Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic
Positives
- Provides a massive dose of Tyrosine
- Plenty of potent Bacopa monnieri extract
Negatives
- Not idea for a pre-workout
- Not ideal for long-term cognitive performance
- Could really use a short-term focus booster
- NeuroFactor is unproven
Summary
Pretty much all of the benefits of Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic will come from the massive dose of Tyrosine (which is actually excessive). Save yourself some money and just buy some Tyrosine tablets. Most of the other ingredients are over-hyped and unproven.
Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic Review: Does it work?
Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs is a new supplement brand. They seem to sell exclusively through GNC. The website listed on the product bottles now just redirects back to GNC, so it looks as though Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs is a GNC-owned brand. They produce a wide range of supplements covering sports performance, muscle building, and general wellness. Now, they’re moving into nootropics! So what is Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic supposed to do?
The GNC page for Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic doesn’t give us much detail about what this product is supposed to do or how it works.
The product is simply described as “lab grade”.
As this brand usually focuses on sports performance products – and because it is sold exclusively through GNC – we can assume it is meant for enhancing training. Nootropics can definitely help with athletic performance, keeping you focused, alert, and giving you faster reactions.
So, is Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic any good? What does it actually do? Is it safe? Is there a better option for improving athletic performance? Read our full Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic review and you’ll find out!
Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic Ingredients
We like to jump straight into the important stuff. Here is the Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic formula as it is displayed on the bottle:
We’ll now take you through each ingredient. We will explain what they do – or don’t do – for cognition, how they work, and comment on their doses. If you have a question, please just post it in the comments and we’ll get right back to you.
Tyrosine -1.5g
Tyrosine is a very interesting anxiolytic. It promotes relaxation and calmness, but it does so in a much more nootropic-specific way than other anxiolytics. Studies have found that Tyrosine supplementation improves cognitive performance in people subjected to both environmental and physical stress. Specifically, Tyrosine seems to promote good mental function in people subjected to sleep deprivation, loud noises, extreme cold, and multi-tasking. This is why it is such a good nootropic for busy, stressed-out individuals.
Bacopa monnieri – 320mg (Synapsa 50% bacosides)
Bacopa monnieri is a wonderful cognitive enhancer. It is a memory-enhancer; clinical trials show that Bacopa monnieri supplementation improves scores on a range of memory tests in as little as 6 weeks (8-12 weeks for most people). It seems to be particularly effective at improving memory function in older people experiencing the first signs of cognitive decline or memory impairment. It is extremely safe and well tolerated; Bacopa monnieri rarely causes side effects. The 50% bacoside extract we get from Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic is superb – most stacks use far less potent extracts!
Theacrine – 100mg (TeaCrine 40%)
Theacrine is sold as a kind of “caffeine alternative”. According to many supplement manufacturers, it has stimulant properties very similar to caffeine, but with far fewer side effect risks. Theacrine does work on similar pathways to caffeine – adenosine signalling – but its effects are significantly weaker. Our research and experience strongly suggests that this is not a caffeine “alternative”; it is more like “caffeine light”. Expect minimal results from this stuff!
L-Theanine – 100mg (Suntheanine)
Theanine is an amino acid with some fascinating properties. It promotes deep, restful sleep, a calm state of mind, and softens the worst side effects of caffeine. Theanine is usually paired with caffeine in nootropic stacks. However, Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic doesn’t contain any caffeine. Theanine certainly doesn’t take anything away from this stack, but it doesn’t really add anything. Theanine does not have any notable nootropic properties by itself.
Coffee Fruit Concentrate – 100mg (NeuroFactor)
NeuroFactor is getting hyped up a lot lately. Supplement manufacturers are claiming that it has some pretty astounding nootropic properties. We aren’t convinced. The polyphenols in coffee beans might protect the brain from oxidative stress, which is great. But beyond that, we don’t see NeuroFactor doing much. There are no peer-reviewed papers out there showing NeuroFactor having a pronounced, noticeable effect on cognitive function. Until we see hard evidence, we’re saying that this one is all hype and no substance.
GABA – 50mg
GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian Central Nervous System. It also has a principle role in the Enteric Nervous System (the “second brain” of the gut). Because excitation of GABA receptors makes us feel relaxed and more free-thinking (alcohol acts on GABA receptors), people assume that consuming GABA will produce the same effects. It doesn’t. GABA is not readily absorbed in the gut. When it is, much of it will be used by the enteric nervous system. GABA does not easily cross the blood-brain barrier. We believe supplementation to be practically pointless.
