1. I want something with caffeine (Alpha BRAIN is caffeine free, and while this is also something a lot of people cite as a benefit, preferences of course differ)
2. I want a simpler formula
3. I want a more transparent formula (Alpha BRAIN doesn’t publicly release the exact makeup of their proprietary blends, but they have generally been revealed in one research source)
4. Alpha BRAIN is too expensive
5. I just want to try something different

To make it easier to find some of the best Alpha BRAIN alternatives, we’ve highlighted these reasons and some of our favorite solutions below.

Have another Alpha BRAIN alternative you love? Let us know in the comments!

You Want Something Simpler

Alpha BRAIN is a broad-spectrum nootropic, meaning it contains a high number of ingredients that, while potentially synergistic, have numerous different effects on the brain and body. It has 12 active ingredients, many of which might not carry a potent effect for everyone.

Learn what our testers think about Alpha BRAIN in our review.

One of our current favorite Alpha BRAIN alternatives with a very straightforward formulation is RISE by Nootrobox. It has just three active ingredients: rhodiola rosea, bacopa monnieri, and Alpha-GPC. And unlike Onnit, Nootrobox is very upfront with how much of which ingredients are in its supplements.

Learn more about RISE in our full review.

Like Alpha BRAIN, RISE is caffeine-free and is designed for daily use. Both supplements contain notable adaptogens, though only RISE contains rhodiola, which our testers have anecdotally found to give a mental as well as physical boost. Both supplements contain Alpha-GPC, the highest-quality form of choline you’ll find in nootropics (and the form most able to cross the blood-brain barrier). Learn more about Alpha-GPC here.

It’s worth noting that Bacopa and Alpha-GPC are both found in Alpha BRAIN, though in significantly smaller quantities than RISE; Alpha BRAIN contains 240 mg of their Focus Blend, which includes both ingredients, while RISE contains 300 mg of each.

You Want Something More Powerful With Caffeine

Alpha BRAIN’s caffeine-free formula is famous and pairs well with coffee. However, some people want a powerful, fast-acting nootropic formula that gives them a more perceptible energy boost. In that case, our testers prefer Lumonol.

Lumonol is another broad-spectrum nootropic stack that includes a choline source, but it’s paired with guarana (a potent caffeine source) and noopept, a fast-metabolizing compound that can provide a cognitive boost shortly after ingestion (similar to, but potentially more potent than, piracetam).

Lumonol is one of our highest-rated nootropics and one of the fastest-acting, highest-energy blends we’ve tried. Find out more about Lumonol and who it may be best for in our review.

truBrain is another fast-acting nootropic our testers generally had good experiences with, and it’s one with a transparent list of ingredients plus the backing of an impressive team of neuroscientists. We found their liquid shots, which come in caffeinated and non-caffeinated forms, tasty and convenient.

You Want Something Cheaper

Onnit isn’t known for bargain-basement prices, though they occasionally release coupons and discounts. (Find out how to get the cheapest Alpha BRAIN at our coupons portal.)

If you’re looking for a broad-spectrum nootropic at a cheaper price, especially one that’s accessible to beginners, our testers recommend looking at Cognitex. It has a pretty different ingredient profile than Alpha BRAIN, but we overall enjoyed it, and it paired very well with coffee and other sources of caffeine like Smart Caffeine. If you take into account the price per serving, Cognitex is about half the price of Alpha BRAIN (assuming a 2-capsule serving of Alpha BRAIN).

Read our full Cognitex review here. 

Another cheaper option per serving is Choline Force by Bulletproof (also known as Upgraded Self). Find out about our experience with Choline Force in our review.

You Want Something More Transparent

Again, Onnit isn’t always the most forthcoming with their exact formulations. Of the options listed above, RISE, Cognitex, and Choline Force are all very transparent in their formulations, in fact, transparent ingredient amounts is one of the founding principles of a company like Nootrobox. As far as a stimulant-free stack with a quality, no-gimmicks formula our testers enjoyed, RISE is currently our preferred alternative to Alpha BRAIN.

Still looking for that perfect stack? Check out our Ultimate Beginner’s Guide for rankings of the best nootropics.

