EBOOST is a company founded in the mid 2000s around a few different products: fizzy energy powders, coconut water-based energy shots (basically like 5 Hour Energy + coconut water and some extras), a pre-workout called POW!, and a caffeinated greens powder called SPRUCE. Today, we’re reviewing EBOOST’s flagship Energy Powders, which include some familiar nootropics in addition to the electrolytes and vitamins you might expect from such a product.

Read below to see what we thought of EBOOST’s Energy Powder, including our favorite flavors and the best (and worst) time to take them.

Ingredients

We tested several different flavors of EBOOST Energy Powder, including Orange, Acai Pomegranate, and Pink Lemonade. The packets came in several different serving sizes; we’ve based our review and this section off the ingredient list from the 7.1 g packet.

Vitamins and Minerals

• Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid), 1000 mg
• Vitamin D (as cholecalciferol), 1,000 IU
• Niacin, 15 mg
• Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine HCL), 2 mg
• Folate (as folic acid), 400 mcg
• Vitamin B12 (as cyanocobalamin), 2,500 mcg
• Zinc (as zinc citrate), 15 mg
• Selenium (as sodium selenite), 100 mcg
• Copper (as copper citrate), 2 mg
• Chromium (as chromium polynicotinate), 120 mcg
• Sodium, 45 mg
• Potassium, 570 mg

EBOOST Blend, 540 mg

Glucuronolactone

There’s not a ton of research on glucuronolactone, but we see it quite a bit in energy drinks (including some versions of Red Bull). There’s some basic research suggesting it could be synergistic with resveratrol, another ingredient in EBOOST’s Energy Powder.

Green tea leaf extract (standardized to 110 mg caffeine), Green coffee standardized extract (seed)

Combined, these extracts contain quantities of polyphenols, caffeine, and l-theanine (which are all also present in green tea). L-Theanine is an amino acid that’s common in nootropic and brain health supplements, and it promotes relaxation without being a sedative. Research suggests it also helps the brain deal with stress and can fight stimulant-caused jitters (another reason why it’s commonly paired with caffeine). Often paired with caffeine, l-theanine effects appear complementary as far as enhanced energy, concentration, and focused; it may also increase brain activity and memory.

We often see the caffeine + l-theanine pairing headlining very simple, beginner-friendly stacks like Nootrobox’s SPRINT.

5-HTP

The precursor to neurotransmitter serotonin that may increase brain serotonin in users who ingest it (worth keeping in mind that this isn’t always a positive or negative thing on its own).

Quercetin Dihydrate

This compound is a bioflavonoid that may increase the body’s ability to absorb catechins from green tea and resveratrol; it looks to be synergistic with several other compounds in EBOOST’s Energy Powder.

Resveratrol

A compound (commonly found in wine) that received significant hype in recent years as a “youth compound” that could extend lifespan. That’s a dubious claim, but the compound may still have heart-healthy and significant antioxidant properties for humans.

Huperzia Serrata< Whole Plant Extract (1% 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.

Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract

One of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s fundamental and most well-studied herbs, Astragalus has been shown to benefit the kidneys and is also linked to anti-inflammatory properties. 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. It’s an ingredient we’ve seen before in Onnit’s Shroom TECH Sport blend of adaptogenic and energy-boosting mushrooms.

EBoost Energy Plus Vitamins nutrition label and ingredients

Grape Seed Extract

An extract that contains tannins and procyanidins, which may enhance blood flow. It may act similarly to green tea catechins, which are often touted as “fat burners.”

Vinpocetine

Vinpocetine is a chemical derived from the periwinkle plant, and it’s known to increase cerebral blood flow.

Other ingredients: Stevia leaf extract (150 mg), maltodextrin, malic acid, potassium bicarbonate, citric acid, natural flavors, potassium carbonate, beet color, sodium bicarbonate, potassium citrate, silica.

Usage Guidelines

• Add 1 packet to 12 fl. oz. of water and allow to effervesce.
• Drink 1 to 2 packets daily.
• Do not exceed recommended intake.
• Recommended for 15 years and older.

What Our Testers Say

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“Full disclosure, I can be sensitive to caffeine. But if I took this without any other caffeine on the day, I really liked EBOOST Energy Powder (depending on the flavor). I didn’t feel jittery, but I think any more caffeine would have gotten me that way. I’m not sure exactly how effective their proprietary blend is as far as nootropics, because they don’t list exact amounts for many. However, I felt sharp and pretty on my game when I took this with lunch a few days last week. I also don’t drink enough water at work, I often just forget, so my guess is the electrolytes and liquid kept me a bit more hydrated and feeling better than normal.”

“The powder effervesces pretty hard at first, so I normally let it sit for a few minutes before drinking. It was a bigger boost than a cup of coffee, for sure (but I wouldn’t take it close to when I take coffee). I didn’t experience a niacin flush from this, but I wonder if some people might. I wouldn’t mind adding this to some cold water in the future at the office or maybe even before a workout.”

“I liked it, pleasant tasting, a good buzz, but I was still able to focus and didn’t have any jitters (note: my caffeine tolerance is pretty high).”

“I tried this in a less-than-very-cold glass of water, and I did not like it. But it tastes pretty good when the water is cold, or in a water bottle with some ice. It’s a good buzz, and I appreciate something that’ll help keep my better hydrated than coffee throughout the day.”

Which Flavor of EBOOST Energy Powder Is Best?

