Bulletproof recently released their popular Brain Octane Oil in a softgel form, and while some of our testers liked the product, most felt like it did not deliver enough caprylic acid triglyceride bang, for the buck.

Still looking for an easier way to take Bulletproof Coffee on the road, our testers were excited about the company’s new product: InstaMix, a powdered blend of MCT and grass-fed butter, which  is meant to be mixed in with fresh-brewed coffee. Read on to see if  this powder ended up being better than the softgels, and whether or not this is the answer to taking Bulletproof Coffee on the road.

The Ingredients

Per packet: Caprylic Acid Triglycerides (Brain Octane Oil), Grass-fed Butter, Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin, Oleic Fatty Acid (from Olive Oil)

Caprylic Acid Triglycerides (Brain Octane Oil)

Medium-chain triglycerides, normally in the form of refined coconut oils, have become popular in recent years, largely thanks to the work of Bulletproof founder Dave Asprey.

They’re a primary ingredient in Bulletproof Coffee, and Bulletproof/Upgraded self claims they provide sustained energy to the brain without the crash of stimulants. Research indicates MCT oil creates more ketone bodies when metabolized than most other fats, and these ketone bodies may be quickly utilized by the brain for energy. Their consumption in place of other calories sources has also been linked to increased fat loss.

Regular coconut oil contains only about 8% caprylic acid, so Bulletproof’s Brain Octane Oil is a highly refined derivative of coconut oil targeted toward brain function. Of course, that’s not to say the other lipid compounds in coconut oil don’t have their own potential benefits. Brain Octane Oil may not be as readily stored as fat within the human body, meaning it’s either metabolized for relatively quick energy or expelled as waste.

Bulletproof also claims slowing the digestion of their Brain Octane Oil carries benefits for gut biome health and microbial balance. However, research on that potential benefit is so far pretty sparse, and we’ve chosen to assess the product’s effects as they pertain to mental performance.

A normal tablespoon of liquid-form Brain Octane Oil contains 15 grams of caprylic acid. One packet of Brain Octane contains about 10 grams, so significantly more than the softgels, but still less than a serving of the original oil.

Grass-Fed Butter

Grass-fed butter is rich in vitamin K2, a vitamin essential for bone health. It is also loaded with butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that can help ameliorate inflammation in the digestive tract.

Other Ingredients: Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin, Sorbitol, Vitamin E TPGS.

Nutritional Value

Amount per serving: Calories 135, Fat Cal. 117, Total Fat 13g (20% DV), Sat. Fat 10g (48% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 15mg (5% DV), Sodium 0g (0% DV), Total carb. 5g (2% DV), Fiber 0g (0% DV), Sugars 0g, Protein 0g, Vitamin A (4% DV), Vitamin C (0% DV), Calcium (0% DV), Iron (0% DV). Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Usage Guidelines

Tear open a packet of InstaMix and pour into 8 oz freshly brewed Upgraded Coffee. For best results, shake InstaMix and Upgraded Coffee in a sealed Bulletproof Travel Mug. Alternatively, stir until well mixed. Enjoy, and feel the power.

What Our Testers Say

“These are a huge improvement over the softgels. I like that they have a mixture of the MCT, high-quality grass-fed butter, because let’s face it, carrying around a stick of butter is just as impractical as carrying around a bottle of oil. I had great energy with this, and even used it in the afternoon, with great success. ”

“I liked the softgels, and have reached for them a couple of times when I needed a caffeine-free boost during my day. These are not as practical as the pills, but they are more potent. I liked it  mixed with my caffeine-free tea, and will continue using it. The flavor was nutty, and pretty comforting.”

