Suffice it to say, we were surprised. What surprised us most about CogniYouth is what it opted to leave out, namely stimulatory ingredients such as caffeine and guarana. What it does have is a list of ten of the most trusted natural nootropic ingredients in dosages around where we like to see each fall.

Another thing that stood out? The doctor-approved certificate right on their site, along with the name and opinion of an actual M.D. (click on the button in the bottom right). CogniYouth calls itself the “ultimate brain vitamin,” and with seemingly quality ingredients prioritized over the quick buzz of stimulants and “proprietary blends,” we were excited to see if it worked. Read below to see our take.

CogniYouth Label

The Ingredients

Vitamin B6, 5 mg and Vitamin B12, 20 mcg

Two important B vitamin complexes linked to reduced fatigue and mental performance. Some of the most common nootropic ingredients we see that work synergistically in brain boosting blends.

Bacopa monnieri extract, 300 mg

Bacopa Monnieri is an herb used as an antidepressant and a cognitive booster. While performing stressful cognitive tests, subjects taking Bacopa Monnieri experienced the herb’s nootropic effects and reduced both stress and cortisol levels.

Choline Bitartrate, 200 mg

Choline-Bitartrate is a vitamin-like chemical thought to help enhance levels of acetylcholine. Choline is an essential nutrient vital for brain function.

Rhodiola rosea (standardized to 3% Rosavins), 200 mg

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.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCL, 200 mg

This compound pairs very well with choline; when combined, the two form the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Having both in the same supplement is a good hedge in case the body is deficient in either compound.

Ginkgo Biloba, 120 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.

Soybean extract (phosphatidylserine), 100 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.

DMAE Bitartrate, 50 mg

Also known as Deanol, DMAE is a chemical used to improve memory and boost brain function.  It’s especially important in the production of choline (see Choline-Bitartrate, below), one of the building blocks of acetylcholine, vital for nervous system function.

Huperzine A, 50 mcg

Huperzine A is a compound usually derived from Chinese club moss that has been used to improve cognitive performance in patients with declining mental health.

Other ingredients: Gelatin, rice flour, silica, magnesium stearate, and titanium dioxide.

Usage Guidelines

We recommend taking 2 capsules in the morning with food, daily. CogniYouth was carefully designed as a daily “Brain Vitamin” with the intention of aiding in overall brain health, memory, concentration, energy and well-being while battling the effects of age-related cognitive decline.

CogniYouth will be effective and safe to take continuously provided you stick to recommended dosages. If you are on prescribed medication, consult with your doctor or prescribing health care practitioner about taking CogniYouth while on medication.

What Our Testers Say

“I’m a fan of Rhodiola rosea as an adaptogen [fights the physical effects of stress], and I was glad to see it paired with ingredients that compliment its properties. CogniYouth doesn’t have caffeine or stimulants, though I did experience a bit of an energy boost from the B vitamins, and the adaptogens on the ingredient list were helpful in fighting off mid-day fatigue (I fall victim to the 2pm lull pretty easily). This isn’t a turbo-charged nootropic stack, and it won’t turn you into the guy from Limitless, but for something touted as a ”˜brain vitamin,’ I could definitely see myself taking it most mornings.”

“CogniYouth wasn’t super fast acting, and the manufacturer suggests its impact builds over time. I didn’t feel a crazy boost, but it was at least on par with what I normally feel taking Rhodiola or bacopa on their own or in combo. If I’m approaching a tight deadline and need to supercharge my mind, it wouldn’t be what I reached for. But that’s not really the point, and it may be a solid entry point for people looking to try out a nootropic.”

“I really appreciated that this didn’t have caffeine in it, as I’ve been trying to carefully watch my intake of stimulants, I think a lot of people ignore how powerful even caffeine can be. So I was pleased to see some of my favorite ingredients in a caffeine-free stack, which is something we’ve been hoping for from some other companies for awhile.”

