Two of Natural Stack’s most famous supplements are CILTEP and Smart Caffeine, which the company encourages users to try both as a focus and memory-boosting stack. We put this stack to the test .

We’ve had positive experiences with MagTech (our favorite brain magnesium supplement), BioCreatine, and Smart Caffeine, though our testers had very mixed reviews on CILTEP. Developed by a popular biohacking forum contributor and subsequently produced by Natural Stacks, the theory behind CILTEP is that its ingredients, when taken in conjunction, boost Long Term Potentiation (LTP), basically a consistent strengthening of synapses in the brain. Read our CILTEP review here.

While one of our testers reported less brain fog while on CILTEP, the science behind the stack and whether or not the ingredients can make it past the digestive system is inconclusive. Overall, it’s a stack we don’t recommend for beginners, and the mechanisms and theory are definitely more suited toward the experienced biohacker who’s interested in learning about high-level synapse mechanisms. (And whether or not it truly works is still up in the air.)

When stacking CILTEP and Smart Caffeine, we only (reliably) experienced the effects of Smart Caffeine, which is basically a smoother, no-jitters caffeine boost complimented by the supplement’s l-theanine content. (Read our Smart Caffeine review here.)

We recommend anyone be careful when taking caffeine-containing supplements, starting off slow to assess personal tolerance. As far as stacking Smart Caffeine with CILTEP, we felt no difference when compared to taking Smart Caffeine on its own.

The post CILTEP and Smart Caffeine: Is This Natural Stacks Combo Worth It? 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.

Alpha Brain is one of my favorite nootropics, and Onnit’s blend of earth-grown ingredients is one of my favorite supplements for staying calm, staying focus, and staying on top of my game. I go on a lot of 3 to 4 day business trips (some during weekends, some during the week), and I always appreciate having something consistent and tested in my corner to stay sharp. Alpha Brain does the trick for me, and I normally take it first thing in the morning with breakfast or coffee. I also notice I tend to sleep pretty well when I take Alpha Brain, and that’s always appreciated when bouncing around from conferences to hotels and back.

The other half of my nootropic travel kit is Smart Caffeine by Natural Stacks. This is an incredibly simple, straightforward combo of caffeine plus theanine; think of it as a better way of delivering caffeine, as the l-theanine smooths out the popular stimulant (in fact, Alpha Brain also contains l-theanine). I don’t necessarily take this every morning when traveling, but if I’m in a place where I can’t find good coffee (okay, I’m a bit of a coffee snob) or I find myself fighting a post-lunch crash, a single pill of Smart Caffeine can give me a convenient boost. I caution caffeine aficionados to not overdo it on Smart Caffeine, as I don’t think it’s smart to get carried away and taking a bunch of it. In place of coffee, and when coffee isn’t convenient or easily available, one pill works very well for me. There are a few other companies that make a similar combo, but Smart Caffeine hits well with quality and a very reasonable price point, making it my favorite of these.

Tune back in soon to find out what other BrainWiz testers like to travel with to stay on top of their games!

The post My Go-To Travel Stack: Alpha Brain and Smart Caffeine appeared first on Brain Wiz.

Click here for the best price on Lumonol Nova.

Lumonol Nova Ingredients Label

The Ingredients

• N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT) – 300mg
  • 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. NALT is a more soluble form of L-tyrosine, though research evidence on whether it’s more readily used by the body remains a bit up in the air.
• L-Theanine – 200 mg
  • An amino acid that’s becoming an increasingly common ingredient in nootropics, l-theanine promotes relaxation without being a sedative, and research suggests it also helps the brain deal better with stress. Often paired with caffeine, l-theanine’s effects appear complementary to the world’s most popular stimulant. It may also increase brain activity and memory. L-theanine is commonly found in green tea, and a standard cup contains around 20 mg (so a capsule of Lumonol Nova contains a high dosage relative to standard tea consumption).
• Natural Caffeine Anhydrous from Coffee Beans – 100 mg
  • The world’s most popular stimulant, caffeine actually works by preventing adenosine from acting on adenosine receptors in the brain. This inhibitory mechanism reduces feelings of drowsiness and sedation. Caffeine is a well-researched, well-known, and common ingredient in many brain supplements, and a big reason coffee is one of the world’s most in-demand commodities. Research suggests caffeine and l-theanine pairings boost alertness and cognitive performance.
• Other Ingredients: Gelatin Capsule, Rice Flour, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1

Usage Guidelines

Suggested Use: Take 2 capsules daily. Do not exceed 4 capsules within a 24-hour period. Contains caffeine. Taking Nova in the evening may cause a restless night’s sleep, so we do NOT recommend you to take Lumonol or Nova in the evening.

What Our Testers Say

“I’m usually hesitant about caffeine, but after my positive experience with Smart Caffeine, I decided to give Lumonol Nova a try. The energy was very smooth, with no jitteriness or anxiety. I may not like coffee, but supplements like this have become a great energy option for me.”

“I’ve been doing the 90-day Lumonol protocol (with a few breaks to test other supps) so I was really excited to add the Nova to the mix. I’m not sure whether it was a combination of the cumulative effects of the Noopept in regular Lumonol, and the Lumonol Nova, but I felt extra alert and felt like my brain was quicker at accessing information than ever before. I really enjoyed this combination. I worked up to 2 capsules of Lumonol Nova with 2 capsules of Lumonol.”

