Alpha Brain Review – 13 Essential Things to Know

Alpha Brain is advertised as one of the best nootropics that help mental clarity, enhance focus level, and specific cognitive functions for peak mental performance.

Furthermore, using press releases and paid reviews, ONNIT claims[1][2] that this product is the only nootropic supplement clinically-studied and medically-proven to improve cognitive function.

Alpha Brain was one of the first brain supplements to target the average fitness and health enthusiast. Before ONNIT, nootropics were something only serious gamers and biohackers used.

Today, most people know that nootropics exist, and a majority of the population uses them to increase processing speeds, improve their memory, and reduce anxiety.

That is, in part, down to ONNIT and Alpha Brain.

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1) Alpha Brain at a Glance

ONNIT Alpha Brain is a nootropic supplement launched in 2011. Over the past decade, Alpha Brain has become one of the most popular brain supplements in the United States.

This supplement is advertised as a natural nootropic or a “smart drug.” The term “nootropic” was first introduced[3] in 1964 by Dr. Corneliu Giurgea, a Romanian psychologist and chemist who discovered Piracetam, the world’s first synthetic smart drug.

According to the official ONNIT website, their unique formula fits perfectly into a nootropic supplement definition[4]. It contains only natural ingredients proven to support mental speed, focus, concentration, and memory.

2) Who Makes Alpha Brain

ONNIT is an American company founded in 2010 by Aubrey Marcus. The company is located in Austin, Texas, and it has over 250 employees. According to the official website[5], ONNIT is “a lifestyle brand based on a holistic health philosophy called Total Human Optimization.”

Since its founding, ONNIT has become an Inc. 500 company and industry leader with over 250 products ranging from apparel and fitness equipment to peak performance supplements and foods.

Some of their most popular supplements include Alpha Brain (the company’s flagship product), Total Gut Health, New Mood, Total Strength + Performance, Active B Complete, Key Minerals, Virutech Antioxidant Support, Stron Bone, and Shroom Tech.

How to contact ONNIT:

• Address: Onnit, 4401 Freidrich Ln. Suite 302, Austin, TX 78744
• Phone: 1-855-ONNIT-99
• Website: onnit.com

3) Ingredients of Alpha Brain

ONNIT Alpha Brain contains the following active ingredients:

• Vitamin B6 10 mg
  Onnit Flow blend (L-Tyrosine, L-Theanine, Oat straw extract, and Phosphatidylserine) 650 mg
• Cat’s Claw bark extract 350 mg
• Onnit Focus Blend (Alpha GPC, Bacopa aerial parts extract, Toothed Clubmoss whole extract) 240 mg
• Onnit Fuel Blend (L-Leucine and Pterostilbene) 60 mg

Other ingredients include vegetarian capsule (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and water), maltodextrin, and rice hull concentrate (Nu-Flow).

4) Is Alpha Brain Right for You?

Nootropic supplements are commonly defined through several key benefits they can offer:

• Help the brain function under distress;
• Increase the efficacy of neuronal firing;
• Support concentration, the ability to learn, attention span, and memory;
• Demonstrate low toxicity and side effects, as well as a lack of characteristics common to other performance-enhancing drugs.

ONNIT’s marketing strategy is pretty smart, and its formula sounds really interesting on paper. But there are a few issues we will review below.

Let’s start with the three proprietary blends that take about 70% of the formula. Most, if not all, core active ingredients are incorporated into these three proprietary blends. This is a common practice among supplement manufacturers, but it comes with one pretty significant downside: there’s no way of knowing how much of each ingredient Alpha Brain actually contains.

But let’s take a quick look over some key ingredients with proven benefits for cognitive health.

Let’s start with Alpha-GPC. The formula developed by ONNIT contains 100 mg of Alpha-GPC, which is a powerful cholinergic. Compared to the 300 mg+ we get from other brain supplements, that seems like a very low amount. However, clinical studies showed that Alpha-GPC may benefit your brain health even in small amounts.

Studies in animal models and humans taking place since the 1990s have shown administration of Alpha-GPC improves memory performance. One of the early human studies on Alpha-GPC attempted to replicate trials performed previously in animals.

The study gave subjects ten days of Alpha-GPC or placebo before inducing temporary amnesia with a potent drug called scopolamine. Those who received Alpha-GPC experienced reduced scopolamine-induced memory impairments as measured through memory and attention tasks.

Vitamin B6 – Vitamin B6 is a vitamin that benefits the central nervous system and metabolism. Its roles include creating neurotransmitters (such as serotonin and dopamine) and turning food into energy[6].

Vitamin B6 has many functions in the body, and it plays a role in over 100 enzyme reactions. One of its primary roles is in helping the body metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and energy[7].

Vitamin B6 is also involved in[8][9]:

• Immune system function;
• Brain development during pregnancy and infancy;
• Creating neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine;
• Producing hemoglobin, which is the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen.

L-Tyrosine is another excellent addition to this nootropic formula. L-Tyrosine is an amino acid the body produces from Phenylalanine (another type of amino acid).

L-Tyrosine can be easily obtained[10] from certain foods (eggs, dairy, legumes, meat, nuts, fish, and oats), but it can also be obtained from dietary supplements.

Tyrosine is essential to your body’s melanin production (a type of pigment) and several necessary brain chemicals, including norepinephrine and dopamine.

