Our Review: Brainol – Does it Really Work?

Here is our Brainol review, a nootropic supplement designed to boost your cognitive function, memory, focus, and overall brain performance.

This makes Brainol an attractive option for people who are looking to ward off mental decline naturally, instead of going the prescription route. The question is, does Brainol really work for brain? Is it worth the money? And how does it compare to other nootropics?

We find out below!

Brainol Review Summarized

PROS

• A good number of effective nootropics
• Bacopa & Phosphatidylserine help to promote long-term brain function
• L-Tyrosine reduces stress
• L-Theanine may alleviate signs of anxiety and restlessness
• B vitamins are added to help cover any potential deficiencies

CONS

• Missing some core ingredients like Lion’s Mane Mushroom and Pine Bark Extract
• Huperzine A needs to be cycled, canceling the benefits of other nootropics that need to be taken daily to work
• A number of ingredients with potential side effects – including St. John’s Wort and Alpha Lipoic Acid
• Some ineffective and poorly bioavailable ingredients, including magnesium oxide

SUMMARY:

Brainol is a natural dietary supplement with some great ingredients. These include Bacopa Monnieri, L-Tyrosine, and B Vitamins among others. Together, these ingredients should improve your memory and cognitive function over the long-term.

That is, if they are taken daily consistently. But this is not possible due to the inclusion of Huperzine A which you need to take a break from every few weeks in order to avoid side effects.

This, coupled with the inclusion of some unproven ingredients, makes the price of $49.99 seem too much for what Brainol offers. There are definitely better nootropics on the market at this price range. Make sure to do your research before rushing into buying this one.

What do we recommend?

-Click to See the Current Top 3 Nootropic Supplements-

About Brainol

Brainol is a vegan-friendly nootropic uniquely formulated to help you achieve great results – enhance memory, sharpen focus, boost mental endurance, and optimize brain energy.

It is marketed for both men and women of all backgrounds. In the words of Brainol, it works no matter whether you are “a busy mom, a student in the middle of an exams or a high achieving executive.”

Brainol comes in bottles of 60 capsules, and is currently one of the more popular nootropics online.

The question is, how will it work for you?

In the following sections, we are going analyze Brainol in-depth to give you a complete answer on what you can expect from this supplement as well as how it compares to other nootropics in terms of safety, effectiveness, and value.

Brainol Overview:

Dosage Instructions

How to take Brainol?

For best results, the manufacturer recommends taking 1 capsule of Brainol in the morning, and another capsule in the afternoon, in both cases with meals.

Ingredients – What’s Inside Brainol?

Braniol contains the following ingredients:

• Magnesium Oxide – 75mg
• Vitamin B6 – 20mg
• Vitamin B1 – 10mg
• Vitamin B2 – 10mg
• Vitamin B3 – 10mcg
• Vitamin B12 – 500mcg
• St. John’s Wort Extract – 200mg
• L-Tyrosine – 200mg
• L-Glutamine – 200mg
• L-Theanine – 100mg
• Aceetyl L-Carnitine – 100mg
• Phosphatidylserine – 150mg
• Choline Bitartrate – 120mg
• DMAE Bitartrate – 100mg
• Brahmi – 100mg
• Guarana – 60mg
• Alpha Lipoic Acid – 50mg
• Ginkgo Biloba – 50mg
• Black Pepper Extract (BioPerine) – 5mg
• Huperzine A – 400mcg

As shown on the product label:

Brainol contains way more ingredients than your typical brain supplement.

You may ask, does more mean better here?

First things first, there are a number of great ingredients in Brainol. Phosphatidylserine, B vitamins, L-Tyrosine, Bacopa, and L-Theanine are all common in the best nootropic supplements. Together, these ingredients should help to boost your memory, focus, and cognitive functions if used daily long-term.

But there are also some major issues.

