Have you been struggling to focus or have moments of forgetfulness? This is a daily occurrence for so many in life and it can be really hard to keep on top of things.
As someone who is a blogger and writes all day long, answering emails and creating content for anyone who visits it can be a tough job to keep up concentration.
On top of that I do boxing training in the morning or evening, and keeping up the motivation can be very hard.
It wasn’t until I watched a Joe Rogan podcast that he mentioned about Onnit’s Alpha Brain. I was extremely unsure and questioned what this was at the time. It wasn’t until I visited their website I found out about how nootropics can boost your memory and focus. I had to give it a go!
Who are Onnit?
First up it’s important to identify for you who actually creates this nootropic supplement. This is of course Onnit.
They are an innovative fitness and nutrition brand whose real aim is to give more optimization in people’s lives. This is through supplements, fitness equipment like their Onnit kettlebells, apparel, handy workout programs and fitness certification courses – all of this to maximize your human potential.
In their own words here is what Onnit wishes to achieve:
“We are on a mission to empower as many individuals as possible with a holistic philosophy regarding physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. We believe that if people have access to the best tools and knowledge, they will be able to achieve their fullest human potential, leading to a global movement for the good of all.”
Pretty good mission in my opinion! You can check out Onnit’s website here for its full line of products.
What are Nootropics?
So before getting on to Alpha Brain, here is a bit of background on Nootropics.
Nootropics’ term was first coined by a Romanian psychologist and chemist in the 1970s. This was to describe molecules that help towards the brain’s higher level of activity with particular criteria. However, in more recent years they are often labeled as ‘Smart Drugs’ or ‘Brain Supplements’. All with the claims to help boost mental performance.
Whether you know it or not you have probably had some sort of a nootropic at some point. For example, some common nootropics you will use include or heard of are the likes of Caffeine, Creatine, L-Theanine and even Nicotine.
However, the more commercialized nootropics such as Onnit’s Alpha Brain aim to help with certain brain functions. This includes elements such as memory, mental speed, and focus.
Much research is ongoing into nootropic supplements as they are still fairly new. This is because there are still many questions if they actually do boost brain function or if it is just a placebo effect.
Check out my boxing and nootropics guide for more details here.
So what is Alpha Brain?
Onnit’s Alpha Brain is a dietary nootropic supplement formula that claims to give daily cognitive support for memory and focus. This includes aiding mental clarity and promoting a flow state.
So far Alpha Brain has sold over 1 million bottles worldwide making them one of the most popular nootropic supplements out there.
Neuroactive products are on the rise as a lot of smaller untested companies also create nootropics supplements similar to this. However, I always recommend going with renowned brands like Onnit that have an experience where thousands have used and given positive reviews.
How does Alpha Brain help?
Alpha Brain aims to give you the focus and desire during an activity you are taking part in. Whether that is writing an essay, studying for an exam, getting a piece of work done, or doing a physical activity like a boxing class.
Joe Rogan on Alpha Brain
Check out famous podcaster and UFC commentator Joe Rogan, talking to Onnit CEO Aubrey Marcus. Rogan talks about taking Alpha Brain to help advance his daily performance.
Alpha Brain Ingredients
For those that are unsure about what is inside this nootropic supplement. Here is an overview of some of the main ingredients in Alpha Brain.
Alpha Brain is created with Vitamin B6 and earth-grown nutrients like Bacopa, Cat’s Claw, Oat Straw, and Huperzia Serrata which are blended together.
They have split these into three blends to help with different areas for your brain functioning.
Onnit Flow Blend – L-theanine, L-tyrosine, Phosphatidylserine and Oat Straw Extract
These are amino acids that stimulate and release dopamine and serotonin in the brain. This claims to help greater attention and reaction time. Thus helping you reach a flow state or “being in the zone”.
Onnit Focus Blend – Alpha-GPC, Huperzia, Bacopa
These compounds help to provide optimal acetylcholine levels. What is acetylcholine you may ask? Well, this body’s most important neurotransmitter controls nerves, muscle cells, and hormonal glands. The Vitamin B6 in Alpha Brain also plays a big role in optimal levels of neurotransmitter production.
Onnit Fuel Blend – Pterostilbene and L-leucine
To finish it all off, Onnit has formulated a blend to promote cellular activity which helps to protect the brain and nerve cells.
Alpha Brain Research Study
Has Alpha Brain been tested?
In 2015 a randomized clinical trial was used on Alpha Brain to see if the supplement could enhance cognitive functioning in healthy adults.
They used a total of 63 participants aged 18-35 who took part. The participants were first given a placebo supplement for 2 weeks, before receiving the actual Alpha Brain supplement. This is so they could compare and see the difference in results.
Participants took part in a range of neuropsychological tests that measured things like memory, and sleep.
The results showed that the participants’ verbal memory and executive functioning vastly improved whilst on Alpha Brain compared to the placebo. Whilst this was a positive outcome, further trials like this are still needed for larger groups and different age ranges.
My experience using Alpha Brain
Now let’s go over my own personal experience using Alpha Brain. This will hopefully give you a better idea of how it could help you in your daily life.
My average day usually consists of training/going to the gym in the morning or evening. While I work during the day writing and filming for Boxing Life, responding to emails and other business ventures. As much as I love this being my job, there can be days of procrastination or lack of motivation that can happen – just like with everyone.
While on Alpha Brain it did take me a few days before I really started to see my productivity starting increase and smash through tasks quickly and sharply. The effect didn’t last the whole day, but I did find it to be long enough for me.
