Fact Checked By Dr Mark Watson M.D.
Velvet Bean Seed Extract (Standardised To 15% L-Dopa) 1,000 MG - The seeds of the velvet bean plant, also known as mucuna pruriens, are rich in a compound called l-dopa, which is a precursor to the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. Studies show that it can boost brain function and repair damaged brain cells, and is particularly promising for treating Parkinson's disease.
There is even evidence to suggest it can offer additional health benefits, including improving the health of the gut and immune system, boosting sperm concentration and mobility, regulating blood sugar levels and combatting diabetes, and having the ability to be used as an anti-venom.
The problem is, clinical trials suggest that at least 5 grams are required to produce any of these effects (1). This means Alpha Brain Black Label contains just 20 percent of the required dose, so it is unlikely to be of any use at all here.
Lion's Mane Mushroom Extract (Mycelium & Fruiting Body) 500 MG - Lion's mane mushrooms are a tooth fungus found in Asia, Europe, and North America that are widely used in both cooking and traditional medicines, thanks to their unique taste and texture and the extensive range of health benefits linked to them. Lion's mane mushrooms are proven to improve memory, focus, concentration, cognitive function, cognitive performance, blood flow to the brain, brain cell and nerve growth, and immune health and functions, reduce inflammation, and prevent age related mental decline (2).
With 500 mg of lion's mane mushroom extract also being the amount found in most of the best nootropic supplements in the market, it is also a rare instance where Alpha Brain Black Label actually uses an optimal dose of a proven and effective ingredient.
Cognizin Citicoline (As Cytidine 5'diphosphocholine) 250 MG - Citicoline is a variant of the amino acid choline which can help you restore or maintain optimal acetylcholine levels.
Boosting the production of this neurotransmitter will improve your physical and mental performance and energy levels, lower your cholesterol levels, reduce the effects of aging, oxidative damage, and toxins, prevent cognitive decline, and enhance your overall long term mental health.
However, with clinical research does suggest this is at the bottom end of the effective dosage of citicoline per day to see any effects, and can use as much as 2,000 mg before excessive acetylcholine accumulation occurs, the 250 mg present in each dose of Alpha Brain Black Label would be fine if all of it's ingredients didn't follow a similar issue (3).
SerinAid Phosphatidylserine 200 MG - Phosphatidylserine is a fatty substance that clinical trials show can support cognitive function, improve cognitive performance, boost memory processing and formation, and reduce or prevent stress and age related cognitive decline.
The only issue is it is thought to only have a significant effect in the elderly or people who don't get enough in their diet (4). So, while it can still be useful in a nootropic supplement, it should be a supporting ingredient, rather than one of the most abundant, like it is here.
This means it is simply taking up far more space in Alpha Brain Black Label than its limited effects will ever be able to justify, which could have been used for more effective ingredients.
L-Theanine 100 MG - L-theanine is a non essential amino acid found in tea leaves which is clinically proven to support your immune and cognitive functions, as well as your overall health.
Best known for its relaxing, calming, and stress relieving properties which can help improve sleep quality, it can also promote razor sharp focus, which is ideal for people who must get stuff done (5).
While the 100 mg of l-theanine seen here is within the range that has been clinically tested and proven to be of some use, it is the bare minimum and a far cry from the optimal 200 mg dosage. This means that the l-theanine content of Alpha Brain Black Label can be of use, but it will have only a very small effect.
Caffeine Anhydrous 25 MG - Caffeine anhydrous is a dehydrated, concentrated, stronger version of regular caffeine, which is one of the most potent and popular stimulants of the planet and found in everything from beverages like tea, coffee, and energy drinks to dietary supplements.
It will boost your energy levels, metabolism, and cognitive performance, promote fat burning, deep focus, and alertness, and reduce tiredness and physical and mental fatigue.
Unfortunately, in order to see these results you must consume at least 100 mg of caffeine anhydrous per day (6). That means with Alpha Brain Black Label featuring such as low dose, caffeine is another wasted ingredient in the formula as 25 mg just won't do anything.
Toothed Clubmoss Extract (Whole Huperzia Serrata, Standardised To 1% Huperzine A, 200 MCG) 20 MG - The Huperzine a found in huperzia serrata extract is claimed to inhibit the enzyme acetylcholine, which can prevent the breakdown of neurotransmitters, particularly in elderly users.
This would, in theory, mean that it can prevent mental acuity, decline, and the development of a neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's disease, while also improving mental clarity, cognitive functioning, sleep quality, and memory, and promote laser focus (7).
The problem is there have been very few clinical trials conducted into the effects of huperzine a on the human brain and virtually no conclusive results produced. This means it simply cannot be counted on to produce any brain health benefits in Alpha Brain's formula.
Lutein (From Lutemax 2020 Marigold Flower Extract) 20 MG - Lutein is a carotenoid similar to vitamin a that is most commonly found in eggs, as well as certain plants.
It is recognised as an antioxidant that can be particularly useful for improving your eye health, preventing visual acuity or an eye strain, and reducing oxidative damage and stress, as well as inflammation, and promote mental processing speed improvements.
With clinical research showing that 20 mg of lutein is the highest daily dosage that can safely be used, Alpha Brain Black Label actually contains an ideal dosage. The only issue is it is almost exclusively known for its eye health benefits and won't enhance cognitive function to any notable degree (8).
Zeaxanthin Isomers (From Lutemax 2020 Marigold Flower Extract) 4 MG - Zeaxanthin isomers are found in many of the same sources as lutein and the two work incredibly well together. Similarly, both the selling points and issues we mentioned with lutein are the same again here.
While the dosage of zeaxanthin isomers present is the highest that can safely be used and will benefit your eye health, they will not improve cognitive performance to any significant degree, even when paired with lutein (9).
Other Ingredients - Alpha Brain Black Label also features a selection of "Other Ingredients", which includes hydroxypropyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, l-leucine, maltodextrin, silica, and sucrose.
However, while l-leucine can be beneficial to your health in sufficient dosages, all of these have been included solely to improve the taste, texture, and quality of the supplement, as well as to create the capsule that it is housed in, rather than to add any health benefits of their own.
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Dr Mark Watson is the founder of Center TRT, having graduated from stamford more than 20 years ago, he is an expert in the field of supplemental health, focusing on long term benefits of complimenary treatment. View Bio