What Is Rhodiola Rosea?

Rhodiola rosea (also called king’s crown, lignum rhodium, rose root, and Arctic root) is a perennial flowering plant grown in colder parts of the world. It often grows on seaside cliffs and up in the mountains, so it’s often found in the Alps, the British Isles, and the Pyrenees. According to some users and several studies, rhodiola rosea is purported to help combat fatigue and depression. It has also been used to prevent altitude sickness in some folk medicine traditions. If there is a rhodiola rosea plant growing nearby, some people even like to mix the leaves in their salads.

Some users say that rhodiola rosea can help manage fatigue, but others report that it can be effective in combating anxiety. With different outcomes possible, experiment with taking your rhodiola rosea at a variety of times to get the results you want.

When Should I Take Rhodiola Rosea?

There is some evidence that rhodiola rosea’s efficacy can decrease if you take it each day. Your body may build up a tolerance over time, so you’ll need to take more and more to get the same effect. The good news is that even amounts as low as 50 milligrams have been shown to improve your subjective well-being and endurance, so you don’t need much to get started. Unfortunately, anything over 600 milligrams can increase your platelet count, causing bruising or worse, so don’t overdo it. Take rhodiola rosea just when you need its effects rather than as part of a daily stack.

Rhodiola rosea stacks well with Eleutherococcus senticosus and Schisandra chinensis, both of which are adaptogens traditionally used to increase performance and cognition. When stacked together, each can work in concert to improve your mental and physical stamina. Rhodiola rosea has also been shown to have a mildly stimulating effect, like caffeine, so if decreasing physical and mental fatigue is the goal you have in mind, take it in the morning so it doesn’t impact your sleep.

Other users find that rhodiola rosea helps them manage their anxiety and makes them feel a little more mellow. If your body responds in this way, some research suggests that you should take your rhodiola rosea about an hour before a stressful event.

Some users find it effective to stack their rhodiola rosea with caffeine to enhance the effects of both. If that’s you, take your rhodiola rosea alongside your morning coffee or with a supplement that includes caffeine in the blend.

As with any nootropic, outcomes vary significantly, and the science is still catching up with the anecdotal evidence. Manage your expectations, and talk to your doctor before you add rhodiola rosea or any other supplement to your diet.

Where Can I Get Rhodiola Rosea?

Rhodiola rosea extract is widely available; Solaray, for example, is a reputable company that makes a pill-form supplement many users like. You can also get rhodiola rosea in a variety of nootropic blends, like Neurofuse (a supplement our reviewers enjoyed) and the always popular Nootrobox RISE.

Have you tried rhodiola rosea? Did you feel less tired and sharper? What did you stack it with? Tell us in the comments.

Photos:

1. Rhodiola Rosea Flowers by WildBoar, via Wikimedia Commons.
2. Rhodiola rosea. by Botanischer Garten TU Darmstat via Flickr. 

The post What’s the Best Time to Take Rhodiola Rosea? appeared first on Brain Wiz.

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.

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.

One question we’ve been getting a lot, especially since  our Side Effects of Rhodiola article went live, is what is the best time to take Rhodiola.

As an adaptogen, Rhodiola can help reduce the effects of stress, and potentially protect against long-term stress. Its effects on stress have been observed as quickly as the first time Rhodiola is administered, and continued use may increase resistance to stress, with few adverse effects on other normal biological functions (though it may have a stimulating effect for some people; see below).

Just because Rhodiola helps you fight  the effects of stress doesn’t mean that it relaxes you. In fact, studies suggest that rhodiola can fight both physical and mental fatigue, and can act as a stimulant.

The easiest way to determine the best time to use Rhodiola is to take into consideration your sensitivity to stimulants, what other stimulants you may be taking in addition, and whether or not you have difficulty falling asleep at night.

What works best for me is 250 mg of Rhodiola in the morning, along with a cup of Bulletproot/fat-infused coffee. If I anticipate a high-stress day, I will follow it up with another 250 mg of Rhodiola with lunch. Note that Rhodiola doesn’t necessarily become more effective with a higher dose, and dosages above 600 mg haven’t been shown to be clinically effective (and may actually be less effective).

I have a high tolerance for stimulants, but I also have a hard time falling asleep at night. For me, taking Rhodiola after lunch is a big no-no, but feel free to experiment with what works best for you.

