Alpha Brain Review

Considering buying this brain boosting supplement? Don’t do anything until you have read our Alpha Brain review from our writer and nootropic advocate Alex Whybrow.

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Last Updated:

Written by Alex Whybrow – fact checked by Jason M & the editorial team

Alex is a full time writer. He is a creative soul who loves to express himself through his written word. When focus or concentration becomes an issue he turns to nootropics. Aside from the world of nootropic supplementation and writing, Alex is a huge fan of coffee and can regularly be found consuming it and writing about it.

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SOMA Analytics is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission when you purchase through links on this page. Our content is checked for factual accuracy by our editorial team and is written by expert nutritionalists.

What Is Alpha Brain?

If you have more than a passing interest in brain-boosting supplements or nootropics, then it is very likely that you will already be aware of Onnit’s flagship nootropic supplement Alpha Brain.

Alpha Brain bottle on table

Founded in 2011 by Aubrey Marcus with controversial podcaster Joe Rogan, Onnit now has a range of over 250 products that covers everything from fitness equipment and apparel to dietary supplements.

The mission of Onnit is to help you reach your full potential and, arguably, their most famous product in that regard is Alpha Brain.

Since its release back when the company launched, over 3 million bottles of Alpha Brain have been sold, making it one of the most popular cognition enhancing supplements in the world.

So what exactly is Alpha Brain? It is a nootropic supplement that is designed to aid cognition and help to develop memory – with the end goal of better focus and mental speed. It contains only natural ingredients that work to promote neurotransmitter production and alpha wave production.

Onnit describes Alpha Brain as “The ultimate way to get in the zone”. How does it achieve this? What’s in Alpha Brain? Does it work, and what are the benefits?

I tested Alpha Brain myself for a month and will be answering these questions and more in this honest Alpha Brain review.

NooCube bottle

Quick Verdict: Alpha Brain

Alpha Brain is a decent nootropic. It has some good ingredients and performs to a good level.

However, there are better options on the market. NooCube is our no.1 choice thanks to it having a more balanced natural formula and ingredients that are scientifically backed. It is also more cost effective and has an improved efficacy over Alpha Brain in our testing.

Alpha Brain Benefits

Alpha Brain, as the name suggests, is designed to aid our cognitive and executive function. In everyday terms, this means:

This isn’t just about remembering names and places. Improved memory can greatly help students and professionals, healthcare staff with busy wards, and CEOs of big firms. When you’re taking an effective nootropic like Alpha Brain, your memory recall and mental performance can improve immeasurably.

Alpha Brain bottle up close

As a writer, I experienced the difference first hand. I found I didn’t have to dig so deep to recall where I’d found a helpful piece of research, or the name of a comparative supplement I’d trialled years ago.

It was as though my brain was flowing more easily, making a colossal difference to my productivity and, to be honest, overall enjoyment of my day.

Much like the effects I felt with increased memory, it’s easier to focus on the task in front of you when you’re taking a good nootropic. You feel switched on and alert, and able to digest and convert information easier. It feels a little like a mental energy boost, but in a calm manner.

The cyclic benefits continue – with improved memory and focus comes quicker reactions. Better decision making. Feeling alert and responsive. The ability to react, physically and mentally, to things that happen around you is invaluable.

Many of us today suffer the increasing weight of stress and pressure. Did you know most people put in resumes that they cope well under pressure? Yet most of us don’t. Or at least, it becomes a little trickier to think clearly when we’re under pressure.

The natural ingredients in Alpha Brain work to streamline your cognitive processes, which will improve your ability to matter the mental environment.

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    Alpha Brain Ingredients

    Label showing ingredients on Alpha Brain bottle

    Before we get into the specifics of Alpha Brain, it is important to note that all of Onnit’s products are manufactured at their headquarters in Austin, Texas, before being tested by third-party laboratories for banned substances and contaminants.

    Alpha Brain is made from 100% natural ingredients, is stimulant-free, and is also free of caffeine and gluten, making it widely suitable. As with any nootropic, though, it is not for use if you are pregnant or nursing. I also recommend you speak with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, particularly if you have any medical concerns.

    So, let’s take a look at what’s actually in Alpha Brain. The full ingredients list can be split into four categories – three blends, and Cat’s Claw extract. Let’s take them one by one.

    • L-Tyrosine

    This is an amino acid that is often used for this kind of brain focused supplement. While its full effect can vary on each individual, it is thought that L-Tyrosine can encourage the production of neurotransmitters, which then help the brain during short periods of stress.

    It is also thought to alter the release of dopamine, which helps to promote a more positive mood.

    • L-Theanine

    Another amino acid, L-Theanine is commonly used to help reduce anxiety. This obviously helps in times of stress.

    • Oat Straw (Extract)

    This is extracted from the Sativa plant (from the stems and leaves) and some studies have suggested that it improves brain function by reducing stress, anxiety and depression, as well as potentially increasing testosterone.

    • Phosphatidylserine

    Sometimes used to treat Alzheimer’s disease and ADHD, Phosphatidylserine is seen to help improve memory and attention. It is thought to be particularly effective if taken just before exercise.

    • Alpha-GPC

    This is a naturally occurring compound that is found in our brains. It is another ingredient that focuses on learning and memory, and another one that has been used to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

    There is ongoing research to determine exactly how effective Alpha GPC is, particularly in healthy individuals.

    • Bacopa (Extract)

    Bacopa, sometimes known as Waterhyssop, is a herb, usually growing in wetland areas in hot countries all over the world. As another brain booster, it is thought to be responsible for improving memory, reducing anxiety, and treating epilepsy. This has been backed by clinical trials.

