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Fully effective, scientifically proven and properly dosed; these are just some of the phrases used to describe Hardwire. It’s a fruity-flavored supplement, packed full of energy and endurance-boosting supplements, electrolytes, antioxidants, adaptogens, vitamins and nootropics.
Table of Contents
About Method Hardwire
Method Hardwire is a recently launched, powdered energy supplement that seems aimed at the gaming community. It promises to fuel energy ‘for intense gaming sessions’, pledging to be an energy formula that also ‘fills in the gaps’.
What gaps are these? Good question.
The marketing literature doesn’t give us a straight-forward answer, but it does talk about boosting both energy and focus, which would explain why it includes brain-boosting nootropics. Its emphasis on antioxidants, super fruits and vitamins also suggests it seeks to be a healthier version of a traditional energy drink too.
Hardwire is a complex blend of more than 30 ingredients. The product’s name, Hardwire, is an interesting choice. It means to make something permanent – although none of its ingredients have any permanent or long-lasting effects. It does, of course, also mean to make a pattern of behavior instinctive… such as taking this drink when gaming, perhaps?
Does this tough-sounding supplement live up to its name? We’ve studied it and here are our findings.
This product aims to deliver energy and endurance, so it’s no surprise that it contains stimulants like caffeine and teacrine. It isn’t worried about cognitive enhancement too much, though it does target focus, and some of its ingredients might give your brain a boost too.
Method Hardwire Supplement Facts
| Ingredients | Amount Per Serving (8.5g) |
| Vitamins and Minerals | |
| Vitamin C | 500mg |
| Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopheryl Succinate) | 12IU |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | 10mg |
| Vitamin B12 (1% Cyanocobalamin) | 400mcg |
| Zinc (from Zinc Gluconate) | 21mg |
| Chloride (from Sodium Chloride) | 75mg |
| Potassium (from Potassium Citrate) | 60mg |
| Hardwired Energy and Focus Complex | |
| Infinergy (Di-caffeine malate) | 267mg |
| Teacrine 40% | 250mg |
| Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCL | 500mg |
| Huperzine A 1% | 50mcg |
| L-Tyrosine | 500mg |
| Cognitive Health and Function Complex | |
| Choline Bitartrate 97% | 600mg |
| BCAA 2:1:1 | |
| L-Leucine (Instantized) | 1000mg |
| L-Isoleucine | 500mg |
| L-Valine | 500mg |
| Anti-Stress and Antioxidant Complex | |
| Green Tea Extract 4:1 | 500mg |
| Taurine | 500mg |
| Wolfberry (Goji) Extract | 100mg |
| Elderberry Extract 4:1 | 100mg |
| Blueberry Fruit Extract | 100mg |
| Pomegranate Extract | 100mg |
| Cranberry Fruit Powder | 100mg |
| Electrolyte Complex | |
| Zinc Gluconate (yielding 21mg Zinc) | 150mg |
| Sodium Chloride | 150mg |
| Potassium Chloride | 150mg |
Additional ingredients: Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavoring, Silica, Sucralose, Calcium Silicate, FD&C Red #40
Directions for Use
Add a scoop of powder with roughly 10 oz. of water and mix thoroughly to prevent lumps. You could also add Method Hardwire to a soft drink or fruit juice. First time users are advised to start with half a scoop or less to help calculate tolerance.
Take Method Hardwire roughly 15 minutes before you require a boost of energy or an improvement in focus. After this time, you should notice that you’re more focused and concentrated as well as feeling a physical and mental enhancement in energy.
According to the manufacturers, Method Hardwire is most effective when taken on an empty stomach. Because it’s a stimulating supplement, we would not recommend taking it for around four hours before bed.
Store Hardwire in a cool dry place and don’t expose it to direct light. If stored correctly, this product can last for years as none of its ingredients go out of date, although some may degrade over time.
Method Hardwire Ingredients
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Infinergy (267mg)
Infinergy, a trade name for Di-Caffeine Malate, is a form of caffeine. But unlike the normal caffeine molecule, Di-Caffeine Malate has an additional malic acid molecule joined onto it. Taking this supplement will produce the same stimulating effects as pure caffeine; mental stimulation, increased energy and decreased appetite. 267mg of Infinergy gives you roughly as much caffeine as a large energy drink or 2 espresso shots – certainly enough to keep your mind sharp and focused.