Some folks here at BrainWiz take up to 600 mg of Rhodiola at a time, and stack it with caffeine or other caffeine-containing supplements. I have stacked it with both Lumonol and Alpha BRAIN with great results.

Again, finding the best time for you may take some experimentation, but I suggest with starting with a dose in the morning for best results.

Have you been taking Rhodiola? Share your supplement routine in the comments below.

The post When Are the Best Times to Take Rhodiola Rosea? 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.

Onnit claims Shroom TECH Sport was formulated to boost athletic performance by aiding/enabling energy pathways in the body. However, many of its primary ingredients, including Rhodiola rosea, cordyceps mushroom, and ashwagandha, are popular nootropic ingredients in their own right.

We set out to see if this pre-workout formula gave our testers a mental edge as well. Read on to see what our testers thought.

Ingredients

Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin), 3mg

An essential nutrient, B12 plays an important role in numerous bodily functions, including neurological function and development. The particular form of B12 is the coenzyme form most often used to reduce brain fog and promote mental energy due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. This form of B12 can also directly participate in homocysteine metabolism.

Chromium (from Chromium Picolinate), 200mcg

This is an essential mineral and element that impacts glucose sensitivity and insulin in the body. Onnit includes chromium in ShroomTECH Sport to theoretically help balance and maintain blood sugar levels during activity.

Shroom Tech O2 Blend, 1500mg

A proprietary blend of ingredients from Onnit.

Organic Cordyceps (whole) Extract, Organic Cordyceps (whole)

This is Onnit’s headlining ingredient in ShroomTECH Sport, and it’s one we’re seeing more commonly in nootropic supplements. 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.

Onnit claims it can boost ATP generation and oxygen utilization and aerobic capacity in the body, and some preliminary research backs their claims.

Shroom Tech Adaptogen Blend, 875mg

A proprietary blend of ingredients from Onnit.

Green Tea (leaf) Extract

Shroom Tech Sport gets some (unspecified) quantities of polyphenols, caffeine, and l-theanine from the addition of green tea. 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.

Rhodiola (root) Extract

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.

Onnit’s website cites some research suggesting a synergistic effect when combining rhodiola and cordyceps extracts. Rhodiola is also a headlining ingredient in stimulant-free stacks like RISE by Nootrobox (which our testers enjoyed).

Ashwagandha (root) Extract

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.

Astragalus (root) Extract

One of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s fifty fundamental herbs, Astragalus has been shown to benefit the kidneys and is also linked to some general properties as they relate to anti-inflammatory effects and longevity. It may be adaptogenic in its effects, protecting against the effects of stress and neural decline.

The majority of human research, though, focuses on astragalus’ properties as they relate to the kidneys, though there’s some promising research suggesting it could improve exercise endurance. It generally has poor oral bioavailability (better via injections) and may interfere with some pharmaceuticals because it inhibits the enzyme CYP3A4. Onnit claims the inclusion of astragalus in ShroomTECH Sport positively influences the potency of cordyceps.

Other ingredients: Vegetarian Capsule (Cellulose, Water), Maltodextrin.

Usage Guidelines

• Designed to help the body with cellular energy and cardiovascular endurance.
• Take a serving of the greater of 3 capsules or 1 capsule per 50 lbs. of body weight, 45 minutes prior to physical exertion or competition, preferably on an empty stomach.
• When not engaging in planned physical exertion, take a serving of 1-2 capsules in the afternoon on an empty stomach to maintain daily energy.
• Do not exceed more than 6 capsules in any 24 hour period unless otherwise directed by a healthcare practitioner.

What Our Testers Say

“I’m always curious about the physical energy I get (or don’t get) from rhodiola, it all depends on what I’m taking it with. In this case, I felt sustained mental and physical energy. I took Shroom Tech Sport before workouts, as suggested on the label. It doesn’t seem to contain much caffeine, but it gave me at least the same boost, if not more, than some of the high-stimulant pre-workouts I’ve used in the past. It definitely stimulated me mentally, though I noticed the biggest impact on physical performance.”

“Adaptogenic formulas like Shroom Tech Sport often make me feel calm, and this was no exception. I took it in the morning and afternoon, and overall I prefer it to start my day with coffee or breakfast. On days I expected to be otherwise jittery or nervous, like when a quarterly report draft was due, I feel like Shroom Tech helped me stay level headed through it. I’m not sure it helped with my focus, but I felt less fatigued and less nervous than I might feel without it.”

