Brain Power Ingredient Breakdown

Brain Power Breakdown

Lions Mane

Lion’s Mane is a natural mushroom, used for thousands of years for its cognitive enhancing effects. Lion’s Mane is purported to have many benefits, stimulating focus, creativity, mental endurance, and relieving anxiety. Most notably, Lion’s Mane has been shown to boost Nerve Growth Factor in the brain, which is particularly useful in neuroprotection and nerve regeneration. 


One study injected mice with amyloid (25-35), which is involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, as well as fed Lion's Mane. The study was done to test out how effective Lion's Mane could be at alleviating or preventing the consequences of amyloid (25-35). The mice did not experience the expected cognitive decline that would typically be induced by amyloid ß(25-35). The study concluded that Lion's Mane "may be useful in the prevention of cognitive decline".
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One study examined the effects of Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane) on mice injected with amyloid β(25-35), which is linked to Alzheimer's disease. The mice were fed a diet containing Lion's Mane for 23 days. The study found that Lion's Mane prevented the expected cognitive decline in spatial short-term and visual recognition memory induced by amyloid β(25-35). The results suggest that Lion's Mane may be useful in preventing cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease.
 

Bacopa

Bacopa, also known as Bacopa monnieri, is a natural herb that has become one of the most popular nootropic supplements. It has been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to enhance cognitive abilities and improve memory. This supplement is derived from the leaves of the Bacopa plant, which is native to India and other parts of Southeast Asia. It contains active compounds called bacosides, which are believed to be responsible for its cognitive-enhancing effects. Research has shown that Bacopa can have a positive impact on brain function. Studies, which we reference below, have demonstrated its ability to improve memory, attention, and mental performance. It is believed to work by enhancing the communication between brain cells, promoting the growth of new nerve cells, and protecting the brain from oxidative stress. One of the key benefits of Bacopa is its potential to enhance memory and learning. It has been shown to improve both short-term and long-term memory, making it a valuable supplement for students, professionals, and individuals looking to maintain cognitive function as they age. In addition to its memory-enhancing properties, Bacopa may also have mood-boosting effects. It has been found to reduce anxiety and improve mood, potentially due to its ability to modulate certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Some studies supporting Bacopa's efficacy are referenced below:

Rhodiola Rosea

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the efficacy and safety of a standardized Rhodiola rosea L. extract (SHR-5) in patients with mild to moderate depression. Participants between 18-70 years old were chosen using depression diagnostic criteria and evaluated with standardized questionnaires. They were split into three groups: one receiving 340 mg/day of SHR-5, another 680 mg/day, and a third given a placebo. Assessments were conducted multiple times over 6 weeks. The findings indicated that SHR-5 enhanced overall depression and symptoms like insomnia, depression, and emotional instability in both the 340mg and 680mg daily groups compared to the placebo group, with no significant adverse effects reported. The researchers concluded that SHR-5 exhibits strong antidepressant properties in patients with mild to moderate depression when administered at 340 or 680 mg/day for 6 weeks.

An investigation explored Rhodiola rosea's effects on 5-HT neurotransmitter levels, cell proliferation and differentiation, and neuron numbers in the hippocampus of rats with depression induced by chronic mild stress. Fifty rats were divided into five groups and treated for three weeks with either no intervention, a placebo, an antidepressant medication, or Rhodiola rosea. The results showed that 5-HT content, cell count, cell percentage, and neuron numbers in the hippocampus of the Rhodiola rosea-treated group were restored to normal levels. The researchers suggest that Rhodiola rosea may boost 5-HT levels and stimulate neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation in the hippocampus of depressed rats, potentially playing a role in preserving damaged hippocampal neurons.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated a single dose of Rhodiola Rosea extract on mental workload tolerance against fatigue and stress in 161 cadets. The study concluded that there was a "pronounced anti-fatigue effect…showing statistically significant results compared to the placebo group"

Another double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated Rhodiola Rosea extract's effect on 56 healthy, young physicians working night shifts. The tests assessed overall mental fatigue levels, involving complex perceptive and cognitive cerebral functions, such as associative thinking, short-term memory, calculation and concentration ability, and audio-visual perception speed. The research team observed a statistically significant improvement in cognitive tests without reported side effects, and the young doctors experienced reduced general fatigue under stressful conditions.

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial compared the effectiveness and safety of Rhodiola rosea extract to the antidepressant sertraline (marketed as the SSRI Zoloft) for major depressive disorder. Fifty-seven individuals with depression were recruited and given standardized Rhodiola rosea extract, sertraline, or a placebo for 12 weeks. Depression scores were measured using three different tests. The results revealed that Rhodiola Rosea produced fewer antidepressant effects than sertraline but caused fewer adverse events and was better tolerated. The researchers suggest that Rhodiola rosea might be a preferable option for individuals with mild to moderate depression, despite being less effective than sertraline.

