Supplements and the (lack) of Science Behind Them.
Where is the proof?
Some supplements seem to have a well thought out list of ingredients, but most are simply multivitamins that include caffeine. Think Gum is one of the few products designed by a PhD with high-quality science to back up the fact it works. Think Gum is also the only supplement in chewing gum form, which allows ingredients to be delivered quickly and efficiently in a dosage that further enhances focus. Think Gum contains supplements with high-quality peer-reviewed research at doses appropriate to act as intended. It is the only supplement on the market with published peer-reviewed research documenting the fact that it has efficacy. Here is a breakdown of the ingredients and science in some of the most popular nootropic brain supplements for sale:
Think Gum – Active Ingredients: Peppermint and rosemary flavored gum with guarana (caffeine), vinpocetine, bacopa and ginkgo biloba.
Science: A randomized, controlled, published-peer reviewed published study showed that Think Gum improved memory by over 25%.
Alpha Brain – Active Ingredients: L-tyrosine, L-theanine, oatstraw, phosphatidylserine, incaria tomentosa, L-alpha glyceryl, phosphorylcholine, bacopa, huperizia serrata, L-leucine, vinpocetine, pterostilbene
Science: Two studies were conducted via a 3rd party private organization. Neither study was ever peer reviewed or published. The pilot 17 person study showed very minor differences between alpha brain and placebo with no differences noted in most tests. The details of a larger 60 person study have not been published.
Focus+ – Active Ingredients: huperzine, vinpocetine, B12, niacin, green coffee (caffeine), green tea (caffeine), kola nut, black tea (caffeine), DMAE, holy basil, peppermint, phodiola, ginkgo biloba, acetyl L-carnitine, white tea (caffeine), alpha glycerol, phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl serine.
Science: None.
Now True Focus – Active Ingredients: vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, L-tyrosine , L-phenylalanine, taurine, grapeseed extract, potassium ascorbate, DMAE, ginkgo biloba, coenzyme Q10.
Science: None.
Neuro Clarity – Active Ingredients: Ginkgo biloba, phosphatidylserine, acetyl-L cartinie, L-glutamine, DMAE, bacopa, vinpocetine.
Science: None.
Lumidex – Active Ingredients: Ginkgo biloba, phosphatidylserine, acetyl-L cartinie, st. johns wort, glutamine, DMAE, bacopa, vinpocetine, hyperzine-A.
Science: None.
Weyland: Focus – Active Ingredients: vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, biotin pantothenic acid, magnesium, zinc, manganese, guarana (caffeine), acetyl-L carnitine, alpha GPC , CDP-choline , phosphatidylserine, L-dopa, DL-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, bacopa, rhodiola extract, ginseng, L-theanine, alpha-lipoic acid, maca, ashwagandha, gingko, co-Enzyme Q10, NADH, huperzine-A.
Science: None.
Ciltep – Active Ingredients: vitamin B6, artichoke extract, coleus forskohii extract, L-phenylanine, acetyl L-cartinine.
Science: None.
Focusfactor – Active Ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, potassium, diemethylaminoethanol, L-glutamine, bacopin, L-pyroglutamic acid, phosphatidylserin, docosahexanoic acid concentrate, choline, inositol, N-acetyltyrosine, bilberry fruit extract, GABA, activin, vinpocetine, trace lyte, huperzine A, boron, vanadium, and grape skin extract.
Science: The makers appear to have conducted a study on Focus Factor and supposedly got great results, however the details of the study cannot be found online and the results have never been published. In fact, the makers of Focus factor were sued by the FTC and were forced to pay 1 million dollars in damages for making unsubstantiated claims.