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Amour (2012)

carlosdev — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:22:29 +0000

Love can be a scary, terrifying thing.

(2012) Drama (Sony Classics) Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva, Isabelle Huppert, Alexandre Tharaud, William Shimell, Ramon Agirre, Rita Blanco, Carole Franck, Dinara Drukarova, Laurent Capelluto, Jean-Michel Monroc, Suzanne Schmidt, Damien Jouillerot, Walid Akfir. Directed by Michael Haneke

For most of us, our fondest wish is to find someone to grow old with. We look at growing old as a pleasant thing, our hair turning white and our skin wrinkled, holding hands with our loved one as we are surrounded with children and grandchildren, living lives in retirement of quiet pride in a life well-lived.

Growing old though is no golden-hued trip down an autumnal lane. It’s not for the faint of heart and even though we may have the company of someone we love, it isn’t necessarily a Hallmark card.

Police break down the doors in a Paris apartment and are immediately are met by an unpleasant stench. They search the room and find a decomposing corpse. There had been a nurse but she hadn’t been seen around lately. Mail had been piling up.

We flash back and see a piano concert. More to the point, we see the audience, rapt and moved by the impassioned playing of Alexandre (Tharaud), who is a former pupil of Anne (Riva). She and her husband Georges (Trintignant), both Parisian music teachers now retired and in their 80s, attend the recital and go backstage to greet Alexandre but he is surrounded by well-wishers and so they leave gracefully and return home.

At breakfast though, Anne suddenly stops reacting. Her mind seems to go away and when it comes back she has no memory of having gone despite several long minutes having passed. Georges is concerned but Anne has a pathological fear of hospitals…but when she has a major stroke, she is forced to stay at one for awhile. When she returns home, her right side is paralyzed.

At first it’s a bloody inconvenience. Anne is still much the same forceful, strong woman she’s always been but now she must rely on Georges for more and more. Soon it becomes necessary to hire a nurse (Franck). Georges and Anne’s daughter Eva (Huppert) who is a touring musician herself, visits from New York with her obsequious English husband Geoff (Shimell) and is aghast but seems more concerned with the physical deterioration than with the emotional burden that both George and Anne are bearing. They both know where this is going and how it inevitably is going to end.

This is the Austrian submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar this year although it was filmed in Paris and French is predominantly spoken (some dialogue is in English). Haneke is an Austrian and the film was produced by French, German and Austrian sources. It also is the rare movie that also netted a Best Picture nomination – every movie that previously got that double nomination has won the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award. Riva also has a Best Actress nomination while Haneke got Best Director and Best Screenwriter nominations as well.

The story is a very personal one for Haneke who watched it happen in his own family. Nearly all the action (other than the scenes in the recital hall early in the film) takes place in the apartment and in that circumstance the movie could easily feel stage-y or claustrophobic but it never does. This has become their entire world. It gives us a good sense of how their world begins to shrink down to just the two of them.

Riva is amazing here. It’s a gutsy performance because there is no glamour whatsoever to it other than initially. The indignities of becoming infirm are well on display and Riva, best known here for her sexy turn in Hiroshima Mon Amour shows them with an unblinking eye, allowing you to share in her despair and frustration. She’s been one of France’s top actresses for half a century and here you see why.

Trintignant came out of semi-retirement to act in this movie. Also one of France’s leading thespians (with astonishing performances in A Man and a Woman, Z and Red) his performance here is central to the film. It is harder to watch the deterioration of a loved one than to be the one deteriorating in many ways, and you can see his pain and frustration in his eyes. His work here has largely been overshadowed by Riva’s and in all honesty deservedly so but that doesn’t make his performance any less important or less commendable.

The scene in the concert hall is masterful and I think a fairly defining shot for Haneke. We don’t see the performance but merely the reactions to it. We are voyeurs as it were, watching the watchers Georges and Anne among them, their faces drawing you to them even though at that point in the movie you don’t know who they are. While the scene may appear to be innocuous and non-germane to the overall story, it’s a moment that stays with you and then long after the credits role you realize that Haneke was telling you what your own role in the movie is about to be. It’s brilliant and reminds me once again why he’s perhaps the best filmmaker in the world that you’ve never heard of.

This is one of last year’s most acclaimed movies and justifiably so. There are some shocks and some moments that may be uncomfortable for you – it can be argued that we are given too much access. There are those who will find Anne’s deterioration depressing but to be truthful it is a part of life. Old age as I said earlier isn’t necessarily a Hallmark card. It’s indignity and infirmity, aches and pains, organs breaking down and senses not working right. It is a natural progression in our lives but it isn’t an easy one.

The title is well-considered. Love is easily described as never having to say you’re sorry but that’s just the Hollywood version. In truth love is not those easy moments where you have make-up sex, or a snuggly Sunday morning. Love is caring for your partner when they are incapable of caring for themselves. Love is changing the diaper on the woman you used to make love to. Love is hearing them berate you and understanding it’s the situation and the pain talking and refusing to respond in kind. Love is being there until the bitter end and sometimes, doing something so painful that your soul shrivels and dies inside you but if it takes away the pain of the one you love, it’s worth it.

REASONS TO GO: Thought-provoking. Deals with real world issues in a relationship and in aging.

REASONS TO STAY: Some may find it a bit depressing although they will be missing the point if they do.

FAMILY VALUES: The themes are very adult. There is one scene that is graphic and disturbing. There are a few bad words and a brief scene of nudity.

TRIVIAL PURSUIT: Riva is the oldest woman to be nominated for an Oscar at 83; she received her nomination the same day that Quvenzhane Wallis became the youngest nominee at age 9 for Beasts of the Southern Wild.

CRITICAL MASS: As of 2/20/13: Rotten Tomatoes: 93% positive reviews. Metacritic: 94/100; the reviews are excellent.

COMPARISON SHOPPING: Away From Her

FINAL RATING: 9.5/10

NEXT: The Myth of the American Sleepover

Christmas Island detention centre sees spike in demand for mental health services

sherylbeard2512 — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 17:49:25 +0000

Financial Planner Brisbane immigration detention facilities on Christmas Island are not appropriate for asylum seekers, and there has been a rise in the demand for mental health services at the facility, according to a damning report released today by the Human Rights Commission.

The Commission said in some areas conditions of detention on Christmas Island had improved since the Commission?s last visit in 2012, including the introduction of week long visits each month by a psychiatrist, however it also said that the mental health service currently operating on Christmas Island may not be able to meet the increased level of demand.

“BRUNSWICK researcher Dr Emma Burrows is trying to unlock the mysteries of the human mind to improve treatment of brain disorders. Dr Burrows, of the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health in Melbourne, has been given a Victoria Fellowship to continue her study in new touchscreen technology, which aims to improve treatment for dementia, schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. The $18,000 fellowship grant will see Dr Burrows travel to Cambridge University in the UK to work alongside the pioneers of the new technology.”