Rhodiola rosea – 50mg
Rhodiola rosea is a reliable and effective anxiety-suppressant – unlike GABA. Multiple clinical trials have proven that Rhodilla rosea supplementation reduces symptoms of stress and anxiety, both mental and physical. It produces a calm, clear-headed mind and a relaxed body. It promotes healthy, restful sleep. It is safe and well tolerated across different population groups. All-in-all, rhodiola rosea is an ideal anxiolytic and a great nootropic. 50mg might not sound like a lot, but when coupled with Tyrosine, it is plenty!
Huperzine A – 1mcg (from 100mcg 1% extract)
Huperzine A inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which breaks down acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholine is the most important neurotransmitter for executive function. More acetylcholine in the brain means more brain power – deeper concentration, faster processing speeds, and reduced reaction times. However, you probably need to take more than 1mcg to have a meaningful effect on cognition. Many sports-specific nootropics contain 50-150mcg.
Our take on the Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic formula
We are fairly unimpressed with the Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic formula.
No matter what your goals are, this brain supplement just doesn’t quite cut it.
Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic is a poor pre-workout. It lacks a powerful cholinergic to quickly increase focus and attention span. The Huperzine A dose is far too low to produce the tunnel-vision focus that some sports nootropics deliver.
It isn’t a good daily stack either. The Bacopa monnieri content is perfect; 320mg of 50% extract is a benchmark. This will produce massive improvements in memory function. But again, there’s nothing in Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic to drive up focus, attention, alertness, or mental clarity.
Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic doesn’t work as a long-term brain supplement. There’s nothing to promote neurogenesis. There is nothing to support brain cell growth or maintenance. There’s no big antioxidant component.
Theacrine is a weak stimulant. GABA does nothing. Theanine has limited utility by itself. NeuroFactor remains unproven in our eyes.
The big dose of Tyrosine is a big selling point. That and the rhodiola rosea will keep anxiety levels low and support mental function when you’re under pressure.
But that’s it. Most of the benefits come from Tyrosine and Bacopa monnieri. Tyrosine is cheap to buy direct, so you might want to just do that!
Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic seems to be aimed at athletes, but it is a pretty poor supplement for increasing focus, alertness, and drive in the short-term.
Boosting concentration and thinking speed is a primary goal of a nootropic stack; Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic does not deliver on that front. Not even close.
Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic Side Effects: Is it safe?
We don’t think that Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic is likely to cause serious side effects. At least not for 99.99% of users.
The ingredients used in this brain supplement are all common nootropics. They are used by hundred of other supplements sold around the world; have been for many years now.
None of these ingredients are thought to pose significant side effect risks. Nor are they thought to pose long-term health risks.
Each ingredient in Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic has been studied in clinical, controlled conditions. We’ve read plenty of research papers on each substance and we have never seen a researcher raise serous safety concerns.
If side effects do occur, they are likely to be mild and transient. That said, if you do experience any side effects while using Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic, stop using it immediately and seek medical attention. Contact Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs to let them know too!
In Conclusion – Is Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic any good?
From our perspective, Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic fails in every regard.
It is not a terrible supplement – it contains some amazing nootropics and the extract quality is generally excellent. They haven’t skimped on doses (apart from with the Huperzine A). Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic is not a scam; they’ve really tried to make a good stack here.
It is just that it doesn’t suit any particular need.
It doesn’t deliver a rapid increase in focus, which we need from a pre-workout.
It does not improve reaction times or alertness, which we want from a sports-specific nootropic.
It fails to promote long-term, lasting benefits such as brain cell growth and maintenance.
It does reduce anxiety and promote good cognitive performance if you’re under pressure, you’re in a distracting environment, or you’re sleep deprived.
But that’s all.
If you want a good Tyrosine and Bacopa monnieri supplement, then Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Nootropic is probably the right choice for you. It is a little expensive for what is basically a 2-ingredient stack, but you can’t argue with the quality.
However, if you are looking for a real sports-specific cognitive enhancer, there are far better stacks out there right now for that.
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Brian Johnson is a former academic researcher, psychologist, and tireless proponent of bio-hacking. Brian has dedicated all of his time since leaving academia and private practice to promoting the benefits to be obtained from the application of biotechnology and bio-hacking supplements. He has years of experience with nootropics, as well as prebiotics, probiotics, and other natural nutritional supplements. He has published scholarly research on natural nootropics; you can find his papers on his Google Scholar page.
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