type of grass that grows at the top of the oat plant (Avena sativa) before the oat grains form into a head. This plant has been a source of food for at least 3,000 years, but its cognitive benefits were only discovered within the last century. Oat straw exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and offers a wide range of benefits for mental health and cognitive function.

What makes oat straw extract unique is the fact that its nootropic benefits are almost immediate. This extract has been shown to produce an increase in brainwave activity, to regulate dopamine levels in the brain, and to improve attention. It also increases alertness and decreases inflammation in the brain.

Phosphatidylserine

This is a type of phospholipid (fat) that occurs naturally in every cell in the human body but is most highly concentrated in the brain. This supplement has been shown to enhance brain health and function by boosting memory, relieving cognitive stress, and slowing or reversing the effects of cognitive decline.

Though phosphatidylserine is produced naturally, the body requires high levels and, while it is found in most foods, it is only in very low levels. Supplemental phosphatidylserine can improve memory and learning, improve attention, and support the synthesis and action of major neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine. It also plays a key role in producing energy and supporting nerve cell function.

Cat’s Claw (Bark) Extract (350 mg)

Native to the Amazon rainforest, cat’s claw has a long history of use in traditional medicine. This ingredient offers powerful antioxidant and immune-boosting properties, which help to fight infection and relieve symptoms of arthritis.

Also called Uncaria tomentosa, cat’s claw is a tropical vine that grows up to 98 feet tall and is covered in hooked thorns that resemble a cat’s claw. The bark and root of the plant have long been used in traditional medicine, but modern research has resulted in the development of a unique method of extracting the active ingredients to create AC-11 the Rainforest Super Herb.

In terms of scientific support for the herb’s benefits, several small studies showed an increase in white blood cell count after taking cat’s claw extract for at least 6 weeks. Other studies showed the benefits of cat’s claw for boosting immunity and also calming an overactive immune system. Other studies show the anti-inflammatory benefits of cat’s claw in reducing osteoarthritis pain and stiffness.

Onnit Focus Blend (240 mg)

This proprietary blend contains three active ingredients: l-alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine, bacopa extract, and Huperzia serrata extract. These ingredients work together to improve executive function, or the ability to focus on a goal and to execute tasks as quickly as possible. These benefits are measured by improvements in peak alpha brain wave patterns. Onnit’s Alpha Brain supplement contains a combined 240mg of these ingredients.

L-Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine

This is a compound made up of glycerophosphate and choline that increases acetylcholine production in and improves delivery of choline to the brain. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that supports learning and memory while choline improves memory and focus. The primary benefit of l-alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine is to support other nootropic ingredients and to boost the production and function of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Bacopa Extract

This herbal extract has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, known for its antioxidant and adaptogenic properties. Bacopa extract has been shown to improve memory and longevity while reducing stress, mood disorders, and chronic pain.

In one study, Bacopa monniera extract was shown to guard against the effects of both acute and chronic stress. It has also been shown to enhance the activity of neurotransmitters like acetylcholine and serotonin to provide mood-regulating benefits. Other studies have shown the benefits of Bacopa extract for improving memory and higher cognitive processes.

Read more about Bacopa Extract here.

Huperzia serrata Extract

Commonly known as northern firmoss, Huperzia serrata is a plant extract and a natural acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) is responsible for the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which plays a role in learning, memory, and attention. By inhibiting AchE activity, Huperzia serrata helps prevent cognitive decline and memory impairment. This herbal extract also supports mitochondrial energy production and boosts the activity of brain antioxidants to prevent free-radical damage in the brain cells.

Onnit Fuel Blend (65 mg)

This proprietary blend contains three active ingredients: l-leucine, vinpocetine, and pterostilbene. These three ingredients work together to boost ATP production in the brain, maximizing the production and use of energy in the brain to fuel peak performance and optimize memory and focus. Onnit’s Alpha Brain supplement contains a combined 65mg of these ingredients.

L-Leucine

An amino acid used for muscle and energy synthesis, l-leucine cannot be produced by the body and must be taken in food or supplement form. This amino acid increases energy production as well as cell longevity. L-leucine has been shown to significantly improve physical endurance and performance while also speeding muscle recovery and preventing muscle loss.

Vinpocetine

A synthetic compound derived from vincamine, vinpocetine boosts blood flow to the brain for improved cognitive performance – it also offers thermogenic benefits, burning fat and enhancing exercise performance. One study showed that the benefits of vinpocetine for enhancing cognitive function are similar to those of caffeine and other nootropics, but a 2014 study showed progressive improvements in cognitive performance among participants over a 12-week study period.

