“Wake up America!” That is the rallying cry of Alex Jones’s Infowars, the conspiracy-driven news organization behind our next nootropic for review: Brain Force Plus.
So can a brain supplement help you to fight the New World Order? Can the right nootropics help you survive the impending global apocalypse?
And the biggest conspiracy question of all: could Infowars formulate a quality smart pill that actually works? Let’s find out!
Table of Contents
About Brain Force Plus
Infowars: it’s not just about information anymore. Now, Infowars has added the Infowars life brand, including a store with everything you need for civilization’s inevitable collapse: Survival foods, water filters, tents, seeds, and yes, health products like the “neural activator,” Brain Force Plus. Formula notes:
- Black pepper extract. This is the “Plus” of the updated formula; Brain Force dropped vinpocetine and added absorption-boosting black pepper extract.
- 20% more caps. Okay, this counts as an upgrade too – Brain Force Plus goes from 30 capsules to 36, giving you a few extra servings for the same price.
- Cell membrane support. Alpha-GPC and Phosphatidylserine, two of the best brain-building nootropics for healthy brain cell membrane function.
- Smart ingredient choices, designed to “flip the switch and supercharge your state of mind.”
Brain Force Plus Supplement Facts |
||
Serving Size: 2 capsules Servings Per Container: About 18 |
||
Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value | |
Vitamin B6 (s Pyridoxine Hcl) | 5 mg | 250% |
Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin) | 20 mcg | 333% |
Bacopa Herb Extract | 200 mg | |
Alpha GPC (Glycerylphosphoryl Choline) | 156 mg | |
Yerba Mate Leaf Powder | 150 mg | |
Theobromine | 100 mg | |
PhosphatidylSerine | 81 mg | |
L-Theanine | 50 mg | |
Black Pepper Fruit Extract | 5 mg | |
Huperzine A (from Toothed Clubmiss Aerial Parts Extract) | 300 mcg | |
Other Ingredients: Hypromellose (Capsule), Rice Flour, and Vegetable Stearate. Contains: Soy. | ||
Directions: Take 1 serving, 2 capsules daily by mouth or as recommended by your physician or healthcare provider. |
Build Brain. Survive Apocalypse. Repopulate Earth.
Having a sharp mind greatly improves your odds of surviving catastrophe.
In theory, (or should I say, in conspiracy theory), Brain Force Plus should create a mindset that is consistent with the Infowars agenda, as well as the survivalist emphasis of other InfowarsLife supplements and products.
Looking at the Brain Force Plus formula, it does seem well thought-out in this regard – featuring some clever combinations for stimulated-yet-calm mental clarity, helping you outsmart and evade roving hordes of zombies, barbarians, road warriors, aliens, or damn dirty apes:
Brain Force Plus also gives a nod to brain support for the long haul – including some key foundation nootropics for brain structure and overall cognitive health that will be helpful to you in post-apocalyptic years and decades to come.
Let’s take a closer look at Brain Force Plus’s ingredients:
Vitamin B6 (5 mg) + Vitamin B12 (20 mcg)
Brain Force Plus starts with a dynamic duo of B vitamin nootropics, both of which we consider to be foundation nutrients for overall brain health.
Vitamins B6 and B12 are important for the formation of the myelin, the fatty insulating sheaths that surround all neurons, including brain cells. These two B vitamins also help to support brain chemicals and brain energy metabolism for sharp mental clarity.
B6 and B12 are a good start for Brain Force Plus, but it’s worth noting that only one form they use is superior:
- The methylcobalamin form of vitamin B12 found in Brain Force Plus is better: Enhanced for easier absorption
- The pyridoxine hydrochloride form of B6 here is lower-end synthetic; not as absorbable as whole-food vitamin B6
It would have been good to see the Brain Force Plus B vitamin stack include vitamin B9, too: B6, B9, and B12 have been studied in combination and shown promise for reducing homocysteine, which can interfere with blood flow to the brain when levels get too high.