Quick note: Some in the biohacking community enjoy creating their own blends and mixing raw ingredients. We primarily review consumer-ready supplements and don’t put out recommendations for at-home or self-packed supplements made from raw ingredients meant for research purposes, which can carry its own set of risks. When starting any new supplement regimen, please use common sense and don’t be afraid to consult with your healthcare provider.

The post What’s the Best Alpha BRAIN Alternative? appeared first on Brain Wiz.

Read on to find out what our testers thought of this stack…

Cognitex Label

The Ingredients

• Alpha-Glyceryl Phosphoryl Choline (A-GPC) – 600 mg
  • Choline is a vital compound in neurotransmission, and research suggests many Americans don’t get enough from their regular diets. (In fact, choline-based nootropics are increasingly common, and some of our testers have experienced enhanced memory and focus simply from supplementing choline.)
• Phosphatidylserine [from Sharp-PS Green®] – 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.
• Brain Shield® (Gastrodin) – 50 mg
  • Gastrodin is a compound derived from the Chinese Orchid, and has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat both neurovascular and neuroinflammatory conditions. Studies show it to be effective in the treatment of anxiety.
• Pregnenolone – 50 mg
  • Pregnenolone is a neurosteroid that has been studied as a treatment for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and has been shown to enhance learning and memory in rodents.
• Vinpocetine – 20 mg
  • Vinpocetine is a chemical derived from the periwinkle plant, known to increase cerebral blood flow. Doctors in Hungary have been prescribing this compound to treat cerebrovascular disorders for decades.
• Leucoselect® grape extract (seed) – 150 mg
  • A powerful antioxidant shown to improve total antioxidant activity (TAC).
• Blue Activ Wild Blueberry extract (fruit) – 150 mg
  • This extract is loaded with anthocyanins and pterostilbene, polyphenolic compounds shown to improve memory.
• Sensoril® Ashwagandha extract (root and leaf) [providing 10 mg withanolide glycoside conjugates] – 125 mg
  • 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.
• Uridine-5′-monophosphate (disodium) – 50 mg
  • Uridine-5′ monophosphate is a nucleotide shown to increase levels of choline in the brain when taken orally.
• Proprietary NeuroProtection Complex Blend – 125 mg
  • There are no listed amounts for each individual component of the proprietary blend, but the ingredients are below.
• Perluxan® Hops standardized extract (cones)
  • In addition to being a flavoring ingredient in beer, hops have also been used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
• Rosemary Standardized extract (leaf)
  • The active compound in rosemary is Rosmarinic acid, a noted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
• Other Ingredients: Safflower oil, softgel (gelatin, glycerin, purified water, sorbitol, carob color), sunflower lecithin, maltodextrin, silica, modified food starch.

Usage Guidelines

• Take two (2) softgels daily with or without food, or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner. Exceeding recommended serving may cause serious adverse health effects.
• Possible side effects include acne, hair loss, hair growth on the face (in women), aggressiveness, irritability, and increased levels of estrogen.
• Discontinue use and call a physician or licensed qualified healthcare professional immediately if you experience rapid heartbeat, dizziness, blurred vision, or other similar symptoms. Do not take this product if you have a history of seizures.
• Do not take this product if you have breast cancer, prostate cancer, or other hormone-sensitive diseases. If you are taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, or have a bleeding disorder, consult with your healthcare provider before taking this product.

What Our Testers Say

“I took this for a few weeks in the morning with my caffeine-heavy pre-workout drink. There was a definite reduction in brain fog, specially by the end of week two.”

“This supplement is a little too mild for me. I took it with my coffee and even stacked it with Smart Caffeine, but there just wasn’t enough edge for me.”

“While this is not the most potent nootropic I’ve tried, I felt like it really helped me manage work stress and stress-related mood swings. I took Cognitex during two weeks of crazy work deadlines, and I feel like it really helped me power through it without loosing my mind. I took it in the morning with my coffee. ”

“This mellow caffeine-free supplement felt a lot more like brain food than an actual nootropic. I felt like I was doing something good for my brain, which could be part of why I felt slightly energized, and more focused while taking it.”