Pterostilbene

A naturally derived polyphenol antioxidant, pterostilbene is similar to resveratrol in terms of its brain-boosting benefits, but it offers 80% bioavailability compared to resveratrol’s 20%. Pterostilbene has been shown to increase neuroplasticity in the brain to improve learning and memory while also providing neuroprotectant benefits due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

How These Ingredients Work In Unison

Now that you know a little more about the benefits of the 12 ingredients included in the Alpha Brain supplement, you may be wondering how they work together.

Onnit has conducted numerous clinical trials of their own to verify the efficacy of their supplements. In one randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, Alpha Brain was found to produce significant improvement in verbal memory, logical memory, and executive functioning compared to placebo. These results were duplicated in a second study in which participants taking Alpha Brain experienced a 12% greater improvement in verbal recall and 21% faster completion time in executive function assessments compared to the placebo group.

In addition to measurable benefits for memory and recall, several clinical trials have proven the benefits of Alpha Brain for improving focus. One study used EEG recordings to measure the effects of Alpha Brain on peak alpha frequency, a measurable reflection of a state of focus. Other studies showed benefits for improved performance in college-aged men and powerlifters.

Not only does Onnit perform their own clinical research, but the data is subjected to a rigorous peer-review process to verify its accuracy.

Learn more about our experience using Alpha Brain here.

The post A Research-Backed Look at Alpha Brain’s Ingredients appeared first on Brain Wiz.

There is a common myth that we only use about 10% of our brains when, in fact, you use the entirety of your brain on a daily basis. Just because you are using all of the different parts of your brain throughout the day, however, doesn’t mean that you’re using them efficiently. If you could harness your brain power and maximize its efficiency, you could optimize your cognitive function to achieve a level of mental performance you never thought possible.

That’s the power of Mind Lab Pro.

As a nootropic, Mind Lab Pro features eleven research-backed key ingredients to boost all aspects of cognition including learning, memory, attention, recall, motivation, creativity, problem-solving, and more…

Here is a list of the ingredients found in Mind Lab Pro:

1. Citicoline as Cognizin (250mg)
2. Phosphatidylserine (PS) as Sharp-PS Green (100mg)
3. Bacopa Monnieri as Full-Spectrum Extract (150mg)
4. Lion’s Mane Mushroom as Full-Spectrum Extract (500mg)
5. Maritime Pine Bark Extract (75mg)
6. L-Tyrosine as N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine (175mg)
7. L-Theanine as Suntheanine (100mg)
8. Rhodiola Rosea (50mg)
9. Vitamin B6 as Pyridoxine (2.5mg)
10. Vitamin B9 as Folic Acid (100mcg)
11. Vitamin B12 as Cobalamin (7.5mcg)

While many nootropic supplements target just 2 or 3 brain pathways, Mind Lab Pro is the world’s first “universal” nootropic designed to function as a whole-brain optimizer to support peak overall mental performance in a variety of situations (e.g. students, athletes, competitors, professionals, and active seniors).

Now, let’s take a deeper look at the eleven key ingredients in Mind Lab Pro as well as some of the research-backed benefits associated with them.

1. Citicoline

Citicoline is a naturally occurring compound and essential building block of cell membranes. This compound energizes brain cells by optimizing neural electrical impulses and supports the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) which is the primary phospholipid found in brain cell membranes. These benefits combine to make citicoline a powerful supplement for brain cell regeneration and repair.

In terms of its nootropic benefits, citicoline promotes memory, attention, focus, and concentration, and balanced mood to enhance mental performance with the inevitable crash of stimulants. In the long term, it may help protect the brain against age-related structural change and cognitive decline.

Mind Lab Pro’s Cognizin is a patented form of citicoline which has been shown to boost brain cell membrane formation by 26%* and brain energy by nearly 14%*.

*These results are supported by research conducted at the Society for Neuroscience in San Diego, California.

2. Phosphatidylserine (PS)

Phosphatidylserine or PS is a phospholipid that comprises about 15% of the brain’s fats. It is highly concentrated in brain cell membranes where it helps maintain fluidity, optimizes receptors, promotes neurotransmitters, supports energy production, and increases nerve growth factor. According to research published in the journals Neurology and Aging, this phospholipid also slows brain degeneration and memory loss in the elderly while improving mood regulation and mental clarity.

