There are no newcomers to the list of ingredients in Addium, at least nothing we haven’t seen many times before, and as with many supplements containing a “proprietary blend,” Precision Labs does not list the quantity or concentration of most of the active ingredients. Read on to find out if Addium boosted our testers’ brain performance, or if this is just another supplement with unrealistic claims.

Addium Nutrition Label

The Ingredients

Vitamin B3 (Niacin) – 30mg

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 niacin-containing supplements.

Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) – 5mg

Vitamin B6 is involved in the production of neurotransmitters. When taken with phenylalanine, vitamin B6 can improve cAMP levels, and dopamine synthesis.

Proprietary Blend – 545mg

Caffeine

The world’s most popular stimulant, caffeine 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.

GABA

This amino acid acts in the central nervous system calming nervous brain activity. It is a neuropsychotropic compound that functions as both a nootropic and as a tranquilizer by stimulating dopamine production. In certain situations, GABA has been shown to both decrease anxiety and promote relaxation, though it may have difficulty crossing the blood/brain barrier through oral supplementation.

Bacopa Monnieri

Bacopa Monnieri is an herb used in Ayurveda as a revitalizer, cognitive booster, and stress reliever. Scientific tests show the positive effects the herb can have on memory and free recall, though it may occasionally cause restlessness or feelings of apathy in some users (like most adaptogens, experience varies from person to person).

Alpha GPC

L-Alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine is a phospholipid (a main component of cell membranes) that has been positively linked with increased memory and learning capacity. It is one of the most effective compounds at increasing systemic and brain concentrations of choline.

L-Theanine

An amino acid exclusive to tea in dietary forms, L-Theanine increases alpha brain waves, inducing relaxation without any drowsiness.

Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine is another phospholipid vital to the maintenance of healthy nerve cell membranes. It has a direct effect on the release of both dopamine and noradrenaline, and it positively affects memory.

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.

Vinpocetine

Vinpocetine is an herb-derived chemical that has been used to treat cerebrovascular disorders in Hungary. It is both a neuroprotective and a vasodilator, possibly increasing blood flow to the brain.

Huperzine A

Huperzine A is an herb-derived chemical that has been used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s. Studies show it may improve cognitive function and memory.

Other Ingredients: Gelatin, Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate (vegetable), Titanium Dioxide, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Red #3,

Allergens: Soybeans

Usage Guidelines

• As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule daily.
• CAUTION: Do not exceed recommended dose. Pregnant or nursing mothers, children under the age of 18, and individuals with a known medical condition should consult a physician before using this or any dietary supplement.

What Our Testers Say

“Took this in the morning with my pre-workout, and there was a definite rush of energy. Couldn’t tell whether the flush was from working out or from the niacin/B3, but I felt warmer and redder than I usually do post-workout. The effects (both the flush and the energy) didn’t last long, though, and I found myself reaching for some coffee by early afternoon.”

“I don’t know how much caffeine is in this, but it was too much for me, or at least, one pill of the stack had me jittery. This gave me tons of nervous energy, even with the included L-Theanine in a mystery amount, and I crashed hard.”

“I think this did help me focus a bit, but it works a lot more like an energy pill than a nootropic. I had it with my morning coffee, and it just edged on being too much caffeine.”

“I took this for a couple of weeks, and I could tell my focus and memory were a little better, but not as well-rounded as other popular nootropic stacks. I could see how the caffeine in this, combined with some of the other ingredients in the “proprietary blend”, could be too much for people with a stimulant-sensitivity. I tried taking it both in the morning and to combat the afternoon slump, with some luck. This felt like more of a stimulant pill than anything else.”

BrainWiz Tips

• Take Addium with food to ease absorption, especially if you are sensitive to stimulants.
• Be careful when taking other stimulants or caffeine-containing beverages with Addium.
• All of our testers experienced an increase in energy while on Addium, though a couple experienced a crash once the supplement wore off.

<li”>As with any other supplements, consult a doctor or medical professional before starting a new regimen if you are on medication or have a preexisting condition.

