ESP Review – You Don’t Need ESP to Know it’s GOOD

One problem with powder supplements: There is no way to measure individual tolerance, and one size does NOT fit all.

Sometimes the directions come out too strong or too weak, and the user ends up winging it. To compensate, you might take too much (and risk crazy side effects) or too little (and it doesn’t work!)

Metabolic Nutrition’s E.S.P. tells us it wouldn’t let that happen. How?

Right off the bat they insist on going by three dosage strengths using their patented 2-size scoop. We appreciate this and all but can ESP actually read our minds when it comes to what we want in a preworkout?

Let’s find out.

About ESP Pre-Workout

ESP means Energy Stimulant Pre-Workout and touts itself as “the most effective, high energy, no crash, fast-acting pre-workout stimulant on the market.” Yeah, we’ll be the judge of that. Formula notes:

• Prop blend: Gonna have to call this one out. We don’t like hidden doses in anything.
• Weird names: On top of the ESP label making us think it’s some kind of psychic energy bottle, the supplement also prefers overcomplicating ingredient names for reasons only mind readers will know.
• 2-size scoop: One small, one large. Better and safer dosing but we’ll all use the large one, won’t we?

An intense stim powder with the right kind of nootropics for balance.

ESP is called Energy Stimulant Pre-Workout for a reason. With 3 potent stimulants in the mix, you’ll be wrong to say this doesn’t give you energy.  The supplement’s intense energy is kept in check by 3 nootropics. Let’s break down the ingredients in this formula:

B-Vitamins

B3, B6, B12 are your usual B-complex in supplements often included for added metabolic effects. Boring!

Beta Alanine Citrate

We all know how awesome Beta Alanine is when it comes to boosting performance and endurance. As citrate, your body is able to absorb beta alanine faster which — while it’s not the premium branded form Carnosyn — is pretty neat. The usual dosage is at least 2g so we assume it’s met the minimum.

Caffeine (listed as 1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione blah blah blah…)

THE most common source of energy in most supplements as not only can it help improve performance but also act as an awesome fat burner too.

AMP Citrate

AMP Citrate or DMBA is one of the hottest stimulants in the market today. It’s often referred to as the “next DMAA” and that’s saying a lot. It’s known to work in amazing synergy with caffeine, boost metabolism, and increase performance. Some even say it heightens focus.

Why would Metabolic Nutrition use the generic name instead of keeping the recognizable “AMP Citrate”? It’s because AMP Citrate was once banned by the FDA due to safety concerns similar to DMAA. It also didn’t help how it was found in multiple supplements but has never been studied before at the time. It’s also been thought to result to false positives in drug tests despite it being structurally different from DMAA.

We guess Metabolic Nutrition worried people might fear the conventional name and end up avoiding their brands altogether. Fortunately, FDA decided to lift the ban this year but they’re still adamant on making sure supplement companies label AMP Citrate properly to concur with FDA regulations.

Theobromine

The active antioxidant in chocolate (mmm, chocolate) known to provide energy that is milder than caffeine.

NALT (N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine)

The best form of Tyrosine, and the kind used in brain-boosters for mental domination, this nootropic is known to provide cognitive benefits to users who are stressed and sleep deprived. The typical dosage is at around 300 mg on its own but it looks promising as part of a multi-ingredient formulation.

Picamilon

GABA is our body’s natural depressant, responsible for keeping us sane and calm during stressful events. Unfortunately, GABA powders can’t pass the blood-brain-barrier on their own hence the need to combine it with a substance such as niacin to enable penetration.

Picamilon is a nootropic originally from Russia and is the combination of GABA and Niacin. Seeing this in a PWO is rare as it’s one serious nootropic, capable of keeping our brain focused on one task while simultaneously fighting stress and anxiety. The effective dosage is between 150 – 300 mg.

Choline Bitartrate

Cheaper form of choline which is still an awesome brain-booster. We recommend Citicoline for maximum absorption and potency — it’s the form that’s used in the greatest nootropic stacks.

Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Glycerol Gluconate

These are your basic electrolytes for proper muscle hydration during workouts. Especially useful for preventing muscle cramps.

Formula Analysis

The formula is simple yet smart. Beta Alanine is a favorite preworkout among veteran lifters for a great boost in performance in the gym, it has loads of stim for an intense source of energy, and it all balances out with great nootropics just to keep your man-beast in check.

The dosages are concerning specially for the stims since we know Beta Alanine requires at least 2,000 mg to work. The only plausible way for the succeeding ingredients to be properly dosed is if caffeine is at 250 mg so the rest would come out with 200 mg each, more or less. It’s not convincing but it’s something.

Based on the user reviews we’ve seen; I guess we can give ESP the benefit of the doubt for now. We like the way it’s structured and how it chose quality ingredients for a simple yet effective PWO formulation so we wager they’re at least smart enough to dose it properly.

ESP Benefits

It definitely provides tons of energy and provides excellent focus. It should also benefit your gym performance and help reduce muscle soreness. So yes, it’s a great PWO.

Who Takes It?

Stim-crazed fanatics who are looking for something more intense than caffeine but with minimal side effects. Adding AMP Citrate should entice “adventure seekers” into buying it just for that.

Any Side Effects?

As with all things stim-related, the risks of crashes, nausea, jitters, and headaches are always there even if you put the best nootropics. In the case of AMP Citrate, it’s to be said it has similar benefits to ephedra and DMAA so it naturally inherits their side effects too. What we’re saying is to err on the safe side and follow the recommended dosing in the bottle so you can assess your tolerance.

And yes, use the tiny scoop and maybe take a selfie with it while you’re at it.

ESP Summary

Pros

• ENERGY. Writing that in caps is not enough.
• Quality ingredients. They definitely did their homework.
• Simple yet effective. Not too crowded but definitely efficient.
• Recommended dosing. It has three levels of intensity for safety.
• Great value. 90 servings a bottle is good.

Cons

• Prop blend. We seriously want a peek at everything.
• Too much stim? Its intensity might be a turn-off for some.
• AMP Citrate. Some users don’t like controversial stuff.

Pricing & Buying Info

• 1 bottle (90 servings): $39.99
• Available online and in retail stores