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.

A blend of well-researched nootropic compounds, SharpMind is advertised as a complete brain formula, claiming to improve cognitive function, memory, concentration, learning abilities, and to promote general well-being and reduced stress.  Does the product live up to its lofty claims? Read on to find out.

SharpMind by Solaray Ingredients

The Ingredients

• Cat’s Claw – 350 mg
  • Cat’s Claw has been studied for its DNA repair and antiinflammatory properties, though we don’t see it too often in nootropic formulations.
• GP Horse Chestnut (aesculus hippocastanum) (seed extract) Supplying 25.2 mg (18%) Aescin – 140 mg
  • Aescin, derived from Horse Chestnut, has been shown to possess both  venotonic vascular protective and antioxidant effects.
• GP Ginkgo Biloba (Leaf Extract) Supplying 14.4 mg (24%) Ginkgo Flavoglycosides and 3.6 mg (6%) Terpene Lactones – 60 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.
• Dopabean (Mucuna Pruriens) (Bean Extract) Supplying 4 mg (20%) Catecholamines and min. 2 mg (10%) L-Dopa – 20 mg
  • Catecholamine is a neurotransmitter, and L-DOPA is a dopamine precursor commonly used to treat Parkinson’s Disease.
• Leci-PS Phosphatidylserine Concentrate (Lecithin) Supplying 4 mg (40%) Phosphatidylserine – 10 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.
• Vinpocetine – 3 mg
  • Vinpocetine is a chemical derived from the periwinkle plant and is linked to increased cerebral blood flow. Doctors in Hungary have been prescribing this compound to treat cerebrovascular disorders for decades.
• Huperzine A (from Chinese Moss {Huperzia Serrata}) – 10 mcg
  • Huperzine A is a compound derived from Chinese club moss that has been used to improve cognitive performance in patients with declining mental health.
• Other Ingredients: Gelatin (capsule), magnesium stearate, silica and maltodextrin

Usage Guidelines

As a dietary supplement, take one capsule with a meal or a glass of water. Do not use if you are pregnant or nursing. Huperzine A should be used with caution by individuals with known heart rhythm disorders or chronic asthma. Anyone undergoing major surgery should alert the anesthesiologist to Huperzine A supplementations. May potentiate pharmaceutical MAO-inhibitors.

What Our Testers Say

“I took this in the morning with my breakfast, and felt a little sharper, but there was still a bit of fog to fight through. There was no jitteriness, and I felt pretty relaxed, which can come in handy in high-stress days. Both the clarity and the relaxed feeling were gone by late morning.”

“On the first day I tested this, I took one capsule after my workout and breakfast in the morning. I felt a small increase in focus as I was working in the morning. The next day, I took it first thing in the morning, with my pre-workout drink, which has tons of caffeine, and could feel a rush of energy along with accelerated heartbeat. I read that ginkgo can have an effect on blood pressure, so I went back to taking it post-workout for the remainder of the trial period.”

“I really didn’t feel much from this supplement, to be quite honest. I didn’t feel any worse or experience any reduced focus, but there wasn’t a boost that really sent me over the top.”

“SharpMind was a little too mild for me. I took it in the the morning both with and without food, and with and without coffee, and didn’t feel like this stack was “punchy” enough for me.”

BrainWiz Tips

• SharpMind contains no caffeine, so it pairs well when you’re already taking in caffeine, like with your morning tea or coffee.
• Our testers experienced no negative side effects from this supplement. But as with any supplement or nutritional regimen, you should talk to your doctor or medical professional before use.
• Our testers felt diminishing effects after roughly a week of taking SharpMind. After a few days off from the supplement, taking one capsule of SharpMind produced a desired cognitive boost. We recommend pairing it with caffeine, tea or guarana, and to use it in a “1 week on, 2 days off” pattern in order to keep feeling the effects of the supplement.

Supplement Summary

SharpMind is a caffeine-free nootropic stack best for those without a sensitivity to Ginkgo Biloba. Our testers found the effects to be mild, but generally consistent, with only one tester not feeling any effects. This is potentially a good starting stack for beginners. This supplement pairs especially well with coffee tea or guarana, for those who drink caffeine regularly.

