What's in it?
Our key ingredients are called nootropics. Nootropics are functional amino acids, nutrients, and minerals that are consumed by the brain and directly support cognitive function. The term nootropic was first coined by Belgian neuroscientists Skondia and Giurgea in the 1960s.
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The active nootropics in TruBrain, like noopept, have a long track record of performance and safety. The TruBrain formula is also fortified with building blocks, like magnesium and choline, that the brain uses for fuel. These nutrients are naturally found in foods like spinach, artichokes, and kale. While present in many whole foods, one cannot attain beneficial amounts of nootropics from eating whole foods alone. That's where TruBrain comes in. See our full list of ingredients here.
How does it work?
Our formula increases blood flow to the brain, which delivers more oxygen and glucose to neurons. This improves the brain’s “plasticity” or ability to make new connections. In addition, our formula provides raw materials, like magnesium and choline, that naturally support your brain's metabolism and function.
The TruBrain formula has 4 main mechanisms of action:
1. The active nootropics (noopept) work by increasing blood flow to the brain. This increases brain cell metabolism, making the cells more efficient at making new connections (^ plasticity).
2. The active nootropics also modulate acetylcholine receptors in the brain, making them more receptive to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, allowing for faster, more efficient communication between neurons.
3. Magnesium, a mineral that some estimates suggest over 90% of the population is deficient in, and tyrosine, an amino acid, play vital roles in neurotransmission (communication between brain cells).
4. Carnitine and citicoline act as food sources for the brain. Carnitine allows neurons to break down glucose and fatty acids for fuel. Citicoline acts as a precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which, as we mentioned earlier, is used for communication between cells.
All of these mechanisms synergize to make the brain healthier and help it operate at peak efficiency.
1. The active nootropics (noopept) work by increasing blood flow to the brain. This increases brain cell metabolism, making the cells more efficient at making new connections (^ plasticity).
2. The active nootropics also modulate acetylcholine receptors in the brain, making them more receptive to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, allowing for faster, more efficient communication between neurons.
3. Magnesium, a mineral that some estimates suggest over 90% of the population is deficient in, and tyrosine, an amino acid, play vital roles in neurotransmission (communication between brain cells).
4. Carnitine and citicoline act as food sources for the brain. Carnitine allows neurons to break down glucose and fatty acids for fuel. Citicoline acts as a precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which, as we mentioned earlier, is used for communication between cells.
All of these mechanisms synergize to make the brain healthier and help it operate at peak efficiency.
How does it differ from coffee or caffeine?
Our nootropics are fundamentally different than caffeine in their method of action. Caffeine is a blunt instrument to help you be more alert, but does not guide you into an ideal focused state. TruBrain’s approach is to directly support your attention system with the nutrients it naturally metabolizes. Our formula can work well with or without caffeine.
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Caffeine works by blocking certain receptors for drowsiness. While that's useful for energy, it does very little to support the biological processes of thinking. The TruBrain formula was designed to provide complete care for the brain by helping it work more efficiently and supplying the underlying raw materials that it uses for fuel.
In contrast with coffee, TruBrain has a reverse tolerance. Meaning that you get more of an effect from the same amount over time. This is due to a certain threshold that your brain needs to reach while metabolizing the ingredients. It usually takes between 10-15 days for the ingredients to build up in the brain to experience the full desired effect.
Our caffeinated drinks contain a blend of caffeine and l-theanine, a winning nootropic blend that’s been used for thousands of years in the form of green tea. Caffeine (a stimulant) and l-theanine (a calming agent) synergize to bring a clean, lucid focus and help avoid the jitteriness and crash associated with caffeine alone.
In contrast with coffee, TruBrain has a reverse tolerance. Meaning that you get more of an effect from the same amount over time. This is due to a certain threshold that your brain needs to reach while metabolizing the ingredients. It usually takes between 10-15 days for the ingredients to build up in the brain to experience the full desired effect.
Our caffeinated drinks contain a blend of caffeine and l-theanine, a winning nootropic blend that’s been used for thousands of years in the form of green tea. Caffeine (a stimulant) and l-theanine (a calming agent) synergize to bring a clean, lucid focus and help avoid the jitteriness and crash associated with caffeine alone.
How do we know it works?
We validate TruBrain from both third party clinicals and EEG brainwave analysis. The research consensus is that our select nootropics increase alpha brain wave activity, enhance verbal fluency, and improve memory and learning. In addition, at our lab in Los Angeles, CA we validate efficacy with quantitative brainwave data, instead of relying solely on people’s subjective assessments. The main objective we have is to boost high alpha brain waves, which is associated with improved cognitive function.
With over 50 years of independent research and tens of thousands of studies supporting the cognitive enhancing properties of the components in TruBrain, you don’t have to take our word for it. Read for yourself!
Here are a few to get you started:
“Enhancement of Learning and Memory by Elevating Brain Magnesium.” Inna Slutsky et al. Neuron, vol. 65, is. 2, 2010, pp. 165-177.
