Alpha Brain is one of the world’s best-selling nootropics. Released by Onnit back in 2011, Alpha Brain was one of the first brain supplements to hit the mass market. Since then it has gone on to become arguably the best-known nootropic in existence. It is also one of the top rated nootropics in the world according to dozens of professional nootropics review sites.
According to Onnit, Alpha Brain is the single best nootropic on the market today. They say it can sharpen focus, improve memory function, and reduce stress and anxiety. They claim that it can put you into a ‘flow state’ of intense concentration and mental performance, all while supporting long-term brain health. To achieve this, Onnit claim to have combined state of the art, clinically proven, 100% natural ingredients into Alpha Brain.
But are Alpha Brain’s ingredients actually that good?
What is in Alpha Brain exactly?
Let’s go through the nootropics in Alpha Brain in more detail to see if this popular brain supplement can really deliver on its promises.
Looking For The Most Complete Nootropic?
See Our Top Rated Nootropic & Alpha Brain Alternative: Nooceptin
Nooceptin is currently our #1 rated nootropic. This stack is vastly superior to Alpha Brain. Not only does it contain a superior range of ingredients to Alpha Brain, but it doesn’t hide doses behind rip-off proprietary blends and doesn’t contain any useless fillers.
The doses of key nootropics are far greater in Nooceptine. For example, Nooceptin contains 50% more Bacopa monnieri than Alpha Brain, and the extract quality is also vastly more potent (standardized to 40% bacosides). This is combined with ingredients such as Lion’s Mane Mushroom and Ginkgo biloba, which have been clinically proven to enhance cognition and promote long-term brain cell development. This makes Nooceptin significantly more effective for long-term memory enhancement and for slowing age-related cognitive decline.
The benefits of taking Nooceptin daily include:
- Increase in focus and concentration within 90 minutes
- Significantly better memory functon long-term
- Improved working memory function in the short-term
- Better brain health
- Greater mental energy and clarity
- Reduced brain fog
- Lower anxiety levels
We tested Nooceptin ourselves and found it to be much more effective than Alpha Brain for enhancing cognitive performance in the short-term, and it is clearly more effective for long-term brain function and brain cell health.
What is Alpha Brain?
Alpha Brain is a comprehensive, once-daily nootropic supplement made by Onnit. According to the official website – and its many celebrity endorsers – Alpha Brain can enhance practically every single aspect of cognitive performance and brain health.
Specifically, Onnit Alpha Brain promises to:
- Improve memory
- Enhance focus, concentration and learning
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Improve mood
- Support brain health
As mentioned above, Alpha Brain has a lot of significant celebrity endorsements. Of these, the most notable is probably Joe Rogan. The 5 foot 5 podcast host and amateur comedian credits Alpha Brain with his extremely sharp intellect and superb memory. Make of that what you will! Those of you who have read our Alpha Brain review will know that we arne’t exactly convinced by Rogan’s claims, or those of Onnit themselves.
The reason we aren’t convinced is because of Alpha Brain’s formula. So, let’s cut to the chase and take a good look at Alpha Brain’s ingredients.
Alpha Brain Ingredients
What ingredients are in Alpha Brain?
The bulk of the Alpha Brain formula is divided up into three distinct proprietary blends. A proprietary blend is just a term given for when a manufacturer lumps ingredients into groups based on their effects. It has no practical meaning. All it does is allow for the hiding of low doses!
Manufacturers typically only use proprietary blends when they want to hide the fact that the formula is stuffed full of the cheapest substances, and low on the more effective (and thus more expensive) compounds.They can list a dozen or so proven cognitive ehancers on the label, while only including a few micrograms of the most expensive stuff! This allows them to still look like a solid supplement while keeping costs low.
The main blends which make up the Alpha Brain formula are:
- Onnit Flow Blend: The flow blend is designed to put you into a ‘flow state’. This is a kind of intense hyper-focus where you lose perception of time and you are performing right at the edge of your mental capacity. The flow blend supposedly contains ingredients which heighten focus, increase concentration, and promote the production of alpha brain waves.
- Onnit Focus Blend: According to Onnit, the focus blend is a combination of ingredients which increase the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is the main executive neurotransmitter in mamals. It is responsible for working memory function, learning, speech, motor control, and so on. The blend also apparently contains substances which make nerve cells (i.e. neurons) better at receiving acetylcholine.
- Onnit Fuel Blend: The Onnit Fuel Blend claims to provide you with a “healthy brain environment”. The blend contains nootropics which claim to protect brain cells from damage, and other ingredients which help the body synthesized protein. How that is of benefit in a nootropic is not clear to us, but there we are!