“The focus I felt from CogniYouth was mild. But I don’t think it’s right to treat this like some of the other nootropic stacks we’ve tested, it’s meant more for brain health and effects that build over time, not the fast-metabolizing energy I like from some other stacks.”

BrainWiz Tips

• Take with food in the morning to optimize supplement digestion and minimize the risk of an upset stomach.
• CogniYouth is caffeine free, though several of our testers enjoyed taking it with coffee in the morning.

Supplement Summary

CogniYouth didn’t blow us away with a rapid burst of energy or a proprietary ingredient stack. But its effects were consistent, and it may just be the stimulant-free stack a few of our testers have been looking for.

If you’re new to nootropics or want to reduce your use of caffeine, this is one of our current top choices with ingredients we come back to time and time again.

The post The Ideal Stimulant-Free Stack? Reviewing CogniYouth appeared first on Brain Wiz.

But a look at the label doesn’t tell the full story, so we put Neurorise to the test to see if its stack hit an effective sweet spot or proved to be overkill. Read below to find out our take.

The Ingredients

Vitamin D3, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12

These are some of the most common vitamin ingredients, in forms good for brain-friendly metabolization, we see in nootropic formulas. They also interactions with other ingredients in the formula that boost individual and combined effects on cognition, memory recall, and focus.

Rhodiola Rosea (3% Rosavins, 2% Salidrosides)

Rhodiola Rosea is an herb and noted adaptogen used to combat fatigue and fight the effects of stress. Many of our testers like it on its own as a stress-fighting supplement, and it’s been linked to very few negative side effects, if any.

L-Theanine

L-Thanine is an amino acid that supports mood, helps with repetitive tasks, and is often paired with caffeine to prevent jitteriness.

Caffeine Anhydrous

The world’s most popular stimulant, caffeine actually blocks androgen receptors in the brain, fighting fatigue. We like the pairing with L-Theanine in this supplement.

Bacopa Monnieri P.E. 20%

Bacopa Monnieri is an herb used as an antidepressant and a cognitive booster. While performing stressful cognitive tests, subjects taking Bacopa Monnieri experienced the herb’s nootropic effects and reduced both stress and cortisol levels.

DMAE Bitartrate

Also known as Deanol, DMAE is a chemical used to improve memory and boost brain function. It’s especially important in the production of choline (see Choline-Bitartrate, below), one of the building blocks of acetylcholine, vital for nervous system function.

Soybean Extract (standardized to 20% Phosphatidylserine)

This form of phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid that is involved in maintaining healthy nerve membranes. It supports the brain’s ability to learn and process new information.

Choline-Bitartrate

Choline-Bitartrate is a vitamin-like chemical thought to help enhance levels of acetylcholine.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha Lipoic Acid is an antioxidant that has been used to treat memory loss and chronic fatigue.

Vinpocetine

Vinpocetine is a chemical derived from the periwinkle plant. It can increase cerebral blood flow.

Huperzine A

Huperzine A is a compound that has been used to improve cognitive performance in patients with Alzheimer’s.

Other Ingredients: Gelatin, brown rice bran, silicon dioxide, vegetable magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide.

Usage Guidelines

To help support increased mental performance, begin by taking 1-2 capsules preferably with food. Depending on desired effect, tolerance, and body type, you may increase the dosage to a single serving of 3-4 capsules. Do not exceed 4 capsules per serving or 6 capsules in any 24 hour period.

What Our Testers Say

“I’ve seen these ingredients before across a lot of nootropic supplements, and this particular combination worked well for me. On their site, Neurorise says the supplement can ”˜boost your performance and exercise capacity’ in the gym, so I’ve been trying it before workouts, with great results.”

“I really liked this supplement and worked up to four capsules in a morning serving, always with breakfast (pills on an empty stomach is a nausea risk for some, and I’m not immune from that). With its caffeine content, Neurorise is a supplement I’d probably want to cycle, maybe a week on and then a few days off before going back to it. I appreciated the energy and clean-feeling focus it gave me.”

