Read on to find out what our testers thought of this stack…

Cognitex Label

The Ingredients

• Alpha-Glyceryl Phosphoryl Choline (A-GPC) – 600 mg
  • 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.)
• Phosphatidylserine [from Sharp-PS Green®] – 100 mg
  • Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid required to maintain healthy nerve cell membranes. It supports cognitive function and the ability to learn and recall new information.
• Brain Shield® (Gastrodin) – 50 mg
  • Gastrodin is a compound derived from the Chinese Orchid, and has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat both neurovascular and neuroinflammatory conditions. Studies show it to be effective in the treatment of anxiety.
• Pregnenolone – 50 mg
  • Pregnenolone is a neurosteroid that has been studied as a treatment for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and has been shown to enhance learning and memory in rodents.
• Vinpocetine – 20 mg
  • Vinpocetine is a chemical derived from the periwinkle plant, known to increase cerebral blood flow. Doctors in Hungary have been prescribing this compound to treat cerebrovascular disorders for decades.
• Leucoselect® grape extract (seed) – 150 mg
  • A powerful antioxidant shown to improve total antioxidant activity (TAC).
• Blue Activ Wild Blueberry extract (fruit) – 150 mg
  • This extract is loaded with anthocyanins and pterostilbene, polyphenolic compounds shown to improve memory.
• Sensoril® Ashwagandha extract (root and leaf) [providing 10 mg withanolide glycoside conjugates] – 125 mg
  • The extract of Ashwagandha roots and leaves have been used in Ayurveda, the traditional Hindu medicine philosophy, as a mood stabilizer, and to combat stress, and anxiety. The extract is said to work as a nervous system depressant,  bringing about tranquility and relaxation, and making it easier to fall asleep.
• Uridine-5′-monophosphate (disodium) – 50 mg
  • Uridine-5′ monophosphate is a nucleotide shown to increase levels of choline in the brain when taken orally.
• Proprietary NeuroProtection Complex Blend – 125 mg
  • There are no listed amounts for each individual component of the proprietary blend, but the ingredients are below.
• Perluxan® Hops standardized extract (cones)
  • In addition to being a flavoring ingredient in beer, hops have also been used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
• Rosemary Standardized extract (leaf)
  • The active compound in rosemary is Rosmarinic acid, a noted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
• Other Ingredients: Safflower oil, softgel (gelatin, glycerin, purified water, sorbitol, carob color), sunflower lecithin, maltodextrin, silica, modified food starch.

Usage Guidelines

• Take two (2) softgels daily with or without food, or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner. Exceeding recommended serving may cause serious adverse health effects.
• Possible side effects include acne, hair loss, hair growth on the face (in women), aggressiveness, irritability, and increased levels of estrogen.
• Discontinue use and call a physician or licensed qualified healthcare professional immediately if you experience rapid heartbeat, dizziness, blurred vision, or other similar symptoms. Do not take this product if you have a history of seizures.
• Do not take this product if you have breast cancer, prostate cancer, or other hormone-sensitive diseases. If you are taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, or have a bleeding disorder, consult with your healthcare provider before taking this product.

What Our Testers Say

“I took this for a few weeks in the morning with my caffeine-heavy pre-workout drink. There was a definite reduction in brain fog, specially by the end of week two.”

“This supplement is a little too mild for me. I took it with my coffee and even stacked it with Smart Caffeine, but there just wasn’t enough edge for me.”

“While this is not the most potent nootropic I’ve tried, I felt like it really helped me manage work stress and stress-related mood swings. I took Cognitex during two weeks of crazy work deadlines, and I feel like it really helped me power through it without loosing my mind. I took it in the morning with my coffee. ”

“This mellow caffeine-free supplement felt a lot more like brain food than an actual nootropic. I felt like I was doing something good for my brain, which could be part of why I felt slightly energized, and more focused while taking it.”

BrainWiz Tips

• We recommend taking with food to avoid a potentially upset stomach.
• Our testers reported mild effect, and no jitteriness. This is an entry-level nootropic potentially well suited to beginners.
• This supplement seems to pair well with coffee, tea,  guarana or other sources of caffeine.
• As with any supplement or nutritional regimen, you should check with your doctor or medical professional if you have any existing conditions or intolerances.

Supplement Summary

Cognitex is a mild cognitive enhancer with apparent cumulative effects, and it is a great option for those just starting to explore nootropics. It also pairs well with coffee or other stimulants, as well as a mitochondrial booster like Unfair Advantage. If you have been considering a nootropic, but have been hesitant, this supplement is a solid starter supplement.

