Thrivous Clarity is the “#1 Best Nootropic!” according to…. Thrivous Clarity. Wait, there’s more: As of this 2017 Best5 review, Thrivous Clarity has 22 consumer reviews posted on its website. Of those, 21 are 5 STAR (out of 5) reviews! Wowie Zowie! It’s a good thing Thrivous Clarity threw in that one 4-star review for verisimilitude.
All joking aside, Thrivous is a nootropic stack that is striving for greatness. But when the rave reviews clear, will it stand strong on its formula alone? Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
About Thrivous Clarity
Clarity is the first natural nootropic stack made by Thrivous, a Utah based company which also offers other stacks intended to be combined with Thrivous. According to Thrivous, Thrivous is the “#1 Nootropic Company,” with Clarity positioned as its “Daily Nootropic” for focus, memory, mood and brain function. Formula notes:
- B-Vitamin emphasis. Clarity features a complete B-vitamin stack with most presented in premium and advanced forms that may work better.
- Standardized adaptogens . Bacopa monnieri plus Rhodiola rosea for 2X anti-stress activity; both are presented in hefty dosages.
- Transparent. Not only does Thrivous Clarity provide dosages for all ingredients, it provides Certificates of Analysis that verify their identity.
Thrivous Clarity Supplement Facts |
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Serving Size: 2 capsules
Servings Per Container: 30 |
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Ingredients | Amount Per Serving | %DV |
Thiamin (from Sulbutiamine) | 3.6 mg | 300% |
Riboflavin (from Riboflavin-5-Phosphate) | 3.9 mg | 300% |
Niacin (from Nicotinamide) | 32 mg | 200% |
Vitamin B6 (from Pyridoxdal-5-Phosphate) | 5.1 mg | 300% |
Folate (from L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate) | 400 mcg | 100% |
Vitamin B12 (from MeCbl and AdoCbl) | 240 Mcg | 10,000% |
Biotin | 300 mcg | 1000% |
Pantothenic Acid (from Calcium Pantothenate) | 5 mg | 100% |
Zinc (from Zinc Sulfate) | 11 mg | 100% |
Bacopa Monnieri extract (25% Bacoside) | 600 mg | |
Rhodiola Rosea extract (2% Salidroside) | 300 mg | |
Other Ingredients: Cellulose capsule | ||
Directions: Take two (2) capsules daily with a meal, preferably in the morning. |
Thrivous Clarity is a Big B-Vitamin Complex Plus Zinc & Herbal Adaptogens
Thrivous Clarity’s label is dominated by B-vitamins, but a closer look reveals the real star of the formula is its high-dose Bacopa+Rhodiola stack.
In that respect, Clarity is a stripped down and streamlined formula with two balanced sides: B-vitamins and botanical adaptogens. (The Zinc is a throwaway ingredient, but more on that later).
Let’s take a closer look at each of the ingredients in Clarity’s formula.
Thrivous Clarity B-Vitamins
Thiamin (from Sulbutiamine): Vitamin B1, bound by a sulfur group in a synthetic form not found in diets. This is a good form that can cross the blood-brain barrier to help support neurotransmission.
Riboflavin (from Riboflavin-5-Phosphate): Vitamin B2, in its active form. Not a direct nootropic, but may assist other B-vitamins for brain health.
Niacin (from Nicotinamide): Vitamin B3, sometimes used for attention, though not evidence-backed for that purpose; stronger research suggests it may help with age-related brain degeneration.
Vitamin B6 (from Pyridoxdal-5-Phosphate): P-5-P is an excellent form of vitamin B6 that is critical for the creation and conversion of various brain chemicals. May also help brain circulation and nerve myelination.
Folate (from L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate): Another advanced form of a B-Vitamin, this time, B9. It is involved in a few different neurotransmitters, promotes myelin and supports cerebral blood vessels.
Vitamin B12 (from MeCbl and AdoCbl): This is a 2-in-1 mini stack, supplying both active forms of Vitamin B12, which helps brain energy metabolism and brain chemicals involved with mood and cognition.
Biotin: A common nutritional supplement choice for healthy hair, skin and nails, but Biotin, also called B7, is not a nootropic and seems strangely misplaced in this formula.
Pantothenic Acid (from Calcium Pantothenate): Vitamin B5 indirectly helps brain-building phospholipids and brain chemical acetylcholine; may help with stress responses too.
Zinc (from Zinc Sulfate)
At 30 mg, Zinc has been suggested to help with mood in obese people, potentially due to a role in supporting Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).
