Does Alpha Brain make you LIMITLESS? NEUROLOGIST reviews

Summary

In this video, neurologist Anna, aka NeurogalMD, reviews the popular nootropic supplement Alpha Brain, examining its clinical evidence, ingredients, and potential risks. She discusses two human trials with modest results and highlights changes to the formula, including the removal of the ingredient vinpocetine due to safety concerns. While some ingredients show preliminary cognitive benefits, more research is needed. Anna shares her personal experience with Alpha Brain, noting vivid dreams but no significant long-term impact. She advises viewers that lifestyle practices like exercise offer more proven cognitive benefits than supplements.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Alpha Brain is a supplement that claims to enhance memory, focus, and mental speed.
• 🔬 There are two clinical studies on Alpha Brain, showing modest improvements in verbal recall, but no significant changes in other cognitive areas.
• ❗ Alpha Brain’s original formulation included vinpocetine, which was removed due to FDA concerns about increased risk of miscarriage and fetal harm.
• 📊 The specific amounts of ingredients in Alpha Brain are not disclosed, which raises concerns about its effectiveness.
• 🐾 Ingredients like cat's claw, L-leucine, and terastilbene have limited human studies supporting their cognitive benefits.
• 📉 L-theanine, huperzine A, and bacopa are noted for possible cognitive benefits, but may also have side effects or interactions with medications.
• 🧪 While some ingredients show promise in animal or test tube studies, their effects in humans are either mixed or inconclusive.
• ⛔ Safety concerns include interactions with blood pressure medications, heart rate changes, and potential risks of B6 toxicity and kidney failure.
• 🌙 The user personally experienced vivid dreams while taking Alpha Brain but did not notice long-term cognitive improvements.
• 💡 The overall takeaway is that Alpha Brain may have some cognitive benefits, but more research is needed, and lifestyle factors like exercise may be more reliable for brain health.

Q & A

What is Alpha Brain and what does it claim to do?

Alpha Brain is a supplement that claims to boost memory, focus, and mental speed. It is marketed as a nootropic that enhances cognitive function.

What were the results of the clinical studies on Alpha Brain?

Two clinical studies were mentioned. One showed a 12% improvement in verbal recall in healthy young adults but no improvements in other cognitive measures. The second study, conducted on U.S. soldiers, showed no improvements in reaction time, shooting accuracy, mood, stress, or cortisol levels.

Why was the ingredient vinpocetine removed from Alpha Brain?

Vinpocetine was removed from Alpha Brain's formulation due to concerns raised by the FDA in 2019 about its potential risks, including increased risk of miscarriage and fetal harm.

What are some of the ingredients in Alpha Brain and their potential effects?

Alpha Brain contains ingredients like cat's claw, L-leucine, huperzine A, GPC, bacopa, L-theanine, and phosphatidylserine. Some ingredients have preliminary evidence suggesting they may help with memory, attention, or relaxation, but human studies are lacking or inconclusive.

Are there any safety concerns associated with Alpha Brain?

Yes, several ingredients in Alpha Brain may have side effects or interact with medications. For example, L-theanine can lower blood pressure, huperzine A may decrease heart rate, and bacopa can affect thyroid hormone levels. Additionally, phosphatidylserine has blood-thinning properties.

Did the reviewer experience any positive effects from taking Alpha Brain?

The reviewer noticed a slight improvement in verbal skills and sharpness when first taking Alpha Brain, but this may have been a placebo effect. Over time, the effects diminished, but vivid dreams were experienced, which the reviewer found beneficial for creative thinking and psychological well-being.

What is the major criticism of Alpha Brain’s formulation?

One major criticism is that Alpha Brain's ingredients are bundled in a proprietary blend, meaning the exact amounts of each ingredient are unknown, which makes it difficult to assess its effectiveness.

How does the reviewer compare Alpha Brain to other methods for improving cognitive function?

The reviewer suggests that lifestyle practices like physical exercise, which are more cost-effective, have more robust evidence for enhancing cognitive function and brain health than Alpha Brain.

What effect did Alpha Brain have on the reviewer’s dreams?

Alpha Brain caused vivid dreams for the reviewer, which were seen as beneficial for both creative thinking and psychological well-being.

What is the reviewer’s overall opinion on Alpha Brain?

The reviewer believes that Alpha Brain contains ingredients with preliminary evidence of cognitive benefits, but more research is needed. The lack of transparency in ingredient amounts and the removal of vinpocetine are concerns. Ultimately, the reviewer finds other health practices more effective for brain health.