One is that a significant part of Brainol’s formula consists of ineffective or unproven ingredients. In the case of St. John’s Wort and Alpha-Lipoic Acid, there is also a risk of long-term side effects (more on that in the sections that follow).

Brainol is also missing some core ingredients that we often see in the best supplements in this category. Namely, Lion’s Mane Mushroom, Rhodiola Rosea, and CDP-Choline.

Even when there are good ingredients in Brainol, their effects are limited due to the inclusion of Huperzine A. An otherwise beneficial ingredient for supporting short-term memory, Huperzine A needs to be taken only for a short period of time, after which a short break is needed. Otherwise, it can cause side effects like memory loss (ironically). But by taking a break from using Brainol, you’re effectively canceling out any benefits from ingredients that need to be taken consistently to work.

Let’s go ahead and take a closer look at each individual ingredient. We’re going to explain what they do, what we make of their dosages, and the science behind them. Please post any questions in the comment section down below.

Magnesium Oxide – 75mg

Magnesium is a mineral important for a variety of functions in your body. It controls nerve impulses, helps regulate your heartbeat, and enables muscle contractions among others. Magnesium oxide is often used by people who suffer from constipation, as it is one of the most effective ways to induce loose stools and diarrhea.

However, for the purpose of brain enhancement, better forms of magnesium are available. Namely, magnesium citrate. It is substantially better absorbed than magnesium oxide, and by extension, it doesn’t cause loose stool or diarrhea. We can’t think of any legitimate reason for Brainol to include magnesium oxide instead of a higher-quality form of magnesium other than to save on production costs!

B Vitamins

B vitamins are found in natural sources like leafy greens, egg yolks, and legumes. Most people get enough of these nutrients in their diet. However, if you take supplements you may be consuming too much. This can lead to a variety of health conditions such as headaches, nausea, and even gastrointestinal problems.

The benefits of taking B vitamins are not clear-cut either. They might have an effect on mental health or protection from heart disease but there is no evidence to support this claim at this time. The main reason for taking a B vitamin supplement is just for the prevention of a deficiency disease which is very rare in developed countries like the United States and Canada where there is a wide variety of foods available that provide all necessary B vitamins.

St. John’s Wort Extract – 200mg

St. John’s Worth is a supplement that contains an extract from the leaves of the Hypericum perforatum, also known as Hypericin.

Hypericin is believed to be a natural anti-depressant and anti-inflammatory agent. It works by inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that transmit nerve signals, in synapses. The most common type of these neurotransmitters is serotonin, which controls moods and sleep cycles.

Having said that, St. John’s Wort Extract is not without its risks. It is known to cause a number of side effects such as skin burn when exposed to sunlight, fatigue, headaches, sexual dysfunction to name a few. St. John’s Wort also has negative interactions with many medications – if you are on any, don’t take St. John’s Wort before speaking with your doctor.

L-Tyrosine – 200mg

L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that is needed to produce the neurotransmitter dopamine. It promotes a healthy mood, mental clarity, and focus. It helps with depression, stress management, learning disorders, and ADHD. Tyrosine helps with some cases of Parkinson’s disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. Tyrosine also supports cardiovascular health by helping keep blood vessels dilated and reducing blood pressure.

A good ingredient choice all in all! The dosage is within safe and effective limits, too.

L-Glutamine – 200mg

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in muscle tissue. It is essential for muscle glucose uptake, which allows muscles to maintain normal levels of glycogen. Benefits include:

• Boosts Immune System
• Reduces Inflammation
• Helps fight against chronic fatigue syndrome

Glutamine is not a common ingredient in brain supplements, mainly because you would need to take it in grams in order to notice any benefits, and also because glutamine is mainly used for bodybuilding purposes – it doesn’t have as many nootropic benefits as other ingredients.