BrainWiz Tips

• We recommend taking with food to avoid a potentially upset stomach.
• Our testers reported mild effect, and no jitteriness. This is an entry-level nootropic potentially well suited to beginners.
• This supplement seems to pair well with coffee, tea,  guarana or other sources of caffeine.
• As with any supplement or nutritional regimen, you should check with your doctor or medical professional if you have any existing conditions or intolerances.

Supplement Summary

Cognitex is a mild cognitive enhancer with apparent cumulative effects, and it is a great option for those just starting to explore nootropics. It also pairs well with coffee or other stimulants, as well as a mitochondrial booster like Unfair Advantage. If you have been considering a nootropic, but have been hesitant, this supplement is a solid starter supplement.

The post An Ideal Starter Stack? Reviewing Cognitex By Life Extension appeared first on Brain Wiz.

One of those is Neuro-Mag (click for the best price), a form of magnesium that the manufacturer claims has specific brain boosting benefits. We had two of our intrepid testers try Neuro-Mag for 30 days. Read below to see what they had to say, including how the supplement performed on its own and stacked with other nootropics.

Neuro-Mag By Life Extension Label

The Ingredients

• Active Ingredients: Magnesium (from 2000 mg Magtein magnesium L-threonate) – 144 mg
  Magnesium is one of the minerals many Westerners (especially Americans, and ESPECIALLY active exercisers and athletes) are deficient in. It plays important roles in muscular health, sleep, and brain function. But magnesium comes in many different compounds and forms.
• Magnesium threonate is the form of dietary magnesium most closely associated with improved brain health in recent research, largely due to its somewhat unique ability to easily cross the blood-brain barrier; magnesium in most other forms has more difficulty reaching the brain. The form of Magnesium Threonate in the study summary linked above, Magtein, is the same found in Life Extension’s Neuro-Mag.
• Other Ingredients: vegetable cellulose (capsule), rice bran, stearic acid, silica.

Usage Guidelines

Take three (3) capsules daily with or without food, or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner. Magnesium L-Threonate has less of a laxative effect than other forms of magnesium.

What Our Testers Say

“I took a 30-day course of Neuro-Mag, and I noticed several different, but pronounced, things. First, I slept slightly better throughout. This was a bit surprising, as the amount of elemental magnesium in Neuro-Mag is less than you’ll find in many sleep formulas. Focus and memory-wise, I really enjoyed this supplement. I felt less forgetful and sharper even when not pairing it with other nootropic formulas. I especially enjoyed pairing this with supplements that contained Rhodiola, like Neurofuse (or just plain Rhodiola rosea). When I paired the two, I felt primed and ready to take on a number of stressful tasks.”

“My sleep improved a bit here, but maybe not quite as much as when taking a form of magnesium meant for relaxation (like one would find in Natural Calm). I liked Neuro-Mag and usually try to get some extra magnesium, so this seems like a decent way to do so with a brain-optimized form.”

BrainWiz Tips

• When starting magnesium supplementation, some people experience a laxative effect. This is less common with magnesium threonate, and neither of our testers experienced it.
• We recommend taking with food to avoid a potentially upset stomach.
• Neuro-Mag contains less than a recommended daily serving of magnesium, because the special form (threonate) contains less elemental magnesium than some other supplements. If you think you’re magnesium deficient, it’s worth consulting with your doctor.

Supplement Summary

Neuro-Mag is a straightforward way to supplement magnesium threonate, which both our testers felt boosted their focus and recall and also improved the effects of other nootropic stacks. It can be taken on its own and stacks well with other supplements we’ve tested. Studies have linked supplementation of this form of magnesium with neuroprotective effects and improved brain health, especially in older subjects.

There are several other nootropic magnesium stacks on the market that include other forms of magnesium in addition to magnesium threonate; many contain a higher overall concentration of elemental magnesium, which has potential benefits beyond brain health. One of our favorites is currently MagTech, which we reviewed here.

The post Magnesium For Your Mind? Reviewing Neuro-Mag By Life Extension appeared first on Brain Wiz.