NOTE: Alpha brain contains extracts derived from plants, as well as a few synthesized substances (maybe?). I apologize to Trav and the mods in advance, if I am touching a sore subject!

For all you nootropic enthusiasts, I got a review or two regarding Alpha Brain by Onnit labs. Just some background on my experiences: I am a diagnosed primary insomniac (genetic) and have tried many different sleeping medications and remedies, to no avail. I am not able to fall into rem sleep most nights (sleep study). I have also used celastrus oil, and will be comparing effects to alpha brain.

Onnit Labs claims that this pill will increase cognitive ability, memory recall, increase the amount and lucidity of dreams, increase period of REM sleep, treat insomnia, etc, etc blah blah, typical supplement baloney (not all supplements bad, but a lot of them have terrible research behind them, or no real research at all; can you say PLACEBO?).

Well I have been hearing about this product for a while from various friends, and finally was able to acquire some of these pills. The following contains several experiences with this supplement and also my conclusion on the effectiveness of this product.

Trial 1

This first trial, I did not bother discontinuing use of cannabis, but did limit cannabis use to day time only.

Took the green and yellow pill at 9:00PM. Took another 8 hours later. Feeling pretty sleepy but could just be from a hard day at work.

11:00PM WOW I am not sleepy at all. I was sleepy until about 2 hours after ingesting the second pill, and now I feel like I am wide awake. Besides that, no noticable cognitive improvement.

2:00AM I still can't sleep. This is quite unpleasent. No real cognitive effects. So far, does not even hold a candle to celastrus oil

5:00AM Gave up on going to sleep.

Basically I continued this trial for 3 days with similar effects.


Trial 2

With the current trial, I have discontinued all cannabis use 3 days prior to trial. I am also taking the pill 4 hours before I go to sleep, once a day.

Day 3
Big surprise, no sleep, and I feel very awake. Could these be caffeine pills? Looks like this is gonna be an all nighter. Well, it acts as some sort of stimulant for me, but just enough to worsen my insomnia, not treat it!

2:00AM I would really like at least an hour of sleep tonight, but its not happening. I feel any chance of sleep has been robbed by onnit labs.



Conclusions

Alpha Brain worsened my insomnia. I can't have a longer REM sleep if I cannot fall or stay asleep.... I was able to sleep one night when I took alpha brain and vaporized a lot of BHO. Sadly, I had ZERO dream recall and only was able to sleep for 1.5 hours. All in all, this is shoddy product that would be of little or no benefit to fellow nexians, and most likely most working class peoples. Maybe If I took the entire 60 days worth I would notice effects, but I cherish my little bit of sleep that I might fight for a night.

I really feel that the effects my friends were feeling are placebo, as none of them have worked with actual nootropics or cognitive enhancers. They all were certain that the product would be amazing before even trying it (COUGH placebo COUGH).

DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT IF YOU ARE AN INSOMNIAC. Please don't do it, for your own good. If you look at the ingredients of this product, many of them SHOULD NOT be taken by a severe insomniac (in that dosage, at least). Also, the price tag is ridiculous. You would be better off with aniracetam or piracetam.

Alpha brain vs Celastrus oil
The only pro alpha brain had over celastrus was that it was in pill form, so no bitter aftertaste or mouth irritation (has happened only once). Besides that fact, Celastrus wins hands down, because of the following:

1. I can actually sleep (as long as I don't mass oil right before bed lol)
2. I have amazing lucid dreams and decent recall
3. Celastrus kicks arse on exams and essays. I have tried.
4. Celastrus pwns ADD (mild)
5. Celastrus gets my CNS buzzin (this one can be a good and bad effect)
6. Celastrus oil works quick, and has little side effects. Is backed by centuries of documented use.

Well Ladies, Gents, Entities, thanks for reading my rant.

I will now attempt to nyquil myself to sleep, maybe the sandman will show some mercy tonight!

Love, Peace, Respect,

Zar