BLEND™ is stepping a bit into the nootropics world, while still providing a solid punch of clean energy. With a combination of energy, memory, focus and clarity it's no wonder this formula can stand its ground. Popular to drink alone or combine in a smoothie for added flavoring and energy, BLEND™ will deliver.

We are excited to share with you the studies backing the BLEND™ formula. Let's not forget how delicious it is too... with all-natural flavoring!

BLEND™, like all of our products, contains no fillers, no junk only ingredients your body will benefit from. Categorized into "blends" to make it easier for you to read our labels, we now want to go through and explain what each ingredient does and the research behind them.

First, the Neural Energy Blend, for smooth energy that also provides neural stimulation. No jitters, no crash just a clean boost.

This ingredient always comes up as a winner in the search for focus and cognitive performance. The production of dopamine and noradrenaline is increased due to tyrosine. The combining effect leads to increased focus and mood while reducing the feeling of stress and anxiety... either of which can wreak havoc on you and your task at hand. Whether you're trying to get through another grueling workday, trying to reach the next level on your newest gaming addiction, or just trying to get the house chores done... l-tyrosine will help keep you focused on the task at hand. Proven effective clinically studied doses of L-Tyrosine are 500mg - 2g. BLEND™ contains 1g.

L-Tyrosine was tested by Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine for the effects of tyrosine on cognitive performance after sleep loss (Case 1, below).

Prone to stress? It is proven that l-tyrosine can help with that. In Case 2 Brain Research studies the effects of tyrosine on exposure to acute, uncontrollable stress.

Think all caffeine is created equal? Think again. Ever had jitters from caffeine? Or crashed hard when it began wearing off? Synthetic caffeine is absorbed through the digestive system at a much faster rate than plant-derived caffeine. This makes for a quicker spike, but also leads to a more harsh crash. A quick tip: if you see the word "caffeine" on an ingredient label that is unaccompanied by the source, you're most likely looking at synthetic caffeine. We want you to enjoy your BLEND™ and everything about it so we went with the smoother organic caffeine that is derived from green coffee beans. The clinically tested doses that have proved effective range from 3mg - 6mg per kilogram of body weight. We have BLEND™ dosed at 215mg, if you're caffeine-sensitive or on the lighter side of the spectrum we recommend starting with a 1/2 scoop.

Along with the typical focus and energy, we expect to see from caffeine, there has also been a proven thermogenic response that can result in weight loss when combined with a low calorie and exercise regimen (Case 1). So if you aren't quite ready to try PINNACLE™ (our pre-workout) BLEND™ makes for a nice lighter dose of energy for your workout.

Caffeine has also been proven to enhance exercise-trained people's metabolic response (Case 2). Along with beneficial metabolism responses, you can also count on caffeine to improve your mood (Case 3)... and sometimes we could all use a mood booster.

This next study is a good one, measuring the accuracy of decision making and agility performance after simulated team-sport exercise with the aid of caffeine. In other words, the participants either consumed a placebo or caffeine, then played in a team game for 20 minutes, 4 times through. After each 20 minute session, the effects were measured. Across the board, the caffeine ingesting group scored consistently faster scores. So, if you're looking to get things done a little faster... you may want to read more on it in Case 4.

Now, let's talk about the cognitive boosting ingredients in BLEND™ because at some point or another we've all needed a cognitive boost.

Since we put this in the cognitive boost blend you can guess that it has proven cognitive benefits, but acetyl l-carnitine has also been proven in studies to boost memory and mood. We call that a win/win. The proven effective doses range from 600mg to 2.5g, BLEND containing 1g.

In Case 1, acetyl l-carnitine proved to be effective in fighting oxygen-glucose deprivation that can cause damage to neural stem cells by enhancing the expression of survival-related proteins.

In this double-blind study that lasted 12 weeks (Case 2) acetyl l-carnitine was studied in the treatment of persistent depressive disorder at a dosage of 500mg.

Fatigue and attention concentration were the focus of Case 3, as acetyl l-carnitine was proved to be effective on both. Concentration is the main reason we decided to make sure and include this powerful ingredient.