“Like Alexandra, I also enjoyed taking this with coffee, though I liked it more in the afternoon when I’m facing a post-lunch slump. Cordyceps on its own has never been the most potent thing for me, but in this formulation and with these ingredients, I felt pretty good. I’m not sure I’d take it every day, but I’ll keep it handy if I need something to fight a sluggish afternoon.”

“This didn’t help me feel ”˜sharp’ like Alpha BRAIN, which was a little disappointing. However, I never felt tired on days when I took Shroom Tech. I’m going to think of it as more of a hedge against stress and tiredness than a focus or energy enhancer on its own.”

BrainWiz Tips

• Shroom Tech Sport contains some caffeine from green tea, so be aware of that when combining with other stimulants like coffee.
• This is a fairly robust adaptogenic formula, especially when starting, we recommend taking on its own instead of stacking with other nootropics.
• Don’t take too close to bedtime, as it may cause some mild difficulty sleeping when taken right before bed.
• Take before a workout to get more out of your session.

Supplement Summary

Unlike Alpha BRAIN or Alpha BRAIN Instant, Shroom Tech Sport didn’t impart a remarkable sense of sharpness or focus. It DID, however, prove popular among our testers for fighting fatigue and taking the edge off stressful situations. We’re not convinced this is an everyday nootropic, but for times when particularly challenging physical or mental tasks are right in front of you, it may certainly make those situations more tolerable, and less exhausting.

Interested in learning more? Check out our reviews of Onnit products Alpha BRAIN and Alpha BRAIN Instant.

The post Kiss Fatigue Goodbye? Reviewing Shroom TECH Sport by Onnit appeared first on Brain Wiz.

Four Sigmatic bills this form of their instant coffee as a productivity boosters with adaptogenic properties. Read on to see if it lived up to the manufacturer’s claims.

The Ingredients

Instant Coffee Powder – 40 mg caffeine

Caffeine doesn’t so much provide the brain/body with energy as it reduces fatigue. Caffeine actually reduces drowsiness and sedation by inhibiting adenosine (a nervous system depressant) from reaching receptors in the brain. There are extensive studies on the effects of caffeine on cognition, alertness, and athletic performance.

Siberian Chaga Mushroom Dual Extract (Inonotus obliquus) – 250 mg

The Chaga mushroom has been used extensively in both Ayurvedic and traditional medicine. The extract is typically prescribed for its diuretic and potentially anti-cancer properties. Four Sigmatic claims the highly alkaline mushroom also helps neutralize some of coffee’s natural acidity and bitterness, resulting in a smoother taste along with increased anti-oxidants properties.

Chaga mushrooms have been used in the past as replacement for coffee during times when it’s in short supply, so it’s not a big surprise that the two could be paired as far as flavor profile.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom Dual Extract (Yamabushitake) – 250 mg

A dietary mushroom that is now being studied for potentially significant cognitive benefits, Lion’s Mane mushroom may act by increasing nerve growth factor by acting on mRNA. It may also promote the growth of myelin, the protective sheath around nerve fibers that helps conduct impulses between neurons. It may also be neuroprotective in that it could reduce the death rate of certain neurons. In another human study, it was also linked with reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Overall, the current clinical research on Lion’s Mane suggests its potential as a powerful neuroprotective and protector against cognitive decline, but only when taken consistently and in doses much higher than what’s available in Four Sigmatic’s Mushroom Coffee with Lion’s Mane. However, it’s unknown at this point what the minimum effective dose is for this supplement.

Wild Tibetan Rhodiola Extract (water and ethanol extract) – 100 mg

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. It’s also a headlining ingredient in stimulant-free stacks like RISE by Nootrobox.

Several of our BrainWiz testers enjoy pairing rhodiola with coffee for a cognitive and energy boost. While several supplements we’ve reviewed include a rhodiola-caffeine pairing, including Neurorise, this is the first coffee product we’ve seen with the herb included.

Usage Guidelines

Add one packet to 7fl oz of hot water or blend into your favorite smoothie.

What Our Testers Say

“This coffee is very mildly caffeinated (Four Sigmatic says it has about half the caffeine of normal coffee), and when I tried their Cordyceps blend, I actually ended up mixing it with cold brew to get more caffeine. But after trying this version, I felt a bit more in the sense of sustained energy, or at least less fatigue throughout the day than I normally do. The effect was somewhat similar to their Cordyceps coffee, but moreso. It’s also a convenient way to get rhodiola and coffee in one supplement, which is something I normally combine on my own up to twice a day.”