This study examined the effects of the adaptogen Rhodiola rosea extract (SHR-5) on physical and mental performance during a stressful examination period in foreign students. It was conducted as a double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial with a low repeated dose regimen. The students took either the study drug or placebo for 20 days during the examination period. Physical and mental performance were evaluated before and after the period based on objective and subjective assessments. The results indicated that the most significant improvement in the SHR-5 group was observed in physical fitness, mental fatigue and neuro-motoric tests (p <0.01). The self-assessment of overall well-being was also significantly better in the treatment group compared to placebo (p <0.05). The overall conclusion is that the study drug produced significant results compared to the placebo group.

This research investigated the effects of two plant adaptogens, Rhodiola rosea and ADAPT-232, on human photon emission. The study employed a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled design, with 30 subjects divided into three groups: one receiving a placebo, one taking Rhodiola rosea supplements, and one given ADAPT-232 supplements (a combination of three adaptogens). The subjects' photon emission and levels of stress and fatigue were measured before and after a week of supplementation. The findings showed that the Rhodiola rosea group experienced a significant decrease in photon emission and reported less fatigue compared to the placebo group. However, no significant changes were observed in the ADAPT-232 group compared to the placebo group.

 

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba increases dopamine in the brain by inhibiting monoamine oxidase

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study administered either Ginkgo Biloba or placebo to 107 subjects suffering from anxiety for 4 weeks. The research found that anxiety symptoms were significantly improved among those taking Ginkgo Biloba.

Ginkgo Biloba extract was administered to 20 children with ADHD for 3-5 weeks, with dosages increased as needed up to a maximum of 240 MG. According to the study, "Efficacy was assessed in a multilevel approach including clinical assessment, quality of life (QoL), as well as performance and preparatory brain-electrical activity evoked during a Continuous Performance Test (Cue-CNV in the CPT)… Following [Ginkgo Biloba] administration, possible improvements in QoL, ADHD core symptoms as well as CPT performance were detected"

One study evaluated Ginkgo Biloba's effects on aged rats in terms of learning, memory consolidation, and motor activity. The research concluded, "Long-term administration of Ginkgo biloba extract can improve spatial memory and motivation with significant changes in the content and metabolism of monoamines in several brain regions"

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study divided 262 healthy adults aged 60 or above, with no signs of cognitive decline (assessed beforehand) into two groups. For 6 weeks, the subjects were given either 180 MG of Ginkgo Biloba extract or a placebo. The study found that the Ginkgo biloba group showed significant improvements on memory tasks and self-reported enhancement in overall ability to remember compared to the placebo group. The research suggests Ginkgo biloba may improve certain neuropsychological/memory processes in cognitively intact older adults.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial examined Ginkgo Biloba extract in healthy young volunteers, focusing on stress. When the stress model was implemented via static exercise and mental stimuli, stress-induced blood pressure increase was reduced, without affecting heart rate, and cortisol release was inhibited in the Ginkgo Biloba group.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 66 healthy volunteers for 4 weeks. One group received a placebo, while the other took 240 mg of Ginkgo Biloba extract daily. The study found that those taking Ginkgo Biloba extract experienced significant improvements in their "self-perceived" mental health and quality of life. They performed significantly better on action and reaction tests, and reported a notable improvement in mood compared to the placebo group.

A study with 1,570 participants in England had subjects take either 120 mg of Ginkgo Biloba extract daily or nothing. Subjects were given Ginkgo for either 4, 6, or 10 months. Those taking Ginkgo Biloba extract showed improvement in activities of daily living (multi-tasking, completing household tasks, concentrating during conversations, remembering important dates, and giving and following directions), mood and alertness compared to the control group. The positive effects were proportional to the duration of Ginkgo Biloba extract exposure, supporting the idea that longer supplementation periods provide significantly more cumulative benefits, rather than just reaching a homeostasis.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy of acute Ginkgo use for cognitive enhancement by giving 20 healthy subjects either a placebo or a single dose of Ginkgo Biloba extract at 120, 240 or 360 mg. They were tested on attention speed, attention accuracy, memory speed and memory quality. Assessments were conducted before supplement administration to establish a baseline, and again at 1, 2.5, 4, and 6 hours. The Ginkgo groups demonstrated improvements in multiple cognitive performance measurements, particularly "speed of attention." Higher doses were noted to yield better results. The study concluded that Ginkgo dosing can produce "sustained improvement in attention in healthy young volunteers".