Considered a natural source of choline Alpha-GPC provides a multitude of cognitive-enhancing properties. The clinically proven dose ranges for ALPHASIZE® Alpha-GPC are 200mg - 600mg, BLEND™ dosed at 300mg.

If used in conjunction with workouts these first two studies may pertain to you: Alpha-GPC has also been proven to increase the post-exercise growth hormone (Case 1). Also, increased cholinergic tone enhances GH release (Case 2).

Another study (Case 3) confirmed that taking Alpha-GPC was able to antagonize impairment of attention and memory induced by scopolamine

And last, but not least is a study (Case 4) on the effect of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, caffeine, or placebo on the marker of mood, cognitive function, power, speed, and agility.

Oh, this is a good one. A really, really good one. Huperzine A is used for memory and learning enhancement, which includes age-related memory loss and Alzheimer's patients. Huperzine A also provides muscular benefits from an increase in the levels of acetylcholine, which is one of the chemicals that are used in communication between the brain, muscles and more. Clinically tested doses that proved effective range from 50mcg-200mcg, we went ahead and put the full 200mcg in BLEND™.

Although huperzine A is a popular supplementation with adults it has been tested on adolescents as well. In Case 1, 50mcg of huperzine proved enhancement in the memory and learning performance of adolescent students of junior middle school age. 

As we've discussed a little, huperzine A can be a potential disease-modifying agent in Alzheimer's patients as well as other neurodegenerative disorders. Case 2 goes more in-depth on this topic.

Case 3 concluded that huperzine A weakened oxidative glutamate toxicity (which leads to neurodegenerative disorders) in murine hippocampal HT22 cells via activating BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor)/TrkB (receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor)-dependent PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway that is directly related to longevity and more.

Supplementation with huperzine A has also been proven to significantly and dose-dependently reverse the corresponding values in diabetes (Case 4). With so much good research behind huperzine A, we decided it was a must-have for BLEND™. 

We provided ingredients for mental endurance because we want you to be mentally sustained while keeping your energy up. What good is a boost in energy if mentally you're not in the right place?

Taurine has become a player in the mental game due to its proven ability to modulate neurotransmitter activity and support a calmer mental state. The clinically studied recommended dosages range from 500mg - 2g, BLEND™ coming in with a full 2g.

In Case 1, evidence is provided that after two weeks of taurine supplementation, it reverses early, detectable conduit vessel abnormalities in young male diabetics. 

Also proven is the ability for taurine to aid with heart conditions. In Case 2, people who have heart failure were able to increase their exercise capacity from taurine supplementation alongside standard medical treatment.

As an antioxidant, Spectra™ is an innovative ingredient that fights potentially dangerous free radicals. As Case 1 by Food and Science Nutrition suggests: "Unique activity of SPECTRA™ suggests the potential for the use of the supplement in the modulation of oxidative stress, NO bioavailability, inflammatory response, blood glucose levels, and ultimately supporting “optimal health.”" Also, proven in Case 2, to reduce free radicals in people after consuming Spectra™. The clinically tested and proven dose of SPECTRA™ is 100mg, with BLEND™ being dosed at 100mg.

Once again, we provide BioPerine® in BLEND™ to aid in ingredient absorption.

This single ingredient has been found to enhance the absorption of nutrients by at least 30%. That's pretty substantial. The clinically proven dosage is 5mg, BLEND™ containing 5mg.

In Case 1 you can read how piperine, an alkaloid derived from black pepper, increases serum response of β-carotene during 14 days of oral β-carotene supplementation.

Piperine has been tested for bioavailability when combined with curcumin. Curcumin alone has poor bioavailability. Combining it with piperine there is found to be a 154% increase in bioavailability (Case 2).

In a separate double-blind study by the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, piperine that was at least 98% pure was used to evaluate the plasma levels of the coenzyme Q10 after being supplemented orally (Case 3).

Curious about how piperine can enhance the bioavailability of resveratrol? See Case 4.