Mind Lab Pro’s “Sharp PS” is an eco-friendly, non-GMO, soy-free form of phosphatidylserine derived from sunflower lecithin shown to offer efficient absorption by the human brain, helping to slow, halt, or reverse biochemical alterations and structural deterioration in nerve cells.

According to research published in the journal Nutrition, phosphatidylserine also supports cognitive functions such as learning and recall, memory, focus, attention and concentration, problem solving, language skills, and communication.

3. Bacopa Monnieri

Bacopa monnieri is an Ayurvedic herb containing beneficial compounds such as bacosides and bacopasides. These compounds offer antioxidant benefits, enhancing the activity of other brain antioxidants to protect brain cells from the age-accelerating effects of free radicals.

In addition to offering antioxidant protection, bacopa promotes the activity of acetylcholine, GABA, and serotonin to improve focus, memory, and mood. Research also suggests that this herb may also improve mental processing, promote relaxation, and boost cognitive performance under stress.

Mind Lab Pro’s Bacopa Monnieri is a full-spectrum extract that has been standardized for 24% bacosides and engineered to supply the herb’s 9 most active nootropic bacoside compounds. This supplement has been shown to improve both delayed and immediate memory recall and learning, according to a 12-week study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

4. Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Also known as yamabushitake, lion’s mane mushroom has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine, but its brain-boosting benefits are also supported by science. The only mushroom known to support brain health, lion’s mane is rich in active nootropics such as hericenones and erinacines.

According to animal research, lion’s mane mushroom stimulates nerve growth factor (NGF) which may support neural regeneration and brain plasticity. It has also been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, speed recovery from nervous system injuries, and fight oxidative stress.

Mind Lab Pro’s full-spectrum Lion’s Mane Mushroom provides high levels of active hericenone and erinacines. One double-blind, placebo-controlled study, in particular, demonstrated the specific benefits of this supplement for improving cognitive performance and maintaining mood balance.

5. Maritime Pine Bark Extract

Maritime pine bark extract or pycnogenol is known for its high content of proanthocyanidin antioxidants which have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. This enables these antioxidants to neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals concentrated in the brain.

In addition to providing antioxidant benefits, the proanthocyanidins in pine bark extract increase the release of nitric oxide to relax blood vessels and boost blood flow to the brain. Combined with the enhanced delivery of oxygen and glucose, proanthocyanidin bioactivities support brain regeneration to help reverse age-related cognitive decline.

Mind Lab Pro uses the strongest pine bark extract on the market today. It is standardized for 95% proanthocyanidins to promote optimal antioxidant and nootropic activity.

6. L-Tyrosine

L-Tyrosine is an amino acid compound that plays a role in synthesizing catecholamine neurotransmitters like dopamine and epinephrine that are involved in mood, memory, and mental processing. Animal research suggests that this compound may reverse the effects of cognitive stress by supporting the synthesis of neurotransmitters that are depleted in high-pressure thinking.

In terms of its nootropic benefits, L-Tyrosine has been shown to promote working memory and optimize mental performance in cases of fatigue, high stress, and sleep deprivation. It is also being researched for its benefits in improving attention and focus.

Mind Lab Pro’s N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine offers optimal bioavailability and absorption, delivering more nootropic activity to the brain than Tyrosine alone.

7. L-Theanine

L-Theanine is an amino acid shown to boost alpha brainwave activity while settling excitable neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and GABA. In addition to modulating the brain’s attention circuitry, this amino acid protects neurons from damage to maintain cognitive function during aging.

This amino acid has been shown to sharpen attention, focus, and alertness all while maintaining a state of relaxed tranquility. It has benefits for studying, creative problem solving, learning, and any task that requires quiet contemplation. It may also reduce the jittery effects of caffeine.

Mind Lab Pro’s L-Theanine consists of 100% pure L-isomer-Theanine at a dosage of 100mg which has been shown to provide the optimal degree of enhancement for alpha brainwave activity in numerous human clinical trials.

8. Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola rosea is also known as “golden root”, and it contains over 140 active ingredients including rosavins and salidrosides. These components stimulate and sustain essential neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine and supports their transport across the blood-brain barrier.

Rhodiola is most known for its ability to strengthen mental resistance to stress by diminishing the release of the stress hormone cortisol. Research suggests that the nootropic benefits of this supplement begin within 30 minutes and last for up to 6 hours.