Source http://moreland-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/brunswick-scientists-mind-matters/

Acceleration of Time as We Age

StephenBrassawe — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:20:45 +0000

“Time is a rubbery thing.”

When I saw that quotation under a photo of a young neuroscientist at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston while browsing old issues of The New Yorker* at Juan’s Café Etc, I ordered another coffee and devoured the article. The variability of our perception of time is a subject that has fascinated me for . . . ah . . . a long time. Actually, the variability in my perception of time is what has fascinated me, thoroughgoing solipsist that I am. The variability in your perception of time interests me, too, but not nearly as much.

David Eagleman explains that time is a sense, like the senses of taste, sight, smell, and all. However, our sense of time is not localized in our brain as these other senses are. Rather, our sense of time is threaded through all of our other senses.

Eagleman has a phantasmagoria of theories about our perception of time and is ingenious in his devising of revealing—and entertaining—experiments to explore those theories. Through the auspices of Brian Eno, for example, he devised an experiment to track neurologically how an assortment of prominent rock and jazz drummers are able preternaturally to keep perfect time with their drum kits.

In another experiment he attempted to measure how time slows down for a person experiencing a life-threatening event. He did this by subjecting his volunteers to a terrifying thrill ride called “Zero Gravity.” Time slowed down for them when they were in the midst of it. It was in connection with that experiment that he said, “It suggests that time and memory are so tightly intertwined that they may be impossible to tease apart.”

Let me pause and confess something to you here. I have been carefully observing the deterioration of my own brain as I age for some years now. It interests me, and it interests me for more than the obvious reasons. The two aspects of this that interest me most are trite in that they are talked of so much, the decreasing efficiency of my memory and my perception that the passage of time is accelerating. That statement above came as an epiphany for me. These two phenomena, accelerating time and decreasing memory, are not separate and distinct symptoms of the deterioration of the brain. Rather, they are part and parcel of the same thing.

Sure enough, then came this paragraph:

“One of the seats of emotion and memory in the brain is the amygdala, he explained. When something threatens your life, this area seems to kick into overdrive, recording every last detail of the experience. The more detailed the memory, the longer the moment seems to last. “This explains why we think that time speeds up when we grow older,” Eagleman said—why childhood summers seem to go on forever, while old age slips by while we’re dozing. The more familiar the world becomes, the less information your brain writes down, and the more quickly time seems to pass.

That was all the article had to offer on the acceleration of time as we age, but that was a lot.

Clearly, excessive dozing speeds up the passage of time. But do we not also fall in love with routine as we age? Do we not become more uncomfortable with the unfamiliar as we age? Unfamiliar music. Unfamiliar food. Unfamiliar living quarters. Unfamiliar hobbies or pastimes. Unfamiliar people. An unfamiliar culture. But Eagleman’s statement clearly suggests that routine in old age will speed up the passage of time. Perhaps that is what some old people want—those suffering chronic pain, for example–to get it behind them.

For some time I have had the vague conviction that if I jam as many new and strange things into my life as possible as I age, that would be a good thing. David Eagleman has given me some scientific basis to think that I might be onto something. I am forcing my aging memory to write down new detail, which in turn slows down time.

It also happens to be fun. My personal code of conduct now is, if it ain’t fun, I ain’t doing it.

This has nothing to do with any wish to live into advanced old age. Ten more years that seem like thirty would be ideal. (But check back with me on that when I am 75.) Thirty more years that seem like ten is the thing to be avoided. Dementia terrifies me far more than oblivion does.

Maybe I should throw in a little more life-threatening experience, too. I have been thinking about a motorcycle for a couple of years now, although it seems like only a couple of months.

*The Possibilian, Burkhard Bilger, The New Yorker, 25 April 2011, p. 54

Is Obesity The Government's Business?

lowcarbconfidential — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 15:13:27 +0000

God, I am tired of the level of discourse in the world today. It appears to me most ‘debate’ has descended to little more than character assassination and pithy sound-bites that might feed the heart, but starve the mind.

Here’s something different.

Intelligence Squared is a group of folks who put on Oxford-style debates. They poll the audience on a question, gauge their responses, and then let two teams of two people debate the topic for 40 minutes or so. Then the audience votes again. The side that changed the most minds wins.

I’ve listened to these shows for a while now, but recently heard one that you folks who stop by this blog might have some interest in: Is obesity the government’s business? This is from a debate held February 7, 2012 including:

Dr. Pamela Peeke, WebMD’s chief lifestyle expert, is a physician, scientist and expert in the fields of nutrition, metabolism, stress and fitness.
Dr. David Satcher served as the 16th surgeon general of the United States and published America’s first “Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity.”
Paul Campos is a law professor at the University of Colorado in Boulder and author of The Obesity Myth: Why America’s Obsession with Weight is Hazardous to Your Health.
John Stossel, the host of Stossel on the Fox Business Network, has received 19 Emmy Awards and has been honored five times for excellence in consumer reporting by the National Press Club.

If you’ve got the time, I recommend listening, which you can by clicking here. And if you find the notion of an intelligent debate on other topics interesting, you can find a lot more at their website or their YouTube Channel.

It sure the Hell beats the feeling of mental deterioration that comes over me when ‘Housewives of Orange County’ comes on the tube.

Alpha Brain - Use Coupon Code "10off" to save 10% off of your entire order at www.Onnit.com

bosdojo — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:14:54 +0000

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You can find all of the following at http://www.onnit.com. The author of this blog makes no claims about the effects of the product nor is liable for side-effects.

Unleashing Your Mental Potential

What is that thing you wish you could do? Is it work left unfinished, an idea left untried, or a challenge you have yet to overcome? Perhaps all that is missing is the right test score, or a little more mental discipline? Maybe it is as trivial as beating your nemesis in a game of chess, or conquering the Friday crossword puzzle… Alpha Brain™ is designed with all of that in mind. The first complete balanced nootropic ever created, Alpha Brain™ works on several fronts to improve cognitive function, mental drive, and foster creativity through the dream state. Acetylcholine boosting supplements raise sharpness and acuity, while powerful antioxidants give you mental drive and help eliminate brain fog. Dopamine boosting herbs, along with GABA and Oatstraw help with focus and mental calm, because a frantic mind is not an Alpha mind. Be one of the thousands to try this revolutionary product, and order now!

Dreaming Like an Alpha

Sleep 101 — The Importance of Dreams

Sleep can be roughly grouped into two categories, Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, and Slow Wave Sleep (SWS). Both of these types of sleep provide different benefits to the human organism. Slow Wave Sleep is dreamless and fosters bodily and systemic recovery. REM is the dreaming sleep, and plays the vital role of helping the mind process the mental clutter and store the data that has accumulated throughout the day. Studies have shown that without adequate REM sleep, people will literally go insane and crash like a computer unable to reboot after accumulating too much software.