“This mix is pretty solid when it comes to helping stave off hunger pangs, and give me a boost of energy. I tried mixing it with my cold brew, and had a disastrously clumpy result. I will stick to mixing it in warm coffee going forward. I have had some stomach issues with the full tablespoon of MCT oil before, but this didn’t bother me at all. ”

“This is a pretty great alternative for when I don’t have the time to make my Bulletproof coffee at home. I still prefer the “real” stuff, but this  is easy to mix, and it stacks well with my regular nootropic regimen. I will keep a couple of these in my briefcase, and at the office, for emergencies. ”

BrainWiz Tips

• When it comes to MCT oil, the manufacturer suggests starting with 1 teaspoon of oil to coffee, and gradually increasing until you reach 1 to 2 tablespoons per cup of coffee. Some people experience an upset stomach when first trying MCT oil, and InstaMix is no different. BrainWiz testers have been drinking Bulletproof coffee and/or tea for years, so take your time working up to the full packet, if this is your first experience with MCT oil.
• Most of our testers relied on their “regular” Bulletproof coffee in the morning, consumed an InstaMix beverage with lunch, which helped them fight afternoon hunger pangs, and slump.

Summary

While not as portable as the Brain Octane Softgels, InstaMix is a (surprisingly great) alternative for those looking for the BulletProof Coffee experience on the go. These packets are TSA-approved, and easy to take along in a carry-on, making it the perfect addition to a road-warrior’s nootropic chest.

The fact that these packets are also caffeine and stimulant-free makes them even more universally appealing.

The post Reviewing InstaMix: Bulletproof Coffee on the Go? appeared first on Brain Wiz.

Read our full FOCUSfactor review here.

What We Thought of FOCUSfactor

Overall, our testers found FOCUSfactor to be pretty mild, and if anything, it’s a beginner-facing nootropic formula that probably won’t change your day-to-day productivity all that much. It pairs okay with coffee if you take it in the morning, but there’s an additional downside: FOCUSfactor has a large serving size at 4+ pills, meaning it can cause upset stomach in some people, especially when you take it without food.

For these and several other reasons, FOCUSfactor is currently rated toward the bottom half of all the nootropics our reviewers have tested in our Ultimate Guide to Nootropic Stacks.

FOCUSfactor Alternatives

If you’re looking for something beginner friendly that our testers found to have a positive effect on mental energy and cognition (that’s also caffeine-free, like FOCUSfactor), consider one of the following. We found each to be very beginner friendly and relatively easy to assess tolerance with. They were also fairly easy to time and take with or without food, though with food normally enhances absorption; this is especially true if the supplement contains a fat-soluble ingredient like bacopa:

• RISE by Nootrobox (caffeine-free, though rhodiola can have a mild stimulatory effect for some)
• Alpha BRAIN by Onnit (one of the world’s most popular nootropic formulas, it now comes in an Instant drink version as well)
• Dopamine Brain Food by Natural Stacks

The post FOCUSfactor vs. Multivitamin: Is There a Difference? appeared first on Brain Wiz.

Noots is an Australia-based nootropics company that’s recently hit the American market with FOCUS and FLOW. Their FLOW supplement is an all-natural, caffeine-free nootropic designed to help users “stay in the zone.” While there are no ground-breaking ingredients in this stack, Noots stands behind their “super-safe, well-researched, high-efficacy cognitive-enhancement” stacks. Read on to find out what our testers had say in our full FLOW review.

Want to know what we thought about Noots’ other product? Check out our review of their FOCUS supplement.

Ingredients

• Bacopa monnieri: 200 mg
• Rhodiola rosea: 250 mg
• ALCAR: 250 mg
• Theacrine: 100 mg
• Theanine: 100 mg
• NALT: 100 mg

Bacopa monnieri

Bacopa Monnieri is an adaptogenic herb used in Ayurveda as a revitalizer, cognitive booster, and stress reliever. Tests show the positive effects the herb can have on memory and free recall.

Rhodiola rosea

An adaptogenic herb with anti-fatigue (both mental and physical) properties, rhodiola is one of the most common “natural” nootropic ingredients in brain enhancing supplements. Read more about why rhodiola rosea is so popular and why it has so few reported side effects here.

ALCAR (Acetyl-L-Carnitine)

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

Theacrine

An alkaloid derived from the Camellia Kucha plant, theacrine has been shown to improve mood while decreasing irritability.

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.

NALT (N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine)

L-Tyrosine is well-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, but the stack is labeled as vegetarian, gluten free, and non-gmo.

