Brainzyme is a company that focuses (see what I did there?) On developing blends of plant-based supplements in an effort to increase your brain’s capacity and overall function. This most definitely qualifies as a nootropic.
I came across this company and had to give them a try. I am not affiliated with them in any way, but I did find an affiliate link, so I will be using that in this article. It does not encourage or persuade my feelings or opinions in any way.
Let’s discuss a little about the products first, then I will describe my experiences with Brainzyme products. Spoiler: I didn’t really feel much difference with the product.
About the Brainzyme Products
Brainzyme is based out of Scotland and was launched in 2016, abiding by 6 regulatory agencies and focus on bringing 3 functions into one supplement: brain supplements (cognitive enhancement), probiotics, and vitamins as well as essential minerals. Brainzyme is also vegan, so it is plant-based.
In short, these are supplements created with the intention of boosting your brain power.
There are three different products that Brainzyme sells, each with an ever-so-slightly different effect. They have a handy quiz you can take if you are not sure which one is best for you. Here are their three products:
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Focus PRO
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Focus ELITE
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Focus ORIGINAL
They also sell a package that includes all three in one.
Focus PRO
They call this one the strong formula and is formulated for 8-hour energy, strong focus and concentration, motivational mood, and memory enhancement.
Focus ELITE
For stress relief, energy, positive mood, 8-hour energy, and memory support. If you are overwhelmed with the tasks that you have to complete and require a good amount of concentration in order to get these tasks done, this is a good one for you.
Focus ORIGINAL
The original Focus supplement provides 6-hour energy, assistance with focus and concentration, and allows for a calm mood.
Again, if you are unsure which one would work best for your brain, you can try out their brain quiz. I went ahead and just purchased the pack of three so that I could try each one out individually. At the time of purchase, it was also one of the better deals.
Main Ingredients
Review of ingredients and the pharmacokinetics of those listed for FOCUS Elite, starting off with the ingredients in list format as per the bottle: Panax Ginseng, EMT blend (Camellia Sinensis polyphenols, EGCS Catechins & L-theanine), Guarana Seed, Organic Turmeric & pure curcumin blend, ginko biloba, choline bitartrate, N-acetyl L-carnitine, L. Acidophilus, Cinnamon, Magnesium oxide, maca root, piper nigrum extract, bromelain, magnesium ascorbate, nicotinamide, D-alpha-tocopherol acetate, ferrous fumarate, vitamin a acetate,m cholecalciferol, zinc citrate, d0calcium peantothenate, pyridoxine, hydrochloride, riboflavin, thiamine hydrochloride, folic acid, potassium iodide, D-biotin, chromium picolinate, l-seleno methionine, cyanobalamin.
Alphabetized list with the pharmacokinetics and associated studies (working document/list):
- Panax ginseng (potential effect on monoamine neurotransmitters, neuroprotective properties, anti-inflammatory properties)
- Camellia Sinesis Polyphenols (green tea extract :: potential mediation of central monoaminergic neurotransmitters. Animal studies found reduced stress-indicative behaviors along with increased serum estrogen levels)
- L-theanine (Well-known neurotropic, effective at reducing overall stress levels; reduces excitability of caffeine)
- Guarana Seed (Limited studies: Shows stimulant effect akin to that of caffeine – some energy drinks use this. Preliminary research regarding anxiolytic effect and regulation of both serotonin and dopamine)
- Turmeric and Curcumin (Well-known anti-inflammatories, however, both have poor absorption in the GI tract)
- (work in progress. Apologies!)
My Experience With Brainzyme
The following is actually a journal I logged back in September when I first tried Brainzyme. Since then, I have used Brainzyme off and on. Usually with good effect. There is definitely a motivating power behind the supplements. I can’t say that I feel any significant difference between the three variations of the supplements.
Without further adieu… My journal:
4:02 PM. I have taken two pills of the Normal Brainzyme bottle. I drank 16 oz of water prior to swallowing the pills and I finished it off with 16 oz of water afterward.
Of note, I have had 12 grams of kratom this morning, whose effects have mostly worn off. I am at home with nothing in particular to complete outside of day-to-day tasks.
In the interest of making this a thorough journal of where my mind is at, I have just removed, tested, and replaced the left ctrl, z, x, and d key of my keyboard. Unfortunately, my left ctrl key does not have any functionality anymore. I need a new keyboard for my PC setup.
My pulse is 80 beats per minute. It is Wednesday September 22 and I woke up at 9:30 am this morning. I worked a night shift on Monday, coming off shift at 7 am. Just for perspective on how my mind might be functioning today.
5:18 pm. I don’t *feel* anything different except maybe a slight feeling of motivation that may or may not be related to the Brainzymes. I am taking a moment to update this while I play with my youngest who has decided to turn my office into a beauty salon. I may look like a racoon, but I bet you haven’t ever been made over by princess Belle.
I have a slight pain behind my right eye. I’m not sure if that is at all related. I have an intense urge to make eggs for dinner.
Also, I bought a new keyboard on Amazon.
5:22 I kind of feel a bit… cotton mouthed?
Pulse is 84 @ 5:27 pm. No significant change.
6:04 pm I made dinner… eggs and a grilled cheese sandwich. Delicious.
6:52 pm I have no apparent effects from this supplement.
8:36 pm Well that was a waste.
1:13 am… I feel motivated to get up and clean the house.
September 23, 2:23 pm
I was up until just before 2:00 am last night/this morning. I woke up at 9:30, which is extraordinarily late for myself. I woke up with no ill effects; no side effects to speak of! I will take today off from the brainzymes and will potentially try again tomorrow.
Just kidding, at 2:45 pm I took two capsules of the Focus Pro.
3:17 my body feels comfortable. I have cotton-mouth once again. I am unfortunately arguing on twitter while trying to adjust my website’s overall layout to be a little more friendly.
My computer bricked itself. It is now 4 pm and I am taking my damn computer apart. What a waste.
Edit: Not a waste. I was able to reset the CMOS and tinker with the bios… I’d say that I was a lot more eager to get things completed while under the effects of Brainzyme.
References
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joao-Mello-6/publication/46282601_Anxiolytic_Effects_of_a_Semipurified_Constituent_of_Guarana_Seeds_on_Rats_in_the_Elevated_T-Maze_Test/links/0deec52c47886b666e000000/Anxiolytic-Effects-of-a-Semipurified-Constituent-of-Guarana-Seeds-on-Rats-in-the-Elevated-T-Maze-Test.pdf
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0123310
https://doi.org/10.1271/bbb.64.287
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301051107001573?via%3Dihub
http://health-mall.in/files_hl/L_Theanine_The_Stress_Buster_c.pdf
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2019/1926352/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2959210/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/cpr.12696
https://www.nature.com/articles/aps2008133.pdf?origin=ppub
