Description
The ingredients combine to enhance focus, concentration, clarity and memory. Taken daily over time, they keep elements of your brain in great shape for work, learning, and creative endeavour.
Most of the descriptions below are adapted from Examine.com.
Bacopa monnierie (Brahmi)
Brahmi is a well-known Ayurveda ingredient. Bacopa’s active bacosides are antioxidants that enhance other brain antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). This synergistic antioxidant activity helps protect brain cells from the age-accelerating effects of free radicals. Bacosides also promote acetylcholine, GABA & serotonin – all brain chemicals tied to focused thinking, clear memory and healthy mood. Animal research suggests bacosides may boost cerebral blood flow by 25%.
Bacopa has strong ties to memory performance and a long association with new learning and retention. Human research shows Bacopa may slow the rate of forgetting newly acquired knowledge. Researchers have also suggested it may accelerate mental processing, optimize cognition under stress, and promote relaxation. Supplementing Bacopa monnieri has been shown to improve cognition, by means of reducing anxiety. It is also reliable for improving memory formation. Though effects of this nature are usually studied in the elderly, Bacopa monnieri appears to affect young people as well, making it a useful nootropic.
Pairing Bacopa monnieri with a stimulant makes it even better. Brain Engine does, in fact, stack Bacopa with stimulants, including Vinpocetine and Guarana seed extract, which contains caffeine.
Shankapushpi
Evolvulus alsinoides is one of the four herbs that is given the common name of Shankhapushpi, and appears to be a nootropic agent with comparable potency to Piracetam. Beyond the memory enhancing properties evolvulus appears to have general anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic, and neuroprotective properties in the brain following oral ingestion.
Vinpocetine
Vinpocetine is a synthetic alkaloid derived from the periwinkle plant (specifically, synthesized from the molecule known as ‘vincamine’) that appears to have a track record of usage in European countries for the treatment of cognitive decline, stroke recovery, and epilepsy. Vinpocetine is also commonly used as a nootropic compound in the hopes that it may promote memory formation. Vinpocetine is not fully absorbed, but what is absorbed peaks in the blood rapidly and easily enters the brain where it can exert its functions. The properties that appear to apply to oral vinpocetine supplementation include neuroprotection (against toxins and excess stimulation) and reducing neural inflammation.
Ginko Biloba Extract
Gingko biloba can be supplemented for cognitive enhancement, or to alleviate cognitive decline. Ginkgo biloba is the most commonly ingested herb for brain health.
Additional research also points to ginkgo’s protective effects on heart health, brain health and stroke prevention. There are multiple potential explanations for this, one of which may be the anti-inflammatory compounds present in the plant.
Tinospora cordifolia is an herb used in Ayurveda to enhance vitality. It is being researched for a variety of health effects, including its effect on diabetes, glucose metabolism, inflammation, immune system support, and neurology.
Guduchi (Tinaspora Cordofolia)
Guduchi is considered a “medhya rasayana” with the power to improve cognitive functions and memory thanks to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.
Guduchi is a potent adaptogen. In one study, Guduchi extract was tested by researchers for its effectiveness in easing stress. They found that the extract had significant anti-stress activity. This extract is included in Brain Engine for its natural calming effects as well as its cognitive benefits.
L-Carnitine
(from Healthline.com) L-carnitine may benefit brain function. Some animal studies suggest that the acetyl form, acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR), may help prevent age-related mental decline and improve markers of learning. Human studies indicate that taking acetyl-L-carnitine daily helps reverse the decline in brain function associated with Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases. Acetyl-L-carnitine exhibited similar benefits for general brain function in older adults who did not have Alzheimer’s or other brain conditions.In specific cases, it may even protect your brain from cell damage.
L-Theanine
L-Theanine is an amino acid that is not common in the diet (not one of the essential amino acids or even one of the common nonessential amino acids), and is deemed a nondietary amino acid similar to L-Ornithine or L-Citrulline. L-Theanine has structural similarity to glutamine and both neurotransmitters that are produced from it (GABA and glutamate) and is known to reach the brain and act in the brain following oral ingestion.
The properties of L-theanine can be summed up as being a relaxing agent without sedation (relative to something like lemon balm which relaxes but may also sedate), and is also implicated in reducing the perception of stress and slightly improving attention.
The relaxing and attention promoting properties of L-theanine coupled with the lack of sedation may have its most significant supplemental role in attenuating the ‘edge’ of many stimulants. A combination of L-Theanine with caffeine (200mg each) is noted to be synergistic in promoting cognition and attention.
Baicalin
Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese Skullcap) is a traditional Chinese medicine for the purposes of cardiovascular and cognitive health as well as longevity. It appears to be a good source for flavonoid compounds, and some components are quite potent.
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a mitochondrial compound involved in energy metabolism. It is commonly taken with L-Carnitine supplements, as they are related in mechanisms. ALA provides a short but potent reduction of oxidation by increasing anti-oxidant enzymes… In supplement form, it has shown benefit for various forms of oxidation and inflammation. These effects protect against heart diseases, liver diseases, diabetes, and neurological decline associated with aging.
L-Taurine
Taurine is an organic acid which acts as a lipid/membrane stabilizer in the body and can aid various anti-oxidant defense systems.
Taurine exerts most of its benefits vicariously through other compounds in the body, but exerts some of its own on a cellular level. It is being heavily researched as an anti-diabetic compound due to its actions on organs of the body of most concern to diabetics (kidney, eye, nerve health) as well as controlling blood sugar while reducing some forms of insulin resistance.
L-Tyrosine
L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that is used to produce noradrenaline and dopamine; it appears to reduce stress during exposure to acute stressors (which tend to deplete noradrenaline) and may help to prevent stress-induced memory deficits.
Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an amino acid derivative compound that is fat-soluble and found in high amounts in the brain, where it contributes to cognitive functioning. Found in high amounts in fish, it may improve memory in the elderly and lowers cortisol.
Magnesium Threonate
Magnesium is a dietary mineral. Magnesium deficiencies is common in developed countries, and is often caused by diabetes and other conditions. A lack of magnesium will raise blood pressure and reduce insulin sensitivity. The form of magnesium in Brain Daily is specific to improving cognition and does not cover a magnesium deficiency.
Per Examine.com, any form of magnesium can be used to attenuate a magnesium deficiency, except magnesium L-threonate, since it contains less elemental magnesium per dose… Magnesium L-threonate can be used for cognitive enhancement.
Guarana Seed Extract
Paullinia cupana, also known as guarana, is a seed that contains more caffeine than coffee beans. It is supplemented for its stimulatory properties.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient. It is one of the 24 micronutrients critical for human survival. The sun is the major natural source of the nutrient, but vitamin D is also found naturally in fish and eggs. It is also added to dairy products. Supplemental vitamin D is associated with a wide range of benefits, including increased cognition, immune health, bone health and well-being. Supplementation can also reduce the risks of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and multiple sclerosis. People deficient in vitamin D may also experience increased testosterone levels after supplementation.
Vitamin D3 is included in Brain Daily so customers don’t need to supplement separately – in other words, it’s part of a stack.
Vitamin B12
Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) is a water-soluble essential vitamin that is known to play roles in neurology. Supplementation of vitamin B12 tends to be around 1,000 mcg (1 mg) of supplemental vitamin B12 to persons who are at risk for B12 insufficient or deficiency, mostly older individuals and vegans. Vitamin B12 is included in Brain Daily so customers don’t need to supplement separately – in other words, it’s part of a stack.