Usage Guidelines

Consume 1 capsule daily with food. Do not exceed more than 2 capsules within 24 hours

What Our Testers Say

“I’m not sure if it had something to do with the fact that I’ve been exhausted, but I feel like I got some really good night’s sleep while testing FLOW. The daytime effects were nice, but pretty mild. It paired well with my usual coffee consumption, so that’s a big plus. ”

“I took FLOWwith breakfast, after my morning workouts, and I did experience a nice wave of clean energy through the day. I also noticed that I had no problems focusing on the task at hand, and did not experience an afternoon crash, while testing this product. The effects are subtle, but definitely present. I generally prefer it to FOCUS from Noots.”

“FLOW is a mild, but (I thought) high-quality supplement. The supplement was a great addition to my usual coffee, and I felt present without any anxiety. I will definitely keep this around, for ”˜easier’ days. ”

“I really liked this product, and the energy I got from it (no jitters, like the manufacturer claimed – thought not a HUGE or QUICK rush of energy). My caffeine sensitivity sometimes limits the kind of products I can take on a daily basis, but I took this for a whole week, and felt alert, focused, and in control. ”

BrainWiz Tips

• Take it with food for better absorption. It’s caffeine free, but FLOW may have some stimulatory effects, so start slow and work up to a full dose.
• It seems well suited for those with a caffeine sensitivity.
• A potential “everyday” nootropic stack as opposed to energy on demand.
• It pairs well with coffee or other caffeinated drinks.

Supplement Summary

All of our testers experienced increased levels of energy and focus while testing Noots’ FLOW supplement. One tester also experienced more restful sleep, but could not directly link it to the nootropic.

Overall, FLOW is a solid caffeine-free supplement that seems to be produced with quality in mind. We are looking forward to testing out the next two products slated for release by Noots: DOZE, a sleep supplement, and LIFT, a workout enhancer.

The post FLOW by Noots Review: Is it a Smoother State of Mind? 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.

Read our full review of EBOOST’s Energy Powder here.

We sat down with EBOOST founder Josh Taekman to talk a little about the logic behind their formulations, why nootropic ingredients and brain enhancers are important to their line, and what’s next in store for the NYC-based company.

1. When did you start EBOOST, and what was your motivation in starting the company?

EBOOST was founded by accident to be honest. I had a marketing and branding agency and was going to create a line of G Unit Vitamins / Supplements with 50 Cent back in 2008 with a top manufacturer, and 50 Cent didn’t show up to the final meeting which killed the deal. I was commiserating with one of my best friends John McDonald and he said there is such a void in the market for a healthy & natural Energy & Vitamin Booster. Our mission was to create something we would take everyday to enhance our performance and vitality at work at play and in the gym. That was the spark that made us go down the path of creating and developing EBOOST.

Josh Taekman EBOOST Founder

2. EBOOST powders contain some ingredients we see a lot in nootropics we try (5-HTP, Vinpocetine, others). Tell us about why you chose to include those in your powders.

We wanted to create a product that was of the highest quality and highest efficacy and also natural & non GMO. We also knew we needed to create a product that made you feel great and do more and had to be much more than just an Energy + Vitamins product. Adding [a focus and alert blend from] 5-HTP and Vinpocetine and Huperzine was the perfect compliment to energy.

3. What was your first experience with brain-boosting supplements (aka nootropics), and how did that influence EBOOST products?

I used to take 5 HTP and huperzine for focus & alertness when I was in school and always loved the benefits I got from it. When we were developing EBOOST we felt that had to be an integral part of the experience you felt when you got boosted.

4. How long does it take to develop a new product for your company?

It really depends. We can develop a product and have it packaged and ready to ship within four months if we are focused and making quick decisions during the formulation and sample process. It took us close to a year to develop POW Pre Workout because we really wanted to deliver a product that was unique and different than what was out there and it had to taste great, be natural, non GMO and really enhance performance. We are perfectionists and won’t release a product until we have something that we would take every single day and could be proud of.

5. Are there new EBOOST products in development that haven’t been released yet?

We are doing a deep dive on protein and working with an amazing product development team to come out with something very special from the ingredients, functionalities, and packaging [around it].

Get more from Josh Taekman and the EBOOST team on Instagram.

The post Nootropics for the Masses: An Interview with Josh Taekman of EBOOST appeared first on Brain Wiz.