L-Theanine – 100mg

L-Theanine is an amino acid that has been shown to have nootropic benefits. These benefits include improved mood, improved sleep quality, improved attention span and improved response time. It achieves this by enhancing your alpha brain waves, which are typically higher in children and pre-adolescents. Adults normally operate in higher beta-brain waves most of the time, which is sometimes associated with stress and anxiety.

Research indicates that L-Theanine is most effective when taken at doses of 200 mg.

Aceetyl L-Carnitine – 100mg

Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) is a supplement that many people take to promote cognition. It is a form of L-Carnitine, however, the “acetyl” part enables it to cross your blood-brain barrier more easily.

ALCAR can be taken as a pill or through drinking water. One study found that taking Acetyl L-Carnitine can improve memory and cognition in Alzheimer’s patients.

There are some other studies that have found that Acetyl L-Carnitine can prevent the deterioration of cognitive function in people with mild cognitive impairment. Other positive effects have been seen in individuals with schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and alcohol abuse.

Phosphatidylserine – 150mg

Phosphatidylserine – or simply PS – is a fatty molecule found in high amounts in the human brain.

Phosphatidylserine supplements are shown to help reduce mental and physical stress. It also helps improve memory and learning skills. The dosage in Brainol is in the clinically studied range, as well.

Choline Bitartrate – 120mg

Choline is a molecule our brain uses as a building block for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which regulates memory and executive functions. There are different versions of choline. Each one has its own pros and cons.

In the case of Choline Bitartrate, it has very low bioavailability in the brain, but it can be a good liver-health aid. It has been shown to help reduce the risk of fatty liver.

For nootropic purposes though, CDP-Choline (or Citicoline) and Alpha GPC are the two best sources of choline available. They have absorption and effectiveness that is far superior to that of Choline Bitartrate that Brainol uses.

DMAE Bitartrate – 100mg

DMAE supplements are made from a natural amino acid which is found in the brain and nervous system.

In recent years, DMAE has been studied for its use as a supplement to treat various mental and physical disorders.

There is no shortage of anecdotal evidence suggesting that DMAE supplements can improve mental clarity, promote better sleep, improve memory recall, and even reduce anxiety.

However, there have been few good scientific studies to back up these claims at this time.

One area that future studies might want to investigate further is if DMAE benefits people with ADD or ADHD by improving their attention span and ability to focus. It’s also unclear if long term use of DMAE might be linked to any health risks such as liver problems or elevated blood pressure levels.

Brahmi – 100mg

This is a great inclusion.

Brahmi is a supplement that is derived from the plant Bacopa monniera.

The effects of Brahmi supplements can vary depending on what form it is taken in and how often it is used.

Brahmi supplements have been shown to improve memory, mental clarity, and cognitive function in adults aged 18-45 years old with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease dementia.

Reducing anxiety has also been found to be one of the benefits of Brahmi supplements for individuals with anxiety disorders.

Guarana – 60mg

Guarana is a natural plant that has been consumed by the native South American population for thousands of years.

The seeds of guarana are boiled and then dried to make a powder that is added to drinks. It contains many substances, including caffeine, theobromine, tannins, and saponins.

Guarana is known for its stimulant effects. It stimulates brain activity and helps with concentration, fatigue, stress levels, mood swings, depression symptoms and more.

Alpha Lipoic Acid – 50mg

Alpha Lipoic Acid is a type of vitamin supplement that is often used as a way to manage diabetes. However, there are some side effects of this supplement that people should be aware of before they start taking it.

The common side effects associated with alpha lipoic acid are gastrointestinal distress and diarrhea. People have also reported experiencing fatigue, nausea, headache, and dry mouth. These symptoms can be alleviated by using a different form of alpha lipoics or reducing the dosage.

Some people have also experienced mild skin reactions such as redness and dryness after taking this supplement for a prolonged period of time.

Since Alpha Lipoic Acid is a heavy metal chelator, it needs to be taken under the supervision of a medical professional experienced in mercury chelation, in order to avoid severe long-term negative side effects. Look up “Andy Cutler Chelation Protocol” for more info and be sure to talk to your doctor before using ALA.