“I’d definitely recommend sticking to the usage guidelines on this one, it can be powerful! One or two capsules in the morning does plenty for me; I also had success by taking one capsule with breakfast and one with lunch, splitting up the dosage. Nothing in this stack is blow-you-out-of-the-water innovative, but it’s got some tried and true compounds in a good combination. I liked the focus and sense of motivation I got while taking it. It doesn’t act as fast as Lumonol, but it felt nice and sustained.”

“I’ll never give up my morning coffee (unless I have some serious prodding), but this is a supp that can stand on its own, no additional caffeine required. I worry too many capsules in one serving would cause jitteriness, but I kept to the recommendations and only experienced energy.”

BrainWiz Tips

• Consider taking Neurorise without coffee, you probably won’t need the additional stimulation.
• Take with food to boost absorption and for more sustained energy throughout the day.
• Two of our testers felt diminishing effects after roughly a week of taking Neurorise. After a few days off from the supplement, taking one or more capsules  of Neurorise once again produced a good rush of energy. We recommend cycling it every week or so.
• As with any supplement or nutritional regimen, you should talk to your doctor or medical professional before use, especially if you have a sensitivity to any ingredients in the supplement.

Supplement Summary

Neurorise may not be the most innovative stack on the market, but after testing it out, we actually respect that. Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel and falling flat, Neurorise built a supplement that delivers on its promise of both energy and focus.

It’s not the fastest acting or quite the longest lasting nootropic we’ve tested, but it’s probably all you need for a brain boost in a convenient delivery system (as opposed to combining multiple supplements or trying to time things precisely).

The post Proven Ingredients In The Right Combo? Reviewing Neurorise appeared first on Brain Wiz.

We put Neurofuse to the test. Read below to see what each of our four testers thought about this broad-spectrium nootropic stack in our full Neurofuse review.

Neurofuse Ingredients

The Ingredients

Neurofuse comes in capsule form. There are 30 two-capsule servings per bottle.

• Vitamin D3, 667iu
  • Vitamin D3 is a fat-soluble vitamin many Westerners, especially adults, do not get enough of, making it one of our most common vitamin deficiencies. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to cardiovascular disease, mood disorders, and impaired cognition. This isn’t a massive amount of vitamin D by any means, but it’s a fairly common inclusion in many nootropic stacks and may aid the absorption of other ingredients in Neurofuse.
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), 3.3mg
  • 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. Vitamin B6 may also increase the vividness of dreams and our ability to recall them.
• Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin), 33.3mcg
  • Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble essential vitamin directly related to brain health, including memory and actual brain mass. A number of studies have noted positive associations between vitamin B12 intake and memory tests.
• Neurofuse Blend – 903mg
  • There are no listed amounts for each individual component of the proprietary blend, but the ingredients are below.
• Rhodiola Rosea (3% Rosavins, 2% Salidrosides)
  • Rhodiola Rosea is a herb long used in holistic medicine as an anti-fatigue agent. It’s also linked to an increase in the brain’s ability to handle and process stress. This is a fairly common ingredient in many nootropics, and several of our testers find it effective for them. It’s also been linked to very few, if any, negative side effects in clinical and research studies.
• 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 when used in conjunction with L-Theanine. This is a combo naturally present in green tea, which could account for that beverage’s calming effects.
• L-Theanine
  • L-Theanine is an amino acid known to support a calm mood without inducing sleepiness. When used in conjunction with caffeine, it has been observed to reduce error rates while performing tasks.
• Bacopa Monnieri P.E. 20%
  • Bacopa Monnieri is an adaptogenic herb used in Ayurveda as an antidepressant and a cognitive booster. While performing stressful cognitive tests, users taking Bacopa Monnieri experienced reduced stress and lowered cortisol (a stress hormone) levels.
• DMAE Bitartrate
  • DMAE Bitrate, or Deanol,  is a chemical that’s been used to treat ADHD, improve memory, and boost cognitive function. Deanol is essential to the production of choline, one of the building blocks of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is vital for a number of nervous system activities, including signaling the heart to keep beating.
• Phosphatidylserine 20%
  • Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid required to maintain healthy nerve cell membranes. It supports cognitive function and the ability to learn and recall new information.
• 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.
• Choline-Bitartrate
  • Choline-Bitartrate, a vitamin-like chemical, is thought to help enhance the levels of acetylcholine in the brain and body, one of the neurotransmitters involved in learning, and other cognitive processes. Some broad spectrum nootropic stacks include compounds involved in choline production without actually pairing them with a choline source; Neurofuse seems to have avoided that mistake.
• Vinpocetine
  • Vinpocetine is a chemical derived from the periwinkle plant, possibly linked to increased cerebral blood flow.
• Huperzine A
  • Huperzine A is a compound derived from Chinese club moss that has been used to improve cognitive performance in patients with Alzheimer’s.
• Other Ingredients: Brown Rice Flour, Magnesium Stearate, Titanium Dioxide, Gelatin