Driven Performance Labs offers nutritional coaching as one of their main products, but they also produce several supplements. One of those is Max Capacity, a supplement targeted as a pre-workout but one containing many popular and potent nootropic ingredients. We tested Driven Performance Labs’ Max Capacity as both a workout enhancer and brain supplement. Read below to see what our testers thought about the nootropic newcomer.

Ingredients

Note: Driven Performance Labs lists all ingredients amounts and dosages, no “proprietary” blends, which is generally a good tool in determining whether a nootropic supplement is right for you.

AlphaSize Alpha GPC, 500mg

This is one of the most bioavailable and high-quality forms of choline used in nootropics. In the brain, choline is used to make acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter involved in many cognitive processes. Alpha GPC is a form of choline that can most easily cross the blood/brain barrier, and it’s around 40% choline by mass. Alpha GPC seems to be the preferred, though more expensive, cholinergic for newer and/or high-quality nootropic manufacturers.

Cordyceps Extract (40% Polysaccharides), 500mg, Cordyceps Extract (4% Cordycepic Acid), 500mg

The cordyceps mushroom is an adaptogen that has been used in Chinese and Tibetan medicine as a treatment for numerous ailments, though its exact effects on the body still need to be determined through extensive clinical research. There’s also some early but promising clinical research indicating cordyceps extract has significant anti-fatigue properties.

While exact extract percentages and potencies vary across blends and manufacturers, the amount of cordyceps extract in Max Capacity comes out to a full gram. Shroom TECH Sport by Onnit, which shares this and several other ingredients with Max Capacity, though they’re ultimately different blends, contains 1.5 grams of cordyceps extracts.

Rhodiola Rosea Extract (3% Rosavins, 1% Salidroside), 500mg

A noted adaptogen with few (if any) noted side effects, rhodiola is an herbal extract shown to boost physical and mental endurance while reducing the perceived symptoms of stress. Rhodiola fights fatigue, and there’s some anecdotal evidence it boost the effects of stimulants like coffee. Generally, a very large amount of rhodiola (over 600 mg) does not seem to boost the ingredient’s effects and may actually reduce them; with rhodiola, less may in fact be more for some users, and some clinical studies have seen effectiveness at doses under 100mg. The amount of Rhodiola in one serving of Max Capacity is right around the upper end of what our testers have tried and liked.

There’s some research suggesting a synergistic effect when combining rhodiola and cordyceps extracts, as we noted in our review of Onnit’s Shroom TECH Sport (there are definite similarities between that supplement and Max Capacity). Rhodiola is also a headlining ingredient in stimulant-free stacks like RISE by Nootrobox (a BrainWiz favorite for its transparency and straightforward formulation).

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng), 300mg

An adaptogen with possible immunity-positive and anti-stress capabilities, Eleutherococcus senticosus is much more commonly known as Siberian ginseng. Early (we want to stress that this is far from proven, though studies suggest it’s promising) research indicates it may be ergogenic, meaning it can boost exercise performance and aerobic capacity. This is the bottom range of what we’ve generally seen with Siberian ginseng dosage in supplements.

Other ingredients: Gelatin

Usage Guidelines

Encapsulated preWO supplement designed to enhance mental focus and energy system capacity. Take 1 serving [3 capsules] 30 minutes prior to training. Enhances training focus. Improves lactate threshold. Helps reduce workout fatigue.

What Our Testers Say

“I’ve had similar feelings with some of these supposedly ”˜pre-workout’ nootropic stacks. They may get some people hyped up and ready for exercise, but they, including Max Capacity, actually help me stay calm and focused. I tried this before a run and didn’t notice anything different on my physical performance, but I do like it as a delivery system for choline + adaptogens, which is a combo I take in some form probably 3 out of 5 business days a week.”

“Definitely felt some anti-fatigue properties here, pretty close to what I felt with Shroom TECH Sport. If I had to identify a difference, I’d say Max Capacity helped me feel a little more clear-headed; I’m guessing that may have to do with the fairly high dosage of choline.”

