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The Real Limitless Drug

Before Bradley Cooper was up for an Oscar in American Sniper, he starred in a fun and thrilling movie called “Limitless.” It definitely wasn't Cooper's first movie but I think that it was a big step towards his current level of stardom. Limitless was such a success partly because of good acting, writing, and directing but also because of a fascinating premise. The idea that we can think more clearly and get more accomplished just by taking a pill a day is something that anyone can get excited about.

 

The NZT drug from Limitless may not be real but there are supplements out there that have a similar effect. They're called Nootropics and they can be any nutrient, drug, or herb that enhances brain function. Some types of Nootropics are Caffeine, L-Theanine, B vitamins and the herb Rhodiola Rosea. Those are just a few of the many things that can be considered Nootropics. Some pose more risk than others so it's important to do the research before simply taking a pill that promises us more energy.

Enter Neurofuse

Each type of Nootropic can have a slightly different effect on the brain. This is why many of them are often mixed together. Although many put together their own concoction of nootropics, it seems as though Neurofuse is a ready made blend that you can take without worrying about the purchase of other brain enhancing supplements. Neurofuse is one of these combinations that is supposed to be the “perfect blend.” I don't know about perfect but it does look well put together. There are 13 ingredients in Neurofuse. They are:

  • Bacopa Monnieri
  • Rhodiola Rosea
  • Caffeine
  • L-Theanine
  • Phosphatidylserine
  • Choline Bitartrate
  • DMAE Bitartrate
  • Huperzine A
  • Vinpocetine
  • Alpha Lipoic Acid
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin D3

You may have heard of many of these Nootropics. Some are more common than others. The health industry has been proclaiming the benefits of B vitamins for a while now, but there are some ingredients in Neurofuse that even I hadn't heard of before. And I like to think I have a decent knowledge of supplements. 

Rhodiola Rosea is one that I have known of for a little while now. I often take it with Guarana which is an herb that has caffeine in it. It seems to work well. I've noticed that I feel better taking both rather than just the Guarana. The capsule that I take also contains Ginseng and Yerba Mate. The combination of these 4 works well, but I do wonder if Neurofuse contains a better combination.

The biggest problem with Neurofuse that I see is that it costs quite a bit. On their website, you can buy a 60 capsule bottle for 59.99. It's recommended that you take 2 capsules a day. If Neurofuse lived up to the same potential as NZT did in the Limitless movie then 60 dollars a month would definitely be worth it. However, I doubt that it is that good. But I guess I cannot know for sure how good it is unless I try it.

An alternative option is to work on improving your diet. Many of the vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids that improve cognitive function are found in the foods that we eat. Actually I should say, they are found in the foods that we should eat. We can get many brain enhancing nutrients from eating a variety of whole unprocessed natural foods.

For example, L-Theanine is one of the 13 ingredients listed in Neurofuse. It is also an amino acid that can be found in certain teas and the Bay Bolete mushroom. Another example is Phosphatidylserine. This is a fatty substance that can be found in tuna, white Beans, and meat among other foods. An especially good source of phosphatidylserine are organ meats like liver and chicken hearts. Of course, those foods are not a first choice for many.

Supplements can have their benefit, it's just important to remember that they are just that, a supplement. We shouldn't use supplements as a magic tool to make everything better after we eat nothing but whip cream and potato chips. And it's important to do the research before you take any supplements. Ask and look around to see what experiences others have had, and also consult the experts. Sites like Web MD, and Mayo Clinic are often very helpful.

Take charge of your health and energy by eating right, sleeping enough, exercising enough, and taking some supplements. You may not be able to write a book in 4 days or learn a language while only giving half of your attention, but you will think more clearly and feel a lot better. In the end, we can only limit ourselves with the choices that we make. Everything else is just a plateau that we must learn to rise above.

About Jake Long
In late 2014, Jake co-founded FitnessJunkies.com with his brother Ryan. Jake is a NASM certified personal trainer and has been blogging on health and fitness since 2011 when he started JakesHomeWorkouts.com.