Teacrine (250mg)
You might not be familiar with Teacrine as it’s a relatively new, non-addictive stimulant that’s very similar to caffeine. It’s a brand name for theacrine, an alkaloid that’s common in tea leaves. A 2015 study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26610558) concluded that taking Teacrine can make you more ‘alert, focused and energetic’. Taking up to 300mg daily is safe and non-habituating – the upper limit for Teacrine dosage hasn’t been established yet. (https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-016-0113-3)
The caffeine and teacrine in this formula does make it stimulant-heavy, but the latter avoids disrupting the cardiovascular system in the same way as caffeine. Meaning you won’t experience the jitters or anxiety that can come from the latter. The combination of teacrine and caffeine makes the former work harder as well.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCl (500mg)
Acetyl-L-Carnitine, otherwise known as ALCAR, is a dietary supplement that’s been shown to lower blood glucose levels, decrease fatigue and decrease muscle damage. It may also improve cognition (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20098226), so it’s a useful supplement to take regularly.
A 500mg dose should be enough to improve cognition, although taking higher amounts could be more beneficial. A lot of clinical studies that use Acetyl-L-Carnitine use amounts closer to 1,000mg.
Huperzine A 1% (50mcg)
Huperzine A interferes with the regulation of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. This causes levels of acetylcholine to rise. This is why taking Huperzine A can cause beneficial effects including neuroprotection (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9141073) and brain cell growth (neurogenesis) (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23454433). It’s been investigated as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. The ‘ideal dose’ of Huperzine A hasn’t been determined yet.
L-Tyrosine (500mg)
From a neurological perspective, L-Tyrosine is a helpful supplement. It’s a building block for numerous hormones; dopamine, melanin and adrenaline to name a few. Taking L-Tyrosine may improve working memory (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3863934/) and promote cognitive flexibility (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25598314). It’s rare to come across a supplement that improves cognitive flexibility, so we’re pleased it’s included in Hardwire.
500mg is an ideal dose of L-Tyrosine, although taking 150mg per kg of body weight has been deemed safe (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022395615002472?via%3Dihub).
Choline Bitartrate (600mg)
Choline Bitartrate is a source of Choline which is used to make the acetylcholine neurotransmitter. Choline is also associated with cell membranes function and lipid transport. In theory, taking Choline Bitartrate will ensure your body can create new acetylcholine when it needs to. There’s only anecdotal evidence for its beneficial effects and there isn’t any solid evidence that taking Choline will improve cognition, but it isn’t harmful in doses around 600mg – the daily Adequate Intake (AI) for Choline is 550mg daily (https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Choline-HealthProfessional/#h2).
L-Leucine (1000mg), L-Isoleucine (500mg), L-Valine (500mg)
Leucine is the simplest BCAA (Branch Chain Amino Acid). It’s an essential amino acid, our bodies can’t make it from scratch, so we need to absorb it through our diet. It’s a building block for millions of different proteins and although Leucine doesn’t have any cognitive benefits, it’s a useful supplement to take. Isoleucine and Valine are other BCAAs, and together all three are popular among athletes for their ability to reduce fatigue, protect muscles from damage and aid muscle repair. Gaming is a repetitive and tiring activity, so BCAAs could in theory work in a similar way for gamers. They are included here in the ideal 2:1:1 ratio, though standalone BCAAs or BCAAs included in pre-workouts usually contain 3g or more.
Vitamin C (500mg)
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, has been shown to improve blood flow in multiple studies (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21552645 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16126809).
It may also prevent vascular dysfunction (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22153532) and reduce muscle damage (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18427418).
However, these studies focus on smokers, diabetics, obese people and people who are already ill. Taking large doses of Vitamin C won’t dramatically improve much if you’re already fit and healthy.
500mg is more than the daily recommended intake of 90mg for a healthy adult. Taking up to 2,000mg per day is considered safe, although this would probably lead to stomach discomfort.
Vitamin E (12IU)
We only need minuscule amounts of Vitamin E in our diet, taking in 15mg per day is recommended. 15mg is roughly equivalent to 22.5IU. This means there isn’t much Vitamin E in Hardwire, certainly not enough to produce any beneficial effects. High doses, exceeding 100mg, may improve immunity (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15315997 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9134944 ) although this has only been studied in elderly volunteers.
Vitamin B6 (10mg)
Vitamin B6 is necessary to metabolize (break down) fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It’s also needed to help the body produce some neurotransmitters and red blood cells. It doesn’t have any brain-boosting or energy-promoting properties per se. 10mg is loads more than the 2mg required daily, but it isn’t likely to cause harm at this low dosage. We’re scratching our heads though wondering why they’ve included so much Vitamin B6 in Hardwire.
Vitamin B12 (400mcg)
Not having enough Vitamin B12 in your diet can lead to anemia, cognitive impairment and nerve damage. Taking just 1 scoop of Hardwire daily should prevent this by giving you 400mcg of pure Vitamin B12.
The minerals in Hardwire (Zinc, Sodium and Potassium) are all required by our body. Zinc is used to build and repair cells while sodium and potassium maintain nerve function and nerve signaling. Thankfully, there’s more than enough of each mineral included in Hardwire.
