Sometimes we all need a boost. Maybe it’s been a long week, but tonight you have to stay late to finish that project. We all want to perform at our best. But we don’t always have the energy.
Instead of downing another cup of coffee, you might be able to increase your performance with a nootropic.
Products like Cogniflex® boast that you’ll be more alert, and awake, and have better memory while using them. Today we’ll look into Cogniflex® to see if its claims are really true.
How Do Nootropics like Cogniflex® Work?
Nootropics or “smart drugs” are specially formulated supplements that claim to give your brain a mental boost.
Today most people use caffeine or energy drinks for a boost. While these choices do increase energy, they don’t necessarily help you focus.
They may even make your concentration worse.
Everyone is familiar with the concept of the “jitters” from a caffeine overload.
Nootropics may be an alternative way to “wake up” your brain. Some claim to help you think more clearly, process information quickly, and retain it too.
Technically, caffeine does not qualify as a nootropic, but it DOES work as a cognitive enhancer.
It’s worth mentioning because this product contains caffeine, which is likely responsible for a significant portion of the benefits people experience.
Some nootropic supplements may also enable you to work longer and more efficiently.
Maybe you’re not interested in everyday use. That’s common. Many people use nootropic supplements selectively.
You might try getting that mental boost when you really need it. The night before a big test, the day you meet a major client, or the date when you need to make a vital presentation are all situations where you want to be at your best.
All of this might sound pretty great, but you might be wondering how nootropics actually work.
Nootropics stimulate NMBA glutamate receptors in the brain. They also improve the function of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine via cholinergic (ACh) receptors.
These neurotransmitters affect memory, motivation, arousal, and attention.
What is Cogniflex®?
Cogniflex® is manufactured by a company called Sure Science.
The product comes in a bottle of 60 capsules. Each capsule contains 800mg of the Cogniflex® formula, which includes a variety of nutrients and natural, brain-boosting supplements.
All products include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How Should You Take Cogniflex®?
The recommended dose of Cogniflex® is two 800 mg capsules a day.
This energy booster can replace your morning (or afternoon) cup of coffee. It’s also an alternative to energy drinks.
The company boasts that you won’t feel any jitters or experience the crash that comes after energy drinks or espresso shots wear off.
You should start feeling its effects within 30 minutes, and they can last for up to six hours.
Those on medication for conditions like ADHD might also find Cogniflex® helpful but definitely check with your doctor before combining the two.
The company advertises the supplement as a possible replacement for medications like Adderall, Ritalin, and Vyvanse.
It’s best to avoid taking Cogniflex® on an empty stomach. You might experience gastrointestinal discomfort if you do, although there have been no serious consequences reported.
All the ingredients in Cogniflex®, which we’ll examine in detail later, are said to be safe and have little to no side effects.
What Should You Expect from Cogniflex®?
The makers of Cogniflex® say you will get a boost to your energy and mental state. You can expect to feel:
· More Focused
· More alert
· Possibly more creative
Cogniflex® doesn’t have any significant side effects. However, you may experience minor effects. There are also a few considerations to keep in mind.
Although many companies will tell you there are no adverse side effects, nootropics have a few predictable side effects:
· Headaches
· Fatigue
· Insomnia
· Anxiety or Depression
You might experience headaches. Cogniflex® enhances your focus and concentration, but this causes your brain to work much harder than normal. When your brain works harder, it uses more acetylcholine, a type of neurotransmitter.
You should never experience anything stronger than a mild headache. Taking more than the recommended dose of Cogniflex® can also result in headaches.
After the Cogniflex® wears off, you’ll most likely experience fatigue. Your brain experiences a high level of stimulation while on the supplement. You could compare it to getting a brain workout.
Once that stimulation ends, your brain will need a rest. For this reason, it’s common to take Cogniflex® on days when you need to perform at your best and allow your brain to take a break on other days.
Insomnia is another possible effect of Cogniflex®. Since your brain’s functions have been increased to make you more alert, there is a good chance that you won’t be able to sleep if you’re still feeling the effects of this supplement.
Wait until the effects of Cogniflex® wear off before trying to sleep. For people sensitive to medications and herbal supplements, it’s best to avoid taking Cogniflex® in the late afternoon or evening.