“I really enjoyed the calm energy this gave me. I started out with one capsule with my morning coffee, and another in the afternoon, and there was no edginess. I’m not a fan of the artificial blue and red coloring in it, and I try to stay away from artificial food coloring as a general rule. I know this product would be just as effective without it, and hope that Avanse considers revising its formula in the future. ”

“This was a great option both pre-workout, and in the afternoon instead of a cup of coffee. I took 2 capsules in the morning, and had an incredible workout. I was able to still feel that smooth energy into the early afternoon, when I took one additional capsule. There was no real crash, and I felt pretty composed despite having a high-stress day.”

BrainWiz Tips

• Lumonol Nova is best taken with food, especially for those with a caffeine sensitivity.
• Test out your tolerance before adding other stimulants like coffee or tea.
• Most testers split the dosage, taking one capsule first thing in the morning and one post-lunch.
• To avoid building up a caffeine tolerance, we suggest cycling Lumonol Nova, taking at least a couple of days off a week.
• As always, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or a medical professional before starting a new supplement regimen. Remember that caffeine is a stimulant,  so test your tolerance slowly, especially if you are sensitive to stimulants.

Supplement Summary

Lumonol Nova (see current price) is a solid option for those seeking a calm and clean energy, unlike that of a cup of coffee. All of our testers felt focused and energized, and the energy just mellowed out, rather than producing a crash. It tested similar to Smart Caffeine, and our testers were split as to which they preferred. For beginners in the world of nootropics, a simple two-ingredient stack like Smart Caffeine is usually a great starting point.

Those who paired it with Lumonol felt that the effects of both supplements were heightened and complemented by each other. This may not be the best supplement for those not willing to give up their cup of coffee, but it is a convenient energy and mood booster.

The post Smooth Energy With No Crash? Reviewing Lumonol Nova By Avanse Nutraceuticals appeared first on Brain Wiz.

While we’re familiar with both of Smart Caffeine’s active ingredients, the proof is in the testing. Read on to find if this simple stack was enough to give the BrainWiz testers a mental boost.

Smart Caffeine By Natural Stacks Label & Ingredients

The Ingredients

Natural Caffeine Anhydrous from Coffee Beans – 100 mg

The world’s most popular stimulant, caffeine actually works by preventing adenosine from acting on adenosine receptors in the brain. This inhibitory mechanism reduces feelings of drowsiness and sedation. Caffeine is a well-researched, well-known, and common ingredient in many brain supplements, and a big reason coffee is one of the world’s most in-demand commodities. Research suggests caffeine and l-theanine pairings boost alertness and cognitive performance.

L-Theanine – 200 mg

An amino acid that’s becoming an increasingly common ingredient in nootropics, l-theanine promotes relaxation without being a sedative, and research suggests it also helps the brain deal better with stress. Often paired with caffeine, l-theanine’s effects appear complementary to the world’s most popular stimulant. It may also increase brain activity and memory. L-theanine is commonly found in green tea, and a standard cup contains around 20 mg (so one pill of Smart Caffeine contains a high dosage relative to standard tea consumption).

Other Ingredients: Vegetable capsule, cellulose, vegetable stearate, silica.

Usage Guidelines

Suggested Use: take a serving of 1-2 capsules whenever focused energy is desired. Avoid use in the evening. Total daily dosage should not exceed 6 capsules.

What Our Testers Say

“I had to be careful with Smart Caffeine, because while 100 mg of caffeine isn’t much more than a cup of coffee (and less than some), it’s not something I’d want to take in addition to my normal morning coffee. But when the afternoon rolled around and I couldn’t step out of the office for another cup of coffee, I thought this was pretty handy. I didn’t feel any jitters at all, even when I took it on an empty stomach (though not something I’d recommend doing regularly).”

“As BrainWiz’s resident non-coffee fanatic, I wasn’t sure what to expect here; most supplements I’ve tried with stimulants, including coffee, make me at least a little jittery, so I normally opt for adaptogens like Rhodiola rosea. But Smart Caffeine worked for me about how the website said it would: reduced fatigue, no antsy feeling, and it wore off after a few hours a lot smoother than caffeine on its own ever does for me. I’m not sure I want to make caffeine a daily thing (I’m probably along there), but I’ll keep this one handy.”

“I thought this supplement was relatively mild. It’s caffeine with a cool l-theanine pairing that helps you stay relaxed and reduces the chance of a crash. That’s cool, but it’s not going to replace my coffee.”

“It’s a lot more accessible and quicker than a cup of coffee, which is why I had to be careful to stick to 1 or 2 capsules, tops. I’m not sure what else I’d stack this with, if anything, but I liked it and will keep it in my rotation.”

BrainWiz Tips

• Take with breakfast to ease absorption, especially if you’re sensitive to caffeine.
• Avoid taking with other stimulants or supplements containing stimulants like coffee or guarana.
• Our testers who had the best results with Smart Caffeine took one or two capsules first thing in the morning and another one during the early afternoon to get through a post-lunch slump.
• Cycle a few days on with a few days off to reduce the body’s natural inclination to build caffeine tolerance.
• It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor or a medical professional before starting a new supplement regimen. Though common, caffeine is still a stimulant, so start slowly if you’re sensitive to such substances.

Supplement Summary

If you’re not a coffee drinker, Smart Caffeine is an excellent option to get an energy and focus boost without the same level of jitters that comes along with many stimulatory supplements. None of our testers felt a significant crash as the supplement’s effects wore off. We also appreciate how transparent Natural Stacks is with the amounts of each ingredient in Smart Caffeine.

If you are a coffee drinker, Smart Caffeine may not be the best option to pair with your morning cup, but we enjoyed it for an incredibly convenient early or mid-afternoon energy boost.

The post Can You Get More Out Of Caffeine? Reviewing Smart Caffeine By Natural Stacks appeared first on Brain Wiz.