Mind Lab Pro’s Rhodiola is standardized for a minimum of 3% rosavins and 1% salidrosides to ensure optimal levels of active nootropics in each dose. Human clinical trials have proven these levels to be effective in improving mental energy.

9. Vitamins B6, B9, and B12

B vitamins have long been known to contribute to brain health, but vitamins B6, B9, and B12 are the most essential due to their role in homocysteine metabolism. Low levels of these vitamins in combination with high homocysteine levels have been linked to increased brain degeneration, mood imbalance, and cognitive decline. These effects are documented in numerous studies, including one published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2015.

• Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine is a water-soluble vitamin and coenzyme that supports a variety of bodily functions including the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters and support of cognitive development. Supplementation of this vitamin has been shown to boost mood, memory, performance, and mental effort in elderly test subjects.
• Vitamin B9 or folic acid plays a key role in the synthesis and repair of DNA and RNA in addition to supporting cell division and growth as well as brain health. The benefits of Vitamin B9 for improved cognitive function are supported by the results of a 2007 study published in the journal Lancet.
• Vitamin B12 or cobalamin plays an important role in maintaining nerve and blood cell health. Deficiency in this vitamin has been linked to problems with memory, mood balance, and mental illness. According to research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, this vitamin works in combination with other B vitamins to control homocysteine and improve neurocognitive function.

This combination of vitamins is designed to target homocysteine, helping address concerns related to cognitive decline, brain aging, and poor circulation to the brain while boosting mental energy, improving mood balance, and supporting long-range brain health.

The combination of these nootropic ingredients is what makes Mind Lab Pro an impressive stack. This supplement works in six different biopathways to optimize a wide array of cognitive functions to boost your whole-life mental performance.

Have a question about Mind Lab Pro? Leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

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Ashwagandha (Sanskrit for “smell of the horse”) is an herb that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for millennia and has recently become popular in the West as a nootropic. Though its scientific name is Withania somnifera, ashwagandha goes by other names, like winter cherry (because it kind of looks like a cherry wearing a jacket) and Indian ginseng (because they have restorative properties in common). Though it is most often listed as ashwagandha on nootropic nutritional information, don’t be surprised if you occasionally see it called something else.

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, which means that it belongs to the family of natural compounds that some scientists believe can block the physical effects of stress. Some studies suggest that ashwagandha can help reduce anxiety and decrease cortisol concentration levels, so it’s become a hot commodity in the nootropics world.

Is Ashwagandha Good for the Brain?

Ashwagandha is linked to decreased anxiety, reduced rates of depression and insomnia, and an immunosuppresive effect of stress. Better sleep, greater resiliency, and improved mood are all positive improvements reported by some users, so it has the potential to be good for the brain. There is even some preliminary evidence to suggest that ashwagandha could fight Alzheimer’s disease by lowering LDL cholesterol levels, though more research is needed in that regard. Ashwagandha may also boost athletic ability in athletes. Let’s unpack these claims so you can decide if ashwagandha is a good fit for your stack.

Photo: Ashwagandha, via Chopra.com

Ashwagandha contains both sitoindosides and acylsterylglucosides, compounds which have been shown to work well as de-stressers in trials. When you are too stressed, you sleep poorly, and when you sleep poorly, you become more stressed. It’s a vicious cycle that can lead to decreased memory skills, poor reaction times, and a harder time learning new things. Bad sleep or a lack of sleep puts you at an increased risk for anxiety and depression, and it also depresses your immune system, giving you that “run down” feeling we all dread. Ashwagandha, by way of the compounds it contains, may help decrease the amount of stress you experience, allowing you to have better sleep and an improved outlook.

Ashwagandha has historically been used as an anti-inflammatory, and there’s some modern medical evidence to support its use for that. Decreased inflammation can lead to less of the baseline pain that makes it harder to get out of bed in the morning, harder to concentrate on tasks, and harder to enjoy being active. Ashwagandha isn’t strong enough to take the place of a prescription pain medication, and it shouldn’t replace any course of medical treatment without consulting with a medical professional.

Photo: Ashwagandha by A. Donato via Sloan Kettering

Lastly, let’s look at how ashwagandha has been linked to improved endurance and athletic performance. One study showed that mice given ashwagandha could swim for nearly twice as long as the untreated group, indicating that it might have the same impact on people. There’s no limit to the benefits aerobic exercise can bring; it’s been linked to improved cognition, longer life spans, decreased cholesterol, and even better outcomes with degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Preliminary and anecdotal evidence suggests that ashwagandha might be able to help you in endurance-related activities.

