An In Depth Analysis Of The Onnit Alpha Brain Supplement

Whether you are someone looking to improve your athletic performance, enhance your health, or simply optimise your overall wellbeing, as a society we are turning to supplements more and more with each passing year.

No matter what it is you may be trying to combat, if you take a quick trip to a supplement store, you are sure to find many bottles of pills and bags of powder claiming to be the answer to your prayers. Now, while such a great deal of choice may seem like a blessing at first, it can also be a curse.

The problem is, with so many different options on offer, it can be hard to determine which are actually effective and which are all filler. This is particularly true when it comes to a type of supplement called a nootropic, as they are generally filled with unusual, unheard of ingredients.

In today’s article, we are going to look at one of the most popular nootropics on the market, a supplement called Alpha Brain. We will explain everything from what it does and how it works to why you may want to use it.

So, if you are in the market for this sort of product but aren’t sure which way to turn, this is the article for you.

What is Alpha Brain?

Alpha Brain is a stimulant free version of a type of supplement known as a nootropic, which is produced by a company called Onnit. Nootropics, whether naturally occurring or man-made, are consumed due to their ability to improve the cognitive functions of the human brain.

The benefits of Alpha Brain include elevating mental functions, improving memory and motivation, boosting focus and attention, enhancing recall and creativity, and even preventing the degradation of the brain and the onset of a variety of mental conditions.

Alpha Brain uses potent doses of a wide range of proven nootropic ingredients. This is because it has been tailored to not only be able to provide the full range of nootropic benefits but also to avoid many of the side effects that can sometimes be associated with similar products.

Onnit Overview

Onnit are a health and fitness company that specialise in producing supplements which benefit both your mental and physical health, as well as your physical fitness. They also produce a range of high quality fitness equipment, produce guides on things like diet and wellbeing, and even run courses.

Founded by respected health industry personality and trainer Aubrey Marcus, all of the supplements use advanced formulas to produce results not often seen in most over the counter brands. This has allowed the brand to grow both its size and reputation at an incredible rate.

Now run as a part of the global corporation Unilever, Onnit products are available across the globe. Used and endorsed by everyone from athletes, biohackers, fighters, and professional gamers to tradespeople, working class people, and even retirees, they are proven to be beneficial for everyone.

Onnit Alpha Brain Specifications

Onnit Alpha Brain is a potent nootropic supplement that is caffeine, dairy, gluten, and nut free, as well as suitable for use when following keto and paleo diets. Coming in capsule form also means it features virtually no taste and is easy to consume.

Heavily endorsed by famed podcaster, stand up, and MMA personality Joe Rogan, it’s an ideal choice for those seeking a high quality, mid-level nootropic with a reasonable price tag and safe dosages.

Onnit Alpha Brain contains cat’s claw extract and vitamin B6, but primarily consists of what it considers its patented formula blends, with 650 mg of the Onnit Flow Blend, 240 mg of the Onnit Focus Blend, and 60 mg of the Onnit Fuel Blend.

The Onnit Flow Blend includes phosphatidylserine, oat straw extract, l-theanine, and l-tyrosine. The Onnit Focus Blend features Alpha-GPC, bacopa monnieri extract, and toothed clubmoss extract. The Onnit Fuel Blend boasts l-leucine and pterostilbene.

Alpha Brain is available directly from the manufacturers with a range of purchase options, but comes in 30 and 90 capsule bottles, which last for 15 and 45 days, respectively. If bought on their own, the 30 capsule bottle retails for $34.95, while the 90 capsule bottle costs $79.95.

The Onnit website also has subscription options for both sizes which save you 15% off of each purchase, so are ideal if you plan to use Alpha Brain long term. These subscriptions bring the price of the 30 capsule bottle down to $29.71 and the 90 capsule bottle down to $67.96.

You then also have a choice of bundle offers you can take advantage of as well. Bundle 1 costs $52.43 and includes two of the 30 capsule bottles (30 servings) and a free gift. This works out at less than $26.23 per bottle and offers a saving of 25%, which works out at $17.47.

Bundle 2 sells for $73.40 and has 3 of the 30 capsule bottles (45 servings) and a free gift. This works out at less than $24.47 per bottle and represents a saving of at least £31.45 or 30%. All orders over $150 come with free shipping, while a free 15 day trial is included with every subscription order.

