L-Tyrosine

L-Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid which acts as a precursor to dopamine and noradrenaline. [1]

It can exert notable acute cognitive benefits when the situation demands for an increased availability of dopamine and noradrenaline.

For example, during sleep deprivation, L-Tyrosine can positively enhance cognitive functions, such as running memory, logical reasoning, visual vigilance and mathematical processing. [2]

Under stressful conditions, L-Tyrosine can improve short-term memory, processing speed, selective attention, automaticity and perceptual-motor skills. [3][4]

The aforementioned benefits have been observed in clinical trials, with L-Tyrosine dosages ranging from 2-12 grams. Our dosage of 700 milligrams aims to be a supporting dose next to the natural synthesis of L-Tyrosine from phenylalanine and, should it be needed, alleviate the detriments of depleted dopamine and noradrenaline levels.

Citicoline

Citicoline, also known as cytidine diphosphate-choline is a naturally occuring molecule in humans. When taken as a supplement, citicoline is metabolized to choline and cytidine. [5]

The biosynthetic pathway of citicoline provides sources of precursors for the synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and cell membranes. [6]

Clinical trials have found that citicoline supplementation improves attention, focus and learning in large part due to the increase in acetylcholine that results. [7]

Studies also suggest that increasing the amount of essential structural components of cell membranes, may mitigate cognitive declines associated with aging. [6]

We have included citicoline in ENLIGHTENMENT 2.0 at the maximum daily dose of 500 mg.

Bacopa monnieri Extract

Bacopa monnieri is a perennial herb, that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. [8]

A number of controlled studies utilizing standardized Bacopa monnieri extracts have described its cognitive enhancing effects upon human cognition.

Bacopa monnieri can acutely improve cognition in areas, such as reasoning and cognitive speed. [9]

Supplementing Bacopa monnieri over a longer period of time, can improve verbal learning, memory acquisition and attention. [10][11]

Bacopa monnieri may also have neuroprotective effects as well. Standardized Bacopa monnieri extracts have been shown to scavenge reactive oxygen species, reduce beta-amyloid levels in the brain and also increase dendritic length and branching points. [12][13]

We have included Bacopa monnieri in our formula as an extract standardized to 50% bacosides at 350 mg.

Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid and is a component of the cell membrane. [14]

Phosphatidylserine is required for healthy nerve cell membranes and myelin. In 2015 a scientific paper reviewing 127 research articles, was published. The researchers concluded, that exogenous phosphatidylserine (300-800 mg daily) is absorbed safely and efficiently in humans. [15]

Also, phosphatidylserine was found to support the formation of short-term memory, consolidation of long-term memory, the ability to communicate, reason, solve problems, concentrate and create new memories. [15]

ENLIGHTENMENT 2.0 has a 300 mg dose of 50% phosphatidylserine.

L-Theanine

L-Theanine is an amino acid, that is primarily found in particular plants, like green tea, and fungal species.

In humans, L-Theanine has been found to exert anti-stress effects during acutely stressful situations. [16][17]

For cognitive functions, improvements in verbal fluency, problem-solving, reasoning and planning skills have been observed, when L-Theanine was taken daily for 4 weeks. [16]

Numerous studies have also investigated the syngerstic effect of combined L-Theanine and caffeine intake. These research papers have found improvements in many areas of cognition, such as reaction time, alertness, working memory and mental fatigue. [18]

All of these benefits of L-Theanine have been observed by scientists at dosages ranging from 36-400 milligrams per day and above.

ENLIGHTENMENT 2.0 has a 100 mg dose of L-Theanine, extracted and isolated from green tea.

Saffron Extract

Saffron is a spice obtained from the flower of Crocus sativus. In recent years, researchers have begun to look into the potential therapeutic effects of standardized Saffron extracts.

Multiple studies have been conducted to assess the effects of Saffron on mood and attention span in humans. Although great outcomes have been observed in patients diagnosed with ADHD or depression, improvements regarding mood, anxiety and attention have been found in healthy individuals as well.

In short, saffron extract has been shown to significantly decrease negative mood and symptoms related to stress and anxiety in healthy people. [19][20]

The main active constituents of Saffron are thought to be crocins and safranal. There is evidence that crocins act as reuptake inhibitors of dopamine and noradrenaline, while safranal acts primarily on serotonin reuptake. [21][22][23]

Researchers have observed the aforementioned benefits with dosages ranging from 15-30 milligrams.

We have included Saffron in ENLIGHTENMENT 2.0 as an extract, standardized to 0.3% safranals at a dose of 30 milligrams.