The post An Ideal Starter Stack? Reviewing Cognitex By Life Extension appeared first on Brain Wiz.

At first glance, Nootrobox’s formulations aren’t carbon copies of other popular stacks, but they all contain ingredients that are fairly well researched, and ones we have quite a bit of experience testing. First up is RISE, their “daily” nootropic stack designed for regular/everyday use. Hear what our testers had to say by reading our full RISE review below!

Get the best deal on Nootrobox HERE.

RISE by Nootrobox Ingredients

The Ingredients

• Active Ingredients: Bacopa monnieri (50% bacosides) – 300 mg
  • 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. This is on par with the highest concentration of bacosides in the extract we’ve seen in a nootropic product. Nootrobox recommends taking RISE with fat-containing meals, as this ingredient may be better absorbed when paired with fats.
• Rhodiola rosea (3% rosavins and 1% salidroside) – 300 mg
  • 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 help in mammals. Rhodiola supplementation also has diminishing returns in that more than ~600mg may actually reverse the positive effects. To that end, we’re happy to see Nootrobox showing some restraint on the dosage here instead of powering up their numbers just for show.
• a-GPC (L-Alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine) – 300 mg
  • 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 high-quality form of choline as in popular stack Alpha Brain.
• Other Ingredients: Rice flour, vegetable cellulose (capsule), calcium carbonate, silicon dioxide.

Read what happened when we stacked RISE with SPRINT, another Nootrobox nootropic.

Usage Guidelines

Simply take one in the morning with breakfast, and one post-lunch or with an afternoon snack. It’s recommended that you take RISE with food because bacopa monnieri tends to be better absorbed when taken with fat. Some of our customers take one in the morning with a tall glass of water and then take one more additional RISE in the afternoon post-lunch or with a snack. Others just take two at once with a meal with fats – dairy, meat, nuts, etc.

What Our Testers Say

“Taking this supplement felt very similar for me to Rhodiola rosea supplementation, with a little extra kick. Doesn’t sound terribly exciting, but that’s not a bad thing, and I appreciate the help dealing with stress. With the added Alpha-GPC and other adaptogen [Bacopa], this is a stack that seems low on gimmicks while doubling down on research-backed compounds. I’ll probably reach for RISE when I want the endurance and stress-fighting effects of Rhodiola in a simple package.”

“I took RISE with caffeine and without, and definitely think it pairs well with. It’s a stimulant-free supplement, so it may be a good option for beginners to nootropics or people who are sensitive to caffeine. I also liked the inclusion of Alpha-GPC; I get a lot of choline in my diet, so I probably didn’t notice too much from this, but it could be an especially good option for people who don’t, like many vegetarians.”

“This took the edge off my work stress, and I found myself better able to power through mundane or draining tasks at work. Doesn’t contain any stimulants, and I didn’t feel an energy boost whatsoever, but it did well to aid my focus.”

“I felt calm and level-headed when I was doing the RISE trial, but no more energetic than normal. I appreciate Nootrobox actually listing the amounts of various ingredients, and this is a nice, straightforward adaptogen + choline stack I’ll probably reach for in times of stress or heavy workload. It also paired well with my morning coffee and breakfast. ”

BrainWiz Tips

• Take with fats during breakfast or lunch to help improve absorption of RISE’s bacosides.
• In our review of RISE, most of our testers compared this supplement to standalone supplementation of Rhodiola rosea, which pairs well with coffee (RISE is caffeine and stimulant-free) and is good before stressful situations.
• As with any supplement or nutritional regimen, you should talk to your doctor or medical professional before use.
• We appreciate that Nootrobox lists active ingredient amounts; you know what you’re getting.

Supplement Summary

For our testers, RISE by Nootrobox felt a lot like plain Rhodiola with an added “kick”, and at the very least, their effects were similar. None of us felt negative side effects when taking RISE, though as with many supplements, individual user experiences will vary.

Interested in RISE? Save 10% off all Nootrobox products with the exclusive BrainWiz Nootrobox coupon.

Several of our testers are trying RISE on a more long-term basis and will report back. We’re also excited to see what other stacks Nootrobox develops with their newly raised venture capital money.

The post RISE by Nootrobox Review: Silicon Valley Secret Or Same Old Stack? appeared first on Brain Wiz.