Where Can I Get Ashwagandha?

Standalone ashwagandha supplements are available in the form of teas, tinctures, and tablets, but since the research suggests you need a few hundred milligrams per day to achieve optimal results, the best bet may be to take it in a capsule form alongside your meals. Check out Cognitex, which is a great nootropic blend for a first-time user, and Shroom TECH, which some people say helps with fatigue.

Have you tried ashwagandha? Did you find it help you manage stress? Tell us how you added it to your stack in the comments.

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Noopept is a brand name for a synthetic nootropic molecule that is called N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester in scientific circles; no wonder they came up with a shorter version for lay people! It has been commonly prescribed in Russia, where it was developed, for several decades and has only recently made its way into the American market as a nootropic.

It’s similar in effect and structure to Piracetam, a class of compounds that can provide a small cognitive boost in some users, but it is significantly more potent, up to a thousand times more than similar supplements on the market. This allows users to achieve results similar Piracetam with a much smaller dosage of Noopept.

Right now, the evidence of its efficacy as a nootropic is mostly anecdotal, but some preliminary studies suggest (and some users report!) better memory, more fluid conversations, and an easier time learning new things. There is also evidence to indicate that Noopept could help heal the brains of stroke victims, but more research is needed.

How does Noopept work?

Like a lot of nootropics, its exact mechanisms of action aren’t completely clear. Since Noopept is generally taken orally, it enters your system through your GI tract. It activates when the body metabolizes Noopept into cycloproylglycine. From there, three things may happen: Noopept increases oxygen within the brain, it increases the glucose metabolism of the brain, and it travels to glutamate receptor sites. Noopept acts fast, peak efficacy is about fifteen to twenty minutes after ingestion.

Increasing the oxygen in the brain helps you feel clearer, which may explain why a lot of users report feeling less foggy and sharper when they take Noopept. In the same way short bursts of exercise can help in the immediate with higher brain functions like impulse control and inhibition by supplying a jolt of oxygen, it’s possible that Noopept could kick your brain into high gear temporarily.

Since the brain feeds on glucose, the improved metabolism Noopept may provide gives it more energy to feed on, freeing the brain up and making it more focused and clearer.

Studies suggest Noopept can also help to slow the breakdown of glutamate. Glutamate is a neurotransmittor in charge of excitatory signals and is responsible for most aspects of normal brain function, like memory, learning, and cognition. Noopept binds with glutamate receptor sites to inhibit glutamate’s collapse. Noopept also energizes the receptor sites during this process so that they’re more sensitive to glutamate and activate more quickly.

With Noopept, as with any supplement, it’s very important to manage your expectations for what it can and can’t do. Right now, the research suggests Noopept may be most beneficial to brains that have been somehow harmed, whether that be as a result of a stroke, a degenerative disease, or a traumatic brain injury. For unimpaired brains, the effects seem to vary a lot from user to user. Some people report little to no impact, while others experience slight boosts in memory, and still others find their cognitive abilities significantly increased.

Where do I get Noopept?

Many users choose to take Noopept by itself, but if you’d rather take Noopept as part of a more complete nootropic blend, Lumonol includes a significant amount of Noopept in the mix. Between ten and thirty milligrams a day for up to 56 days is considered safe since it’s not intended to be part of a long-term daily routine. Instead, use Noopept when you feel you need an extra boost. Taking too much can have some undesired effects, like short-term memory loss, and taking it for too long can diminish its ability to impact your brain chemistry. Stick to the recommended dose for best results.

Have you taken Noopept? Did you find it made your memory stronger? Did it make you more conversationally fluent? Tell us about your experiences in the comments.

Photo: Noopept, by Benrr101, via Wikimedia Commons.

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Bacopa Monnieri growing on the beach.

Bacopa monnieri may also influence the cells that help with brain regeneration by decreasing the oxidative stress that free radicals can have, which could make it appealing for people with brain injuries as well as those concerned about the impact of aging and time on the brain. There are some studies that suggest bacopa monnieri can help decrease the inflammation of the brain that comes with aging and improve outcomes for Alzheimer’s patients. With potential benefits numbering in the dozens, bacopa monnieri has widespread appeal and is suitable variety of users.

What does bacopa monnieri stack with?

