Methylliberine Ingestion Improves Various Indices of Affect but Not Cognitive Function in Healthy Men and Women.

This study assessed the acute effects of oral methylliberine (DynamineTM) supplementation on cognitive function and indices of well-being. This was a double-blind, randomized, within-subject crossover trial. In total, 25 healthy men and women (33.5 ± 10.7 yr, 172.7 ± 8.6 cm, 73.3 ± 11.0 kg) underwent pretesting before ingesting methylliberine (100 mg) or a placebo (PLA) for 3 days. On the fourth day, the participants were tested before their fourth dose (baseline) and every hour post-ingestion for 3 h. After a one-week washout period, the participants repeated testing with the alternate investigational product. The testing battery consisted of vitals, Stroop test, Trail Making Test-B, and visual analog scales that assessed various indices of well-being. Mixed factorial ANOVAs with repeated measures were used to assess all variables. There were significant (p ≤ 0.050) interactions in terms of concentration, motivation, and mood. Methylliberine improved concentration at 1 and 3 h, motivation at 3 h, and mood at 1, 2, and 3 h (p ≤ 0.050). Methylliberine improved energy, sustained energy, and mood in all participants to a greater extent than PLA at 1 h and 3 h relative to baseline (p ≤ 0.050). PLA improved motivation at 1 and 2 h and mood at 2 h (p ≤ 0.050). Methylliberine improved concentration, well-being, and the ability to tolerate stress to a greater extent than PLA at 3 h relative to baseline (p ≤ 0.050). Women observed elevations in sustained energy at 1 and 3 h (p ≤ 0.050) with methylliberine vs. PLA. Methylliberine had a negligible influence on cognitive function and vitals (p > 0.050), and no adverse events were reported. Methylliberine significantly improved subjective feelings of energy, concentration, motivation, and mood, but not cognitive function. PLA improved motivation and mood at hours 1 and 2, while methylliberine sustained these benefits for longer. Methylliberine also improved concentration, well-being, and the ability to tolerate stress to a greater degree than PLA, while having no detrimental effects on vital signs. Methylliberine also seemed to have a positive impact on sustained energy in women.

Acute Effects of Naturally Occurring Guayusa Tea and Nordic Lion's Mane Extracts on Cognitive Performance.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of guayusa extract and Nordic Lion's Mane (LM) on cognition. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, we examined the effects of a single dose of 650 mg guayusa extract (AMT: AmaTea® Max) vs. 1 g Nordic-grown Lion's Mane (LM) vs. placebo (PL). Participants attended three testing visits consisting of neuropsychological tests (Go/No-go, N-Back, and Serial 7 s tasks) assessing performance, subjective assessments of cognitive perception, and vital signs. Each assessment was measured at baseline (pre-ingestion) and 1 and 2 h post ingestion. AMT significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved the number of attempts during Serial 7s, total score, number of correct responses, total number of responses, and reaction time during N-Back and improved Go stimulus reaction time, but it reduced the percentage of correct responses in the No-go stimulus response during Go/No-go. LM significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved the number of attempts during Serial 7s and reaction time during N-Back and improved Go stimulus reaction time in Go/No-go. AMT improved mental clarity, focus, concentration, mood, and productivity at 1 and 2 h (p < 0.05); the ability to tolerate stress at 1 h; and had greater ratings than LM and PL for mental clarity, focus, concentration, and productivity. PL improved focus and concentration at 1 h from baseline (p ≤ 0.05). AMT and LM improved subjective ratings of "happiness compared to peers" and "getting the most out of everything" (p < 0.05); however, this occurred earlier in LM (i.e., 1 h post ingestion). AMT uniquely elevated blood pressure from baseline. AMT significantly improved cognitive performance and self-perceived cognitive indices of affect over a 2 h period and perceptions of happiness 2 h post ingestion. In comparison, LM helped improve working memory, complex attention, and reaction time 2 h post ingestion and perceptions of happiness over a 2 h period.