Conversely, strong creativity has been linked to strong REM sleep. Documented stories of composers creating entire symphonies, and authors envisioning the entirety of a published work while dreaming are commonplace. For the creative and active mind, REM sleep is a crucial component, and recent research has indicated that the mechanism by which the body controls REM is closely linked to the release of Acetylcholine.

Acetylcholine Is the Key to Strong REM Sleep

Put quite simply, Acetlycholine release is greater during REM sleep than the Non-REM sleep or Slow Wave Sleep. The greater the levels of Acetylcholine released, the more persistent and intense the REM sleep.

This has been studied by watching the function of memory consolidation in correlation to acetylcholine. In scientific terms, “It is thought that the release of acetylcholine in the neocortex controls the flow of information from the hippocampus to the neocortex…which suggests that procedural memory consolidation may depend more on REM sleep. It is proposed that REM sleep with high level of acetylcholine enhance synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation.” Guis, S & Born 2004 in Power A.E. 2004.

Now whether dreaming is a causitive part of this memory consolidation process or a byproduct of it is not exactly clear, but the correlation is proven beyond empirical doubt. So to sum all this up: More Acetylcholine = More REM sleep = More powerful dreaming.

Lucid Dreams: The (Attainable) Holy Grail of Dreaming

Have you ever had a dream in which you became aware that you were dreaming while you were still in the dream? If so, what did you do? Did you fly? Did you explore sexual fantasies? Did you turn a nightmare around by kicking a whole lot of ass and waking up feeling like Bruce Willis? That is the world of possibility open to the lucid dreamer, and a quick example of why it is such a highly sought after state.

Deirdre Barrett, in her 1992 study on lucid dreaming described four “corollaries” of lucidity: knowing that one dreams, that objects will disappear after waking, that physical laws need not apply, and having clear memory of the waking world. A true lucid dream has at least one, if not all of these categories to qualify.

An early recorded lucid dreamer was the philosopher and physician Sir Thomas Browne (1605–1682). Browne was fascinated by the world of dreams and described his own ability to lucid dream in his Religio Medici: “…yet in one dream I can compose a whole Comedy, behold the action, apprehend the jests and laugh my self awake at the conceits thereof.”

A study on memory, testing the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor commonly known as Galantamine reported Lucid Dreams as a side effect of the drug, proving the correlation between increased levels of Acetylcholine and the possibility of more lucid dreams. It only makes sense. If you have more time in the REM dream state, more intensity of your dream state, why wouldn’t you have more of an opportunity to make them lucid? And there is no doubt that AlphaBrain™ is a more powerful acetylcholine booster than galantamine… In fact, we believe that AlphaBrain™ is the best naturally derived acetylcholine booster in the world.

Alpha Brain™: The best naturally derived Acetylcholine booster in the world?

Why is Alpha Brain™ possibly the best naturally derived Acetylcholine booster in the world? There are two main reasons. First, we use the best quality, most bio-available, and not coincidentally the most expensive variety of Choline, the raw source of Acetylcholine. GPC Choline (Glyceryl Phorsphoryl Choline) is unrivaled for potentiality and generally accepted as the strongest raw choline source, dwarfing the efficacy of choline bitrartate.

Second, we include the proven acetylcholinesterase inhibitor Huperzia Serrata, with standardized levels of Huperzine A. Huperzine A has been studied successfully in conjunction with Alzheimers, and the mechanism of inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine is well documented. What does this mean so far? It means that not only will you have more raw materials to build acetylcholine (GPC Choline), you will also be actively preventing the breakdown and destruction of acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase. By using full spectrum Huperzia Serrata instead of Huperzine A, you also get the benefits of Huperzine B and myriad other supporting Alkaloids. For more information on why using full spectrum Huperzia is an advantage, take a look at this article by our supplier here.

Next, consider the philosophy of our nootropic formula. Not only are we boosting Acetlylcholine, we are also using Mucuna Pruriens to raise levels of L-Dopa, and including GABA to make a well rounded and balanced brain formula. This in itself combats unnecessary hyperactivity associated with higher levels of Acetlycholine, but we go even farther by offering an elephant dose of the trusted anxiolytic Oat Straw in a 10x formlation. This allows us to turn the mental power quotient up higher than other formulas, giving a maximum acetylcholine charge, without the unwanted potential side effects.

Finally let us consider our other active ingredients. AC-11 (r), the patented ingredient extracted from the rainforest herb cat’s claw is so powerful it has been proven to repair DNA! In our formula this acts as a nuclear antioxidant, eradicating free radicals that clog the neural pathways and create mental fog. Pterostilbene and Bacopa are powerful cognitive enhancers in their own right and Vinpocetine is a cerebral vasodilator that brings blood into the brain. With more blood comes more nutrients and circulation, and that is always a good thing.

All of this may seem complicated but it can be summed up like this. More acetylcholine gives you stronger REM sleep, and stronger REM sleep gives you more vivid dreams, and the opportunity to turn those dreams to lucid dreams. AlphaBrain is perhaps the best natural acetylcholine boosting supplement in existence, and thereby very well may be the best dream supplement.

The Brain Is Our Most Powerful Weapon… Hone It!

What is Intelligence?

What is it that separates the great minds from the good minds? Raw intelligence is a factor. But what is intelligence? Is it the ability to access information more quickly? Is it the ability to store more learned information more efficiently? Is it the ability to induce connections between seemingly unrelated events? Is it the ability to stay focused and determined? Is it the ability to dream things that have never been imagined before? If that is what intelligence is, then Acetylcholine is the intelligence chemical.

Acetylcholine — The smart stuff

One of the most important proven functions of Acetylcholine is the improvement of Synaptic Plasticity. According to Wikipedia, “In neuroscience, synaptic plasticity is the ability of the connection, or synapse, between two neurons to change in strength in response to either use or disuse of transmission over synaptic pathways.”

To simplify the meaning of this, imagine your synapses like pieces of metal trying to conduct electricity. If the metal is rigid and brittle the contact between pieces will be limited and some energy from the transmission will be lost. If the metal soft and malleable, like hot gold, they will lock together more easily and more efficiently transmit energy, or in this case data. Acetlylcholine is what makes your neurons malleable, which is referred to technically as enhancing synaptic plasticity.

The widely accepted Hebbian theory states that “since memories are postulated to be represented by vastly interconnected networks of synapses in the brain, synaptic plasticity is one of the important neurochemical foundations of learning and memory.”

Alphabrain™– The most powerful natural Acetylcholine booster?