We will now go through the main active ingredients in Alpha Brain and explain what they do, how they work, and what the scientific evidence has to say. We will then talk briefly about the formula as a whole and the safety of Alpha Brain’s constituents.
Vitamin B6
B6 is one of the most important B vitamins. It is also one of the most commonly occurring in nature; B6 is found in a huge variety of foods, from peanuts and oats to pork and eggs. B6 is vital for the metabolism of energy from food. It is also crucial for the synthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. In fact, studies show that supplementing with B6 can significantly increase dopamine levels, which boost motivation and lifts mood[1]. This is why B6 is an ingredient in so many nootropics. The 10mg we get in Alpha Brain is plenty to see increases in motivation, mental energy and focus.
L-Tyrosine
L-Tyrosine is one of the few ingredients in Alpha Brain with real, proven nootropic effects. Tyrosine is a fundamental building block of the neurotransmitter dopamine. This is the neurotransmitter responsible for motivational behavior; it is dopamine that keeps you focused on a task and drives you to finish it. Studies show that Tyrosine supplementation improves mental performance during times of peak stress, such as sleep deprivation and extreme cold[2]. While some people recommend using NALT over L-Tyrosine, the clinical evidence shows no meaningful difference between the two.
L-Theanine
Theanine is an amino acid found in great abundance in black tea. It is known to have a noticeable calming effect when used in large doses. Theanine is particularly effective when used in conjunction with caffeine, as it decreases the stimulant’s side effects while amplifying its beneficial effects.
Theanine also has nootropic properties of its own; taking theanine reduces mental and physical tension and heightens focus without causing any serious side effects. Unfortunately, we have no idea how much of this ingredient we get in Alpha Brain. Doses below 150mg are practically pointless, and we are unlikely to get more than that in this particular formula!
Oat straw extract
Oat straw is said to have anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties. For a long time it has been used as a relaxant and sleep aid. However, there is no hard evidence that oat straw extract ctually works to reduce anxiety and tension, and there’s no proof that improves sleep quality either. All of the “evidence” backing up its use as a supplement relies on hearsay and the claims of “traditional medicine”. No clinical trials show it being an effective anxiolytic, contrary to what Onnit claim about Alpha Brain’s components.
Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid found in large quantities in the human brain, where it is used to create new brain cell membranes and to signal that old brain cells are dying. Unfortunately, phosphatidylserine levels sgtart to decline as we age. Studies have associated this decline with impaired cognitive performance in old age. Supplementing with phosphatidylserine has been shown to reliably improve focus, memory and mental clarity in young and older people alike[3]. Other studies looking at this ingredient have found benefits for focus, learning and brain health.
Sadly, we have no idea how much phosphatidylserine we get in Alpha Brain. It could easily be less than the minimum active dose of 100mg. In fact, given the total blend size, we think it is highly unlikely that Alpha Brain provides enough phosphatiylserine for you to see benefits, which is a shame since it is such a potent nootropic ingredient. Why else would you lump it together with three other nootropics?
Cat’s Claw extract
Cat’s Claw is a really interesting cognitive enhancer. This herb native to the Amazon rainforest has long been said to have miraculous health properties. Most of these have turned out to be overblown, but recent clinical research has found that Cat’s Claw has at least one very interesting property – it appears to help prevent the buildup of the amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementias!
In one study, researchers found that the consumption of Cat’s Claw prevents the accumulation of both brain plaques and protein tangles, both of which are implicated in age-related memory loss and cognitive decline. More research is obviously needed, but it looks like Cat’s Claw may be a potent protector of memory function as we get older.
Alpha-GPC
Alpha-GPC is an extremely potent nootropic. It is a fast-acting and reliable cognitive enhancer. Alpha-GPC works by increasing choline availability in the brain. This leads to an increase in the synthesis of two important neurochemicals; acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine. Acetylcholine is the most important executive neurotransmitter in the brain, responsible for everything from short-term memory formation to speech. Phosphatidylcholine is a vital component of brain cell membranes.
Studies show that Alpha-GPC consumption lads to rapid increases in focus, concentration, and learning capacity[4]. However, once again we have no idea exactly how much of this ingredient we get in each serving of Alpha Brain. We can roughly estimate that there is about 100mg per serving, but Onnit do not say explicitly for some reason!
Bacopa monnieri extract
Bacopa monnieri is one of our favorite nootropic ingredients. Every good, comprehenive brain supplement needs to contain some Bacopa monnieri. This herb works in several different ways at once.