Supplement Summary

Although all of our testers felt something on Addium, it was far from the advertised unlocking of 100% of the brain’s potential; overall, it felt much more like a quick stimulant rush with a resulting crash. The amount of caffeine in Addium is not listed, and most testers felt like it was the equivalent to about 2 shots of espresso.  If you are a coffee drinker, you may want to try Addium in the afternoon, instead of that second cup of coffee. This may not be the best supplement for those sensitive to niacin or stimulants in general.

The post True Cerebral Enhancement? Reviewing Addium by Precision Labs appeared first on Brain Wiz.

View Best OptiMind Price

Our testers tried out the sample packs of of OptiMind to see if the claims of it being a “surprisingly powerful and beautifully balanced” supplement were true.

Read on to find out what our testers thought of it…

OptiMind Ingredients

The Ingredients

• Active Ingredients: Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol) – 385 IU
  • Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin most adults (at least in America and other Western countries) do not get enough of.  Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to cardiovascular disease, mood disorders and impaired cognition, and the vitamin also plays important roles in general brain function.
• Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) – 500 mcg
  • 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 OptiMind is a form often used to reduce brain fog and promote mental energy due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.
• Focus Blend – 1330.08 mg
• 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.
• Bacopa Herb Extract
  • Bacopa Monnieri is an herb used in Ayurveda as an antidepressant and a cognitive booster. A noted adaptogen, Bacopa Monnieri has been linked to reduced stress and nootropic effects.
• Taurine
  • Taurine is an essential amino acid fundamental in the development and function of the central nervous system. You’ll see it as a main ingredient in many energy drinks for its alertness-boosting effects, especially when paired with caffeine and other stimulants.
• Alpha Lipoic Acid
  • Alpha Lipoic Acid is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory chemical that has been used to treat memory loss and chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Caffeine Anhydrous
  • Caffeine is a stimulant acting on the central nervous system. One of the better-researched mental and physical performance enhancers, caffeine is proven to have acute effects on cognitive function and mood.
• GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid)
  • This amino acid acts in the central nervous system calming nervous brain activity. It is a neuropsychotropic compound that functions as both a nootropic and as a tranquilizer by stimulating dopamine production. Dopamine plays a part in controlling flow of information in the brain while alleviating stress and anxiety.
• Phosphatidylserine (from Soy Lecithin)
  • This chemical has been used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, geriatric mental-function decline, ADHD, and to improve cognitive function.
• Vinpocetine
  • Vinpocetine is a chemical derived from the periwinkle plant, linked to increase cerebral blood flow. Doctors in Hungary have been prescribing this compound to treat cerebrovascular disorders for decades.
• Sulbutiamine
  • This is a synthetic Vitamin B1 derivative, capable of crossing blood and brain barriers more easily than thiamine. There are studies suggesting it has positive effects on memory and central cholinergic activity.
• Huperzine A (from Toothed Clubmoss Aerial Parts Extract)
  • Clubmoss is the most common source for Huperzine A, a compound that has been used to improve cognitive performance in patients with Alzheimer’s.
• Other Ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose (HPMC), Dicalcium Phosphate, Rice Flour, Magnesium Stearate, Titanium Dioxide (color). Contains: Soy

Usage Guidelines

For elevated mental performance, start with 1-2 capsules in the morning. Increase the dosage as needed. Depending on your body type and tolerance, you may increase this to a single serving of 2-4 capsules, but do not exceed 8 capsules per 24-hour period.

My OptiMind Experience

As with any new supplement, I am naturally skeptical of initial claims. That is no different when it came to OptiMind. However, after my experience of using it for a full week, I was pleasantly surprised.

The first morning I woke up feeling groggy, with a slight case of “brain fog”. This is because I had a hard time falling asleep the night before. Nevertheless, I got out of bed and made breakfast. During breakfast I read over the OptiMind ingredients and suggested use. Everything seemed pretty standard — Bacopa Monnieri, L-Taurine, Phosphatidylserine, GABA, L-Tyrosine, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Caffeine, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Calcium, Magnesium, Vinpocetine, Huperzine A, and Sulbutiamine. I noticed that it contains some of my favorite nootropic ingredients, one of which being Bacopa Monnieri.