Bacopa monnieri, 200 mg
Bacopa monnieri is one of our favorite nootropics, and our #3 best for anxiety. This traditional herb has been associated with brain health for a long time and is considered among the adaptogen herbs that help both the brain and body to fight stress and perform under pressure.
The forthcoming apocalypse will be stressful to say the least, so Bacopa’s adaptogen activity is a good choice for a survivor’s nootropic.
Among other benefits, Bacopa is famous for improving learning and studying, with some evidence suggesting it enhances types of memory that are especially beneficial to students – helping us to retain newly-learned information for a longer duration.
- Whether you are studying history to acquire the knowledge you need to defeat the Illuminati – or simply studying to learn and do well on your next exam – Bacopa monnieri is a nootropic herb to look for when buying your brain supplement.
The 200 mg dosage that we see in Brain Force Plus is a generous helping of Bacopa monnieri. The drawback is, Brain Force Plus does not use Bacopa monnieri that is standardized in any way. That means you cannot know how much of the plant’s active brain-boosting compounds – called bacosides – are in each serving.
Alpha GPC, 156 mg
Alpha GPC is a go-to choline source that is popular in nootropic stacks supplements. It works by crossing the blood-brain barrier to increase choline concentrations in the brain, which in turn helps with the formation of two choline-derived compounds for brain health:
- Acetylcholine – a brain chemical that is important for memory, mind-body coordination, and quick thinking, as well as for long-range brain health
- Phosphatidylcholine – a phospholipid that helps to form brain cell membranes, and then optimizes their dynamic function in cell-to-cell communication
Choline support is another hallmark of the best nootropic supplements; by supporting healthy choline levels in the brain, we can promote diverse aspects of short-term cognitive performance while reinforcing the brain’s healthy structure for longer-range brain health.
There are a few different nootropic compounds that can help to increase choline levels in the brain. The Alpha GPC found in Brain Force Plus is a good source of choline support; however, even better would be Citicoline (our top-ranked nootropic ingredient), which is more stable and more versatile than Alpha GPC, especially in terms of boosting mental energy.
Yerba mate leaf powder, 150 mg
When a mysterious asteroid collides with planet earth, unleashing an electromagnetic pulse that knocks out all electricity all over the world…. Your coffee maker isn’t going to work anymore.
Perhaps that’s why Brain Force Plus includes yerba maté, a traditional herbal energy tonic that a good source of mind-stimulating caffeine.
- In (conspiracy) theory, yerba maté’s caffeine content should enhance vigilance and alertness.
However, we are dubious of the 150 mg serving size found in Brain Force Plus: In supplement form, this traditional herb is usually supplied in serving sizes that are much larger, 1000 mg or more.
A little caffeine never hurt a nootropic stack, but if you’re used to chugging a pot of coffee every day, then the pinch of yerba maté in this formula probably isn’t going to do much for you.
Theobromine, 100 mg
Theobromine is found in the cocoa plant, as well as one of its most delicious products: dark chocolate.
Now, when genetically modified crops become sentient, uproot themselves, and organize into a massive produce army intent on conquering mankind, you can bet there will be a food shortage. When that happens (oh, and it WILL happen), you will wish you had theobromine in the form of dark chocolate, and not in the form of a nootropic supplement.
Until then, know that theobromine is a mysterious nootropic choice for Brain Force Plus… but then again, maybe that is consistent with the conspiracy driven Infowars philosophy.
- There is little evidence supporting theobromine’s ability to enhance brain power.
However, it has a decent following as a nootropic, apparently driven by word-of-mouth anecdotal reports. Theoretical (and conspiratorial) reports associate theobromine with stimulating effects and “feel good” mood support. Kind of like how you feel when you bite into that delicious dark chocolate.
Phosphatidylserine, 81 mg
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is one of the greatest nootropics in the universe.
We love seeing it in Brain Force Plus, although the 81 mg dosage is unusual and a little weak. Nevertheless, phosphatidylserine is a powerful multi-tasking brain booster suggested to help with brain energy, neurotransmitters, brain detoxification, neuroplasticity, brain cell creation and more.