There is good evidence to suggest that Bacopa monnieri works as an adaptogen, impoving the body’s resistance and response to stress. But we think there is even stronger evidence suggesting that bacopa monnieri works first and foremost by stimulating the growth of neuron dendrites. This would explain why so many studies have found that Bacopa monnieri supplementation improves memory function, particularly in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and memory loss.
But once again, it is unlikely that Alpha Brain contains even a fraction of the Bacopa monnieri we need to take in order to see significant improvements in memory function.We simply don’t see how there could be enough Bacopa monnieri in Alpha Brain given the total blend size. Taking less than 200mg of Bacopa monnieri is only effective when using a very high quality, high bacoside extract.
Huperzia serrata extract
Huperzine serrata is a unique natual source of compound called Huperzine A, which is known to inhibit an enzyme in the brain called acetylcholinesterase. As the name suggests, acetylcholinesterase is the enzyme responsible for breaking down acetylcholine in the brain. As discussed above, acetylcholine is the main executive neurotransmitter in the human brain. By inhibiting the enzyme which breaks it down, Huperzine A causes a rapid build up of acetylcholine in the brain, which enhances every aspect of cognitive performance in a very short space of time.
Huperzine A is one of the fastest-acting nootropics in existence. It tends to give users an almost instant increase in concentration, sharper focus and a longer attention span. It usually has people feeling totally ‘locked in’ after about 90 minutes. But again, we don’t know the dosage for this Alpha Brain ingredient!
L-Leucine
Leucine is one of the most common amino acids in the human diet. If you’re eating a food high in protein, it almost certainly contains some Leucine. You most probably eat grams upon grams of leucine every single day. Leucine is important for protein synthesis, and it acts as a kind of anabolic trigger for muscle growth. But it has absolutely no nootropic properties whatsoever. Consuming a few dozen milligrams of leucine is not going to even register with your body. This is a pointless Alpha Brain ingredient included purely as filler (so Onnit can skimp on the pterostilbene).
Pterostilbene
Pterostilbene is a synthetic derivative of resveratrol. It is often said to be much more potent than resveratrol, as well as more bioavailable. You will often see Pterostilbene used in nootropic stacks because of its ability to more easily cros the blood brain barrier than resveratrol, which is a key consideration when looking at nootropic ingredients.
What are the main active ingredients in Alpha Brain?
Alpha Brain has three main parts which do the majority of the heavy lifting: Alpha-GPC, Huperzine A and Tyrosine. Together these cognitive enhancers produce most of the nootropic benefits associated with Onnit Alpha Brain. The other components either do nothing or are dosed too low.
This is not to dismiss all of the other constituents of Alpha Brain. There are a handful of effective nootropic ingredients in this supplement which may give users a small increase in cognitive performance.
Things like Bacopa monnieri and Cat’s Claw will certainly improve cognitive function; clinical trials have found these nootropics to produce significant improvements in memory function and long-term brain health. But it is highly unlikely that there is enough Bacopa monnieri in Alpha Brain to really have any kind of meaningful effect on memory.
Considering the substantial price tag of this nootropic, we think the formula really needs to be a lot bettr for us to recommend it to our readers.
NooCube contains all of the best ingredients in Alpha Brain – at clearly stated, standard doses – for a fraction of the cost of Alpha Brain!
Is Alpha Brain Natural?
Onnit Alpha Brain claims to be an all-natural nootropic supplement. This is absolutely true. While Alpha Brain uses ingredients that are not commonly found in the normal diet, or even in foods consumed by humans, they are all naturally occurring in nature. Alpha Brain is therefore a 100% natural nootropic stack. However, note that being 100% natural does not mean it is 100% safe. Many nootropics are natural but still cause side effects.
Ingredient Side Effects: Is Alpha Brain Safe?
Will the ingredients in Alpha Brain cause side effects?
The ingredients in Onnit Alpha Brain are unlikely to cause side effects if you take them infrequently for limited periods of time. All of the ingedients have been tested in robust clinical trials on humans. All of them have been deemed generally safe for human consumption. Most of them are used in other nootropics on the market today, and none are thought to pose serious health and safety risks.
However, some users have reported experiencing negative side effects from taking Alpha Brain. These side effects include headaches, confusion, loss of focus, lethargy, low mood, slower reaction times, and muscle cramps. To avoid these side effects, consider taking breaks from Alpha Brain every couple of weeks.
Learn more: Alpha Brain side effects guide.
Can you safely take Alpha Brain every day?
Taking Alpha Brain every day shouldn’t cause serious side effects. All of the ingredients have been independently tested in clinical trials for up to 28 days at a time and none have been found to cause negative side effects. There are no known long-term adverse effects to worry about either. That said, some people may find that they need to cycle Huperzine A to completely avoid side effects.