Overall, our least favorite flavor of EBOOST Energy Powder was Pink Lemonade, which just seemed too light and a bit artificial tasting. Orange was pleasant, not unlike Tang or even a milder Hi-C. It was overall refreshing.

Across the board, our testers preferred their Acai Pomegranate flavor to the others. It seemed better balanced, a good mix of sweet and tart, with a minimal aftertaste.

BrainWiz Tips

• We found the manufacturer’s water recommendation, 12 ounces, to be just about right as far as flavor and fizz.
• The colder the water, the better the experience when drinking this supplement.
• While EBOOST Energy Powders contain a manageable amount of caffeine for our testers (110mg), tolerance will vary. With the included synergistic ingredients, the impact of the caffeine may be greater than the amount implies. It’s worth starting with half a dose in 6 ounces of water to assess tolerance.
• We got the best results when pairing with food, especially lunch. Taken alone first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, the product was almost too fizzy.
• If you’re very sensitive to caffeine, stimulants, or certain neurotransmitter boosters like 5-HTP, it’s probably best to talk to your healthcare practitioner before taking this supplement

Supplement Summary

EBOOST Energy Powder was better than expected for all of our testers. It may be light on nootropics as far as amounts, but everything comes in a convenient package that tastes pretty good and gives more than a quick-flash buzz.

Our favorite flavor was Acai Pomegranate, and we also had success only taking a half serving of the 7.1 gram packets for a slightly milder boost or later in the day.

The post The Fizzy Brain Boost? Reviewing EBOOST Energy Powder 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.

Spoiler alert, in case you couldn’t tell from the intro: We loved it (well, most of us). We were excited to give Onnit Whole Spice Matcha Chai Latte a try, especially since we got the product at the start of Pumpkin Spice Latte Season. Read on and see what our testers thought of this nootropic beverage.

Onnit Matcha Chai Label & Ingredients

The Ingredients

Organic Matcha Green Tea

Matcha Tea contains both caffeine and L-Theanine. L-Theanine is an amino acid that’s becoming an increasingly common ingredient in nootropics. It 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. Caffeine, the world’s most popular stimulant, 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. Caffine and theanine are naturally paired in matcha, making it a naturally occuring way to counter the negative effects (jitters, etc.) off caffeine. Basically, a smoother buzz. Onnit says the caffeine content of their Matcha varies from batch to batch, but they’ve tested it at around 28 mg per serving – so it’s less than most coffee, and we’ll be experimenting with pairing this with other nootropic stacks and maybe even some additional caffeine in the near future.

Organic Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice with potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to its antioxidative powers, there is some promising research regarding the root’s positive effects on the immune system and its ability to reduce neuroinflammation. However, one of its key anti-inflammatory compounds, curcumin, isn’t super absorbable in most dietary forms.

Other Ingredients: Organic Coconut Milk, Organic Coconut Nectar, Organic Sunflower Lecithin, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Ginger, Organic Cloves, Organic Cardamom, Organic Pepper, Organic Stevia (natural sweetener)

Usage Guidelines

Mix one scoop of Onnit Whole Spice Matcha Chai latte with 8-10 ounces of hot water. Stir and enjoy.

What Our Testers Say

“I had a cup of the Chai in the morning, and it gave me a clean, non-jittery boost that lasted longer than I expected. Also, I liked the taste. There was no crash, and I even had an additional cup in the afternoon, with none of the usual caffeine side-effects I usually get from coffee. I will be drinking a lot of this in the colder months and pairing it with some different nootropic stacks.”

“I love this stuff – it is so much tastier than the coffeehouse (Starbucks, cough cough) chai. Just make sure you are using hot water instead of boiling, otherwise you will scorch it. I added a little extra coconut cream to mine too, and I’ve been reaching for it every time the afternoon slump hits me.”

“I really wanted to love this. I’m a big fan of both matcha and Chai, so this sounded like the perfect combination; but the stevia is a bit too much for me. It’s a bummer, because I felt alert but relaxed, and would definitely consume this daily if it weren’t that sweet.”

“This stuff is delicious, and it makes me feel pretty great. I took this in the morning before heading to the gym, and I like the extra energy I got from coconut fat. I took this with Alpha Brain, and felt like it really kicked up the already great effects I felt on Alpha Brain alone.”

BrainWiz Tips

• Most of our testers enjoyed the taste and mild effects of this nootropic, with no side effects and no jitters.
• This is not the best product for those who are sensitive to the taste of stevia. While Onnit has alluded to plans of replacing stevia in all of their products, it is not clear whether the Whole Spice Matcha Chai Latte will be available unsweetened or with an alternative sweetener in the near future.
• Make sure to mix it with hot, and not boiling water. This product mixes well with additional coconut milk or cream.
• Stack this beverage with Alpha Brain to enhance both of their effects.

Supplement Summary

Onnit Whole Spice Matcha Chai Latte Tea contains both caffeine and L-theanine, along with some other neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and energy-sustaining ingredients. It’s first and foremost a delicious coffee replacement, be it in the morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up, and secondly a mild nootropic in its own right.

The Whole Spice Matcha Chai Latte is a mild nootropic when used on its on, and a great product to stack with caffeine-free supplements, like Alpha Brain. Our testers reported experiencing clarity, sharper focus, and a calm alertness even with a pretty mild caffeine content.

The post The Tea Compliment To Alpha Brain? Reviewing Whole Spice Matcha Chai Latte By Onnit appeared first on Brain Wiz.