AlphaBrain™ boosts acetylcholine with a two pronged strategy. First is to supply the body with the best natural form of Choline (GPC Choline). Choline is the raw material from which acetylcholine is converted. The second prong is the Huperzia Serrata, which contains the proven and tested Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor Huperzine A. Acetylcholinesterase is the chemical that breaks down and disposes of Acetylcholine. By inhibiting the breakdown of Acetylcholine, this means there is more Acetylcholine to spare. We use full spectrum Huperzia Serrata which has advantages over isolated Huperzine A that are well described by our supplier in this article.

Creating a balanced nootropic.

One of the problems with traditional acetylcholine boosters is that they throw the rest of your crucial brain chemicals out of balance. Gaba, the chemical that regulates relaxation and peace of mind, Dopamine which has been linked to attention, focus, and emotional availabily, and Serotonin, the happy chemical all get overshadowed by the abundance of acetylcholine. We sought to change this by including GABA and Mucuna Pruriens with standardized L-Dopa (the building block of Dopamine) When taken with New Mood™, the serotonin building powerhouse, all aspects of mental efficiency will be raised equally and no imbalance will be created.

The Alpha Brain™ is Relaxed and Clear

In order to crank up our acetlycholine power to the maximum while still staying relaxed we have included an elephant dose of the trusted anti-anxiety herb Oatstraw in a 10x formulation. This will keep you calm as a zen master no matter how challenging your tasks may be. In addition to this we included the antioxidant powerhouses AC-11®, Bacopa, and Pterostilbene to eliminate the free radicals clogging up the neural pathways, so you stay clear and energetic.

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AC-11®: Super Herb on Steroids

The Amazonian rainforest produces some of the most potent herbal medicines used around the world. Cat’s Claw, also known as Una de Gato or Uncaria tomentosa, is one of the most renowned. Referred to as the “Sacred herb of the Forest” traditional cultures have revered Cat’s Claw for its Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Immune boosting properties for hundreds of years. The active ingredients in AC-11® come in the form of potent Carboxy Alkyl Esters (CAE’s™). After years of research, the creators and founders of AC-11® developed a hot-water extraction process based on a proprietary molecular sieving technology which concentrated and isolated patented CAE’s™ creating AC-11® — The Super Herb on Steroids.

AC-11® PROVEN to Repair DNA!

The safe, all natural and water soluble AC-11® has been shown in clinical studies to actually repair damaged DNA. The exact mechanism by which this bioactive rainforest plant extract helps the body to repair environmental stress-related damage to DNA awaits further study, but the results are in. AC-11® is the perfect joining of the rainforest’s secrets with the miracle of today’s advancements in phytonutrient science.

What AC-11® Means for You

Taking AC-11® is like having a superhero on your team. As the body takes damage from the stress of living on the edge, be it partying, working out, or staying late at the office, AC-11® will be there on the front lines, repairing your damaged DNA strands & combating free radicals. This means more available energy for you, as all of the major body systems including immune, circulatory, respiratory will have much less interference to deal with. The result is a feeling of natural vitality… It is a reservoir of stamina released from your body’s natural potential that allows you to party longer, workout harder and push yourself further than you thought was possible.

Optigenex Inc is the exclusive patent holder for AC-11®. US patent numbers: 6039949, 6238675 B1, 6361805 B2

The Science Behind Alpha Brain™

By Robert E. Shifko

Alpha Brain™, the flagship cognitive enhancer from Onnit™ Labs, is marketed as a natural, fully balanced nootropic, and current research on the ingredients listed supports the suggested use. The formula combines Glyceryl Phosphoryl Choline, Huperzia Serrata, Vinpocetine, AC-11®, Bacopa, Pterostilbene, Mucuna Pruriens, Gamma Amino-Butyric Acid, Oat Straw and Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) to collectively produce an effect designed to enhance memory, focus, athletic performance and REM sleep cycles. With a very strong safety profile and significant research on the ingredients contained within Alpha Brain™, there is ample evidence in support of the claims being made by Onnit™ Labs.

GPC CHOLINE – 100mg

GPC Choline is included to increase available amounts of acetylcholine in the body. Glyceryl phosphoryl choline is heralded as the most effective form of choline for acetylcholine production because it has been shown to cross the blood brain barrier easier and more rapidly than other forms of choline such as lecithin or choline bitrartate[0]. Acetylcholine is a powerful neurotransmitter which is found both in the peripheral nervous system and in the central nervous system. There is scientific evidence that proves that increased levels of acetylcholine in the body can dramatically increase memory and cognitive ability of men and women of all ages[1]. A study performed by Sangiorgi Barbagallo at the University of Palermo studied 2044 candidates who suffered from recent stroke or transient ischemic attack. The study concluded that administration of GPC choline confirmed its therapeutic role in improving cognitive ability in this group of study subjects.

In addition, scientific studies have shown that increased dietary intake of choline can improve athletic performance. A study documented in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition by Ralf Jager in July 2007 evaluated ten long distance runners in a double blind, crossover, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The runners either received 2.8 g of choline citrate or a placebo one hour prior to and after the completion of 10 miles of a 20 mile run. The results of the study revealed that plasma choline levels increased in the supplemented group and decreased in the placebo group. The mean run time of the supplemented group was 153.7 minutes, whereas, the placebo group’s run time was diminished at 158.9 minutes. The results of this study are encouraging for the use of choline supplements to enhance athletic performance. It should be noted that this dietary supplement will not aid in athletic performances that require short periods of strength, speed or accuracy.

Huperzia Serrata – 50mg (.5% Huperzine A)

Derived from Chinese club moss, the active ingredient in this dietary supplement, Huperzine A, has been shown to act as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme found in the human body that causes acetylcholine to break down into choline and an acetic acid. If acetylcholinesterase is able to act uninhibited, the powerful neurotransmission properties of acetylcholine will be neutralized. Huperzia Serrata has been used for millenia in Chinese medicine, but recently there have been scientific studies that have proven the presence of Huperzine Serrata has neuroprotective effects and enhances cognitive function in animals and humans. A study perfomed by RW. Zhang at the Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences in Hangzou, China in 1991 evaluated the efficacy of Huperzine A in the treatment of dementia. The study was a random, match, double blind study which focused on 56 patients with senile dementia or multi-infarct dementia and 104 patients with senile and pre-senile memory disorders. The group with multi-infarct dementia was administered 0.05 mg of Huperzine A via intramuscular injection twice a day for four weeks, the memory disorder group as administered 0.03 mg of Huperzine A via intramuscular injection twice a day for four weeks, saline was administered to the control group. The results of the study revealed Huperzine A to have significant anticholinesterase activity. It should be noted that throughout the clinical trial process, no unexpected toxicity was reported in response to administration of Huperzia Serrata and only a few patients exhibited slight dizziness which did not affect the therapeutic effects of Huperzine A.[7]. It should also be noted that if you are currently taking any medication that acts as a cholinesterase inhibitor, a physician should be consulted prior to beginning consumption of Alpha Brain™.