Various Fruit Extracts (100mg each, 500mg total)
There are five fruit-based extracts included in Hardwire for their anti-stress or antioxidant properties. This isn’t including the natural and artificial flavorings, as they may or may not be fruit-extracted. Both flavors, lime colada and paradise punch, include the same fruit extracts in identical amounts. There are thousands of molecules inside every fruit, so figuring out exactly which molecules are in each extract is impossible. Because of this, we can’t calculate how effective these ingredients really are.
These combine with green tea extract and taurine to make up Hardwire’s anti-stress and anti-oxidant complex. Green tea contains L-theanine which helps to calm and tackle stress and anxiety. L-theanine also works well in synergy with the caffeine included in Method Hardwire, helping to both promote the stimulant’s benefits while negating its negative side effects.
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Method Hardwire Flavors: Paradise Punch or Lime Colada
There are two different flavors of Hardwire to choose from – Lime Colada and Paradise Punch.
Both contain identical active ingredients. The only difference between them is the flavorings and colorants used. Lime Colada also contains malic acid to help give it a sour taste.
Method Hardwire Formula Analysis
Hardwire has an interesting formula. It does what it promises and goes one step further than a traditional energy drink. Method Hardwire doesn’t just rely on a boatload of stimulants to boost your energy (though they are still in there!).
It also offers some nootropics to enhance focus – which coincidentally may also have neuroprotective qualities; throws in some BCAAs for good measure, along with some anti-stress supplements and a load of vitamins.
Is it likely to be as strong as some of the dedicated top-quality nootropic supplements out there? Probably not, but it’s certainly an effective energy drink with some impressive extras.
Hardwire Benefits
Hardwire could give you caffeine-fueled focus, cognitive enhancement and enhanced cognitive flexibility. Useful if you’re spending hours in front of screens gaming. Of course, not everyone will experience the same effects from the same product. Taking Hardwire daily may give you more benefits than taking it from time to time, but we’re not certain.
If you exercise or often perform physical activity, like cycling to work, Hardwire might be a really useful tool. A scoop of this energy promoting powder before undertaking any physical activity should give your body a helping hand, mostly due to the stimulants included. We can’t say that the rest of the ingredients are likely to be as effective as a traditional pre-workout supplement, however.
Any Side Effects?
Some of the ingredients, like vitamin C, could cause some stomach discomfort and nausea. The caffeine and Teacrine in Hardwire are both stimulants, which some people find hard to tolerate in large doses. If you do notice side effects, try lowering the amount you’re taking or taking Hardwire after eating food.
We wouldn’t recommend taking more than 3 scoops of Hardwire per day. This is because consuming such large amounts of Choline Bitartrate and other ingredients may cause discomfort and damage. 1 or 2 scoops a day will be enough for the average supplement consumer.
Who Takes It?
Any healthy adult could take Hardwire, but we think it’s best suited to certain groups of people. Gamers in particular, if the product literature is to be believed. The product description on the GNC website, for instance, describes Hardwire as ‘energy for intense gaming sessions.’ It suggests you can get rid of your sugar-laden energy drinks or designer coffees and switch to Hardwire to ‘power through gaming sessions, fuel intense exercise’ or to gain an added boost to get through your day.
As we mentioned above, Hardwire isn’t likely to pack as strong a punch as many existing pre-workouts on the market, so while athletes may appreciate the BCAAs, vitamins, energy boost and enhanced focus from this product, they may prefer something stronger with the useful ingredients in larger doses. That said, people new to pre-workouts or the more relaxed gym goer could find it useful.
Hardwire Summary
Pros:
- Contains BCAAs, when most supplements do not
- Good value for money
- There’s enough caffeine per scoop to make you noticeably stimulated
- Includes some scientifically proven and effective ingredients in decent doses.
- Two scintillating flavor choices.
Cons:
- Low doses of some ingredients
- Could benefit from less minerals and more cognitive enhancers
- Some people may prefer a dedicated nootropic, or a standalone pre-workout, as opposed to an energy drink alternative that tries to do both.
- The stimulant content in Hardwire is high.
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Price & Buying Info
Compared with similar energy and endurance supplements, Hardwire is a cost-effective supplement. At just $35.99 for a 250g tub, we think this supplement isn’t badly priced.
You can pick up a tub on their website.
Final Word on Method Hardwire
Hardwire is a versatile supplement that contains a multitude of beneficial vitamins, BCAAs, minerals and electrolytes.
The dosages for each ingredient are generally good but some supplements are seriously low in dose. We like the packaging quality – this supplement can easily be thrown into a gym bag and used while out and about.
You can get 30 scoops of powder from one tub.
Overall, this is a decent product with two interesting flavors to choose from, a good blend of supplements and a price tag that won’t disappoint.
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