Most significantly PS is a phospholipid (like the choline that is promoted by Alpha GPC) that is used to create brain cell membranes that are fluid, permeable, and healthy. When brain cell membranes are healthy, they are better able to perform their critical duties in cell to cell communication and brain regeneration.
- More than any other nootropic, PS is associated with sharp memory, especially as we grow older. Additional potential benefits associated with PS may include better concentration, focus, mood, and verbal communication ability.
Here’s the confusing thing about Brain Force Plus’s phosphatidylserine: When it comes to our food supply, soy products are fraught with controversy, and yes, even conspiracy. So why does Brain Force Plus use phosphatidylserine that is derived from soy? We are surprised that Infowars was either unaware of the soy conspiracy or just doesn’t care about it.
Either way, we don’t necessarily buy that eating soy will cause you to sprout man boobs.
But just to be on the safe side, we try to limit our soy intake, and suggest PS from a non–soy source, such as the sunflower-derived PS found in our #1-ranked nootropic supplement.
(Is “Soy” short for “Soylent Green,” by any chance?)
L-Theanine, 50 mg
L-Theanine is a calming nootropic compound found in green tea that works in part by tuning the brain to the Alpha brain wave frequency. When the brain is in this Alpha state, it tends to be more calm, relaxed, and creative. L-theanine is also known for taking the edge off caffeine jitters.
L-Theanine makes a lot of sense and Brain Force Plus. If we find ourselves in trouble, creative problem-solving will be at a premium, as well as the ability to stay cool, calm, and collected when the world is falling apart around us.
Unfortunately, the 50 mg dosage of l-theanine found in Brain Force Plus is decidedly weak, and may not even the detectable when you take it.
Black Pepper extract, 5 mg
Here’s where our Brain Force Plus review gets positive again: Black pepper extract.
The driving force behind their formula upgrade, black pepper extract helps to increase the bioavailability of many nutrients. In other words, with black pepper, more of a supplement’s active ingredients may reach your bloodstream — so their potential benefits may be better realized.
Up to this point, we have ripped on a couple of Brain Force Plus ingredients for being good choices with insufficient dosages. The 5 mg of black pepper extract may help Brain Force Plus to squeeze a little more activity at of each of those underdosed ingredients. However, whether the black pepper extract elevates them to appoint of efficacy remains to be seen.
Huperzine A, 300 mcg
Huperzine-A, sourced from Chinese club Moss, is a multi-tasking nootropic that is most well-known for blocking the enzymes that destroy the brain chemical acetylcholine. In blocking these enzymes, Hup-A is believed to sustain acetylcholine levels.
Healthy acetylcholine levels play a part in performance-driven cognitive processes while also optimizing memory and long-range brain health.
- Huperzine-A is most commonly associated with maintaining cognitive sharpness in aging and elderly populations, and may help to ward off some forms of brain degeneration in cognitive decline — benefits suggested to be largely due to its role in regulating acetylcholine.
Does Huperzine-A fit in a nootropic formula is designed for the end of the world? Not really. It’s not going to supercharge your brain or give you superhuman alertness.
However, Huperzine-A remains a solid, evidence-backed nootropic for promoting overall brain health and cognitive function.
Brain Force vs. Brain Force Plus
When we compared labels of the old and new (“Plus”) Brain Force formulas, here are the differences we found:
- Alpha GPC went from 150 mg to 156 mg
- Phosphatidylserine went from 75 mg to 81 mg
- Vinpocetine is out, Black Pepper is in
- Caps per bottle went from 30 to 36
Otherwise, Brain Force Plus looks pretty much the same as its predecessor.
Formula Analysis
Either you love Alex Jones, or you hate him.
Either you think Infowars is insightful reporting, or dismiss it as fake news.
With that in mind, your view of Brain Force Plus may be influenced by your preconceived notions about Infowars.
If you think Infowars is high-level, cutting-edge information, you might be a little disappointed with Brain Force Plus. After all, it takes few risks and has little sex appeal. It lacks exotic wildcard ingredients and advanced nutrient forms.