“I’ve played around with the best way to mix Four Sigmatic’s blends, and I’ve settled on putting them in protein shakes. I felt less of an energy boost than with the cordyceps version, but this one definitely kept me calm after I took it. The taste seemed similar to their other mushroom coffees, if you don’t like earthy tastes, may not be the best option for you.”

“I have a fairly low caffeine tolerance, and I enjoyed this lightly caffeinated coffee about as much as Four Sigmatic’s Mushroom Coffee with Cordyceps (which is to say, a significant amount). I’ve been taking Rhodiola for years, and I’ve learned it doesn’t take much to give me an added sense of calm in the face of stress. Overall, this blend worked well for me. It’s not the tastiest drink to start the day, but when paired with breakfast, which I always try to do on the occasions when I drink coffee, I really liked this blend. The packets are also really convenient for travel, I’m tossing a few in my toiletries bag for work trips.”

“I didn’t experience any energy boost from this, but I like the taste (not very acidic, so good for the first cup in the morning). It’d be a solid option to keep at my desk when I don’t have time to run out for coffee, but I might experiment with taking two packets at once.”

BrainWiz Tips

• Four Sigmatic’s Mushroom Coffees mix well with both cold and hot liquids.
• This is a mild coffee that tastes far less acidic than most others we’ve tried.
• Has a slightly earthy taste.
• Four Sigmatic’s mushroom coffees are vegan and Non-GMO.
• A convenient option for travel with the portable, single-serving packs.
• A few of our testers experimented with mixing this into shakes and other drinks (which Four Sigmatic recommends trying). It was a welcome addition to vanilla or chocolate protein shakes as far as taste, texture, and effect.
• Like their other mushroom coffees, the taste is mild. Our testers had success mixing it with less water for a stronger taste.
• This supplement contains about half the caffeine as a regular cup of coffee, making this a potentially solid option for those sensitive to caffeine or other stimulants.

Supplement Summary

Four Sigmatic’s Mushroom Coffee with Lion’s Mane was generally well received by our testers, who appreciated its mild taste and calming effect. While we’re slightly skeptical this amount of Lion’s Mane can significantly boost cognition with one serving, we enjoyed the rhodiola-caffeine pairing for a stress-fighting combo. We recommend new users experiment with various ways to mix or prepare this coffee, including protein shakes and both hot and cold preparations.

For its cost and ingredient profile, Mushroom Coffee with Lion’s Mane provides solid value for its cost-per-serving in a travel-friendly and convenient delivery system.

The post Adaptogen Coffee? Mushroom Coffee with Lion’s Mane by Four Sigmatic appeared first on Brain Wiz.

Serotonin Brain Food (click for best price) also claims to help regulate appetite and digestion, and may improve sleep quality. Read on to find out if this supplement had enough of an effect in serotonin production for these effects to be observed.

Seratonin Brain Food Nutrition Label Ingredients

The Ingredients

• Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) – 500 mg
  • Vitamin B3 acts within the adrenal system to synthesize a number of sex and stress-related hormones, along with serotonin, a neurotransmitter acting on the central nervous system and the GI tract. Some people experience a harmless “flush” when taking Niacinamide supplements.
• Magnesium (Magnesium glycate) – 50 mg
  • Magnesium is a mineral involved in over 300 metabolic reactions in the human body. Magnesium has shown to induce a sense of calm, and it can be a powerful sleep aid.
• Zinc (Zinc glycinate) – 20 mg
  • Zinc is a trace mineral in diets and element linked to sleep quality and the sense of smell and taste.
• L-Tryptophan – 900 mg
  • L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid and a precursor to 5-HTP, serotonin, and melatonin. Studies have linked L-Tryptophan deficiency to some depressive mood disorders.
• Rhodiola Rosea (root) extract (standardized to 3% total rosavins min. 1% salidrosides) – 400 mg
  • Rhodiola has been used in Eastern medicine to treat depression, stimulate the nervous system, improve work performance, and eliminate fatigue. Rhodiola is categorized as an adaptogen, a substance shown to reduce the negative effects of stress while promoting physical and mental endurance.
• Other Ingredients: Vegetable capsules, cellulose, vegetable stearate, silica.

Usage Guidelines

• Take a serving of 2-3 capsules to support a positive mood, during situations of stress or irritability, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.
• Avoid use in the evening.
• Do not exceed 2 servings per day.