“The Effects of l-theanine on Alpha-Band Oscillatory Brain Activity During Visuo-Spatial Attention Task.” Manuel Gomez-Ramirez et al. Brain Topography, vol. 22, is. 1, 2009, pp. 44-51.
“Piracetam-induced improvement of mental performance. A controlled study on normally aging individuals.” P. Mindus et al. Acta Psychiatra Scandinavica, vol. 54, is. 2, 1976, pp. 150-160.
“Relationships between arousal and cognition-enhancing effects of oxiracetam.” A. Cavoy et al. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior, vol. 47, is. 2, 1994, 283-287.
“Acetyl-l-carnitine improves aged brain function.” Satoru Kobayashi et al. Geriatrics Gerontology International, vol. 10, is. S1, 2010, pp.S99-S106.
“Working memory reloaded: tyrosine repletes updating in the N-back task.” Lorenza S. Colzato et al. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, vol. 7, 2013, pp. 200.
“Citicoline: A Food That May Improve Memory.” Pawel Grieb et al. Medical Science Review, vol. 2, 2015, pp. 67-72.
“Neuroprotective effect of novel cognitive enhancer noopept on AD-related cellular model involves the attenuation of apoptosis and tau hyperphosphorylation.” Rita U Ostrovskaya et al. Journal of Biomedical Science, vol. 21, 2014, pp. 74.
Here are a few to get you started:
“Enhancement of Learning and Memory by Elevating Brain Magnesium.” Inna Slutsky et al. Neuron, vol. 65, is. 2, 2010, pp. 165-177.
“The Effects of l-theanine on Alpha-Band Oscillatory Brain Activity During Visuo-Spatial Attention Task.” Manuel Gomez-Ramirez et al. Brain Topography, vol. 22, is. 1, 2009, pp. 44-51.
“Piracetam-induced improvement of mental performance. A controlled study on normally aging individuals.” P. Mindus et al. Acta Psychiatra Scandinavica, vol. 54, is. 2, 1976, pp. 150-160.
“Relationships between arousal and cognition-enhancing effects of oxiracetam.” A. Cavoy et al. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior, vol. 47, is. 2, 1994, 283-287.
“Acetyl-l-carnitine improves aged brain function.” Satoru Kobayashi et al. Geriatrics Gerontology International, vol. 10, is. S1, 2010, pp.S99-S106.
“Working memory reloaded: tyrosine repletes updating in the N-back task.” Lorenza S. Colzato et al. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, vol. 7, 2013, pp. 200.
“Citicoline: A Food That May Improve Memory.” Pawel Grieb et al. Medical Science Review, vol. 2, 2015, pp. 67-72.
“Neuroprotective effect of novel cognitive enhancer noopept on AD-related cellular model involves the attenuation of apoptosis and tau hyperphosphorylation.” Rita U Ostrovskaya et al. Journal of Biomedical Science, vol. 21, 2014, pp. 74.
Is it safe? Are there any side effects?
Each one of our ingredients has been rigorously tested for safety, and is supported by decades of clinical research. There is an abundance of clinical research on safety and function on our ingredients from both universities and private firms, such as GlaxoSmithKline, UCB, and Sanofi. This includes a safety profile that has a toxic risk lower than table salt or vitamin C. None of the ingredients in our formula have been identified to have any material short term or long term negative side effects.
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Who is behind TruBrain? How was it developed?
TruBrain was born from a collaboration between UCLA Alumni PhD Neuroscientists Dr. Andrew Hill and Dr. Aida Attar, along with Chris Thompson, a former Unilever food and beverage executive. They studied the brainwaves of high achievers and identified the nootropics that optimize performance. We are excited to offer these nootropics in a wide variety of convenient and functional products.
We never claimed to be the smartest people on the planet, but we know people that are – CEO’s, artists, lawyers and doctors.
So we picked their brain, literally.
We measured their brain waves, on days when they were at their worst and more importantly, on days when they were at their best. Days when everything was clicking. When they could do no wrong. When the gods of productivity sat on their shoulder and put them in the zone, or flow state, as we like to call it.
We studied their thought patterns. We studied their ability to handle stress. We studied how they thought on their feet and dealt with distractions.
The results were mind blowing.
Because we discovered patterns. And we identified the optimal brainwave patterns - high alpha brain waves in the executive function of the brain. And we asked ourselves what could we do, what nutritional brain food could we develop to help people achieve their maximum potential?
This began our journey – to help people find their true brain.
So we picked their brain, literally.
We measured their brain waves, on days when they were at their worst and more importantly, on days when they were at their best. Days when everything was clicking. When they could do no wrong. When the gods of productivity sat on their shoulder and put them in the zone, or flow state, as we like to call it.
We studied their thought patterns. We studied their ability to handle stress. We studied how they thought on their feet and dealt with distractions.
The results were mind blowing.
Because we discovered patterns. And we identified the optimal brainwave patterns - high alpha brain waves in the executive function of the brain. And we asked ourselves what could we do, what nutritional brain food could we develop to help people achieve their maximum potential?
This began our journey – to help people find their true brain.