“I thought I’d see a big physical performance from Max Capacity, and when I took it before workouts, I did tend to have good training sessions. But I think the lack of caffeine accounts for not getting the pronounced OOMPH! I was expecting. However, I did feel slightly more clear-headed and focused when taking this supplement. If I took it before working out, I’d probably want to pair it with a caffeine source. But on its own, I thought it was a fairly effective stack at combating brain fog.”

“Like a lot of other supplements with cordyceps, I had to experiment to see when this one worked best for me. I settled on post-lunch and with coffee, though taking it in the morning with breakfast wasn’t bad; I just succumb to an afternoon slump really easily and welcome supplements that help me through that. I did take this with dinner on one occasion and felt a little too restless before bed.”

BrainWiz Tips

• The biggest effect our testers felt from Max Capacity was a sense of mental clarity and reduced brain fog. Those are certainly appreciated before a workout, but overall we enjoyed taking this supplement in the morning with breakfast and coffee.
• The serving size is relatively large with this style of capsule, so we recommend taking with food or a full glass of water.
• Pairs well with coffee or other caffeine sources.
• Contains a fairly high dosage of Alpha GPC, so may not pair well with other choline-containing nootropics (basically, doubling up could be too much, which in some people may cause headaches).
• Avoid taking at night; may inhibit sleep when taken right before bed.

Supplement Summary

Max Capacity may be marketed as a pre-workout supplement for weightlifters, CrossFitters, and elite athletes, but we noticed its effects most when taken as a normal nootropic stack. We enjoy the transparency of the dosages as well as the ingredient profile, and all inclusions seem within the realm of generally effective dosages. Basically, we saw Max Capacity as an adaptogen-rich supplement that didn’t feel it needed to be overly complicated.

Most of our testers reported enhanced mental clarity and reduced brain fog, as well as mental endurance throughout the day. While there’s some overlap on ingredients with other cordyceps/adaptogenic blends, Max Capacity brought something new to our nootropic experience. It could be an effective, stimulant-free stack for enhanced focus, especially if you respond well to cordyceps and rhodiola supplementation.

Interested in Max Capacity? Find out how to get 20% off on our Driven Performance Labs coupons page.

The post Pre-Workout or Nootropic? Reviewing Max Capacity by Driven Performance Labs appeared first on Brain Wiz.

The Evolution of Alpha BRAIN

With the announcement of Alpha BRAIN Instant in late 2015, the manufacturer has introduced a new form of their favorite supplement. At first glance, Alpha BRAIN Instant is just Alpha BRAIN in a powdered form, as opposed to the standard capsule, with some flavorings to make it a pleasant drink. But while each form of Alpha BRAIN contains the Onnit Flow, Focus, and Fuel blends, the proportions are actually different between the two varieties.

Find out which flavor of Alpha BRAIN Instant we preferred in our full review.

So What’s Different?

Onnit claims Alpha BRAIN Instant has one big advantage: “The advantage of the powdered drink mix over original Alpha BRAIN is that you save the time it takes for the body to dissolve the capsule. The nutrients get delivered right away to your stomach, expediting absorption and how quickly they can cross the blood-brain barrier.”

But there’s another major difference, namely in the ingredients themselves.

The difference is in the amount of Onnit’s Flow and Fuel blends in each version of the supplement (the amount of vitamin B6 and Focus blend are the same in both). One serving of Alpha BRAIN Instant has 1,150 mg of their Flow blend, which contains l-tyrosine, the calming l-theanine, oat straw extract, and phosphatidylserine. A serving of Alpha BRAIN original has only 650 mg of that proprietary blend.

Alpha BRAIN Instant also contains more of the Fuel Blend per serving, at 71 mg versus normal Alpha BRAIN’s 65 mg. That particular blend contains l-leucine, vinpocetine, BioPerine black pepper extract (for increased absorption), and pterostilbene.

What Does This Mean for Me?

Our testers enjoyed both Alpha BRAIN and Alpha BRAIN Instant, and they’re among our favorite nootropic blends, especially when it comes to stimulant/caffeine-free stacks. In fact, several of us have been taking Alpha BRAIN fairly consistently for upwards of 5 months with consistent effects. (A few of us, however, get a better experience by cycling off the supplement occasionally, as tolerance may build with some of the ingredients.)