The first thing to take into consideration is that, for some users, bacopa monnieri has been known to cause gastrointestinal problems when taken on an empty stomach. For the sake of your belly, don’t forget that it stacks first and foremost with food! Since bacopa monnieri is fat soluble, try taking it alongside a meal that has includes healthy fats. Think avocado toast, buttered coffee, or a smear of almond butter on an apple.

When stacked alongside other supplements, bacopa monnieri may have benefits ranging from upping cognitive abilities to decreasing stress, may experience a different outcome depending on what else you’re taking.

If improving your memory and feeling less anxious is what you’re hoping this supplement can do for you, try bacopa monnieri with the supplement Protadim. Protadim includes milk thistle, curcumin, green tea catechins, and ashwagandha. The study linking the positive effects of this stack also indicated you may get some of the benefits with just one or two of the compounds found in Protadim, so if they’re already in the mix for you, all the better. Keep in mind that most users report that these benefits can take a few weeks of continuous use to show up, so be patient. During that time, some people have decreased motivation and a little trouble getting to sleep, so the adjustment period can be a little bit tricky.

Another name-brand supplement, Perment, stacks bacopa monnieri with asparagus, ashwagandha, and clitoria ternatea. Some research suggests that this combination may relieve symptoms of depression naturally. While there’s evidence of the link between taking this supplement and diminishing the symptoms of depression, the effect won’t be complete, so don’t consider this a standalone treatment. Anticipate minor reductions in your symptoms. This shouldn’t take the place of an antidepressant that your doctor prescribes, but if you’re interested in trying an Ayurvedic approach alongside a Western one, ask your healthcare provider about this.

There’s some data to suggest bacopa monniere stacked with yohimbine can help to dull your perception of pain if you take a high dose, and conjecture that a cocktail of bacopa monnieri and caffeine may hinder stress-inducing dopamine spikes.

Where can I get Bacopa Monnieri?

In addition to the supplements Protadim and Perment, you’ll find bacopa monnieri in Nootrobox’s RISE supplement, where it’s stacked with rhodiola rosea and Alpha-GPC. Some research and anecdotal evidence suggests this combination can improve your memory and resiliency. The standard dose for bacopa monnieri is about 300mg per day in many nootropic stacks.

Have you tried bacopa monnieri? What do you stack yours with? Tell us in the comments!

Photo: Bacopa Monnieri by Forest & Kim Star via Wikimedia Commons.

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What Is Rhodiola Rosea?

Rhodiola rosea is a flowering plant that grows year-round in cold regions all over the world. It’s been found in Canada, the United States, England, Ireland, and Austria, and it goes by many names. You may see it listed as king’s crown, Arctic root, lingum rhodium, rose root, or golden root, but it will most often appear in supplement ingredient lists by its most common name, rhodiola rosea.

Over the centuries, rhodiola rosea has been used to treat a vast array of ailments, but today, it’s most commonly found in nootropic blends designed to decrease fatigue. Since rhodiola rosea can have both positive mental and physical effects, it’s a high-value aspect of many nootropics users’ stacks.

What Does Rhodiola Rosea Stack Well With?

Rhodiola rosea pairs well with a variety of common nootropics like Siberian ginseng, St. John’s wort, lemonwood, and cranberry water extract.

Many users have found that stacking Siberian ginseng or lemonwood and rhodiola rosea can help manage stress. There’s also some research that suggests it can have an adaptogenic impact on the body, limiting the amount of stress the system experiences in less-than-ideal situations. There’s even some research suggesting a link to this particular combination and a longer lifespan, though it’s still in the preliminary phases.

St. John’s wort can help curb appetite and may prevent binge eating when paired with rhodiola rosea. Many users find that when they’re trying to diet or struggling with overeating, adding rhodiola rosea to their stacks can help stymie hunger.

Rhodiola Rosea growing on the mountains. (photo via Wikimedia)

Rhodiola rosea is considered safe, and for most people to take, but some research suggests that taking too much can increase the risk of elevated platelet counts. Ask your doctor if rhodiola rosea is a good fit for your overall lifestyle before you start taking it.

Where Can I Get Rhodiola Rosea?

There are many rhodiola rosea supplements on the market today. Some nootropics users like to take a stand-alone rhodiola rosea supplement. Our reviewers tried the one Solaray made and liked it. Still other nootropics users like to take rhodiola rosea in the form of a supplement blend. The popular RISE by Nootrobox contains rhodiola rosea, as does Neurofuse. Both try to help improve cognition and stack rhodiola rosea with other supplements purported to do the same.

