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.

We’ve reviewed our fair share of duds (research before you buy!), but one stack that’s stood up for us time and time again is the combo of Lumonol and MagTech. Currently, they’re among the best nootropics we’ve tried.

Lumonol is just about the fastest-acting nootropic formula we’ve ever tried. It’s got powerful brain boosters like CDP Choline and noopept (similar in effect but faster for us than piracetam), combined with an energy bend that includes guarana. It’s a pretty broad-spectrum stack, and we haven’t found a ton of benefit from stacking it with most other nootropic supplements.

Amplify Lumonol with Magnesium

However, one big exception to that is MagTech, a blend of highly-absorbable magnesium compounds that have done wonders for our brain function and sleep. This product isn’t what you might expect on a list of top supplements for brain health; it’s actually a pretty straightforward magnesium stack. Many Americans (and people in Western countries in general) are magnesium-deficient, which can have negative ramifications for brain health and sleep quality. MagTech combines Magnesium L-Threonate, Magnesium Taurate, and Magnesium Glycinate into one supplement that supplies around 50% of the daily recommended dose of magnesium per serving, these forms are specifically good for absorption and use by the brain.

Another supplement, Neuro-Mag, is also a BrainWiz favorite but only contains magnesium taurate. Both rated high on our testers’ lists of top brain supplements. But overall, we see the sleep-boosting benefits more in MagTech, which is a definite plus. Most of our testers also experienced improved mood while taking MagTech, which in turn benefited their productivity.

Nootropics for Productivity

All in all, the combination of Lumonol (click for best price) and MagTech (click for best price) is one of our favorites because it acts quickly, boosts focus in a long-lasting way, and improved our sleep quality after a long and stressful workday (note: we recommend taking Lumonol in the morning and not the evening). We also recommend staying within the manufacturer’s recommended dosages and timing; we did and were able to reap the benefits of both.

An Alternative, Caffeine-Free Stack for Productivity

Part of Lumonol’s potency comes from its caffeine/guarana content. If you’re sensitive to caffeine and are looking for something that boosted our testers’ productivity without stimulants, we’d recommend Nootrobox’s RISE. It’s a simple, straightforward combination of stress-fighting adaptogens bacopa and rhodiola, along with 300 mg of high-quality Alpha-GPC (our favorite choline source for nootropics).

We take RISE on a similar schedule to Lumonol, often in the morning, and because it’s caffeine-free, it pairs exceptionally well with coffee, whereas Lumonol + coffee can be too much for some people. And like Lumonol, RISE also go well with MagTech for a one-two punch that lasts most of us through the whole workday.

The post The Best Nootropic Combo for Nailing Productivity appeared first on Brain Wiz.

When we’re awake, adenosine accumulates in our brains, which causes drowsiness. When we sleep, the brain works to clear itself of adenosine. But coffee competes with this compound and reduces adenosine accumulation (so it doesn’t so much boost energy as it fights drowsiness).

Understanding this timing has led some biohackers to the increasingly famous “coffee nap.” Caffeine’s effects hit their highest point about 30 minutes after consumption. If you consume caffeine, say, in the form of coffee, and then nap for 15 or 20 minutes, you’ll wake up with a brain clear of adenosine and about to be charged with caffeine. This leads to extra alertness and an energetic feeling that stands above caffeine on its own.

Caffeine is often underestimated, so if you’re especially sensitive to stimulants, it’s worth testing the waters in a non-coffee nap situation.

We’ve played around with other caffeine-containing supplements and the “coffee nap” phenomenon. So far, we’ve found it especially effective with 1 or 2 capsules of Neurofuse at the end of a light meal followed immediately by a nap; we awoke after 15 minutes feeling refreshed, energetic, and very, very focused.

We’ve also tried this with Lumonol, but our testers found it difficult to nap; this could be because of Lumonol’s noopept and guarana, which start metabolizing very quickly (Lumonol remains one of the fastest-acting nootropics we’ve ever tried).

The post Take A Coffee Nap For A Caffeinated Productivity Boost appeared first on Brain Wiz.

View Best Lumonol Price

Developed and manufactured in the United States by Avanse Nutraceuticals, Lumonol’s site provides a great deal of content on its ingredients and effectiveness, along with a 90 day money back guarantee. We set out to find out if the information and transparency on their site matched up with a quality product. Read below for our full Lumonol review.