Vinpocetine – 5mg

Rounding out the primary trio of cognitive enhancers is vinpocetine, a semi-synthetic extract derived from a substance called vincamine which is a component of the common periwinkle plant, known scientifically as vinca major. Vinpocetine has known vasodilatory effects which make this chemical effective for treating inflammation and inhibiting hair loss. A twelve week clinical trial examining the effects of oral vincopetine was performed in Hungary in 2007. This study was designed to show the efficacy of a twelve week regimen of vinpocetine on the severity of mental deterioration on patients with ischemic stroke and mild cognitive impairment. The patients were examined under resting conditions and in the presence of chemical stimulus. Cerebral blood flow of patients was assessed using transcranial Doppler in resting conditions and after thirty seconds of breath holding. Cognitive function was assessed by the use of psychometric tests. The results of this clinical trial revealed that patients who received oral vinpocetine had improved cerebrovascular reserve, improved cognitive status and improved overall condition when compared to patients who did not receive oral vinpocetine.[9]

AC-11® – 350mg

Another crucial component of Alpha Brain™ is AC-11®, which is licensed under an agreement with Optigenix Inc. AC-11®. Formerly known as C-Med-100, AC-11® is a proprietary extract obtained from uncaria tomentosa which is native to the South American rainforest. This substance has been used in South American medicine for centuries for treatment of conditions such as inflammation, cancer and infection. Each pill of Alpha Brain™ contains 350 mg of AC-11®. A human volunteer study performed in Sweden in 2001 confirmed the fact that AC-11® effectively reduced DNA damage and promoted leukocyte recovery and DNA repair. In addition, the administration of AC-11® revealed no drug related toxicity as measured by patient symptoms, serum blood chemistry, whole blood analysis and leukocyte differential counts.[10] In addition, another Swedish study performed by R.W.Pero at the University of Lund revealed that 14 patients who were treated with AC-11® for four weeks showed benefits of reduced pain, reduced fatigue, weight loss and decreased presence of DNA damage.

Bacopa -500mg

Bacopa is an aquatic plant native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world. This plant has been used for centuries in India as a medicinal treatment in Ayurveda, which is considered alternative medicine in the United States but accepted as traditional medicine in India. A study performed by S. Goswami which was published in the International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine and Public Health confirmed the efficacy of bacopa to increase cognitive function of individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The study was an open label, non-randomized study. The study consisted of 39 patients with a mean age of 65.23 years who have been newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Each patient was administered 300 mg of Bacopa twice a day for 6 months. The results of this trial revealed the administration of Bacopa extracts yielded improved cognitive function for geriatric patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.[12]

Pterostilbene – 250mg

Pterostilbene is a compound known as a stilbenoid which is chemically similar to the well known antioxidant resveratol, found abundantly in blueberries. Antioxidants are compounds that rid the body of free radicals, which exacerbate cell damage and cause disease in the human body. There are well documented studies of the antioxidant effects of resveratol and its abilities to protect against many diseases such as heart disease and many forms of cancer. Clinical studies have also proven that pterostilbene offers similar antioxidant benefits and protective effects as reseveratol when administered in similar quantities.[14] A study performed by AM Rimando at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2002 evaluated the cancer chemoprotective and antioxidant activities of pteostilbene. The results of the study revealed pterostilbene significantly inhibited herbicide induced oxidative damage, showed moderate inhibition of cyclooxygenase, an enzyme in the body responsible for production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are lipid compounds derived from fatty acids which can induce pain and swelling in the human body. Therefore, inhibition of cyclooxygenase can have therapeutic effects for inflammation and swelling. In addition, this evaluation also revealed pterostilbene significantly inhibited carcinogenic induced preneoplastic breast lesions. [15]

Mucuna Pruriens – 200mg

Mucuna pruriens is a tropical legume native to India and the Caribbean, which is commonly referred to as velvet bean or cowitch. Mucuna pruriens has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to increase libido in both men and women. This substance produces these effects due to the fact that it contains a considerable amount of L-dopa, the building block of dopamine. Dopamine plays an important role in many brain functions such as cognitive abilities, voluntary movements, sleep, mood, attention, memory and learning. Therefore, administration of mucuna pruriens, with high concentrations of levodopa, can help boost the brain function regulated by dopamine. In addition to the aphrodisiac properties of mucuna pruriens, clinical studies have proven that this substance has antioxidant properties which offer protection against neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease.[19] A study performed by AK Admani published in Pharmacotherapeutics in 1985 evaluated the effects of levodopa on elderly patients with Parkinson’s disease. The study consisted of 60 patients with Parkinson’s disease. Patients were assessed before treatment, after one week of treatment, after three weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment and at the end of the 12 weeks of treatment. The results of the study yielded patients who were administered levodopa showed improvement and less disability stemming from symptoms of Parkison’s. In addition, the levodopa group showed increase in their daily independence than the non treated group.

GABA – 300mg

Alpha Brain™ is also a very rich source of gamma amino-butyric acid, otherwise known as GABA. GABA, in the human body, acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Unlike neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine which stimulate the brain, inhibitory neurotransmitters are used to relax the brain, regulate moods and moderate sleep patterns. There are several studies that have proven a correlation between the administration of GABA and healthy sleep patterns. In addition, clinical studies have also proven the effectiveness of GABA on reducing symptoms associated with many neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety, epilepsy and bipolar disorders.[20][21]

Oat Straw (10:1) – 300mg

Oat straw, scientifically referred to as avena sativa, is also a component of Alpha Brain™. There is considerable literature that states that the consumption of oats and oat products offers benefits such as treatment for exhaustion, depression and stress. Oatstraw contains very high quantities of chemicals called avenanthramides which have antioxidant benefits. A study performed by Mohsen Meydani at Tufts University in 2006 revealed that avenanthramides contained within oatstaw had blood pressure lowering benefits and also relaxed smooth muscle contractions. This data is useful because reducing blood pressure and relaxing smooth muscle, the symptoms associated with exhaustion, depression and stress will be alleviated. With the results of the Meydani study and the documented relaxing effects of oatstraw due to the presence of avenanthramides, current research is being performed to evaluate the efficacy of oatstraw on such hyperactive disorders such as ADD and ADHD. Positive preliminary results should encourage further research on oatstraw as a viable option for treatment of these disorders. [26]

Vitamin B6 – 15mg

The final ingredient contained within Alpha Brain™ is vitamin B6, scientifically known as pyridoxine. Pyridoxine is an important vitamin for humans due to the fact that it promotes the production of several neurotransmitters such as serotonin, GABA, melatonin, and norepinephrine, which are essential for mood regulation, anxiety and pain perception. In addition pyridoxine is essential for regulation of the body’s internal clock and regulation of sleep habits.[24][25]

CONCLUSION
It has been scientifically demonstrated that the components of glyceryl phosphoryl choline, huperzia serrata, bacopa and vinpocetine all have benefits to increase cognitive function, memory and focus. GPC choline has also been shown to benefit athletes who compete in sports requiring feats of stamina such as marathons and triathlons. The presence of the substances GABA, oat staw, and pyridoxine have been proven scientifically to balance moods, regulate bodily rhythms and promote healthy sleep patterns. Alpha Brain™ has the additional benefit of containing high powered antioxidants such as pterostilbene, AC-11® and mucuna pruriens which offer protection against various diseases such as heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and several forms of cancer, and these claims are substantiated by several clinical trials.

