Vitamin B12 (500 MCG)
Vitamin B12 is something most casually recognised as a popular ingredient of energy drinks. The reason for this is that Vitamin b12 helps to provide the body with the tools it needs to convert food into energy. We can see how this can help fight fatigue and maybe improve sustained energy levels, but despite it's use by the body to help create and develop brain and nerve cells, there's no real scientific evidence available that it actually improves brain function. The only impact we can foresee it having is helping to reduce the risk of a Vitamin b12 deficiency, as being deficient in vitamin B12 does have memory loss effects, and with the rise of vegan and vegetarian diets is becoming more and more common. In this way you could consider it as being able to support memory, but it's a bit of a marketing spin, especially when taking a look at the dosage here. The amount of vitamin b12 the average body needs is 2.4 MCG, yet here they're offering 500MCG which is something we just can't understand. It's not generally considered harmful as your body simply absorbs what it needs, passing the rest in our urine, but why they've included so much is just baffling.
Phosphatidylserine (7mg)
Phosphatidylserine is a chemical that is important for many functions in the human body, and although we're capable or producing this ourselves, the main source for it is from our diets. It's been found useful in the treatment or Alzheimer's disease, and normal age related decline in thinking and memory skills, though this has been seen to become less effective over long term use and with little knowledge of the mechanisms at play it's inconclusive as to why it's effects lessen over time. Though it's not been tested for these circumstances, it's inclusion seems justified as it's possible Phosphatidylserine will have the same boosting properties on a healthy brain as well. In terms of dosage, however, it seems rather low. In the tests done Phosphatidylserine was dosed at 100mg or above to see any results, so 7mg leaves us wanting.
Bacopa Monnieri (300mg)
Also known as the water hyssop, Bacopa Monnieri has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, and in todays world of modern supplements, it is now one of the most powerful and popular natural nootropics in use. Though little research has been done to really conclude it's effectiveness, there are studies that have shown it's cognitive benefits, such as the ability to decrease reaction times and improve cognition. The dosage here is about right as well, as in these studies the amount used was precisely 300mg. Overall, a big thumbs up from us for this inclusion.
Ginkgo Biloba (100mg)
One of the oldest known living trees, dating back more than 200 million years, Ginkgo biloba has been used in eastern medicine for many different purposes. Ginkgo biloba has been observed to improve blood circulation, helping to support healthy brain function and tackle brain fog. There's not too much research that has been conducted to truly narrow down exactly how Ginkgo biloba achieves this improvement to mental clarity, but it is believed an enhancement to vasodilatation is how Ginkgo improves blood circulation. The dosage here again is pretty spot on, with anywhere from 60-240mg being considered an effective dose.
DMAE (50mg)
Also known as Deanol, Dimethylaminoethanol is a chemical that is naturally found in the body, that is involved in a chain of chemical conversions in the body that makes acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter, so of course the more we can promote its production the better. That being said, there's little to no scientific evidence that introducing DMAE into the body through the mouth will actually produce this effect, with most studies finding inconclusive evidence that Deanol improved brain function in any meaningful way.
Rhodiola Rosea Extract (50mg)
Rhodiola rosea is a plant that grows wwithin the colder regions located in Europe and Asia ad the root has a long history of medical use. In the medical world it is known as what's called an adaptogen, as it helps to fight mental fatigue. It's also known to help regulate serotonin and dopamine, helping to keep us focused on the task at hand, leading to better brain functioning overall. The dosage here is all good, so we get another thumbs up from us.