What are Nootropics?
If you’re looking to improve your mental agility, motivation, intelligence and memory, Nootropics could be for you. There are different types of smart drugs – some originate in a laboratory whilst others are derived from nature using plants that have nootropic qualities. Before we continue, it’s important to realize that taking Nootropics is not going to turn you into a brainbox overnight and neither will you be flying a lot higher in the IQ stakes the moment you pop a pill. However, if you stick to a good nootropic regimen you will start to notice some positive results. Not only will you be more focused and motivated, but you will also find your memory and general intelligence starts to improve. In general, Nootropics help to promote good mental health.
Of course, you might be sitting there thinking that this is a load of hogwash and you’d be forgiven for thinking that. After all, there are so many snake oil remedies on the market today that claim to do this and cure that and it’s hard to know what to believe. However, Nootropics are different in that they have been scientifically proven to help mental agility and the future for smart drugs suddenly looks quite exciting.
Interesting reviews on Alpha Brain:
One major objection that many researchers have to compounds like Alpha Brain is the issue of “crossing the blood brain barrier”. In other words, many compounds simply aren’t as good at getting access to the nervous system as others.
Alpha Brain contains GABA. GABA is an extremely important neurotransmitter – to my knowledge it is the most prevalent neurotransmitter in the human body. It is known to relieve stress, and is also known to have trouble crossing this barrier. I have experienced this myself, buying different compounds in bulk and having to take numerous horse pills to receive consistent benefits.
If you take Neurontin (aka Gabapentin), Ambien, or any other drug known to interact with GABA, you should ask your doctor if it’s safe to combine the two.
If you want to truly experience the benefits of GABA, try a sublingual version. There is a lozenge version sold here on amazon that works brilliantly! Also, if you are a person who does not get to sleep well (like myself), you will find these little lozenges to be a life saver (they also enhance relaxation significantly). I will stick one of the orange flavored lozenges inside my cheek and I’m ready for bed in record time (for me at least).
There are alternatives to check out in case you are curious (Joe encourages folks to do their research), and also because there are a vast number of other nootropic compounds that may benefit you.
The greatest benefits I have experienced with this particular mixture is the non-caffeinated energy you feel from the combination of Vinpocetine and Huperzine A
You should also check out the “Racetam” family of compounds (piracetam, aniracetam, etc.). These apparently are very effective for people with Acetylcholine deficiencies, have shown some interesting results with Alzheimer’s patients, and seem to do a great job of enhancing mental clarity – UNLESS you take too much, then you are in for a pretty bad headache.
The absolute most important ingredient in any “Multivitamin” type of Nootropic mix is a high quality choline compound like GPC (included here) or Phosphatadyl Choline. Choline is instrumental in keeping your brain healthy – especially as you age. There has been a good deal of research suggesting a linkage between choline’s byproducts (and choline itself) to improved mental clarity in patients suffering from various forms of dementia as well as alzheimers findings have been especially compelling concerning the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine. That said, more research needs to be done to establish this 100%. Also, I am not an MD. Please consult a medical professional before taking any such compound as it may interact differently with your body, especially if you are taking other medications.
Overall, I have found Alpha Brain to be pretty effective and aside from the lack of a dopamine enhancing substance like L-dopa (mentioned on the Joe Rogan Podcast by Aubrey), it’s a great product, and aside from taking the time to mix your own perfect cocktail, it’s the best one for quick and effective results. If you don’t believe me, just try taking some during a long drive. You don’t feel like a meth head, you just feel “awake”.
- Andrew M.
I’ve been taking Alpha Brain for two weeks now. My reason for doing so was to get off Adderall. So here’s the thing, the product does do “stuff.” I definitely noticed a difference in cognitive areas (especially speaking and writing). I don’t know about “lucid” but my dreams have definitely been different. It doesn’t help me fall asleep but when I get there, I sleep like a rock. It’s kind of hard to get out of bed in the morning, but once I do I lose all grogginess and lethargy within 5 minutes.
All that said, it hasn’t done a thing for my ADD or focus. It actually seems like it made it a bit worse. My thoughts tend to race by quicker and they more easily distract me. I don’t know what others define as focus, but for example it’s very difficult for me to sit and read a book on Alpha Brain. Something in the words will distract me causing me to recall something else and the next thing I know I’ve been staring at the page for three minutes not reading, on some mental tangent. This is why I was taking Adderall in the first place. So for me personally, it doesn’t help at all with ADD.
Another thing that I haven’t seen pointed out in the dose size. I’m 6’3 and 200lbs. I didn’t feel anything until I raised my dose to three pills in the morning and one at night. It’s implied that one bottle of Alpha Brain is a one month supply. That’s not right at all. It’s closer to a 7-10 day supply. That comes down to around $100 a month. Hopefully the price will come down or someone else will make a cheaper version. I’m on my second order now because I’m curious to see if things will continue, improve, or diminish. After that I think I’m gonna start experimenting with the individual ingredients for a fraction of the price.
- Austin Bans
I’ve been taking different combinations of nootropics for the past year. The blend of nootropics in this product are very good, especially the Alpha GPC and Huperzia which were two nootropics I had yet to try. Results are not immiedate but within the first week, I felt an adjustment in my cognitive functioning. I should mention I also take centrophenoxine, which I came across while researching nootropics that were more powerful than piracetam. Overall, I think I found the best mix to date. No of these cause you to become a genius if you are not already one, but they have definitely unlocked certain areas of potential that I have not reached before.
- Aaron Peterson