In conclusion, Alpha Brain™ is scientifically justified in marketing itself as a powerful nootropic product that offers many desirable effects such as enhanced memory, focus, increased athletic performance and the facilitation of healthy sleep cycles. Many scientific studies have been performed evaluating the efficacy of all components of this product and positively confirmed the safety of human consumption for each ingredient. With no known conflicts in the ingredients listed, it is logically sound to assume that the individual benefit of each ingredient will be robust, and while it cannot be proven without further testing, there is sound reason to believe that the ingredients as combined have a synergistic effect which accounts for the robust anecdotal reports from users.

Robert Shifko received his Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Medicine from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He continued his education receiving graduate level certification in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Drexel University Graduate School of Public Health. With 18 years experience in a health care setting he has certifications in Nuclear Medicine, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Radiation Health Physics. He currently performs research for the University of Pittsburgh Department of Pharmacology and assists in the creation of standardized tests for medical professionals.

References
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1. GPC: The New Choline That Enhances Your Mental Function Now … Smart Publications Web Site. http://www.smart-publications.com/articles/gpc-the-new-choline-that-enhances-your-mental-function-now-/page-2. Accessed September 6, 2011.

2. Owen Anderson. Sports supplements: how choline can improve your performance. Peak Performance Web Site. http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/sports-supplements-how-choline-can-improve-your-performance-589. Accessed September 6, 2011.

3. Ralf Jäger, Martin Purpura, and Michael Kingsley. Phospholipids and sports performance. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health Web Site. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1997116/pdf/1550-2783-4-5.pdf Published July 25, 2007. Accessed September 6, 2011.

4. Jane Higdon, Ph.D. Micronutreient Information Center. Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University Web Site. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/othernuts/choline/ Published November 2003. Updated January 2008. Accessed September 6, 2011.

5. Judy Lindberg McFarland. Memory Rejuvenators: Choline and Lecithin. http://www.judymcfarland.com/memrejuv1.shtml. Accessed September 6, 2011.

6. Glenn Smith, Ph.D. Can huperzine A prevent memory loss and improve cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s disease? Mayo Clinic – Health Information Web Site. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/huperzine-a/AN02022. Published November 25, 2009. Accessed September 6, 2011.

7. HEALTH BENEFITS OF HUPERZINE A AND ITS SIDE EFFECTS. http://www.zhion.com/Supplements/Huperzine_A.html. Accessed September 6, 2011.

8. Beth M. Ley. Vinpocetine: Revitalize Your Brain With Periwinkle Extract. Link
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9. Valikovics A. Investigation of the effect of vinpocetine on cerebral blood flow and cognitive functions. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health Web Site. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17713111. Published, July 30, 2007. Accessed September 6, 2011.

10. Y. Sheng, L. Li, K. Holmgren and R. W. Pero. DNA repair enhancement of aqueous extracts of Uncaria tomentosa in a human volunteer study. http://cpxperu.com.pe/english/articles/DNA%20repair%20Phytomed%2001.pdf. Accessed September 6, 2011.

11. Vincent Cakic. Smart drugs for cognitive enhancement: ethical and pragmatic considerations in the era of cosmetic neurology. Journal of Medical Ethics Web Site. http://jme.bmj.com/content/35/10/611.short. Published June 2, 2009. Accessed September 6, 2011

12. Uabundit N, Wattanathorn J, Mucimapura S, Ingkaninan K. Cognitive enhancement and neuroprotective effects of Bacopa monnieri in Alzheimer’s disease model. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health Web Site. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19808086. Published October 4, 2009. Updated January 8, 2010. Accessed September 6, 2011.

13. Manish Kumar Saraf,1, 2 Sudesh Prabhakar,1 Krishan Lal Khanduja,3 and Akshay Anand1 Bacopa monniera Attenuates Scopolamine-Induced Impairment of Spatial Memory in Mice. http://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2011/236186.pdf. Published March 31, 2010. Accessed September 6, 2011.

14. Luis Pons. Pterostilbene’s Healthy Potential Berry compound may inhibit breast cancer and heart disease. United States Department of Agriculture – Agriculture Research Service web Site. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/nov06/health1106.htm Published November / December 2006. Updated April 20, 2011. Accessed September 6, 2011.

15. Rimando AM, Cuendet M, Desmarchelier C, Mehta RG, Pezzuto JM, Duke SO. Cancer chemopreventive and antioxidant activities of pterostilbene, a naturally occurring analogue of resveratrol. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health Web Site. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12033810. Published June 5, 2002. Accessed September 6, 2011.

16. Mikstacka, R., Rimando, A.M., Ignatowicz, E. Research Project: CHEMISTRY OF NATURAL PRODUCTS FOR PEST MANAGEMENT AND CROP DEVELOPMENT. United States Department of Agriculture – Agriculture Research Service Web Site.
http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=235272. Published January 27, 2010. Updated September 5, 2011. Accessed September 6, 2011.

17. Modi KP, Patel NM, Goyal RK. Estimation of L-dopa from Mucuna pruriens LINN and formulations containing M. pruriens by HPTLC method. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health Web Site. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18310948. Published March 2008. Accessed September 6, 2011.

18. H. C. B. Kalachar, S. Basavanna, R. Viswanatha, Y. Arthoba Naik, D. Ananda Raj, P. N. Sudha. Electrochemical Determination of L-Dopa in Mucuna pruriens Seeds, Leaves and Commercial Siddha Product Using Gold Modified Pencil Graphite Electrode. Wiley Online Library Web Site. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/elan.201000558/abstract. Published March 1, 2011. Accessed September 6, 2011.

19. Admani AK, Verma S, Cordingley GJ, Harris RI. Patient benefits of l-dopa and a decarboxylase inhibitor in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease in elderly patients. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health Web Site. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4059292. Accessed September 6, 2011.

20. Gottesmann C. GABA mechanisms and sleep.http://biopsychiatry.com/gaba.htm. Published 2002. Accessed September 6, 2011.