What Our Testers Say

“I have had some of the best night’s sleep on this supplement. I’m not sure it really had much brain-boosting effects on my beyond what taking Rhodiola on its own could accomplish (which is still noticeable for me). My activity tracker showed a higher percentage of deep sleep than I usually get, and I did feel like I recovered from workouts better while taking these. I will keep these around for sure.”

“I had these with me on a recent trip, and they were fantastic to help me fight jet-lag.  I also took them 20 minutes before boarding my transatlantic flight, and it really helped me deal with my usual flight anxiety. These will definitely travel with me anywhere I go. Not the most potent brain-booster I’ve tried recently, but very handy for maintaining a sense of calm when faced with stress.”

“I took 2 of  these in the morning, with my cup of coffee, and felt a mild wave of calm and clear-headedness. I was able to stay in control during high-stress situations, and I ended up having some great sleep to boot. This supplement did not increase my energy levels or focus, though.”

“I took 2 capsules of Serotonin Brain Food in the morning with my coffee. I really enjoyed the way it made me feel (calm, focused, and sociable) and it may have actually helped curb my snack cravings.”

BrainWiz Tips

• This supplement pairs well with caffeine when taken in the morning. The coffee-Rhodiola Rosea stack gave those who took the supplement in the morning a smooth and sustained boost in focus. Adaptogens like Rhodiola Rosea have been known to boost the effect of stimulants like caffeine.
• This supplement contains 400 mg of Rhodiola (almost four times as much as in Rhodiola by Solaray), and we suggest refraining from taking more than the recommended dosage. Rhodiola consumption over this amount may actually reduce its effectiveness.
• For optimized sleep, try to take this supplement with calcium or calcium-rich foods to take full advantage of the magnesium in this supplement.
• Our testers achieved their best results when occasionally cycling off this supplement or when not using it for everyday use, only more stressful situations or days.
• As with any supplement or nutritional regimen, you should talk to your doctor or medical professional before use if you’re taking medication or suspect you have a medical issue.

Supplement Summary

All of our testers felt calming effects from Serotonin Brain Food; those who took it with coffee noticed a smoother energy boost and a greater ability to fight stress, likely due to the rhodiola-caffeine combination we’ve seen with other supplements. While Serotonin Brain Food did little on its own to boost energy levels or focus, most of our testers reported improved sleep quality when taking this supplement.

The post A Lasting Sense of Calm? Reviewing Serotonin Brain Food by Natural Stacks appeared first on Brain Wiz.

The result? By stacking Rhodiola Rosea and Smart Caffeine, we’ve been able to power through heftier workloads and stress while mitigating the crash and fatigue that often comes as caffeine wears off.

The first part of the stack is actually two ingredients: the body hacker’s favorite combo of caffeine (stimulant) and L-theanine (calming amino acid). It’s a common combo, and Natural Stacks’ Smart Caffeine blends both for a straightforward ingredient list and 2-to-1 proportion of theanine to caffeine. L-theanine has a calming effect without feeling like a sedative, and when taken with caffeine, it tends to increase perceptions of alertness while reducing the chances of jitters. For us, it’s a “smoother” feeling of energy.

The second second half of this potent stack is Rhodiola Rosea, an “adaptogen” famed for its ability to fight mental tiredness, the symptoms of stress, and even physical fatigue. Derived from an herb used in several traditional medicine practices, Rhodiola is often paired with caffeine in some high-profile nootropic supplements, and we often take it with our morning coffee. (In fact, a few supplements like Neurofuse combine rhodiola with caffeine and l-theanine.) It can be powerful on its own, and in this stack, it’s a tool we’ve used to combat the stress of deadline situations. It also doesn’t take much, and most effective doses are between 100 and 600 mg of the extract (which normally has between 1 and 3% rosavins and 1 and 2% salidrosides). More then 600 mg might actually be less effective for some users.

So there you have it: Smart Caffeine and Rhodiola Rosea are one of our favorite combos for working under a deadline. It doesn’t take much, and we recommend staying within the manufacturer’s recommended dosages, or even on the lower end when stacking (just one pill each of Smart Caffeine and Solaray’s Rhodiola was plenty for our testers; we don’t like overdoing it on caffeine in any stack!).

The post Working on a Deadline? Try This Potent Brain Stack appeared first on Brain Wiz.

