Below we take an in-depth look at one nootropic, Focus Excel, to see what cognitive benefits this product offers consumers.
Focus Excel is a nootropic supplement primarily designed to improve focus and mental clarity. The product is sold exclusively online, and is covered by a 60 day guarantee, but only when purchasing for the first time.
Because there are twenty active ingredients found in Focus Excel, there is a long list of potential side effects that could occur whilst taking the supplement. However, the manufacturers do not provide any individual ingredient quantities, making it very difficult to establish the likelihood of any of these side effects actually developing.
Potential side effects can include insomnia, drowsiness, nausea, diarrhoea, dry mouth, and mild stomach upset.
A full list of the different side effects that can be caused by the ingredients used in Focus Excel can be found below under the Side Effects tab.
Focus Excel can be purchased from the official Hello Life website. A single bottle costs $29.95, whilst an order of two bottles costs $54.95. A ‘family pack’ containing four bottles costs $94.00.
Customers can also purchase a bulk deal of two bottles of Focus Excel and two bottles of Synaptol for $88.00.
Shipping charges may also apply.
Each bottle of Focus Excel contains 60 capsules. The instructions for use are vague, but if consumers are taking two capsules per day, then a single bottle will provide a month’s supply.
There is an incredibly long list of ingredients that are used in Focus Excel, which have varying amounts of clinical support. Because the product contains a proprietary formula, it is also unclear whether or not the ingredients are present in sufficient quantities to be effective. The product is averagely priced for a nootropic supplement, being neither expensive nor a bargain price.
The few customer reviews that have been left are incredibly positive, but it appears that most reviewers are also taking another product from the Hello Life range, called Synaptol, which is also a nootropic supplement.
The product is covered by a 60 day satisfaction guarantee, but only on the first purchase. Customers also have to jump through a number of hoops to get a refund, waiting until they have tried the product for at least 30 days, then obtaining an RMA number, and ensuring that the company receive the return within 14 days of issuing the RMA number.
Overall, we do not recommend Focus Excel to our readers.
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Focus Excel is a nootropic supplement that, as the name suggests, is designed to aid with focus, as well as mental clarity and general cognitive function.
Focus Excel is manufactured by a company called Hello Life, who primarily sell a range of homeopathic treatments for various ailments. Hello Life are based in the USA, in Michigan. Customers can contact the company using the information provided on the contact us page of the official Hello Life website. Customers outside of the USA are provided with different telephone numbers to call, based upon their location.
Directions for use are as follows: Begin taking one capsule of Focus Excel after a main meal to gauge your tolerance, no matter you’re your weight. Gradually increase your serving size as desired, or as directed by your health care professional. If you miss a serving, take a serving as soon as you can and continue with your regular regimen.
Children: If under 21 years of age, consult your health care professional before taking Focus Excel. Focus Excel is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
The manufacturers provide the following description of the product’s benefits:
“With a power-house blend of B vitamins, medicinal-grade botanicals, and micronutrients, Focus Excel is the nutrient blend brains crave. With Focus Excel, enjoy safe, yet potent herbal + nutritive support for optimally healthy brain function, clarity, and focus.
B Vitamins: Known to support a healthy brain, nervous system, and emotional balance. Helps support healthy neurotransmitters.
Cordyceps: A medicinal mushroom that is commonly used to help support energy, immunity, and stamina.
DMAE: (aka Deanol) Essential to choline production and so, supportive of brain and nervous system function.
Eleuthero: (aka Siberian Ginseng) An adaptogen containing chemicals which support the brain and immune system.
Mucuna: (aka Cowhage) A bean-like plant containing L-dopa a precursor to dopamine (the feel good chemical) in the brain.
Gingko: A plant believed to support healthy circulation, support mental function, and help support healthy anxiety management.
Amino & Fatty Acids: Aminos and fatty acids are essential nutrients believed to support healthy brain function.”
There is an incredibly long list of ingredients used in Focus Excel, and whilst some have promising supporting evidence from human trials, other ingredients have little or no clinical support.
The other issue with nootropic ingredients is that much of the available research is geared towards patients with either degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, or patients with traumatic head injuries and memory loss; studies usually do not focus upon cognitive improvements in healthy patients, and so an ingredients effects are just inferred.
Vinpocetine could both help to improve mental energy and memory, but the clinical evidence is generally inadequate, as the trials that have been conducted are extremely limited, biased, and outdated.
There are numerous studies that suggest that Cordyceps could help both brain function and physical performance during exercise. Studies in mice suggest that it could help to improve learning memory. It appears to improve the body’s utilisation of oxygen, which could help the consumer to feel more focused, more awake, and more energetic.
The caffeine that is naturally occurring in guarana can increase energy levels and alertness.
Overall, it appears that Focus Excel could somewhat boost cognitive function, especially focus and alertness. However, this is assuming that the manufacturers have used sufficient doses of each active ingredient, which we cannot prove as the product contains a proprietary formula.