21. THE ROLE OF GABA IN THE PATHOGENESIS AND TREATMENT OF ANXIETY AND OTHER NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS . Virginia Commonwealth University Web Site. http://www.vcu-cme.org/gaba/overview2.html. Accessed September 6, 2011.

22. Research update: Oat Straw Avena sativa. MD Idea Exporting Division Web Site. http://www.mdidea.com/products/new/new032research.html. Accessed September 6, 2011

23. Oat Straw Avena sativa Uses. MD Idea Exporting Division Web Site. http://www.mdidea.com/products/new/new03207.html. Updated December 20, 2010. Accessed September 6, 2011.

24. McCarty MF. High-dose pyridoxine as an ‘anti-stress’ strategy. http://biopsychiatry.com/b6.htm. Published May 2000. Accessed September 6, 2011.

25. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). Mayo Clinic – Health Information Web Site. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-b6/NS_patient-b6/DSECTION=evidence. Updated August 1, 2011. Accessed September 6, 2011.

26. Frank M. Painter, D.C. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children: Rationale for Its Integrative Management. http://www.chiro.org/pediatrics/ABSTRACTS/ADD_Rationale.shtml. Accessed September 6, 2011.

27 Alvarez XA, Mouzo R, Pichel V, Pérez P, Laredo M, Fernández-Novoa L, Corzo L, Zas R, Alcaraz M, Secades JJ, Lozano R, Cacabelos R. Double-blind placebo-controlled study with citicoline in APOE genotyped Alzheimer’s disease patients. Effects on cognitive performance, brain bioelectrical activity and cerebral perfusion. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health Web Site. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10669911 Accessed September 11, 2011

28. Calabrese C, Gregory WL, Leo M, Kraemer D, Bone K, Oken B. Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health Web Site. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18611150. Accessed September 11, 2011.

29. Shishir Goswami, Anand Saoji, Navneet Kumar, Vijay Thawani, Meenal Tiwari, Manasi Thawani. Effect of Bacopa monnieri on Cognitive functions in Alzheimer’s disease patients. http://www.iomcworld.com/ijcrimph/ijcrimph-v03-n04-01.htm. Accessed September 11, 2011.

30. R.W. Pero, A. Amiri, Y. Sheng, M. Welther, M. Rich. Formulation and in vitro/in vivo evaluation of combining DNA repair and immune enhancing nutritional supplements. http://www.optigenex.com/pdf/In%20Vitro_In%20Vivo%20Evaluation.pdf. Published January 8, 2004. Accessed September 11, 2011.

31. Rosalie Marion Bliss. Oats: Cooling Inflammation and
Unhealthy Cell Proliferation. United States Department of Agriculture – Agriculture Research Service Web Site. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/feb10/cell0210.htm. Published February 2010. Accessed September 11, 2011.

Getting In The Alpha Zone

Every athlete knows what it feels like to be in the zone. Your focus is sharp, your anticipation is quick, and you execute effortlessly. An entire field of sports psychology has grown up around how to prepare the athlete’s mind to get into this state. Certainly emotional and psychological factors play a role, but what if it is something to do with your actual brain chemistry? What if enhanced acetylcholine not only increases your mental focus, but your physical focus as well? What if enhanced dopamine levels improve athletic dexterity instead of just general locomotion? What if GABA helps keep you cool and collected during the trials and tribulations of competition?

The answers to these questions have been insufficiently studied in a clinical setting, but anecdotal evidence from the thousands of Alpha Brain™ users points to one thing. Yes. There are golfers scoring lower than they have in years. There are tennis players beating people they never have before. There are grapplers submitting people way above their belt. There are strikers recognizing targets faster than they ever have. Could this all be coincidence? Its possible… But for those who experience the effects, they can feel it happening. The Alpha Brain™ athletic phenomonenon is real. Give it a try yourself, and let us hear your amazing story.

Product Summary

The idea behind Alpha Brain™ was to create the first ever fully balanced nootropic. GPC choline and Huperzia Serrata turn up your acetylcholine levels full throttle while other ingredients assist in elevating dopamine and GABA levels, crucial components to remaining calm, focused, and mentally driven. Our vinpocetine assists in delivering oxygen and nutrients to the brain, and the combination of neuro-specific antioxidants, led by our proprietary AC-11® helps to clear away mental fog and reduce free radical burden. The result experienced by many of our satisfied customers is an extraordinary combination of lucid dreams, mental drive, focus, memory, and mental acuity.

Ingredients

GPC Choline – 120 mg
Derived from lecithin, Glyceryl Phosphoryl Choline is a phospholipid metabolite found concentrated in neuronal membranes. Unlike less expensive forms of Choline such as Choline Bitrartate, GPC choline is well absorbed and easily crosses the blood brain barrier. Once delivered it supports brain function and learning processes by directly increasing the synthesis and secretion of acetylcholine. Strong acetylcholine has been linked to memory, focus, mental drive, REM sleep states, and the prevention of mental degradation such as in Alzheimers.

Huperzine A – 150 mcg
An extract from the plant commonly known as Northern Firmoss (Huperzia Serrata), Huperzine A is one of the most effective natural acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Huperzine A has been tested in a variety of clinical applications and shown to have positive effects on brain function. Acetylcholinesterase (ACE) is responsible for the breakdown of Acetylcholine, and so by inhibiting ACE, more acetylcholine is available to the brain. Efficacy has been shown in a range of 200-400 mcg daily, and safety demonstrated in trials up to 5 weeks and 600 mcg daily.

Vinpocetine — 5mg
Derived from the periwinkle plant, vinpocetine helps deliver oxygen to the brain by increasing circulation and blood flow. Extensively studied in Europe, clinical investigations have found it to provide several advantages for the human brain, including memory enhancement, increased cognitive performance, improved cerebral circulation and higher mental acuity and awareness.

AC-11® – 350mg
AC-11® the proprietary compound licensed under agreement from Optigenex Inc, is derived from Uncaria Tomentosa, a plant indigenous to the South American rainforest. In a series of peer reviewed scientific and clinical studies conducted by third party laboratories and university medical centers, AC-11® has been shown to help the body’s natural ability to repair DNA.
Although the exact mechanisms of action are being further investigated, the scientists believe that when the body is subjected to stress affecting the integrity of the DNA, AC-11® helps activate enzymes that are instrumental in the repair processes. This goes beyond other nutritional supplement by protecting the body from damage to its fundamental building blocks: The DNA itself.