Pros

• Being used by celebrities like Joe Rogan provides confidence
• Made using only safe doses of high quality nootropics and anti-stress ingredients
• Contains no caffeine, nuts, gluten, or dairy
• Paleo and keto-friendly
• Good value for money, especially when purchased in a bundle or with a subscription
• Premium feel for a reasonable price
• Safe to use in supplement stacks
• Comes in easy to consume capsules
• Offers the full spectrum of nootropic benefits

Cons

• Blend hides dosages of the individual ingredients behind their “Onnit ? Blend” labels
• Doesn’t contain as much as is desirable of many of the ingredients
• Overall dosage of the product is lower than some rivals
• Can be hard to get hold of other than through the official company

User reviews:

Alpha Brain Ingredients

As with any product, the Onnit Alpha Brain supplement is only going to be as effective as what it is made of. With that in mind, we will now look at the Alpha Brain ingredients list and what benefits each component adds to the supplement.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Vitamin B6, sometimes referred to by its chemical name pyridoxine, consists of 6 compounds which can affect more than 140 different enzyme reactions in the human body.

Most frequently consumed in foods such as beef liver, poultry, and seafood, it can also be found in some fruits, vegetables, pulses, and fortified cereals.

Sufficient levels of vitamin B6 are vital for the body to be able to metabolise amino acids, fat, and glucose, and are also crucial to ensure the immune system remains healthy and operational and there is a healthy level of biosynthesis of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Tyrosine

Tyrosine is an essential amino acid that is one of the most abundant in the human body. It is primarily responsible for regulating the levels of the different neurotransmitters in the plasma that optimise brain activity.

This makes sure that impulses are transmitted around our system as quickly and effectively as possible. Other common benefits of tyrosine include its ability to boost both your focus and mood.

Tyrosine has even been demonstrated to limit the effects of both physical and mental fatigue, especially in particularly stressful situations. This can include occasions like when you are hungry, performing extended periods of intense physical activity, sleep deprived, or already fatigued.

Theanine

Theanine is a vital, naturally occurring amino acid that plays a number of important roles in the human body. It is perhaps best known for its ability to accelerate metabolism, boost health, elevate recovery, enhance immune functions, improve focus, increase relaxation, and optimise your sleep.

However, other commonly utilised benefits include its ability to maximise your muscular growth and physical exercise performance, positively alter your body composition and rate of weight loss, reduce levels of anxiety and stress, and benefit your overall level of health and wellness.

Oat Straw Extract

Oat straw extract is sourced from the avena sativa plant, from which we also obtain the common oat. Known to be rich in a number of minerals, it is included in supplements such as this due to the various mental and physical health benefits it can offer.

While the true efficacy of each benefit varies from effect to effect, oat straw extract has been linked to reducing stress, curing insomnia, elevating your physical performance, boosting your brain health, lowering inflammation, enhancing blood flow, raising mood, and improving virility.

Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine is a type of lipid that consists of phosphate, serine, and glycerol. Commonly found in most meats, it is most abundant in beef brains, chicken hearts, and Atlantic seafood. It is claimed to be able to offer a number of cognitive benefits when consumed by humans.

These include improving memory, preventing mental degradation, boosting brain functions, and reducing stress. While many of these claims haven’t been categorically proven, there is enough evidence to suggest the stated benefits are more likely to occur than not.

Cat’s Claw

While there are a number of different plants that are referred to as cat’s claw, the one in question is uncaria tomentosa, a vine commonly found in the jungle in Central and South America. Having been used in traditional medicine for years, the bark of the root is ground up and used as a supplement.

It is claimed to be able to protect the brain from the build-up of plaques which lead to mental degradation. In the short term it is said to improve a user’s memory, while over a longer period it is suggested that it can even prevent conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease from developing.

Alpha-GPC

Alpha-GPC is the more common name of L-Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine, an essential, naturally occurring nutrient that is produced by the human brain. Capable of passing across the blood brain barrier, it is a vital component for the healthy functioning of the parasympathetic nervous system.

By raising the quantity you have in your system, studies have suggested it can prevent the kind of mental deterioration that occurs with old age, particularly in terms of memory. It is most commonly used to either prevent or treat Alzheimer’s disease, as well as various other types of dementia.

Bacopa Monnieri

Bacopa monnieri is a herb that grows throughout the globe. While it has been used in ayurvedic medicine for decades, its growth into the mainstream has been slow as there has been limited study conducted on many of its purported benefits.