Lumonol Ingredients

The Ingredients

Lumonol’s ingredients are grouped into blends focusing on three main goals: Focus, Energy, and Memory.

• Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) – 250mcg
  • An essential vitamin B nutrient, B12 plays an important role in numerous bodily functions, including neurological function and development. The particular form of B12 contained in Lumonol is a form most often used to reduce brain fog and promote mental energy due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.
• Memory Blend – 170mg
  • There are no listed amounts for each individual component of the proprietary blend, but the ingredients are below.
• 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). It’s a common ingredient in many nootropic stacks, and we’re not surprised Avanse included it in Lumonol. Alpha GPC is one of the most bioavailable forms of choline and among the best compounds at increasing brain concentration of choline after ingestion, we generally think of it as the highest quality form of choline in nootropic supplements.
• Ginkgo Biloba
  • Ginkgo has been used for thousands of years to promote memory in Chinese medicine. More recently, clinical studies and research reviews have pointed to its efficacy in fighting dementia and neural decline.
• Focus Blend – 515mg
  • There are no listed amounts for each individual component of the proprietary blend, but the ingredients are below.
• Noopept
  • This is perhaps Lumonol’s signature ingredient, and it contains 15mg of Noopept. Originally studied for its use in fighting cognitive decline, Noopept is now linked to powerful nootropic effects. Its effect is similar to Piracetam, a long-time preferred ingredient for nootropic/brain supplement pioneers. However, a much lower dosage of Noopept is needed to achieve the same cognitive boost, up to 1000 times less, in fact. Both Noopept and Piracetam have been shown to be well-tolerated by users with a generally low risk of side effects. *As always, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor before starting a new supplement regime. Noopept metabolizes very quickly, within 25 minutes or less after oral ingestion, and it has a potentially cumulative effect, meaning it gets more effective after repeated use. Our testers felt its effects very quickly after taking Lumonol. Noopept also provides a neuroprotective when supplemented, potentially protecting against oxidative damage/stress and some physical traumas. This class of compounds interacts with choline receptors, and we’re glad to see Lumonol include citicoline in the supplement as well; taking Piracetam or similar compounds without enough choline can in some cases result in a dull headache, though none of our testers experienced this at any point with Lumonol.
• 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. We’re pleased Lumonol includes both compounds in order to promote acetylcholine levels.
• L-Tyrosine
  • Avanse claims L-Tyrosine pairs well with many other ingredients in Lumonol’s nootropic stack. There’s good evidence to support that claim, as 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.
• 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 cortisol (a well-known stress hormone) levels.
• Energy Blend – 430mg
  • There are no listed amounts for each individual component of the proprietary blend, but the ingredients are below.
• Guarana
  • Guarana is a climbing Amazonian plant containing almost four times the amount of caffeine as coffee beans. Even in low doses, it can provide more stimulation than caffeine alone due to its concentration of phytonutrients. Guarana pairs especially well with many of the nootropic compounds found in Lumonol, increasing their effectiveness and pronounced effects across the board.
• Panax Ginseng
  • Like its counterpart ginkgo, ginseng has been used for millennia to improve memory. Ginseng is especially well-tied to memory response time, decreasing the amount of time it takes to recall facts.
• Hordenine
  • This is a compound we haven’t seen in too many product before, but due to Lumonol’s inclusion of other dopamine-enhancing ingredients (see L-Tyrosine, above), we’re not surprised. Hordenine increases dopamine availability by inhibiting its breakdown (or oxidation) in our bodies. It’s a good complement to L-Tyrosine in this particular supplement, another one of Lumonol’s synergistic interactions.
• Other Ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide

Usage Guidelines

From the Avanse packaging and website:

For mental performance, focus and energy: Start with 2 capsules per day. Lumonol’s effects are cumulative, building over time. With that said, Lumonol does provide an intense boost to motivation within 20 minutes of ingestion. We recommend that if you are new to nootropics that upon receiving your Lumonol order you run a sensitivity test by consuming a single capsule per day for the first few days.

Serving Size: Upon successful completion of a 1 capsule “tolerance test day”, take 2 capsules per day. You may take Lumonol before eating, or after, and may consume after lunchtime if a productive afternoon is required. Taking Lumonol too close to bedtime may result in a restless night. Lumonol should be supplemented in 90 day cycles, with 15 – 30 days break in between. Lumonol’s effects build with time.

We had BrainWiz testers take between 1 and 2 capsules per day.

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