Optigenex Inc is the exclusive patent holder for AC-11®. US patent numbers: 6039949, 6238675 B1, 6361805 B2

Bacopa (20% Bacosides) — 500 mg
Bacopa monnieri is an Ayurvedic herb found in the marshlands of India known to enhance clear thinking and support memory function. Ayurvedic masters have touted its cognitive enhancing effects for centuries as Bacopa has been served to Raj’s and peasants alike. Clinical studies show that it has strong antioxidant properties, protects mental function in those with epilepsy who take the drug phenytion, and animal models have shown unequivocally that bacopa improves learning skills.

Bacosides, the active compounds in Bacopa, play a protective role in the synaptic functions of the nerves in the hippocampus, the seat of memory. Inside the hippocampus nerve impulses are transmitted across the synapses and bacopa is believed to help prevent the degeneration that impairs memory and cognition.

Pterostilbene — 250 mcg
One of the hottest extracts in the field of nootropics, pterostilbene is quickly surpassing its cousin resveratrol in popularity. A natural antioxidant abundant in blueberries, anecdotal evidence suggests that this particular antioxidant is effective in eliminating free radicals that contribute to ‘mental fog’. Combined with the other antioxidants in the formula, this adds further well rounded protection and health benefits to Alpha Brain™.

Mucuna Pruriens (50% l-Dopa) — 200mg
Mucuna pruriens, commonly known as velvet bean or cowhage is another Aryuvedic herb with a long history of traditional use for treatment of the brain. As science later discovered, mucuna is one of the few plants to contain high quantities of l-Dopa, a precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine. L-dopa crosses the blood brain barrier and converts into dopamine, an important brain chemical involved in mood, sexuality, and movement. Mucuna pruriens also has antioxidant properties and is currently being studied in conjunction with the prevention/treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

GABA — 300mg
GABA or gamma-aminobutyric acid, discovered in 1950, is the most important and widespread inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Symptoms of unbalanced excitation in the brain includes restlessness, irritability, insomnia, and even seizures. By inhibiting excessive excitability GABA is able to induce relaxation, analgesia, and even aid in sleep. In the Alpha Brain™ formula, GABA plays an important role in balancing out the brain, and ensuring that the mind stays calm even as the ‘engines’ are roaring.

Oat Straw (10:1) — 300 mg
Oat straw is one of nature’s most powerful anxiolytics (anti-anxiety treatments) and has been prescribed for of a wide range of nervous conditions. It has also been shown to help with exhaustion related neurological pains and is commonly given as a natural alternative to help combat ADHD or ADD. Our formulation is extremely powerful, in a 10:1 concentration, and assists in making Alpha Brain™ a balanced nootropic.

Vitamin B6 – 15 mg
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) is one of the body’s busiest vitamins, involved in an estimated 101 chemical reactions. One of its primary tasks is to aid in the manufacturing of amino acids and neurotransmitters. Some of these neurotransmitters are serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine and GABA. Without Vitamin B6 many of the processes happening with the active ingredients in the formula would not be nearly as effective.

Instructions & Use

Suggested Use: For mental performance take 1 capsule in the morning with food. Depending on body size and tolerance you may increase this dosage to a maximum of 3 capsules. For enhanced dream state, take 1-2 capsules 6 hours prior to sleep. Do not exceed 3 capsules in any 24 hour period unless otherwise directed by a physicia

Warning: If any negative effects are felt after taking this product, including but not limited to dizziness, nausea, headache or stomach cramps cease taking product immediately. When normalcy is restored, you may resume taking product only at minimum dosage. If symptoms return or continue, or a reduction in dosage is not possible, cease taking permanently and/or consult a physician. Keep out of the reach of children. If pregnant or lactating, consult your doctor before use. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Side Effects

While rare, the most commonly reported side effects are consistent with a cholinergic reaction, which includes but is not limited to dizziness, nausea, headaches, and/or stomach cramps. Reported data on cholinergic reaction suggests that symptoms will reduce naturally with the reduction or cessation of choline/acetylcholine supplementation. If you experience any of the above symptoms, cease taking product until normalcy resumes. You may try reducing the dose to a minimum, or contact Onnit™ Labs for a refund of your product. Should symptoms persist or represent any serious concern, consult a physician immediately.

If you experience restlessness, reduce dosage to minimum and take product in the morning with food.

Theatre People review: "The Yellow Wallpaper", Sept 2011

Kaitlyn — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 06:52:34 +0000

This is a review I wrote for Theatre People of a theatrical adaptation of the famous short story,

Mental health and Mental integrity of each person.

fhasai da-nga — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 10:49:22 +0000

The word “Healthy” means good health. This means that the health of body and mind the only one to be called the people who are healthy. Means any person who is a third manner.
1. No disease both physical and psychological properly
2. The development of appropriate physical and mental.
3. Accept their reality.

Having good physical health, it is that person is not a disease that the mental is to the person. The ability to edit and faced with problems. That occur and do not personality different from most people.

Mental health refers to characteristics that are important part of human nature. Many psychologists have. The meaning of mental health in terms of difference as Accenture.

People with mental health means that people accept the reality. And to see the relationship between self-correct. And the environment.

Therefore, mental health must be optimistic Others are self-reliant and to have some people just can do. Can serve Oneself and others. Can adapt to problems Chong life without balance is always self-exploration. Correctly considered itself as reality. To value the self-satisfaction of their status and sense of security in life satisfaction and the role of their gender. Learn from past experiences and to improve themselves are always inquisitive or pursuing knowledge and learning. Are delighted to join hands to express peace and courage to others to control their own emotional well have the right personality, sex, age and the nature of their role.

Mental health is an adaptation of the individual toward self And environmentally efficient behavior that people have a preference. Joyful, caring and remembrance others have the ability to face and suffer the impact of little cracks and stress. All without showing behavioral defects in emotional intelligence and social consciousness can survive in society was very happy.

Good mental health means a state of complete mental health and mental integrity of each person will need to consider all six elements of the following reasons: First is the attitude toward self Ability to accept themselves. Able to give. Been weak. And their defects. Have confidence in themselves. Pride in The importance of self-respect for themselves. All understand and accept their own condition Secondly, the growth and development of the individual is satisfactorily and in accordance with Their potential to succeed and look forward to all desired to develop their full capabilities. A third element is the combination of personality is a blend smoothly sensible Not under the influence of the unconscious mind has the ability to tolerate anxiety. And pressure under any circumstances, circumstances of the Fourth is a one’s own and the freedom to do things. Any of which is desirable. Be independent from the influence of society in order to decide based on standard Keep in mind that their primary. Rather than depending on the pressure of outside influences under the Fifth, is to accept and face reality. Not fond of fantasy or. Their wishes. But while the interest Care in the welfare of others and Finally. Ability to overcome various obstacles and the environment is to love and give love to others. Been able to. Love from others and Able to devote time to work throughout the various amusement have good human relations. Able to adapt to the environment are satisfied in their environment. Willing to find different methods to solve all difficulties to be faced in their life.