Several clinical studies show the use of L-Tyrosine supplements may improve cognitive function under certain conditions.

A 2007 study[11] published in Physiology & Behavior discovered that the use of L-Tyrosine supplements helped defend against the harmful effects of severe cold exposure on memory and cognitive performance.

A 2010 study[12] published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition concluded that L-Tyrosine supplementation led to significantly improved alertness and focus after extensive exercise sessions.

Bacopa monnieri is an herb used for centuries in Ayurveda – the traditional medicine of India. Bacopa monnieri is generally touted as a natural treatment for thyroid health, anxiety, and memory disorders.

Preliminary studies and research indicate that Bacopa monnieri may possess antioxidant properties. The herb contains saponin compounds (known as bacosides), which may inhibit inflammation in the brain and support the communication of brain chemicals involved in memory, learning, and cognition.

A number of clinical studies suggest that Bacopa monnieri extracts may enhance cognitive function and help preserve memory.

An earlier report[13] reviewed previously published studies on Bacopa for cognitive performance and discovered some evidence indicating that extracts from this herb may improve memory during free-recall tests.

In a 2016 study[14] of 60 college students, scientists found that six weeks of twice-daily treatment with Bacopa (at a dose of 300 mg per day) drove improvements in tests relating to cognitive function.

In a report[15] published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2014, researchers analyzed nine previously published studies assessing Bacopa’s cognitive function benefits.

In their conclusion, researchers stated that Bacopa can improve cognition but that large, well-designed trials comparing the supplement to medication are needed.

5) Alpha Brain Claims

Some ONNIT Alpha Brain claimed benefits include:

• Promotes focus;
• Supports memory;
• Helps with flow state (the feeling of being “in the zone”);
• Caffeine-free;
• Gluten-free;
• Aids mental processing.

6) Potential Alpha Brain Effects

One of the main downsides of dealing with proprietary blends is that we can’t say for sure whether or not a supplement is safe. Potential adverse effects are almost always dependent on doses. You need to know how much of a substance you’re taking to know if it’s safe.

ONNIT advertises this nootropic as “virtually free of any side effects.” Based on customer reviews and what we generally know about some of the ingredients used in this supplement, that is not entirely true.

Huperzine A is not safe for everyday, long-term use[16]. Using Huperzine A daily for three weeks or more may lead to unwanted adverse effects in some users. Common Huperzine A side effects include:

• Headaches
• Confusion
• Loss of focus
• Memory impairment
• Lethargy
• Lack of motivation
• Muscle spasms
• Muscle cramps

Cat’s claw is another herbal extract that’s LIKELY SAFE when taken short-term[17]. Taking Cat’s claw for more extended periods may lead to mild side effects in some users. Some of these adverse effects may include dizziness, headaches, and vomiting.

7) Alpha Brain Warnings and Precautions

Huperzine A contains chemicals that can affect the brain and heart, and it may interact with specific prescriptions[18], including:

• Cholinergic medications, such as Pilocarpine (Pilocar), Donepezil (Aricept), and Tacrine (Cognex);
• Drying medications (Anticholinergic drugs), such as Tropine and Scopolamine;
• Antidepressants;
• Antihistamines (medicines used for allergies);
• Medications for Alzheimer’s disease.

Cat’s claw may also interact[19] with certain prescriptions, including:

• Antihypertensive drugs (medications for high blood pressure), such as Captopril (Capoten), Enalapril (Vasotec), Losartan (Cozaar), Valsartan (Diovan), Diltiazem (Cardizem), and Amlodipine (Norvasc);
• Immunosuppressants (medications that decrease the immune system), such as Azathioprine (Imuran), Basiliximab (Simulect), Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), Daclizumab (Zenapax), and Sirolimus (Rapamune).

8) Where to Buy Alpha Brain Online?

Alpha Brain is widely available for purchase online (Amazon, GNC, Walmart, or The Vitamin Shoppe) and offline (in local stores or supermarkets). You can also purchase it directly from ONNIT via their online store.

We always recommend buying supplements from reputable and well-established stores that may offer discounts, great shipping advantages, strong customer support, and user-friendly return/money-back guarantee policies.

9) How Much Does Alpha Brain Cost?

ONNIT Alpha Brain is available in the following packages:

• 30 capsule bottle (15 servings) for $34.95
• 90 capsule bottle (45 servings) for $79.95

A “Subscribe and Save” option is also available. Those who sign up for the autoship program will benefit from a 15% discount.

10) Suggested Use

As a dietary supplement, take two (2) capsules daily, preferably with a meal.

11) Of the Same Product Line

ONNIT Alpha Brain is available in several variations:

• Capsules (30 and 90 count bottles);
• Instant flavored powder (30 packs per box, different flavors);
• Instant flavored powder (30 servings tub).

12) What Users Are Saying

13) Our Bottom Line

Based on customer reviews and on what’s actually inside the formulation, this brain supplement may offer benefits in terms of attention, focus, memory, and concentration due to its two key ingredients: Huperzine A and Alpha GPC.

As a downside, Alpha Brain is sold at a premium price – $35.00 will only buy you enough product for two weeks. We have no issue with a product being priced above the average if the price tag is justified by high-quality, expensive ingredients or an innovative manufacturing process, but some users will definitely turn to cheaper, more affordable alternatives.

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