There is a rare chance of Cogniflex® causing anxiety or depression. If you become depressed while taking Cogniflex®, stop using it immediately.
Make sure to consult a doctor if you are on any medication or have any serious health conditions.
The Ingredients that Work
As a nootropic, Cogniflex® is considered a “smart drug” that gives your brain a boost. It works by using a combination of amino acids and natural supplements.
Primary Ingredients
· L-Carnitine
· L-Theanine
· Bacopa Monnieri
· Rhodiola Rosea
· Caffeine
· Vitamin B6
L-Carnitine
L-carnitine works by turning your body’s fat into energy and is commonly used by bodybuilders. Sounds pretty great, right?
This compound is one of the main ingredients in Cogniflex® that will help you feel more alert. L-carnitine has effectively reduced symptoms in children with ADHD, including attention problems, as well as people suffering from chronic fatigue.
L-carnitine is generally safe, but in a few cases can cause side effects. It’s possible that L-carnitine may result in nausea or an upset stomach. It can also alter the smell of your urine to give off a “fishy” odor.
L-Theanine
L-Theanine is an amino acid that’s found naturally in green tea. This supplement helps with your ability to focus—again it’s hard to say how much of that can be attributed to the caffeine in the green tea.
People often take L-theanine supplements to reduce anxiety, treat insomnia, or improve sleep quality. It’s also popular as a natural supplement for ADHD because it’s effective and safe for children.
Combining L-theanine with energy-boosting supplements like L-carnitine and caffeine can help ensure that you don’t get the jitters or lose focus.
Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa Monnieri is an herbal supplement that comes from water hyssop. Its primary function is to increase blood flow.
A twelve-week study on elderly participants found that Bacopa monnieri increased attention spans and enhanced both memory processing and working memory. At the same time, the researchers found no side effects or toxicity.
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea is another herbal ingredient. It’s an extract from the Arctic flower Rhodiola common in Slavic countries.
To learn more about the Rhodiola Rosea plant and even how to grow it, check out this video:
Rhodiola Rosea reduces fatigue and increases our level of alertness. Students who take Rhodiola supplements are better at processing data and in one study, performed 8.4 percent better on test scores.
A study of 101 individuals verified the safety of Rhodiola Rosea extract. The supplement was “well tolerated” by participants, and any adverse effects were very mild. There were no serious complications during the four-week duration of the study.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a well-known stimulant. While most people get their caffeine from coffee, it’s convenient to take a concentrated dose as a supplement too.
Caffeine increases your mental processing speed and helps you feel more alert.
Researchers tested caffeine consumption among young, healthy adults. After consuming caffeine, the participants took a performance test. The results showed that caffeine in moderate to small doses resulted in “significantly faster response times.”
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6, also known as Pyridoxine, plays a role in converting food into glucose to give your body more energy. Today, most Americans don’t receive enough B vitamins in their diet, and your body can’t store B vitamins because they’re water-soluble.
Ingredients Outside of the Formula
Now let’s look at the additional ingredients included, but not a part of the Cogniflex main formula.
The additional ingredients in Cogniflex are:
· L-Tyrosine
· Vinpocetine
· Huperzine A
L-Tyrosine
L-tyrosine is an amino acid that plays a role in stress.
It helps produce dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain, which improve your mood and can reduce anxiety.
Taking L-tyrosine supplements won’t magically make your stress go away and it’s not been shown that supplements cross the blood-brain barrier where they need to be to have positive effects.
When L-Tyrosine does reach your brain, its real value is in reducing the damage that stress does to your brain. This effect is especially important in the long term and may help you stay mentally alert as you age.
Vinpocetine
Vinpocetine is another potential energy booster. This supplement, derived from the Periwinkle plant, increases your ATP, or the energy produced by cells. It does so by helping the brain process glucose more efficiently.
As a result, Vinpocetine also has an effect on memory. One study gave healthy volunteers 40 mg of vinpocetine a day. They found that the memory of these participants “significantly improved” with the supplement.
Huperzine A
Huperzine A may enhance memory. It interacts with the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which breaks down acetylcholine.
We need acetylcholine for memory formation. Huperzine A protects acetylcholine from being broken down too quickly by acetylcholinesterase. More acetylcholine results in better short-term and long-term memory. However, it’s not shown that supplements make it into the brain.