Have you taken rhodiola rosea? What did you stack it with? Tell us about your experience in the comments.

The post What Nootropics Stack Well with Rhodiola Rosea? appeared first on Brain Wiz.

Vinpocetine is a very common semisynthetic derivative of an extract from the periwinkle plant. It was developed in Hungary as a pharmaceutical drug for treating a variety of brain-related concerns, like strokes and epilepsy. It isn’t available in the United States as a pharmaceutical-grade drug, but it’s often sold as a nootropic supplement. Most people who take vinpocetine use it because it may improve memory and cerebral metabolism.

How Does Vinpocetine Work?

In a nootropic context, vinpocetine is typically taken by mouth, so it’s absorbed quickly into the bloodstream, which carries it to the brain. Once it’s in your system, it works to reduce neural inflammation and enhance neuroprotection against toxins or excess stimulation. This protection from stress can help decrease cognitive decline that comes with age. This means it can help improve reaction times, for example. Some users report that this helps them improve their memories.

Some studies on vinpocetine are done with vinpocetine infusions, which makes it hard to know exactly what will happen when you take it orally. In some of these intravenous studies, vinpocetine seems to improve blood flow to the brain, which could help to reduce headaches (and is in line with some of the more traditional uses of periwinkle in complementary medicine). There are no studies linking reduced headaches when you take vinpocetine orally, but some users do report feeling better.

All of these effects can be pronounced, with some studies suggesting that vinpocetine could even help prevent things like amnesia. It’s important to bear in mind, though, that these studies were conducted on people who had experienced brain trauma, not healthy individuals who were looking for a cognitive boost.

Another mechanism of vinpocetine is its ability to interact with several major ion channels (think calcium, potassium, and sodium). This means that it can possibly have a suppressive effect on neuroprotection and neurotransmitter release if glutamate or dopamine are also suppressed. This is important because some studies show that dopamine and glutamate can cause oxidative damage if they’re overstimulated by toxins. High dopamine levels can cause a feeling of agitation or anxiety, and too much glutamate can make you feel tired.

Lastly, vinpocetine has a mechanism that is a PDE1 inhibitor. This means that it has the ability to both enhance your cognition and protect your heart from disease. The research on this is still fairly nascent and this effect appears to require a dosage much larger than most users get in a supplement, but the link is promising.

Where Can I Get Vinpocetine?

Since vinpocetine is synthetic, there aren’t any naturally occurring dietary sources of it. You have the option to add it to your stack as a standalone supplement; some people find it stacks well with Piracetum and ginko biloba. There are also a lot of supplement blends containing vinpocetine. If that sounds like a better fit for you, EBOOST drink powders contain vinpocetine in their recipe.

Have you tried vinpocetine? Did it improve your memory? Tell us about it in the comments.

The post How Does Vinpocetine Work? appeared first on Brain Wiz.

Photo: Rhodiola Rosea by Bjoertvedt via Wikimedia Commons.

What Are Adaptogens?

Adaptogens are compounds that can help to limit the amount of stress your body experiences if taken in advance of an event that itself causes stress. Adaptogens are a somewhat understudied group of compounds; though many have been in use for centuries, there’s no single accepted definition for them. They’re a very diverse group of substances; they don’t come from one family or have one use. Also, adaptogens don’t all necessarily have the same mechanisms. Some adaptogens aren’t even really nootropics at all, by some estimations. Most people in the nootropic community agree that an adaptogen must be a naturally occurring nontoxic and nonspecific compound that has a normalizing impact on the user’s physiology.

Since there are so many things adaptogens can be, companies use them to make a wide variety of claims ranging from longer lifespan to increased libido to heightened well-being.

What Are Some Examples of Adaptogens?

Since the word adaptogen covers a wider variety of herbs, it’s no surprise that there’s some debate about what is and isn’t part of this group. There are a few common adaptogens that aren’t as controversial, though rhodiola rosea and ashwagandha make the cut and are agreed upon as adaptogens by most people in the nootropics community.

Ashwagandha is widely considered an adaptogen because it can help prevent the mental slowing that comes with aging and stress. For example, ashwagandha can act as an anti-anxiety agent, which helps some users lower the amount of stress their bodies experiences in tough situations. Over time, the stress that comes from anxiety can wear on your nervous system, which may make you less sharp and clear.

