Bacopa Monnieri growing on the beach.

Bacopa monnieri may also influence the cells that help with brain regeneration by decreasing the oxidative stress that free radicals can have, which could make it appealing for people with brain injuries as well as those concerned about the impact of aging and time on the brain. There are some studies that suggest bacopa monnieri can help decrease the inflammation of the brain that comes with aging and improve outcomes for Alzheimer’s patients. With potential benefits numbering in the dozens, bacopa monnieri has widespread appeal and is suitable variety of users.

What does bacopa monnieri stack with?

The first thing to take into consideration is that, for some users, bacopa monnieri has been known to cause gastrointestinal problems when taken on an empty stomach. For the sake of your belly, don’t forget that it stacks first and foremost with food! Since bacopa monnieri is fat soluble, try taking it alongside a meal that has includes healthy fats. Think avocado toast, buttered coffee, or a smear of almond butter on an apple.

When stacked alongside other supplements, bacopa monnieri may have benefits ranging from upping cognitive abilities to decreasing stress, may experience a different outcome depending on what else you’re taking.

If improving your memory and feeling less anxious is what you’re hoping this supplement can do for you, try bacopa monnieri with the supplement Protadim. Protadim includes milk thistle, curcumin, green tea catechins, and ashwagandha. The study linking the positive effects of this stack also indicated you may get some of the benefits with just one or two of the compounds found in Protadim, so if they’re already in the mix for you, all the better. Keep in mind that most users report that these benefits can take a few weeks of continuous use to show up, so be patient. During that time, some people have decreased motivation and a little trouble getting to sleep, so the adjustment period can be a little bit tricky.

Another name-brand supplement, Perment, stacks bacopa monnieri with asparagus, ashwagandha, and clitoria ternatea. Some research suggests that this combination may relieve symptoms of depression naturally. While there’s evidence of the link between taking this supplement and diminishing the symptoms of depression, the effect won’t be complete, so don’t consider this a standalone treatment. Anticipate minor reductions in your symptoms. This shouldn’t take the place of an antidepressant that your doctor prescribes, but if you’re interested in trying an Ayurvedic approach alongside a Western one, ask your healthcare provider about this.

There’s some data to suggest bacopa monniere stacked with yohimbine can help to dull your perception of pain if you take a high dose, and conjecture that a cocktail of bacopa monnieri and caffeine may hinder stress-inducing dopamine spikes.

Where can I get Bacopa Monnieri?

In addition to the supplements Protadim and Perment, you’ll find bacopa monnieri in Nootrobox’s RISE supplement, where it’s stacked with rhodiola rosea and Alpha-GPC. Some research and anecdotal evidence suggests this combination can improve your memory and resiliency. The standard dose for bacopa monnieri is about 300mg per day in many nootropic stacks.

Have you tried bacopa monnieri? What do you stack yours with? Tell us in the comments!

Photo: Bacopa Monnieri by Forest & Kim Star via Wikimedia Commons.

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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 manufacturer claims Dopamine Brain Food (click for best price) can improve motor function and balance, and potentially increase learning capacity, motivation, confidence, and focus. Unlike some nootropic makers, Natural Stacks includes quite a few references and research citations on their page, not an unbiased source, but it’s good to trace where they’re drawing their conclusions.

Read on for our full Dopamine Brain Food review, and see if this stack has enough of an effect on dopamine production to increase mental alertness, and potentially physical performance.

Dopamine Brain Food Nutrition Label

The Ingredients

Vitamin C (Quali®-C ascorbic acid) – 500 mg

Perhaps  the world’s most well-known nutrient, vitamin C plays numerous roles in bodily functions, including many in the brain. In the world of on-the-go nutrition, many Americans still fall short of their daily recommendation.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal-5-phosphate) – 5 mg

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble essential vitamin involved in the production of neurotransmitters. Studies show that when taken in conjunction with magnesium, B6 improved school attention in children diagnosed with ADHD.