I would say if there were distractions going on around you, make sure these are out of the way and have a plan for your day. Especially for the bigger tasks!
Much like Joe Rogan said in the video above, I did also feel like words came to my head quicker than when I was off it before.
How long does Alpha Brain last?
Results vary, but probably anywhere between 4-8 hours.
I usually take Alpha Brain first thing in the morning with my breakfast around 9 am and found it takes an hour or two to really notice and affect my performance.
Alpha Brain good fighters?
Nootropics like Alpha Brain are a great way to help create memory and focus for boxers or mixed martial artists who are looking to improve their mindset.
As someone who is boxing training constantly this has really helped me to stay in the zone when training. My concentration level is much higher than before and felt I could remember punch combinations much better.
Boxing is argued to be 80% mental and 20% physical, so I feel Alpha Brain helped me mentally in that area.
Does Alpha Brain Really Work?
Boxing isn’t the only activity I do as I write multiple blogs on Boxing Life along with other business activities.
By taking Alpha Brain I did personally see a huge difference in my overall focus when having to do a specific task. I also found when talking to people I was much clearer in my speech and what I wanted to get across.
I guess the only thing I would say is that it took me a few days before I started noticing how much I was getting through tasks.
To help make the most of using Alpha Brain, I made sure to write a list of things to do which made me get through tasks much more quickly and with focus.
Is Alpha Brain safe or have any side effects?
Alpha Brain is probably one of the safest natural nootropics out there. So if you are concerned about how it could affect you I wouldn’t worry too much.
First and foremost, Alpha Brain is a dietary supplement that only contains ingredients that come from plants and amino acids.
So assuming you are a healthy adult there shouldn’t be any issues. If you are pregnant or do have any medical conditions, obviously consult your doctor to make sure.
Some of the main side effects include the following:
- Lucid dreams: – this is something I have experienced the most whilst taking Alpha Brain. My dreams are far more vivid than before. The ingredient Bacopa could be the reason as it helps promote a deeper REM level when you sleep.
- Headaches: – it is recommended that take water with Alpha Brain, as a lot of people get so in the zone they actually forget to drink water when they should.
- Dizzy/nausea: – people who forget or don’t eat a light meal with Alpha Brain may experience a feeling of nausea. This is your body adjusting to digesting the nootropics capsules which might be too much for the stomach at once. There is always Alpha Brain Instant you could try instead which is in powder form.
- Sleeplessness: If you take Alpha Brain in the afternoon, there is a good chance it could affect your sleep.
Obviously, with more natural nootropics like caffeine, it can give serious side effects if taken in huge quantities. However, you don’t need to worry about this from Alpha Brain as it is Caffeine free.
I do however highly recommend you stick to the dosage of 2 capsules a day in the morning with your breakfast and you should be absolutely fine.
Pros and Cons of Alpha Brain
| PROS | CONS |
| Supports memory | Capsules might be too big for some (Try Alpha Brain Instant instead) |
| Helps promotes focus | Still, more research needs to be done |
| Aids mental processing | Takes a little time to feel the effects |
| Helps with flow state “Being in the zone” | The effect could last longer (Take an extra capsule) |
| Caffeine Free | |
| Gluten-free |
Final Thoughts
Overall I have to say I really enjoyed using Alpha Brain and really found that I got a lot of work done while using it while writing blogs like this.
When I have been boxing, my focus was so much sharper and I love the feeling of being in that flow state or “in the zone”. Alpha Brain really helped me in that area.
Yes, there is a possibility Alpha Brain could just placebo because I was taking it, but I do generally feel like my performance improved in all areas of my life which were extremely useful regardless. Surely with all the ingredients, it can’t just be a coincidence!
I highly recommend you check them out and visit Onnit’s website at the link below where you can order Alpha Brain today. They also have a really good subscription package now for it where you save money and get a dose each month.
Why I recommend Alpha Brain
- Onnit is an established and very trusted company within the fitness and supplement industry, with a proven track record of happy customers.
- They offer free shipping in North America for all orders over $150 and also deliver internationally.
- Save money with their subscription deal where you save 15% OFF each order of Alpha Brain.
- They currently offering a limited-time a free trial you use to save money from your next order.
- If you are not happy at all or find it does not work for you they have a 100% Money Back Guarantee. So risk-free!
Boxing Life Rating
Thanks for reading this review! If you enjoyed this make sure to check out more of my diet and nutrition articles here.
Why not check out my review on another nootropic supplement Brainzyme here?
References
Solomon TM, Leech J, deBros GB, Murphy CA, Budson AE, Vassey EA, Solomon PR. A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, parallel group, efficacy study of alpha BRAIN® administered orally. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2016 Mar;31(2):135-43. doi: 10.1002/hup.2520. Epub 2016 Feb 15. PMID: 26876224.
Ullah I, Subhan F, Lu Z, Chan SW, Rudd JA. Action of Bacopa monnieri to antagonize cisplatin-induced emesis in Suncus murinus (house musk shrew). J Pharmacol Sci. 2017 Apr;133(4):232-239. doi: 10.1016/j.jphs.2017.03.001. Epub 2017 Mar 12. PMID: 28363413.
https://onnit.sjv.io/c/2542966/347302/5155
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corneliu_E._Giurgea
https://www.modafinil.com/alpha-brain-review/
https://www.yourheights.com/blog/what-are-nootropics-do-they-work/
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/features/nootropics-smart-drugs-overview
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