Ginkgo Biloba – 50mg

Ginkgo Biloba is a tree whose leaves contain compounds that are beneficial for brain health.

Ginkgo has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine. It was introduced to the Western world in the 18th century by Jesuit missionaries who observed its use by monks in China.

Ginkgo Biloba is often used in supplements to enhance memory and cognition.

It is believed that ginkgo has antioxidant, vasodilatory, and antiplatelet properties.

Some studies have found it can help with dementia, tinnitus, headaches, vascular conditions, and asthma.

Black Pepper Extract (BioPerine) – 5mg

Black Pepper Extract is included in Brainol to promote optimal digestion and absorption of other ingredients in the formula.

Huperzine A – 400mcg

Huperzine A is the one ingredient we hoped not to see in Brainol.

Although many supplements contain Huperzine A, it is not the best nootropic in our opinion. Not because it doesn’t work – it does – but because you need to cycle it every few weeks to avoid negative side effects. It’s been shown to work best only for short-term use (e.g. when studying for an exam and needing a quick brain boost).

But if you are looking for a quality long-term nootropic, Huperzine A is not it.

The biggest issue of all is, since you will need to cycle Brainol to avoid side effects from Huperzine A, other ingredients that need to be taken every day won’t be effective.

Our Commentary on Brainol’s Ingredients

Brainol contains a few great brain-enhancing ingredients – for example, Bacopa and Phosphatidylserine. Taken daily for several weeks and months, the benefits from these ingredients build up over time. You should notice an increase in attention span and mental clarity from these ingredients.

However, the formula is tainted by the inclusion of Huperzine A. The fact that it needs to be taken a break from means other ingredients that need to be taken daily long-term is a huge paradox, and means you won’t get the full benefits from this supplement.

There are safer and more effective nootropic formulas on the market today, no doubt.

User Reviews

There are over 400 Brainol reviews on Amazon at the time of writing. People seem to be generally satisfied with it.

The fact that Brainol has very few reported side effects makes it an especially attractive option for anyone looking for a natural way to improve their cognitive function.

Some of the benefits customers report from using Brainol include improved memory, increased focus, sharpened thinking ability, and improved moods.

However, there are also those who weren’t happy with the results.

This leads us to the following: make sure to do your own research when buying a supplement. By “research,” we mean, look into the ingredients and the evidence behind them. Customer reviews and “testimonials” can only tell you so much. You can never tell if they are legitimate or paid ads, so it’s worth taking them with a grain of salt.

Pricing & Other Things to Consider

On Amazon and on its official website, Brainol costs $49.95 per bottle (60 capsules – 30 servings). This is quite a steep price for a nootropic with this many downsides. At this price range, it’s possible to find better nootropics that will give you superior long-term benefits.

At this moment in time, Brainol only sells on Brainol.com and Amazon.com. It is not available in Walmart.

Side Effects

Brainol can cause headaches, insomnia, fatigue, and dizziness to name a few. These potential side effects can mainly come from 3 ingredients in Brainol: Alpha Lipoic Acid, St. John’s Wort, and Huperzine A. If you haven’t taken any of these supplements before, be sure to talk to your doctor before using them for the first time.

Conclusion to Brainol REVIEW

Brainol is a supplement with a lot of potential, but a few serious drawbacks made us hesitant on recommending it to annyone.

The biggest problem is the inclusion of risky ingredients. Huperzine A works well in the short-term, but it needs to be cycled every few weeks to avoid side effects. This effectively cancels out the benefits of other ingredients in Brainol that need to be taken every day to work.

In addition, Brainol contains a few other ingredients that could potentially lead to side effects. When there are ingredients that are good, they come in forms that have poor bioavailability. Case in point – magnesium oxide and choline bitartrate.

For the price the supplement is charging, you can easily find better nootropics on the market today.

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