Suffice it to say, we were surprised. What surprised us most about CogniYouth is what it opted to leave out, namely stimulatory ingredients such as caffeine and guarana. What it does have is a list of ten of the most trusted natural nootropic ingredients in dosages around where we like to see each fall.

Another thing that stood out? The doctor-approved certificate right on their site, along with the name and opinion of an actual M.D. (click on the button in the bottom right). CogniYouth calls itself the “ultimate brain vitamin,” and with seemingly quality ingredients prioritized over the quick buzz of stimulants and “proprietary blends,” we were excited to see if it worked. Read below to see our take.

CogniYouth Label

The Ingredients

Vitamin B6, 5 mg and Vitamin B12, 20 mcg

Two important B vitamin complexes linked to reduced fatigue and mental performance. Some of the most common nootropic ingredients we see that work synergistically in brain boosting blends.

Bacopa monnieri extract, 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.

Choline Bitartrate, 200 mg

Choline-Bitartrate is a vitamin-like chemical thought to help enhance levels of acetylcholine. Choline is an essential nutrient vital for brain function.

Rhodiola rosea (standardized to 3% Rosavins), 200 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.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCL, 200 mg

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.

Ginkgo Biloba, 120 mg

Ginkgo 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.

Soybean extract (phosphatidylserine), 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.

DMAE Bitartrate, 50 mg

Also known as Deanol, DMAE is a chemical used to improve memory and boost brain function.  It’s especially important in the production of choline (see Choline-Bitartrate, below), one of the building blocks of acetylcholine, vital for nervous system function.

Huperzine A, 50 mcg

Huperzine A is a compound usually derived from Chinese club moss that has been used to improve cognitive performance in patients with declining mental health.

Other ingredients: Gelatin, rice flour, silica, magnesium stearate, and titanium dioxide.

Usage Guidelines

We recommend taking 2 capsules in the morning with food, daily. CogniYouth was carefully designed as a daily “Brain Vitamin” with the intention of aiding in overall brain health, memory, concentration, energy and well-being while battling the effects of age-related cognitive decline.

CogniYouth will be effective and safe to take continuously provided you stick to recommended dosages. If you are on prescribed medication, consult with your doctor or prescribing health care practitioner about taking CogniYouth while on medication.

What Our Testers Say

“I’m a fan of Rhodiola rosea as an adaptogen [fights the physical effects of stress], and I was glad to see it paired with ingredients that compliment its properties. CogniYouth doesn’t have caffeine or stimulants, though I did experience a bit of an energy boost from the B vitamins, and the adaptogens on the ingredient list were helpful in fighting off mid-day fatigue (I fall victim to the 2pm lull pretty easily). This isn’t a turbo-charged nootropic stack, and it won’t turn you into the guy from Limitless, but for something touted as a ”˜brain vitamin,’ I could definitely see myself taking it most mornings.”

“CogniYouth wasn’t super fast acting, and the manufacturer suggests its impact builds over time. I didn’t feel a crazy boost, but it was at least on par with what I normally feel taking Rhodiola or bacopa on their own or in combo. If I’m approaching a tight deadline and need to supercharge my mind, it wouldn’t be what I reached for. But that’s not really the point, and it may be a solid entry point for people looking to try out a nootropic.”

“I really appreciated that this didn’t have caffeine in it, as I’ve been trying to carefully watch my intake of stimulants, I think a lot of people ignore how powerful even caffeine can be. So I was pleased to see some of my favorite ingredients in a caffeine-free stack, which is something we’ve been hoping for from some other companies for awhile.”

“The focus I felt from CogniYouth was mild. But I don’t think it’s right to treat this like some of the other nootropic stacks we’ve tested, it’s meant more for brain health and effects that build over time, not the fast-metabolizing energy I like from some other stacks.”

BrainWiz Tips

• Take with food in the morning to optimize supplement digestion and minimize the risk of an upset stomach.
• CogniYouth is caffeine free, though several of our testers enjoyed taking it with coffee in the morning.

Supplement Summary

CogniYouth didn’t blow us away with a rapid burst of energy or a proprietary ingredient stack. But its effects were consistent, and it may just be the stimulant-free stack a few of our testers have been looking for.

If you’re new to nootropics or want to reduce your use of caffeine, this is one of our current top choices with ingredients we come back to time and time again.

The post The Ideal Stimulant-Free Stack? Reviewing CogniYouth appeared first on Brain Wiz.