I decided to skip my daily morning coffee since OptiMind already has caffeine in it. This is because I didn’t want to double down on my caffeine intake early in the morning and crash by the afternoon. I also didn’t want the caffeine to interfere with the results of the review. So I downed a full dosage with a glass of water and got to work.

After the first 20-minutes, I started to notice a slight increase in energy levels, much like I do when I have a cup of coffee. A little later my focus really started to pick up. My initial experience felt a bit like drinking an energy drink except without feeling jittery or anxious at all and with a ton more focus. I think the reason behind this energy/focus combo comes down to the mixture of caffeine and l-taurine (both of which make up a lot of energy drinks on the market).

As the day went on I realized that I wasn’t as distracted. This meant I could get more done without having to take breaks. In a way, it felt like I could reclaim a few hours of my day — a huge plus!

As the day transitioned into night, I slightly expected a mild crash from the caffeine. However, there was none. This could be because I don’t crash unless I have massive amounts of caffeine or because of the makeup of OptiMind. Regardless, it’s another big plus.

The week that I took OptiMind went very well. The noticeable effects were an increase in energy mixed with higher levels of focus and concentration. This, of course, led to higher levels of productivity too.

By the end of the week, I noticed my to do list was much lighter than it normally was. This was due to the fact that I could get more done during the day than I normally could. As a business owner and as someone who likes to be as efficient with their time as possible, I really liked this aspect of taking OptiMind.

Surprisingly, by the seventh day, I had not built up a tolerance. I usually see a waning effect in the benefits when taking a nootropic by the seventh day. This is because my body tends to get used to the dosage and need more to feel the same effects as a result. I’m sure there would come a time that I would need to cycle off OptiMind but I didn’t need to while reviewing it.

Overall, I was very happy with how OptiMind performed. They kept it simple when it comes to nootropic ingredients and created a supplement that does what it says it will — increase focus and energy.

After reviewing OptiMind I decided to keep some capsules at my desk because I like to use them when I’m on a deadline and really need to focus. They have been lifesavers especially when pulling “all nighters” because of the increase in energy that they give.

What Our Testers Say

“I started out with 2 capsules in the morning with breakfast, and I felt a pretty clear wave of energy and focus. This lasted well into the afternoon… I upped the dosage to 3 capsules to see how that felt.”

“I took the full four-capsule dose as a pre-workout. I felt energized and ready for the workout…”

“I tried out OptiMind with my usual cup of coffee in the morning, starting with 2 capsules on the first day, and then 3 capsules on the second day. I had a quite a ‘wired’ morning after 3 capsules. I felt clear-headed and was able to concentrate on the task at hand… I tried it again with no coffee the next morning, and I felt productive.”

BrainWiz Tips

• Our testers felt the positive effects of OptiMind with a dosage of 2 capsules; increasing consumption to 3 or 4 capsules did not increase its perceived effects, but it did produce some jitteriness on some of our testers. There’s a good chance 2 will be plenty, though individual tolerances and reactions will vary.
• Because OptiMind has an unspecified amount of caffeine, we suggest you go easy on coffee consumption when starting.
• As with any supplement or nutritional regimen, you should check with your doctor or medical professional before use.

Supplement Summary

OptiMind’s formula consists of a number of popular nootropic ingredients paired with energy boosters like caffeine and B vitamins. Our testers experienced a mental and physical boost, but the fact that the amount of caffeine per serving is not listed had some of our testers feeling like Goldilocks: It took awhile to find the right dosage for them.

OptiMind’s manufacturer has some mainstream traction, and their formula is a bit different than others we’ve encountered (for example, it doesn’t contain a direct form of choline, but it does have ingredients involved in choline production). But we weren’t over-the-moon impressed.

Always remember to consult a trusted medical professional before taking any supplement. We are not doctors and our opinions are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The post OptiMind Review: My Honest Thoughts, Experience, and More appeared first on Brain Wiz.