Conclusion: Are Alpha Brain’s Ingredients Any Good?
It’s really surprising to see how popular Alpha Brain is given the nootropic’s components and doses. There is really nothing exciting about this brain supplement at all. Alpha Brain’s formula components are broadly good, but all of the best ingredients are dosed too low, the ingredient quality is questionable, and there are several bogus substance in the formula.
Put simply, there are 5 MAJOR PROBLEMS with the Alpha Brain formula that make it ipossible for us to recommend. These are:
- The very fact that Onnit hides the ingredient doses in their leading brain supplement is a major red flag in and of itself. After taking a closer look at the formula, it’s clear why they’ve decided to obscure the exact formula specifications.
- Bacopa monnieri is one of the most important ingredients in any nootropic for memory, and Alpha Brain contains just 100mg. NooCube – which costs about a third of what Alpha Brain does – contains 250mg per serving.
- Since Phosphatidylserine is lumped in with Theanine, Oat Extract and Tyrosine, it is impossible to know if you’re getting enough of any one of these ingredients to make a difference. But because the doses are hidden, we suspect the cheapest of the 4 ingredients makes up the majority of the blend.
- Furthermore, several of the nootropic components of Alpha Brain do nothing. Oat Straw and Leucine are both completely useless. They have no place in a nootropic. Why they were chosen for this nootropic stack is beyond us!
- Then there’s ingredient quality. Alpha Brain uses basic forms of the most important cognitive enhancers in its formula and doses them far too low for you to expect optimal benefits. This is a real shame. if they were dosed properly, many of the components of Alpha Brain’s formula could dramatically improve focus, learning and memory.
So in terms of the ingredients, there are much better nootropics out there than Alpha Brain. No question about it!
Our current top rated nootropic overall is actually very similar to Alpha Brain in composition. But it beats Onnit’s leading brain supplement hands down because it has a completely open formula, solid serving sizes, and no useless filler ingredients!
Sources
- Guilarte, T R. “Effect of vitamin B-6 nutrition on the levels of dopamine, dopamine metabolites, dopa decarboxylase activity, tyrosine, and GABA in the developing rat corpus striatum.” Neurochemical research vol. 14,6 (1989): 571-8. doi:10.1007/BF00964920
-
Neri, D F et al. “The effects of tyrosine on cognitive performance during extended wakefulness.” Aviation, space, and environmental medicine vol. 66,4 (1995): 313-9.
- Kato-Kataoka, Akito et al. “Soybean-derived phosphatidylserine improves memory function of the elderly Japanese subjects with memory complaints.” Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition vol. 47,3 (2010): 246-55. doi:10.3164/jcbn.10-62
- Parker, Adam G et al. “The effects of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, caffeine or placebo on markers of mood, cognitive function, power, speed, and agility.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition vol. 12,Suppl 1 P41. 21 Sep. 2015, doi:10.1186/1550-2783-12-S1-P41
Looking For Something That Really Works?
See Our Current #1 Rated Cognitive Enhancer: Nooceptin
Nooceptin is our current top rated nootropic. We tried Nooceptin ourselves and found that it works exactly as advertised. Taken together, the ingredients rapidly increase focus, accelerate mental processing speeds, and enhance working memory.
Nooceptin is a truly comprehensive nootropic, providing both immediate and long-term benefits. It does not cause side effects and is considerably better value than other nootropic stacks on the market today.
Nooceptin has been found to effectively:
- ✔️ Boost Overall Cognitive Function
- ✔️ Improve Memory
- ✔️ Enable Better Communication
- ✔️ Enhance Concentration
- ✔️ Improve Multi-tasking
- ✔️ Boost Mental Energy
The really special thing about Nooceptin, however, is its long-term effects. When taken daily for prolonged periods, Nooceptin stimulates neuron growth and improves overall brain cell health. This means it enhances cognition in a deep, meaningful way that keeps giving you benefits after you stop using it.
Simply put, Nooceptin is the ideal brain supplement for people who need to mentally perform at 100% capacity for hours on end. At $69.99 per course, we think it's hard to find a more effective and cost-effective nootropic right now.
Brian Johnson is current Editor of Vagarights.com and a long-time writer for VAGA. A former psychologist, Brian is passionate about improving mental health and finding ways to stave off cognitive decline. He is an expert on nootropics, cognitive enhancement and biohacking more broadly. You can see his work on Google scholar.
What other better nootropics are you referring to? Doing some research to trial some different kinds. Thank you.