Along with phenylalanine (below), vitamin B6 is included in this stack because increased cAMP levels also increase dopamine synthesis. B6 and phenylalanine give the body a greater supply of dopamine’s building blocks to help compensate for the compound’s increased synthesis.

Folate(Quatrefolic® (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, glucosamine salt) – 1 mg

Another B vitamin linked to brain health and function.

Vitamin B-12 (Methylcobalamin) – 5 mg

An essential nutrient, B12 plays an important role in numerous bodily functions, including neurological function and development. The particular form of B12 contained in Dopamine Brain Food is a form most often used to reduce brain fog and promote mental energy due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.

Selenium (L-Selenomethionine) – 55 mcg

Selenium is an element linked to thyroid function.

L-Phenylalanine – 500 mg

L-Phenylanine is an amino acid that promotes general brain function and reduces the effects of age-related memory decline. This is the highest concentration of the compound we’ve seen in a supplement to date. Some potential side effects of L-phenylalanine supplementation include headaches and jitters. Those with Parkinson’s and schizophrenia can develop other negative symptoms when taking phenylalanine.

L-Tyrosine – 500 mg

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.

Trimethylglycine (TMG) – 750 mg

Also known as betaine, this ingredient may act similarly to choline when ingested, though its most documented benefits are actually in the realm of physical performance (reduced fatigue, increased muscular endurance). This is a compound we don’t see often in the world of nootropics, mostly because so much of the research evidence surrounding it has to do with muscular endurance rather than brain enhancement.

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

Usage Guidelines

For Mental Alertness, take a serving of 2 or 3 capsules in the morning, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner. Do not take more than 3 capsules per day.

Dopamine Brain Fuel works synergistically with CILTEP by ensuring that the increase in intracellular cAMP is supported for an extended period of time, leading to even more pronounced motivation and focus.

What Our Testers Say

“I started with 3 capsules on an empty stomach before I headed to the gym, a first test I like to try with some nootropics that claim a physical benefit, and I felt the effects as soon as the first day. I noticed it the most on my motivation throughout the day, felt a good drive to get things done. I will be keeping this supplement in my rotation for sure.”

“This is by far one of my favorite supplements I’ve tried recently. None of the jitteriness I get with stimulant-based formulas, and I feel focused, alert, and pretty motivated when trying Dopamine Brain Food.”

“I felt a definite increase in alertness, and I also felt like I was able to be fully engaged in the task at hand, rather than being easily distracted. The instructions suggest stacking it with CILTEP, which I tried, but I didn’t feel anything special when adding CILTEP (I’ve never felt much noticeable difference from that supplement. Instead, I’ve been stacking Dopamine Brain Food with BioCreatine for an extra ATP kick.”

“I’m a fan of this stuff, though I’m not sure I’d take it every day. Within the first few days of taking it, I felt an urge to attack all of the open items on my list, and I felt sharp and capable. I paired three pills with my coffee in the morning, and it was a solid feeling. But I generally like to cycle on and off anything that affects serotonin or dopamine production to allow my body time to return to a baseline.”

BrainWiz Tips

• Dopamine Brain Food contains no caffeine, and our testers had success pairing it with caffeinated drinks.
• Our testers reported no negative side effects during our review of Dopamine Brain Food. But as with any supplement regime, it’s a good idea consult your doctor or medical professional beforehand.
• A few of testers felt diminishing effects after roughly a week of taking Dopamine Brain Food. After a few days off from the supplement, taking a serving of Dopamine Brain Food again produce a cognitive and physical boost. We found success cycling off on the weekends or cycling off for one week every three to four weeks in order to keep feeling the benefits when starting up again.

Supplement Summary

Dopamine Brain Food is a caffeine-free stack designed to increase and support the production of dopamine. Our testers really liked this product, and most of them have said that they will keep the product in their supplement rotation. Though its observed effects can  diminish over time, taking a break from the supplement for a couple of days was enough time for its effectiveness to return.

The post Dopamine Brain Food Review: Natural Stacks’ Motivational Super Supp? appeared first on Brain Wiz.