The primary and most conclusively proven benefits of bacopa monnieri are its ability to boost your memory and cognitive functions. However, it has also been claimed to ease anxiety, lower blood pressure, prevent Alzheimer’s disease, protect you from stomach issues, and treat hypoglycaemia.

Huperzia Serrata Extract (From Toothed Clubmoss)

Huperzia serrata is a type of firmoss found in east Asia that is added to supplements due to the presence of Huperzine A. A type of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, it helps to prevent the breakdown of a number of neurotransmitters in the brain.

While primarily touted for its ability to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, there has been some pushback, with claims that not enough studies have been completed. However, there are other benefits linked to it as well, which include improving memory, enhancing brain function, and inducing lucid dreams.

Leucine

Leucine may be the most vital amino acid in the human body, as it’s regarded as the primary building block for protein and muscle protein synthesis. Key for the prevention of muscle protein breakdown, it also helps to increase muscle mass and strength while stimulating the recovery of the fibres.

Leucine then even offers a number of additional benefits beyond this, such as an ability to improve your metabolic rate, promote more efficient burning of calories and stored fat, and a general enhancement of the health of your muscles.

Pterostilbene

Most commonly found in almonds, grapevines, and various types of berries, pterostilbene is a stilbenoid that is added to various supplements due to its powerful antioxidant properties.

When used in dosages up to 250 mg per day, it has been shown to prevent oxidative damage to the cells in the human body, offer antimicrobial protection to keep us healthy, reduce inflammation and the pain and damage it does, and even prevent the development of certain types of cancer.

Benefits of Alpha Brain

Alpha Brain is capable of offering the full spectrum of nootropic benefits, which is what makes it so effective. That said, we will now take a look at the 3 main benefits of Alpha Brain, to help you to see exactly the sort of results you can hope to achieve by using this product.

Supports Memory

Alpha Brain helps to support memory and is particularly aided in doing this by the inclusion of the ingredients phosphatidylserine and huperzine. These not only enhance the areas of the brain responsible for recalling memories, but they also prevent the build-up of some types of plaque.

This can slow or even prevent the degradation of a person’s memory over time, stopping them from developing brain fog and even more conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and various other types of dementia.

Promotes Focus And Brain Function

Fuelled mostly by the inclusion of the ingredients oat straw, tyrosine, alpha-GPC, and Bacopa Monnieri, Alpha Brain has been shown to be incredibly beneficial to how the brain functions. It speeds up many of the processes and blocks certain compounds that can cause confusion.

This helps the user to think more clearly, focus on what they are doing, and have a much easier job using the logical parts of their brain and performing physical tasks.

Good For Brain Health

A number of the ingredients included in Alpha Brain offer benefits that work together to enhance the overall health of the brain.

Theanine and vitamin B6 are both proven to reduce stress. Then you have pterostilbene, which is a brain antioxidant that helps to protect it from oxidative damage, and cat’s claw, which prevents the build-up of brain plaques, both of which help to stop the brains cells from degrading.

This combination helps to keep the brain working at an optimal level for as long as possible, stopping issues like poor memory and a loss of motor skills from developing, especially in later life.

Side Effects Of Alpha Brain

There are no specific side effects commonly reported from the use of Alpha Brain. However, due to its ingredient list, it is possible you may experience some of the general side effects of nootropics, with the level to which you experience them varying depending on your own sensitivity levels.

These include addiction, blurry vision, an elevated heart rate, fatigue, high blood pressure, insomnia, nausea, problems with the functioning of your circulatory system, headaches, restlessness, stomach aches, shakes, muscle aches and pains, depression, anxiety, poor appetite, bloating, and dizziness.

Onnit Alpha Brain Alternative

While Onnit Alpha Brain is undoubtedly a great supplement and one of the best nootropics available in its price range, it isn’t going to be the perfect option for everyone, for one reason or another.

With that in mind, I now want to look at one of the best available alternatives to Alpha Brain, to ensure everyone goes away happy.

Mind Lab Pro

Mind Lab Pro is one of the best overall nootropic supplements on the market today. Much like Alpha Brain, it is designed to benefit the overall health and functioning of the brain. It claims to boost attention, calmness, clarity, creativity, energy, focus, memory, mood, motivation, and processing.