Unfortunately, Thrivous Clarity uses Zinc Sulfate, a garbage form of the mineral that is harder to absorb and associated with more adverse side effects, at 11 mg.
Zinc is a questionable ingredient in this formula, for reasons outlined in our analysis below.
Bacopa monnieri extract (25% bacosides)
Bacopa is one of our Best5 Nootropics — a truly outstanding brain-booster with adaptogenic properties, multitasking brain bioactivities, and an emphasis on learning, memory, and recall that is great for students.
Thrivous Clarity’s 25% bacosides is positive because it is standardized quality. It is worth noting that 25% is on the low end of Bacopa potency; however, Clarity makes up for it with a massive 600 mg dosage.
Rhodiola Rosea extract (root) (3% salidroside)
Rhodiola is one of our favorite nootropics; outstanding for managing stress and maintaining sharp cognitive performance during high-pressure situations.
300 mg in Thrivous Clarity is a good dosage, but it is only standardized for salidroside — which is but ONE of Rhodiola’s active nootropic constituents.
The other is rosavin, which is likely present in Clarity, but not standardized for some reason — so we cannot know how much rosavin is in each serving.
Formula Analysis
It should be pointed out right of the bat that this Thrivous Clarity is an update of a previous formula; Thrivous appears to have moved some nootropics out of Clarity and into 3 new formulas: Alpha, Surge and Serenity.
This is an interesting product line strategy, but we’re not sure it’s the right strategy.
The original Clarity was a smart formula; Thrivous has complicated things (and made brainpower a lot more expensive!) by dividing one brain supplement into four. But we digress. For the moment, we are analyzing Clarity, only.
Clarity’s Bacopa-plus-Rhodiola is an awesome nootropic stack for flat-out mental performance.
Both of these traditional herbs are classified as adaptogens that can help the body and mind to manage stress better.
Since stress is lousy for mental performance, by boosting stress defenses this 1-2 herbal adaptogen stack unlocks mental clarity when life is chaotic and pressure-filled. There’s more:
- Rhodiola has been used for physical and mental endurance, potentially offering cognitive benefits that may appeal more to highly competitive types who leverage brainpower during athletics and training;
- Bacopa is well-known as an academic nootropic. In addition to enhancing mental performance during stress (i.e., tests, oral presentations, exams, etc.), it has been shown to help with various aspects of memory and recall that are relevant to students.
Clarity’s Rhodiola+Bacopa gets 2 big thumbs up from us here at B5, especially since Clarity gives us big, fat, juicy dosages of each.
We’re a little put off by the fact that Clarity’s Rhodiola is not standardized for rosavins, which are the herb’s other active compounds, often standardized along with salidrosides in the best top-shelf nootropic supplements.
Next up is Clarity’s big B-vitamin stack.
B-vitamins are important for overall brain health, as well as key for some aspects of cognitive function. Clarity really puts the spotlight on the B-complex, supplying not just basic B-vitamins, but superior and enhanced vitamin forms that may be more active and easier to absorb.
It is great that Clarity takes such care to supply a B-complex in this stack. If we had one question about this formula strategy, it would be this: Is Clarity’s B-complex stack overkill?
Meh, it’s probably fine. It’s just that in terms of performance-driven cognition, a B6, B9 and B12 stack would be sufficient.
The B-Complex as a whole certainly won’t hurt you — but beyond B6, B9 and B12, the B’s are more associated with age-related brain health, such as warding off brain degeneration and preserving brain size in the elderly. These are good benefits to be sure, if you are over age 55.
Thrivous Clarity’s inclusion of Zinc has us scratching our heads.
Zinc is a fine mineral. But as a nootropic, it has very little evidence. In fact, we have never seen Zinc appear in any other nootropic formula.
Here’s the thing with Zinc: It is possible to create side effects and certain health risks if you take too much.
In the context of a nootropic stack like Thrivous Clarity, specifically, Zinc is a questionable ingredient choice because some researchers believe unbalanced Zinc levels — whether they are too low, or too high — may be implicated in brain degeneration including Alzheimer’s.
With little evidence behind Zinc as a nootropic, and possible risks and side effects associated with taking too much, it makes little sense to include it in Clarity.
It makes even less sense for Clarity to supply Zinc in its cheapest, harshest form: Zinc Sulfate. The sulfate form of Zinc found in Thrivous Clarity has been shown to be poorly absorbed from the GI tract, with only 20-30% reaching the bloodstream.