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References

  1. Broadley KJ (March 2010). "The vascular effects of trace amines and amphetamines".Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 125(3): 363–375.
  2. Magill RA, Waters WF, Bray GA, Volaufova J, Smith SR, Lieberman HR, et al. (August 2003). "Effects of tyrosine, phentermine, caffeine D-amphetamine, and placebo on cognitive and motor performance deficits during sleep deprivation". Nutritional Neuroscience. 6 (4): 237–46.
  3. Deijen JB, Orlebeke JF (1994). "Effect of tyrosine on cognitive function and blood pressure under stress". Brain Research Bulletin. 33 (3): 319–23.
  4. Deijen JB, Wientjes CJ, Vullinghs HF, Cloin PA, Langefeld JJ (January 1999). "Tyrosine improves cognitive performance and reduces blood pressure in cadets after one week of a combat training course". Brain Research Bulletin. 48 (2): 203–9.
  5. Wurtman RJ, Regan M, Ulus I, Yu L (Oct 2000). "Effect of oral CDP-choline on plasma choline and uridine levels in humans". Biochemical Pharmacology. 60 (7): 989–92.
  6. Silveri, M. M., Dikan, J., Ross, A. J., Jensen, J. E., Kamiya, T., Kawada, Y., … Yurgelun-Todd, D. A. (2008). "Citicoline enhances frontal lobe bioenergetics as measured by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy". NMR in Biomedicine. 21 (10): 1066–1075.
  7. Tardner, P. "The use of citicoline for the treatment of cognitive decline and cognitive impairment: A meta-analysis of pharmacological literature."
  8. Russo A, Borrelli F. (2005). "Bacopa monniera, a reputed nootropic plant: An overview". Phytomedicine. 12: 305–317.
  9. Downey, L. A., Kean, J., Nemeh, F., Lau, A., Poll, A., Gregory, R., … Stough, C. (2012). "An Acute, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study of 320 mg and 640 mg Doses of a Special Extract of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08) on Sustained Cognitive Performance". Phytotherapy Research. 27(9): 1407–1413.
  10. Morgan A, Stevens J. (2010). "Does bacopa monnieri improve memory performance in older persons? Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial". J Altern Complement Med 16: 753–759.
  11. Pase, M. P., Kean, J., Sarris, J., Neale, C., Scholey, A. B., & Stough, C. (2012). "The Cognitive-Enhancing Effects of Bacopa monnieri: A Systematic Review of Randomized, Controlled Human Clinical Trials". The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 18(7): 647–652.
  12. Aguiar, S., & Borowski, T. (2013). "Neuropharmacological Review of the Nootropic Herb Bacopa monnieri". Rejuvenation Research. 16(4): 313–326.
  13. Dhanasekaran, M., Tharakan, B., Holcomb, L. A., Hitt, A. R., Young, K. A., & Manyam, B. V. (2007). "Neuroprotective mechanisms of ayurvedic antidementia botanical Bacopa monniera". Phytotherapy Research. 21(10): 965–969.
  14. Kannan, Muthukumar; Riekhof, Wayne R.; Voelker, Dennis R. (2015). "Transport of Phosphatidylserine from the Endoplasmic Reticulum to the Site of Phosphatidylserine Decarboxylase2 in Yeast". Traffic. 16 (2): 123–134.
  15. Glade, M. J., & Smith, K. (2015). "Phosphatidylserine and the human brain". Nutrition. 31(6): 781–786.
  16. Hidese, Ogawa, Ota, Ishida, Yasukawa, Ozeki, & Kunugi. (2019). "Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial". Nutrients. 11(10): 2362.
  17. Kimura, K., Ozeki, M., Juneja, L. R., & Ohira, H. (2007). "L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses". Biological Psychology. 74(1): 39–45.
  18. Anas Sohail A., Ortiz F., Varghese T., Fabara SP., Batth AS., Sandesara DP., Sabir A., Khurana M., Datta S., Patel UK. (December 2021). "The Cognitive-Enhancing Outcomes of Caffeine and L-theanine: A Systematic Review". Cureus. 13(12): e20828.
  19. Kell, G., Rao, A., Beccaria, G., Clayton, P., Inarejos-García, A. M., & Prodanov, M. (2017). affron® a novel saffron extract ( Crocus sativus L .) improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks in a double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 33: 58–64.
  20. Jackson PA., Forster J., Khan J., Pouchieu C., Dubreuil S., Gaudout D., Moras B., Pourtau L., Joffre F., Vaysse C., Bertrand K., Abrous H., Vauzour D., Brossaud J., Corcuff JB., Capuron L., Kennedy DO. (February 2021). "Effects of Saffron Extract Supplementation on Mood, Well-Being, and Response to a Psychosocial Stressor in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel Group, Clinical Trial". Front Nutr. 1;7:606124.
  21. Noorbala AA., Akhondzadeh S., Tahmacebi-Pour N., Jamshidi AH. (February 2005). "Hydro-alcoholic extract of Crocus sativus L. versus fluoxetine in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a double-blind, randomized pilot trial". J Ethnopharmacol. 28;97(2): 281-4.
  22. Hosseinzadeh H., Noraei NB. (June 2009). "Anxiolytic and hypnotic effect of Crocus sativus aqueous extract and its constituents, crocin and safranal, in mice". Phytother Res. 23(6):768-74.
  23. Khazdair MR., Boskabady MH., Hosseini M., Rezaee R., M Tsatsakis A. (September 2015) "The effects of Crocus sativus (saffron) and its constituents on nervous system: A review". Avicenna J Phytomed. 5(5): 376-91.