What People Are Saying About Cogniflex®
People have mixed reviews about Cogniflex®. Most experts agree that it’s a reasonable nootropic, but doesn’t have remarkable standout features.
Most users have experienced mild benefits from the supplement.
Several negative reviews have also been posted about Cogniflex®. However, counterfeit products have also used the Cogniflex® name to sell low-quality, ineffective versions.
There’s nothing really “revolutionary” about this formula. These exact same ingredients can be found in hundreds of other cognitive enhancers, pre workout supplements, and even weight loss pills. I can say, however, that some of these ingredients when combined can produce some pretty solid nootropic effects.
-SupplementCritique
When I first took my morning pill of Cogniflex, it took about 15 minutes before I felt “something” happening. I felt a rush of blood through my body, specifically to my head. While I did become considerably more alert, I wasn’t sold on the product just yet because this might just be a “caffeine rush.” Well, 1 hour passed, then 2, then 3, then 4, and I still felt alert. I would typically get quite drowsy by 12 PM but this time around, I still felt as though I had gotten a good night of sleep and it was only 8:00 AM. Only at around 2 PM did I feel myself to start slowing down again, which was when I decided to take a second one, especially since I had an important project due by the end of the day.
-ReviewingThis
I purchased Cogniflex online. After receiving it in the mail, I tried Cogniflex and about one hour after the first dose, I broke out in hives all over my body. About one week later, I tried it again in hopes that it was not the Cogniflex that I had an allergic reaction to. Again, I had an allergic reaction and developed hives all over my body. I do not know what is in Cogniflex and I do not recommend anyone ingesting this product.
-HighYa
Published Studies
No scientific studies have been done on the Cogniflex® product, however, its ingredients have ample research.
Bacopa Monnieri and Memory
A study conducted at the University of Wollongong in Australia tested the effects of Bacopa Monnieri on memory. Scientists administered three tests to 76 adult participants: one before the trial, three months into the trial, and six months after the trial.
The results suggested an increase in learning rate and information processing. Bacopa Monnieri also may have improved memory consolidation, a skill that improves learning, but it had no significant effects on working, short-term, or long-term memory.
Rhodiola Rosea’s Multiple Benefits
Rhodiola Rosea is another major ingredient in Cogniflex®. A study published in Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety presents an overview of Rhodiola Rosea’s research.
Studies done on the supplement thus far show that it has a wide array of uses. Rhodiola Rosea can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It increases our “physical work capacity” by also helping the body manage fatigue.
Rhodiola Rosea works by increasing the neurotransmitters in the brain, which are known to influence mood and alertness.
L-theanine and Attention
The Journal of Functional Foods published an article revealing the effects of L-theanine on attention and response time. Participants in the study were 18 healthy university students.
The students were divided into two groups and received either a placebo or 200 grams of L-theanine. Researchers gave both groups an anxiety assessment test and had them complete tasks 15 to 60 minutes after consuming L-theanine.
After measuring heart rate and brain activity, researchers concluded that among participants prone to anxiety, L-theanine significantly improved attention and performance. However, among individuals who usually didn’t experience anxiety, there was no significant change.
Results of these studies show that the ingredients in Cogniflex® are effective, but they might not work equally for everyone.
Critical remarks
Do a quick search on Cogniflex®, and you’ll find several articles questioning its legitimacy. However, the majority of these reviews conclude that Cogniflex® is safe and that the ingredients used do have positive effects.
False Reviews
Interestingly, websites that give a harsh critique of Cogniflex® often refer to the wrong product. CogniLift and CogniShield are two of the products people seem to be confusing with Cogniflex®.
Look closely at the images or click on the Cogniflex® screenshots and you’ll find that they refer to entirely different products.
We don’t have a completely glowing review of Cogniflex®, but there is an unusual amount of confusion around this product. Don’t let yourself be fooled by false reviews and disreputable sites.
Mysterious Proprietary Blend
Cogniflex® does contain ingredients that boost brain functions, including memory, focus, and energy. However, the company isn’t entirely transparent about what the product contains.
We don’t know if the ingredients in their formula are present in doses high enough to have the same effects they did in scientific studies.
Health and fitness professionals seem to agree that Cogniflex® has beneficial ingredients, but nothing that makes it stand out as a nootropic.