The ingredients found in Focus Excel are detailed below. The product contains a proprietary formula and so no individual ingredient quantities are listed. Ingredient quantities that are listed are per serving of two capsules.
Proprietary Herbal Blend 1090 mg
There are numerous ingredients used in Focus Excel that could cause a range of side effects.
Vinpocetine can cause some side effects including stomach pain, nausea, sleep disturbances, headache, dizziness, nervousness, and flushing of the face.
Although Tyrosine is tolerated generally in very high doses, it can cause some side effects including nausea, headache, fatigue, heartburn, and joint pain.
Guarana contains naturally occurring caffeine. Consuming large quantities of caffeine can lead to headaches, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, heart palpitations, increased urination, dehydration, jitteriness, dizziness, and insomnia.
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.
Potential side effects of Siberian Ginseng include drowsiness, changes in heart rhythm, sadness, anxiety, muscle spasms, and, when used in high doses, increased blood pressure.
The safety and side effects of Cordyceps have not been well researched in human studies. Reported side effects from cordyceps supplements include nausea, diarrhoea, dry mouth, and mild stomach upset.
Caution:
Not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Not suitable for anyone under the age of 18. Not suitable for anyone who is taking any medications, whether prescription or over the counter. If you are unsure about the suitability of this nootropic supplement, or any other supplement, consult your doctor before purchase. Not suitable for anyone with high blood pressure, or who is being treated for any cardiac related medical issue. Use cautiously in patients with history of seizure, based on reports of seizure due to Ginkgo seed ingestion. Do not use if you are using a MAOI, prescription drug, or over-the-counter drug.
There are numerous customer reviews for Focus Excel on the official website. However, many of them are reviewing it in conjunction with another supplement that the manufacturers offer, Synaptol. Therefore it is difficult to establish whether or not Focus Excel is responsible for the benefits noticed by consumers.
Focus Excel is the best. I don’t need to take the serving size – one pill lasts me the whole day. I look forward to being able to have my son use it as he gets older. I think it would be good for him to use in school.
Synaptol and Focus Excel are amazing individually, and even better together! My husband was recently diagnosed with severe adult ADHD. His condition got so bad he continually voiced that he felt like he couldn’t function. He then started having trouble doing basic, everday things. Not wanting to take drugs every day with nasty side effects, we began looking into alternative solutions. I found Synaptol effortlessly through Google, and although I loved the testimonies I was still hesitant. Lacking hope and choices, I purchased 3 bottles of Synaptol and 1 bottle of Focus Excel. Although it has proved to be a somewhat expensive endeavor, these products have proven themselves to be worth every saved penny! Within one day of taking both products my husband could function, focus, and be successful at his job and at home! These products are a God-send. I since then have made sure we have a year supply on hand! **
Excellent product and excellent customer service. Thank you!
Hello, Synaptol is performing wonderfully and the Focus Excel is great. I must apologize for saying that the Synaptol didn’t work – obviously, I had not given the supplements enough time to work. My grandson is taking his Synaptol daily. He says that he gets sleepy after about four hours, but I’m sure he and his parents will work out an energy booster for him to curb the slump. I will order more when I’m financially able. Thank you!”
The manufacturers of Focus Excel offer a 60 day satisfaction guarantee, but only on a customer’s first purchase. They state:
“We offer our first time customers a 60-day satisfaction guarantee on their first order placed with us. Any follow up purchase of the same product(s) after your first purchase is not covered by the guarantee. Your second purchase is a clear and final indication that you accept the product(s) as-is.
Because we ask you to give our products a minimum of one month’s use, we do not accept returns until this 30-day period has been completed. If you are not totally satisfied after at least 30 days of using the product, you may request a refund.
You have 60 days from when your product was shipped to request a Return Merchandise Authorization for a refund. We do not issue RMA numbers past this 60 day period.
There is no fee for returns qualifying for our 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Also, we do not refund any shipping charges.
Call our Customer Service at 866-504-7557 in the U.S. or 616-551-4246 outside of the U.S. to receive your RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) number. Display this number visibly on the outside of the return package. Packages sent to us without a visible RMA number will not be accepted and will be discarded.”
Full terms and conditions can be viewed on the Hello Life official website. There are some restrictions and loopholes, so read through them carefully before contacting the company.
Focus Excel can be purchased from the official Hello Life website. A single bottle costs $29.95, whilst an order of two bottles costs $54.95. A ‘family pack’ containing four bottles costs $94.00.
Customers can also purchase a bulk deal of two bottles of Focus Excel and two bottles of Synaptol for $88.00.
Shipping charges may apply. Customers are given a choice between Saver $2.95 US, Standard $9.95 US, $29.95 Standard International (with Tracking) and $14.95 International Saver (No Tracking).
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