Its transparent formula is made without the use of allergens, animal products, caffeine, gluten, GMOs, irradiated compounds, prebiotics, soy, or synthetic additives, to try and make it suitable for as many people as possible. Its packaging is also 100% recyclable.

Its formula of high potency ingredients uses a number of the top, third party scientifically backed nootropic supplements, such as bacopa monnieri, citicoline, lion’s mane mushrooms, maritime pink bark extract, phosphatidylserine, rhodiola rosea, theanine, tyrosine, and vitamins B6, B9, and B12.

Much like Alpha Brain, it is produced by a company who make other popular supplements, allowing you to easily combine them as part of a routine. However, unlike Alpha Brain, The exact quantity of every ingredient is also clearly stated, so users know exactly what they are putting in their body.

Mind Lab Pro is only available directly from the company themselves and comes in three different packages. The 1 month supply (60 capsules) costs $69, and the 2 month supply (120 capsules) costs $138, both working out at $2.30 per serving.

The best value option is the 4 month supply (240 capsules), which costs $207, which works out at $51.75 per bottle and $1.73 per serving, representing a 25% saving. This option also includes free worldwide shipping, although is still almost twice as expensive as Alpha Brain.

Pros

• The quantity of each ingredient is clearly stated
• Made with a formula that is suitable for almost all people to use
• Available worldwide
• Offers a wide range of benefits
• Utilises a number of the most powerful known nootropic ingredients

Cons

• Much more expensive than Alpha Brain
• Only available directly from the company themselves

User reviews:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Before we end our in depth analysis of the Onnit Alpha Brain supplement, I want to cover a few of the most frequently asked questions people have on Alpha Brain, Onnit, and nootropics in general, to ensure everyone goes away with all the information they need to make an informed decision.

Does Alpha Brain Help With Cognitive Function?

Alpha Brain generally helps to improve the overall health and functioning of the brain and can certainly be of some benefit for those hoping to boost their cognitive functions. That said, it doesn’t particularly excel in any specific benefit, due to the low doses of most included ingredients.

So, while it can help with cognitive function, if that is your primary reason for taking it, you may be better off taking a supplement that specialises in that area.

Does Joe Rogan Support Alpha BRAIN?

Joe Rogan is a long term user, supporter, and advocate of Alpha Brain. He claims to have been using it consistently since 2010 and takes it before every podcast, before commentating on UFC events, and before his stand-up sets.

He says he finds it noticeably easier to recall words and form sentences when using Alpha Brain than it is without, allowing him to be notably better at his jobs.

How Long Does It Take To Feel The Effects Of Alpha BRAIN?

While the exact timeframe in which the effects of Alpha Brain become noticeable can vary from person to person, most guidelines suggest you should be feeling the effects within six weeks.

During testing, this is when significant improvement was noticed in tasks studying verbal recall and brain functioning for those taking Alpha Brain, compared to those in the placebo group.

Are Onnit Vitamins Worth It?

Onnit Vitamins are a multivitamin supplement developed by the manufacturers of Alpha Brain. They are a great vitamin supplement, and the two products work incredibly well in unison with one another.

Onnit Vitamins are highly recommended for anyone looking for a daily supplement to help improve mental energy, alertness, and their overall health, while also receiving some memory benefits.

What Is The Active Ingredient In Alpha BRAIN?

There is no one “active ingredient” in Alpha Brain, as the supplement is designed from a blend of different nootropic ingredients. That said, studies show that the most potent and abundant ingredients in its formula are alpha-GPC, bacopa monnieri, phosphatidylserine, and tyrosine.

Conclusion

Onnit Alpha Brain is a fabulous supplement for anyone looking to boost the overall health and functioning of their brain. While there are some supplements better suited to meeting specific needs, Alpha Brain is one of the best all round options on the market.

It also helps that it comes from a highly experienced and versatile company like Onnit. Not only will this give you confidence in the quality and efficacy of the product, but they also have other products you can combine the use of Alpha Brain with.

This includes everything from their other supplement lines, such as Onnit Vitamins and Onnit Total Human, and their fitness courses, which includes the Onnit 6 Bodyweight Course, to a range of fitness products like kettlebells and attire.

This article will hopefully have given you all you need to know about Alpha Brain and nootropics in general to help you decide if it is the right kind of supplement for you. So, if it is, there should be nothing left stopping you from giving it a try and seeing the benefits it can offer for yourself.