Brainol

Brainol Review

Brainol is a nootropic supplement that, according to the manufacturers, offers a range of benefits including “optimize cognitive energy, improve memory, sharpen focus”, and to “increase mental clarity and endurance”.

The manufacturers of Brainol state that “Brainol™ is both doctor formulated and endorsed”. Three doctors are mentioned on the website; one of these Doctors, Mark Weis, had his Medical License revoked in 2013 for falsifying patient information on medical charts. In 2015, he applied to have his license reinstated, a petition which was denied.

The manufacturers of this supplement can be contacted using the information on the official Brainol website.

What Does Brainol Claim To Do?

The manufacturers of Brainol make a lot of claims about the supposed benefits of the supplement, as well as its potency. They claim that “Brainol™ is both doctor formulated and endorsed”.

They also state:

Brainol™ is a revolutionary unique product, specially formulated to optimize cognitive energy, improve memory, sharpen focus, increase mental clarity and endurance.

Does Brainol Work?

Some of the ingredients found in Brainol do have clinical support to suggest that they confer nootropic benefits. However, the majority of the available studies have been conducted in people who have Alzheimer’s and other forms of cognitive decline.

There are some ingredients that are thought to boost memory, focus, and general cognition: Bacopa improves memory when taken over time, and choline supplementation may increase the levels of neurotransmitters associated with learning and memory. DMAE has no research backing it from studies in cognitively healthy people, but supplementation does appear to increase acetylcholine levels, so it may be beneficial. Phosphatidylserine and Huperzine-A might also offer cognitive benefits.

St. John’s Wort is thought to help lessen mild depression or anxiety, but it can interact with many medications, and the list of side effects it can cause is lengthy.

Overall, Brainol could offer some cognitive benefits, but it is unlikely to be as effective as the manufacturers claim, especially as many of the ingredients are present in insufficient quantities compared to the amounts used in successful clinical trials.

What Are The Ingredients of Brainol?

The ingredients found in Brainol are detailed below. The ingredient quantities listed are per daily serving of two capsules.

• Vitamin B1 (as Thiamin) 10 mg (667% RDA)
• Vitamin B2 (as Riboflavin) 10 mg (588% RDA)
• Vitamin B3 (as Niacin) 10 mg (50% RDA)
• Vitamin B6 20 mg (1000% RDA)
• Vitamin B12 500 mcg (8333% RDA)
• L-Tyrosine 200 mg: An amino acid that is a building block of protein, this ingredient is found naturally in many foods including meat and dairy products. In existing trials, L-Tyrosine appears to effectively improve cognition and memory during stressful periods. Source
• St. John’s Wort (as 0.3% extract) 200 mg: Used herbally to reduce anxiety, treat the symptoms of mild depression, and improve mood in general. Source
• Phosphatidylserine Complex 150 mg: Several studies with phosphatidylserine indicate improved cognitive abilities and behaviours, but the studies focused on Alzheimer’s patients; it is possible that these effects could also benefit consumers in general, but there is no real clinical support to support this. The FDA has stated that Phosphatidylserine may reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction and dementia in the elderly. Source
• Choline Bitartrate 120 mg: Choline supplementation appears to improve attention, and could improve memory, although the dose was much higher than appears to be used here, and the relevant study focused upon the elderly. Choline is required to make increased levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter which is linked with improved learning, memory retention and recall. Source
• Acetyl-L-Carnitine 100 mg: An amino acid that is used to treat fatigue, and may help to boost energy levels. It is typically supplemented in doses of several grams per day. There is some evidence that supplementation of acetyl-l-carnitine can reduce body fat, although the strongest results were seen in the elderly. Source
• L-Theanine 100 mg: This amino acid is found in green tea, and may increase feelings of relaxation. It may also reduce the negative side effects of caffeine, although there is seemingly no clinical evidence to support this claim. Source
• Brahmi 100 mg: More commonly known as Bacopa Monnieri. Used to reduce anxiety, improve memory, and seems to have a minor ability to treat depression, making it a general mild mood booster. The effects can take time to achieve a noticeable level, as the effects appear to accumulate with repeated use. The recommended daily dosage is 300 mg, much higher than the amount found in this supplement. Source
• DMAE Bitartate 100 mg: This ingredient is marketed as a memory and mood enhancer, as it is a major chemical component of choline, and supplementation increases acetylcholine, a compound associated with memory. However, its benefits when supplemented by cognitively healthy people are under-researched. Source
• Guarana 60 mg: Guarana is a berry that is naturally a good source of caffeine; it is often used in energy drinks and supplements to boost energy levels. Numerous studies have shown that caffeine boosts energy levels and alertness, as well as mildly boosting the metabolism. The effects shown in studies are small, and some studies are inconclusive. Source
• Alpha Lipoic Acid 50 mg: Appears to suppress the appetite by inhibiting AMPK in the hypothalamus although little research has been conducted in humans at this point. This fatty acid also appears to boost fat burning slightly, although the effects are not as large as the noted suppression of appetite. Source
• Ginkgo Biloba 50 mg: Appears to improve circulation, and may help to kill bacteria in the body that could cause infections, although it is used as an herbal remedy to treat a range of ailments. Source
• Huperzine A 400 mcg: Huperzine-A is found in Huperzia serrata, and is thought to be a cognitive enhancer. Previous studies have found it to be effective as a memory enhancer for adults suffering with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Because of the relatively long half-life of this compound, its use should be cycled, with breaks in usage every few weeks. Source

Does Brainol Have Any Side Effects?