Rhodiola rosea is another very popular adaptogen in many nootropic supplements. It has been used for centuries as an anti-fatigue supplement, and there is some research that suggests it can also help the body repair after exercise. Like ashwagandha, rhodiola rosea can also help regulate anxiety in users, which helps keep stress and the damage that follows it at bay.

While the research is not yet conclusive, many users report that taking a supplement that contain adaptogens has helped them achieve the cognitive and physical benefits they’re seeking in their nootropic stack.

Where Can I Get Adaptogens?

Since the word adaptogen covers so many different supplements, there are lots of ways to work them into your stack. Nootrobox RISE contains both rhodiola rosea and bacopa monnieri, another herb some consider adaptogenic. Many users say Nootrobox RISE helps them deal with stress like a well-designed adaptogen compound should. Neurofuse also contains both of these herbs but in different amounts and stacked with other things, so Neurofuse could work well for a user who wants the stress reducing effects of an adaptogen but wants a boost of energy, too.

Have you tried an adaptogen in your stack? What’s your favorite? Tell us about your experience in the comments.

The post What Are Adaptogens? appeared first on Brain Wiz.

Is Astaxanthin Good for the Brain?

The compound has been tied to increased blood flow, decreased low-density cholesterol oxidation (which could help reduce artery blockage and the risk of heart disease), and is generally considered a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. There’s some evidence that these two properties, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant, could help alleviate symptoms of brain injury and trauma.

It’s a compound that may also slow age-related cognitive decline because it can have neuroprotective properties, protecting the brain against oxidative damage that comes with age.

Other research indicates astaxanthin could increase spatial memory in mammals, though that research has primarily been conducted on rodents, not humans just yet. This research also emphasized that the exact mechanisms for astaxanthin’s impact on cognitive function aren’t fully explored, so while there may be some perceived benefit in studies and anecdotal use, we don’t yet have a full understanding of exactly how it impacts our brains.

Where Do We Find Astaxanthin Supplements?

We’ve seen more and more standalone astaxanthin supplements come on to the market, and most research that shows positive effects in humans involves supplementation around 6 to 8 mg per day. However, it’s also a compound that’s becoming frequently paired with other anti-inflammatory nootropics like fish oil (DHA and EPA). We first saw this combination in Nootrobox’s KADO-3 supplement, which pairs astaxanthin with fish oil, vitamin D, and vitamin K. Nootrobox’s astaxanthin is sourced from krill, much like the omega-3 oils in KADO-3.

What are your experiences with astaxanthin? Let us know in the comments below!

The post What Is Astaxanthin, and Why Do I See It In Nootropic Supplements? appeared first on Brain Wiz.

Thinking about trying magnesium? Read about our favorite magnesium brain supplement here.

However, the type of magnesium in these supplements varies significantly. Many of the oldest and most established magnesium supplements are made up of magnesium citrate or magnesium oxide. However, these compounds aren’t always the most efficient for biological processes, and many have difficulty increasing magnesium concentrations in the brain.

Recently, researchers have developed a new magnesium compound that appears more efficient at crossing the blood-brain barrier, and it’s a form of magnesium we’re seeing in some of our favorite supplements, including MagTech. Trademarked as Magtein, magnesium l-threonate has several studies linking it to enhanced memory and brain function. It may even help certain individuals overcome fear-based memories and triggers.

Magtein actually contains less elemental magnesium per dose compared to many other magnesium compounds. Magnesium l-threonate contains magnesium in a form paired with a metabolite of vitamin C. It’s this unique molecular structure that allows the magnesium to more easily cross the blood-brain barrier, increasing free magnesium concentrations in the brain more effectively than other forms.

It’s worth noting that research into magnesium l-threonate is still relatively new, and things like optimal dosage may not yet be known for every user. If you think you may have a mineral deficiency that’s impacting your health, it’s best to speak to a healthcare professional.

For our testers, MagTech, which combines magnesium l-threonate with magnesium glycinate and magnesium taurate, has been their favorite magnesium-focused brain supplement; many also experienced better sleep while taking MagTech. MagTech also forms a base for one of our favorite nootropic stacks for productivity.

We’ll continue testing and reviewing magnesium-based nootropics and supplements as new ones, and potentially new magnesium compounds, come onto the market.

The post What Is Magnesium L-Threonate (and Which Brain Magnesium Is Best)? appeared first on Brain Wiz.