Usage Guidelines

For mental performance: Start with 1-2 capsules per day with food. Work up to 3-4 capsules depending on desired effect and tolerance.

Note: We had BrainWiz testers take between 1 and 4 capsules per day to test a broad range of dosages.

What Our Testers Say

“This supplement was great for me. I took this an hour before heading into the gym  in lieu of my caffeine-containing pre-workout drink, and it was very effective. I had great workouts, and both the energy and sharpened focused lasted well after my workout was over. I started with two capsules and worked my way up to four. That may be a pretty high dosage for simply being productive at work, but I noticed an effect on my workouts, definitely.”

“Neurofuse gave me a jolt of energy. I started with one pill, and although I felt focused and sharp, I also experienced some slight, very slight, jitteriness. The next time I took it, I didn’t experience the jitters, though I stayed at a pretty low dosage (never more than two capsules, most often just one was enough). I would love to see this product offered without the caffeine, since I did feel like it increased my ability to focus and get through an enormous opposition brief under a tight deadline. I will take Neurofuse again, but like I said, probably one capsule at a time.”

“I started out taking 1 capsule (I also drink coffee in the morning). It gave me a definite sharpness well into the afternoon during the workday. I worked up to three capsules. I didn’t experience the big energy wave like some of the other BrainWiz testers, but I felt sharp and like I was able to handle stress just a little bit better than normal. This was one of the first nootropic stacks I ever tested, and I keep coming back to it at least once a month.”

“I started with two capsules and worked my way up to four. I felt focused and energized, for the first four days, but they the effects seemed to diminish a little bit over time. I took 1 day off, and then went back to three then four pills with great results.”

BrainWiz Tips

• Neurofuse contains caffeine, and although the amount is not listed, it is enough to cause jitteriness in people with caffeine sensitivity, if taken alongside your morning coffee. Do as the manufacturer says and start slowly.
• In our review of Neurofuse, our testers preferred taking the nootropic stack in the morning or just after lunch to help fight the afternoon crash.
• Except for the occasional jitteriness, 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.
• Take just before eating to take advantage of an active digestive system and promote absorption.

Neurofuse Summary

Neurofuse is a broad-spectrium nootropic stack featuring a number of powerful, popular ingredients, including caffeine, in a convenient delivery system. It turned out to be a favorite among our testers, who all felt a cognitive boost.

In addition to a mental boost, some of our testers feel increased physical energy and stamina; at least one of our testers found it most effective to take pre-workout. Though its perceived effects seemed to diminish very slightly over time, taking a break from the supplement for a day or two seems to be enough time for Neurofuse’s effectiveness to return.

The post Neurofuse Review: Can You Optimize Your Neurons? appeared first on Brain Wiz.