There are lots of ingredients found in Brainol that could potentially cause a range of side effects. The single ingredient that seems most likely to cause side effects is St. John’s Wort.

St. John’s Wort can cause a range of side effects including upset stomach, dry mouth, headache, fatigue, mania, dizziness, confusion, sexual dysfunction, trouble sleeping, difficulty sitting still, skin rash, diarrhoea, skin tingling, vivid dreams, or sensitivity to sunlight. St. John’s Wort can interact with a long list of different medications, including the contraceptive pill, and can often limit their effectiveness. If you are taking any medications, consult your doctor before taking St. John’s Wort. Combining St. John’s Wort and certain antidepressants can lead to a potentially life-threatening increase in your body’s levels of serotonin, a chemical produced by nerve cells.

Side effects of caffeine can include headaches, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, heart palpitations, increased urination, dehydration, jitteriness, dizziness, and insomnia.

L-Carnitine can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, heartburn, diarrhoea, and seizures. It can also cause the urine, breath, and sweat to have a “fishy” odour.

Although Tyrosine is tolerated generally in very high doses, it can cause some side effects including nausea, headache, fatigue, heartburn, and joint pain.

Huperzine A can cause a range of side effects including digestive issues, stomach issues, blurred vision, loss of appetite, sweating, cramping, high blood pressure, and other issues. The likelihood of side effects occurring increases when the supplement is taken for a prolonged period of time, and cycling the product (with a break in use every four weeks or so) is recommended to reduce the chances of side effects occurring.

Studies have shown that Bacopa leaf causes upset stomachs in participants much more than placebos. This has led to the recommendation that this ingredient be taken with a meal, rather than on an empty stomach, as this will minimize the chances of getting an upset stomach. It may also may cause nausea, cramping, bloating, and diarrhoea.

Side effects that can be caused by DMAE include constipation, itching, headache, drowsiness, insomnia, excitation, vivid dreams, confusion, depression, increased blood pressure, an increase in schizophrenia symptoms, and unwanted movements of the face and mouth.

Side effects of Phosphatidylserine can include insomnia and stomach upset, particularly at doses over 300 mg. It can be made from either plant or animal sources, and so may not be suitable for vegetarians.

Are There Any Customer Reviews For Brainol?

Brainol is sold on Amazon, where there are some customer reviews. Whilst over half of the reviews are rated five stars, there are a significant number of negative reviews as well.

Terrible didn’t help me and gave me headaches
Focus factor helped me, it was just too many pills to take

One star. Dont really notice a difference.

GIMMICK – SAVE YOUR MONEY. Got this for my husband. He took it for a month and said he could see no difference. Don’t waste your money

Been using this now for about 2 weeks and I suddenly realized that I was remembering names and finding words easier- much easier than prior to usage. I haven’t walked into a room on a mission and forgotten why I was there. It’s those ‘little’ things that used to be so frustrating. I’m able to focus better and more easily remember what I’ve read, where things are. etc. Going to give one of my bottles to a friend – hope she’ll have the same results.

Hard for me to say if it is working or if it is placebo. Either way I do feel “sharper”.

Does Brainol Offer a Money-Back Guarantee?

The manufacturers of Brainol do offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, which lasts for 60 days starting from the date that the company shipped your order.

They state:

Brainol™ offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Please read the Return and Refund Policy in full before calling customer support. If at any time you are unsatisfied with our product, you may return any opened & unopened bottles of any shipment within sixty (60) days of our shipping date for a full refund of the purchase price. You will be refunded only for the number of bottles returned, not including shipping. To receive a refund you must follow the following guidelines:

• To receive a refund, you must contact customer care for Return Number (RMA#). Packages marked “Return To Sender” will NOT be processed or refunded.
• Place your RMA# inside or outside of the package along with your name and address. Without the return number we cannot issue a refund.
• All qualified return products must have the proper RMA number on the box (see above) and be shipped to the address given by the customer service center.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call our customer support line. We are here to help.

*Please remember to call customer service to get your return number (RMA number) before sending any product back or you will not be issued a refund.

Where Can I Buy Brainol?

Brainol can be purchased from the official Brainol website. There are several different options available, including discounts for bulk purchases. A single bottle (called the “Sampler Package”) costs 49.95. An order of two bottles (called the “Beginner Package”) costs $69.90. Three bottles (called the “Moderate Package”) costs $95.85. Four bottles (“Advanced Package”) costs $111.80. An order of five bottles (“Progressive Package” costs $124.75. Finally, an order of six bottles costs $139.80.

Delivery charges may apply.

Brainol can also be purchased from Amazon. However, at the time of writing it was out of stock, with no indication of when it would be restocked.