The post The Beginner’s Nootropic Stack? Reviewing SharpMind By Solaray appeared first on Brain Wiz.

Rhodiola is actually a Scandinavian herb used in that region and in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Rhodiola Rosea is sold by several large supplement manufacturers as an extract. Today we’re testing Rhodiola by Solaray (click for best price).

Rhodiola by Solaray Label & Ingredients

The Ingredients

Rhodiola (rhodiola rosea) (root extract) – 100 mg (Guaranteed 1 mg [1%] each Rosavins and Salidrosides)

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. Adaptogens have also been loosely linked to boosting the effects of stimulants (see below for what our reviewers had to say about pairing Rhodiola Rosea with the world’s most popular stimulant!).

Other Ingredients: Cellulose, vegetable cellulose capsule and magnesium stearate.

Usage Guidelines

Take one vegetarian capsule daily with a meal or glass of water. Rhodiola is an adaptogenic herb that has been used in Russia for many years.

What Our Testers Say

“I’ve taken Rhodiola Rosea before, but back in college before all-nighters (and before nootropics were really popular, I guess). I liked it then, and I like it now, though I forgot what brand I used to take. My nerves often get the best of me, but Rhodiola helps keep me calm. I still feel stress, but it’s something I can work with when taking the herb, not something that’s overpowering and crushing.”

“I didn’t notice any difference in physical endurance when taking this, but I did feel like I had better mental endurance at work. Not an energy boost, just felt more sustained throughout the day. I started taking this with a big iced coffee in the mornings, and I really liked how smooth it made my caffeine kick feel. I felt confident.”

“Rhodiola had a calming effect for me, and unlike a lot of what we’ve been trying recently, I didn’t feel like it gave me razor sharp focus, but this was almost better, as it allowed me to work longer without feeling distracted or getting nervous when looking at my growing to-do lists. It feels light, calming, and I’m still taking it every morning with breakfast or coffee.”

“The first thing that struck me about this supplement was how good it smelled. I felt good and had good work days whenever I took Rhodiola Rosea. It’s the kind of thing I’d recommend to my mother.”

BrainWiz Tips

• Most of our testers liked pairing this supplement with caffeine in some form, usually coffee. The coffee-Rhodiola Rosea stack gave a smooth feeling of sustained energy and mental endurance that lasted throughout the day. Adaptogens like Rhodiola Rosea and Panax Ginseng may actually boost the effects of common stimulants.
• We mention this more in our summary below, but very high doses of Rhodiola might not be as effective as standard doses, so it’s probably not worth loading up on more than the recommended serving.
• Rhodiola Rosea is natural and herbal, but as with any supplement or nutritional regimen, you should talk to your doctor or medical professional before use.

Supplement Summary

Rhodiola Rosea is a well-documented adaptogen that we’ve seen used well in supplements like Neurofuse (which smartly pairs it with caffeine for sustained mental energy). All our testers felt the effects while taking Solaray’s Rhodiola, though some other brands actually contain higher concentrations of the active ingredients, rosavins and salidorisides (though a few of our testers have a lot of experience with Solaray products and are generally happy with their quality guarantee and reputation).

Solaray does have a Super Rhodiola version of this supplement, which has the highest concentration and dosage of the active ingredients we’ve seen for sale of any brand. However, it’s unlikely that very high doses of Rhodiola Rosea are more effective at reducing fatigue and improving cognition over lower doses, and after a certain point (think north of 600 mg), high amounts might actually be ineffective.

The Super Rhodiola version could be a good option for people who like Rhodiola and want a higher concentration while staying within the generally recognized effective dose range. This supplement pairs especially well with coffee for those who drink caffeine regularly. When not paired with a stimulant, it’s one of the few brain boosters we’ve found you can take in the evening without preventing sleep.

The post The Mental Endurance Herb? Reviewing Rhodiola Extract By Solaray appeared first on Brain Wiz.