Alpha BRAIN Instant may take the edge in that it actually is a bit faster-acting; if you don’t like swallowing pills or are looking for a tasty morning beverage, it may also be worth a try. Alpha BRAIN’s original formula, as a capsule, is easier to pair with your morning coffee. We’ve found both to be similar in the length of their effects.

Individual experience may vary; the choice may truly come down to taste, routine, and whether you want to wait an additional few minutes for the earth-grown formula to kick in.

Looking for the Best Price on Alpha BRAIN?

Onnit isn’t known for releasing a lot of huge discounts on their products, but they are pushing hard on getting people to try Alpha BRAIN Instant. For the latest discounts, check out our piece on Alpha BRAIN coupons to get the best and most up-to-date deals on their nootropic formula and other supplements.

The post Alpha BRAIN vs. Alpha BRAIN Instant: Which Is Better? appeared first on Brain Wiz.

Read our full review of Neuro Clarity.

And like Onnit’s super-popular Alpha BRAIN and Alpha BRAIN Instant formula’s, it also contains noted adaptogen and popular nootropic extract bacopa monnieri. But when comparing these two stacks, what’s most important to keep in mind?

First, Neuro Clarity gets a nod for listing the exact amounts of each included ingredient, whereas many manufacturers choose not to (supposedly to keep their formulas proprietary and secret). While Onnit is a fairly transparent company in our experience, they keep the exact proportion of ingredients in many of their blends secret, as is the case with Alpha BRAIN and Alpha BRAIN Instant (which, interestingly enough, have slightly different amounts of their Flow and Fuel blends). Find out more about the difference between Alpha BRAIN Instant and their original formula in our full review.

Read our Alpha BRAIN review here.

Overall, though, our testers have generally preferred Alpha BRAIN to Neuro Clarity due to its potency and specific effects (at least for them). Several of our testers experienced increase feelings of calm with Neuro Clarity, but the cognitive boost was extremely mild at best. Alpha BRAIN, on the other hand, is one of their favorites for sustained mental energy and focus, and several of our testers experience a cumulative boost in memory and concentration when taking it for two to three weeks in a row.

Neuro Clarity may not be a bad option for those looking to take the edge off work anxiety, but when comparing these two stimulant/caffeine-free stacks, our testers say Alpha BRAIN wins out on actual nootropic effects.

The post Alpha BRAIN vs Neuro Clarity: Is One a Better Nootropic? appeared first on Brain Wiz.

And for some of the world’s most driven and successful people, one industry-defining company simply isn’t enough. Jack Dorsey famously serves double-duty as CEO of both Twitter and Square. Elon Musk, as close to a maverick, super villain-esque billionaire/philanthropist as we have today, is CEO of both Tesla and SpaceX; both these companies are undoubtedly at the front of their respective industries in innovation, financing, and promise.

If you’re a budding entrepreneur, you may be balancing your fledgling endeavor with a full-time job. Or you may be balancing multiple rolls in the same company, or even heading up a few different businesses at once. Whatever your multitasking needs, try these time-honored (and pro-tested) tips to keep all your responsibilities in line.

1. Compartmentalize Your Time.

Avelist founder Jody Porowski wrote about her experiences balancing a full-time job with a new startup. A big takeaway? “Find your rhythm.” Figuring out the time management strategy that works for you is step number one, but step number two is just as important and sometimes more difficult: sticking to it.

Compartmentalizing the same way every day is a great, effective way to make sure you’re devoting time across the board without feeling overwhelmed all at once. A few hours in the morning for this leaves the afternoon for that, spend a week or two playing around and seeing what feels best productivity-wise, then ruthlessly compartmentalize from there.

And Jack Dorsey has been doing this successfully since 2011, splitting (roughly) equal time in his day for Twitter and Square. He even travels between offices, creating a physical separation as well as mental when completing and delegatings tasks at his two behemoth companies.

2. Perfect a System for Triage.

Elon Musk famously juggles big challenges every day, and between two high-speed tech companies, he’s got a lot of fires to put out.