    • Toothed Clubmoss

    Also known as firmoss or huperzia serrata, toothed clubmoss is native to eastern Asia and is another natural treatment for Alzheimer’s. It is also thought to protect brain cells from certain poisons.

    Alpha Brain instructions on label
    • L-Leucine

    A plant metabolite, L-Leucine is an essential amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins – the result of this is that it helps to heal skin and bones, while also promoting muscle growth and lean body mass. It is also thought to help control blood sugar levels.

    • Pterostilbene

    This is a chemical that is thought to have antioxidant qualities and is also anti-carcinogenic. As a result, it is thought to be able to protect your brain, while at the same time improving brain performance.

    This is a water-soluble vitamin that is found naturally in lots of foods such as eggs, cereal, chicken and potatoes. It is thought to be important for regular brain development, as well as keeping your immune system healthy.

    Cat’s Claw is a woody vine, usually found in the rainforests of South and Central America. It has been used to help treat a large number of ailments, including Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis and even some cancers.

    Unfortunately, there have been very few clinical trials to test the effectiveness of Cat’s Claw, so we are not sure about its impact, but we know it to be safe. There is a growing bank of anecdotal evidence to support the inclusion of Cat’s Claw as a nootropic though.

    It is important to note that the actual benefits for all of these ingredients will almost certainly vary from person to person, and while Onnit has done plenty of research into their effects, on the whole the research is quite limited for the majority of these ingredients.

    There is some suggestion that the ingredients that are used to combat Alzheimer’s disease, for example, work best on deteriorating brains, rather than healthy ones.

    You will often find that this is the case for nootropics, as it is a relatively new market. That being said, the growing body of evidence to support the use of nootropics amongst healthy adults is promising.

    NooCube bottle

    Alpha Brain Alternative

    Alpha Brain is a decent nootropic. It has some good ingredients and performs to a good level.

    However, there are better options on the market. NooCube is our no.1 choice thanks to it having a more balanced natural formula and ingredients that are scientifically backed. It is also more cost effective and has an improved efficacy over Alpha Brain in our testing.

    Taking Alpha Brain

    The recommended use for Alpha Brain is two capsules daily, ideally with a light meal. A convenient recommendation that makes it easy to maintain for the long term (and generally, as with most nootropics, you get the best results after 6 weeks of use).

    The reason we should preferably take any nootropic with a meal is because it can make some people feel slightly nauseous if they take it – or indeed any supplement – on an empty stomach.

    Having said that, there were a couple of times the day ran away with me and I took both capsules on an empty stomach, and I felt fine.

    Using Alpha Brain

    holding Alpha Brain capsules in hand

    The benefits of Alpha Brain, as promised by Onnit, appeal to me greatly. As a writer, father and husband, the ability to think more clearly under stress and to have improved focus are qualities that have a major impact on my life.

    Immediately, I did feel brighter-minded. This sounds like a placebo affect, but I am used to taking nootropics – I know what to expect of them.

    Nothing explosive to start, nothing major to report. This is normal.

    After 7-10 days of taking Alpha Brain, I found my productivity took a massive leap. I was hitting deadlines way more easily. In fact, I was getting ahead – the words for my writing and my mental energy to keep going just kept on flowing.

    I was no longer suffering with those mood-sapping afternoon crashes.

    Whether it was a consequence of getting more work done more easily or a direct effect of Alpha Brain’s ingredients, I felt happier, less stressed, and it felt good to be achieving more. Come the end of the day, I was genuinely enjoying my evenings with my family more because of this.

    I didn’t notice any negative side effects from taking Alpha Brain. Sometimes in the past, particularly with caffeine-based supplements, I have experienced headaches, but there was nothing noticeable with Alpha Brain.

    I should point out that I have spoken to people who have experienced some side effects from Alpha Brain, including problems getting to sleep and nausea, but I was fortunate enough not to feel these at all.

    Verdict

    From my own personal experience and other users collectively, the effects of Alpha Brain are honestly very positive. The increased focus and concentration were genuinely noticeable and will make a significant improvement to your working day. Your mood will improve, and you will feel less stressed.

    All its natural ingredients have been carefully combined and tested for safety and efficacy.

    While this is one of the more expensive nootropic supplements available on the market, we found it to be one of the best. While the impact will undoubtedly vary from person to person, I had a very positive experience with Alpha Brain, and consider it to be one of the best products of its kind on the market.

    However, Noocube is a better nootropic from my experience, as well as a SOMA colleague here, James Dixon. He too reaped incredible benefits from supplementing with Noocube. Its high-standard, intelligent combination of ingredients work hard to bring you top-tier results.

    Alpha Brain is very good, but Noocube is excellent.

    alex writer

    This article was written by: Alex Whybrow – Full Time Writer, Coffee Connoisseur & Nootropic Fan

    Alex spends a lot of his time writing. He is a creative soul who loves to express himself through his written word. When focus or concentration becomes an issue he turns to nootropics. Aside from the world of nootropic supplementation and writing, Alex is a huge fan of coffee and can regularly be found consuming it and writing about it.

    Latest Updates:

    ✎ April 17, 2024: Site no longer claims that Alpha Brain is free from nuts nor dairy – content updated. Vitamin B6 not within the Onnit Fuel Blend – updated ingredients. Added link for readers to head to review on Noocube for further information. Adjusted images. Formatted font for easier reading.