Zinc sulfate has also been associated with side effects, including:
- Metallic taste in mouth
- Nausea and digestive distress
- Vomiting and diarrhea
Take Care with your Zinc Intake: The Upper Tolerable Intake level of Zinc for adults over age 19 has been set as 40 mg; anything more increases the likelihood of side effects. Zinc is weak as a nootropic, but strong as a testosterone booster. If you are taking a T-Booster with Zinc, it is probably wise to avoid Clarity to avoid taking too much of this mineral.
Thrivous Clarity Benefits
Thrivous Clarity boldly states on its label benefits of “Focus, Memory, Mood and Brain Function.” This is an accurate description. Bacopa and Rhodiola improve focus, memory and mood; the B-complex, meanwhile, helps boost brain chemicals involved in mood regulation, while playing a larger role in overall healthy brain function.
Who Takes It?
Thrivous Clarity seems to be a good nootropic stack for adults over age 45 or so; those who wish for a nootropic that is equally good at boosting present-day cognitive performance while setting the brain up for healthy function in later life. It may also appeal to business people and students who need stress support along with their brainpower enhancement.
Any Side Effects?
Possibly, due to Clarity’s Zinc form: Zinc Sulfate. This is animal feed-grade Zinc, made by treating metals with sulfuric acid. If you are sensitive to Zinc, take care with Thrivous Clarity or avoid it altogether… otherwise you may experience side effects that are linked to the Sulfate form of Zinc found in this formula, which tend to manifest as various aspects of “digestive distress.”
Thrivous Clarity Review Summary
Pros
- Premium B-Complex. Top-shelf, high-potency forms of B-vitamins that are good for overall brain health.
- Adaptogens X2. Bacopa plus Rhodiola is a great stack for brainpower, especially in the context of stress.
- Transparency. Clarity shows all dosages; Thrivous supplies a lot of research and resources on their site.
- Simplicity. Good formula design has a nice balance of basic brain health B’s and botanical brain boosters.
Cons
- Zinc. It’s just not worth it, especially in the low-end, crappy form Clarity uses.
- Limited? Thrivous has 3 other nootropic stacks, suggesting that Clarity is just one part of bigger (and more expensive) nootropic program
Pricing & Where to Buy
- 1 Bottle (30-Day Supply): $40
- Available to buy at the Thrivous website only, no Amazon here
Final Word on Thrivous Clarity
Thrivous Clarity is a solid nootropic stack for mental performance and overall brain health, driven by high-dosage Bacopa+Rhodiola plus a B-vitamin complex featuring some impressively advanced forms.
Where Clarity stumbles, however, is in its use of Zinc Sulfate: A questionable nootropic in an unquestionably crappy form. While zinc alone is not enough to nix the whole formula, those with zinc sensitivities and those who already take zinc in a T-booster or other supplement might consider avoiding Clarity in favor of another nootropic stack.
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Lincoln Cannon says
Hi Best5Supplements.com. Thank you for reviewing Thrivous Clarity! Here’s some feedback:
1) The Rhodiola in Clarity is standardized to 3% rosavin, which you can verify in the Certificate of Analysis and Quality that is downloadable from the product webpage
2) We don’t include rosavin on the label because our understanding of the science is that salidroside is bioactive but rosavin is not. Here’s a related study:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18054474
3) Clarity provides all 8 B vitamins, including biotin, because our interpretation of the science is that a full B complex increases the likelihood of benefits, nootropic and otherwise. But more research is needed in this area.
4) We agree that zinc sulfate is not ideal, and you’ll eventually see zinc picolinate in Clarity. Our understanding of the science is that zinc may contribute to maintaining positive mood.
5) We provide a summary of all of the research on which the Clarity forumla is based in this document, available for download from the product webpage
6) We separated ginseng into another formula, Surge, because the science appears to indicate that it is most effective as a nootropic when used acutely rather than chronically, as Clarity is designed to be used.
7) We separated ginkgo into another formula, Alpha, to combine it with other ingredients that target neuroprotection for long-term brain health. Because those other ingredients require relatively large dosages to correspond with the dosages used in clinical studies, it is simply not possible to include them in the 2-capsule formula of Clarity.
8) We removed theanine from Clarity because it is already present in two other formulas, Surge and Serenity, which are intended for acute and nightly use, respectively.
Thanks again for your review! Happy to help with questions, if any arise.
Lincoln Cannon says
Hi Best 5 Supplements. You might be interested to know that we updated the Clarity formula a few months ago to include Zinc Picolinate. Thanks again for reviewing Thrivous!