Practicing triage means prioritizing what needs to get done when it needs to get done. And while separation is key, it doesn’t mean emergencies won’t arise that require to you break down those barriers. Set up boundaries with colleagues or employees ahead of time: What is important or pressing enough to demand my immediate attention, all other factors be damned, and what channel is best for these notifications?

Clear boundaries up front will avoid gray areas that can sap productivity in the middle of a busy day; make sure the emergencies that demand immediate attention are just that.

3. Create Separate To-Do Lists.

Let’s take it back to #1 in this article: compartmentalizing can prevent a sense of being overwhelmed. Similarly, breaking up your to-do lists will help keep that page of tasks from seeming insurmountable. Stepping into your other role, either physically or mentally? Switch pages and see your to-do list with clear, unclouded eyes. It’s a great way to keep focus straight and anxiety low.

4. Find Your Brain Routine.

For some people, it’s coffee at a certain time. For others, it’s a productivity stack. We’re obviously big fans of nootropics, supplements designed to help increase focus, boost mental energy, help memory recall, and provide cognitive endurance, and they’ve made their way into our daily routines in varying amounts. That’s why we’ve reviewed dozens upon dozens of the most popular ones.

Everyone reacts to supplements differently, and it may take some trial to figure out the stack that works best for you. We suggest starting slow and simple and keeping in mind that individual tolerance may vary, and a little bit can go a long way toward helping you power through a mentally challenging day!

5. Network In Your Down Time.

Have a free moment? Think about how you can use it to connect with new contacts or rekindle old relationships. Cab rides or coffee breaks are great for this. And if you need a good rule of thumb for increased, effective networking, just remember to never eat a meal alone (at least, when it can be avoided within reason). Meal time is prime time for catching up and seeing where synergy lies across personal experience and business.

6. Prioritize Sleep.

Seriously, don’t skimp on the sleep. No one wants a sleepy entrepreneur pushing for energy or brainpower they just don’t have. And if a racing mind is still keeping you up at night, consider taking some calming magnesium, it’s worked wonders for a few of our testers.

The post How the World’s Best Entrepreneurs Juggle Multiple Projects appeared first on Brain Wiz.

For us, at least, these combo nootropics + multivitamins don’t work all that well. 

FOCUSfactor isn’t actually our least favorite of the multivitamin nootropics we’ve tried, but if anything, the brain boost it provides is mild and short-lived (read our full review of FOCUSfactor). After trying it, we doubt the amount of nootropics in its “synergistic and proprietary formulation” is enough to really provide much of a boost, and there doesn’t appear to be a lot of method to their madness; they’ve thrown a bunch at the wall and seem to hoping something sticks. Some of our testers thought FOCUSfactor stacked well enough with coffee and/or caffeine, but taking 4 to 8 capsules/day ultimately wasn’t worth the effort.

In contrast, Alpha BRAIN is a broad-spectrum nootropic stack many of our testers really like. [Read our review of Alpha BRAIN and the new, faster-acting Alpha BRAIN Instant.] It has a broad ingredient list, but every inclusion is accounted for and seems to have a logical place in the stack. Our testers have tried Alpha BRAIN in both its consumer-facing forms, regular pills and the newer Alpha BRAIN Instant drinks, and have reported a lot of positives with few negatives. It’s also backed by two clinical studies that speak to its effectiveness, although it’s important to note these were both funded by its manufacturer, Onnit.

Alpha BRAIN is a caffeine-free stack that affects everyone a bit differently, so our testers use it in different ways from each other, and that includes variability on dosage and timing, definitely one we’ve played around with to see what works best for us individually. (For example, of our testers tends to be a bit sensitive to bacopa, which can cause his mind “to race” a bit if taken too close to bedtime; however, cutting to a half dose and taking Alpha BRAIN in the morning seems to reduce this while still providing noticeable nootropic benefits.)

Overall, FOCUSfactor has failed to stay in our rotation as far as favorite nootropics, while Alpha BRAIN, in both its forms, has stayed very close to the top of our testers’ lists. When it comes to combining nootropics with multivitamins, maybe there is only so much that can fit into one stack.

The post FOCUSfactor vs Alpha BRAIN: Which Works Best? appeared first on Brain Wiz.