On the other hand, if you think Infowars is a scam, you may actually be impressed with the Brain Force Plus. It supplies some of the best evidence-backed nootropics known to science. It is not wacky, conspiracy-driven, or theoretical — rather, it is a solid, conservative nootropic stack based on well-established nootropic mechanisms of action.
If you start with a blank slate that has nothing to do with your preconceived notions about Infowars, you will see Brain Force Plus for what it is: A decent nootropic supplement.
Will Brain Force Plus help you to survive the coming apocalypse?
Will it help you repopulate the earth when the dust settles??
Brain Force Plus will not help you survive the End Times.
However, while civilization remains (barely) intact, Brain Force Plus serves a good purpose as an overall cognitive health product. Its formula presents us with a nice balanced mix of brain support:
- some stimulating factors for vigilance and alertness in the short term;
- learning and knowledge support;
- nootropics for a relaxed and creative mind state;
- foundation of basic brain-builders that are good for cognitive function now and many years down the road
We appreciate that Infowars upgraded their original brain force formula by bumping up a couple of dosages and swapping in black pepper extract for vinpocetine.
However, this upgrade does not make up for the formula’s shortcomings: Some low dosages, no concentrated herbal extracts, and no branded ingredients — all things to look for when buying a good supplement, all of which could help compensate for what the formula lacks in potency.
Best 5 is going to make like Switzerland and take a neutral stance on Alex Jones and Infowars.
With that in mind, we will say that while Brain Force Plus leaves something to be desired in terms of dosage and potency, it is far better than we expected in terms of ingredient selection and stacking strategy.
Brain Force Plus Benefits
More than anything, we see Brain Force Plus as benefiting brain health primarily in a long-range sense, with secondary emphasis on supporting mental clarity, memory, relaxation, alertness and mood balance.
Who Takes It?
Infowars has a massive and loyal following. These hundreds, nay, thousands, of fanboys and fangirls are likely the only people who will be taking Brain Force Plus.
This nootropic stack’s success is largely dependent on the positive reputation of Infowars and its presence in the high-profile Infowars survivalist store. We don’t really see this supplement as one for mass-market. You won’t see Brain Force Plus anytime soon in major brick-and-mortar retailers and vitamin stores (probably) but it is available on Amazon, greatly widening its potential audience.
Any Side Effects?
Brain Force Plus appears to be well tolerated. The only concern we might have would be overstimulation from the caffeinated yerba maté and (allegedly) psychoactive theobromine. However, the presence of l-theanine would likely help to minimize any negative side effects associated with the formulas stimulating properties – which could be intentional, reflecting some smart supplement formulation strategy.
Brain Force Plus Review Summary
Pros
- Good choices.. Plenty of safe, conservative, research-backed brain boosters.
- Strong stacking.. The ingredients make sense together, and complement each other.
- Black pepper extract.. Helps up the potency of the entire formula.
- Value. They improved the formula, added 6 more capsules, and kept the price the same.
- Unique stimulation.. Caffeine+Theobromine holds potential for vigilant alertness.
- B-vitamins.. Oft overlooked, but key for brain health; methylcobalamin B12 is a bonus.
- All doses shown. Beautifully transparent; we’d expect no less from a site that demands TRUTH.
- Positive reviews. But most are from your typical Infowars life customer / advocate
Cons
- Some weak dosages. Several ingredients appear to be underdosed.
- Plain ingredients. Not much in the way of advanced, enhanced nutrient forms.
- Alpha-GPC. It’s fine, really, just not nearly as good as Citicoline. Meh.
Pricing & Buying Info
- 1 Bottle (30-Day Supply): $29.95
- Available online at Infowars store and Amazon
Final Word on Brain Force Plus
If you are a loyalist to Alex Jones, you might consider purchasing Brain Force Plus simply to support his mission. You will get a decent nootropic supplement stack out of the deal.
For everybody else, there are stronger, more versatile, and more potent nootropic supplements on the market (including our Best of 2017 and Best of ALL TIME) that are better equipped to help you survive alien invasions, weather wars, mind control rays, solar flares, Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster, and anything else the impending apocalypse may have in store.
[yasr_overall_rating]
Leave a Reply