Alpha Brain is one of the most popular nootropics in the world, and for good reason — it works. It is backed by some of the most high profile athletes and entertainers, such as Joe Rogan. However, regardless of how much fanfare there is surrounding it, some people really want to know if there are any side effects associated with using Alpha Brain.
This is an incredibly important question to answer when considering using any supplement, not just a nootropic. Everybody is different and reacts differently to specific supplements. It is important to speak with a medical professional before trying any new supplement. Today we will be looking at each individual ingredient that makes up Alpha Brain and whether or not they cause side effects (based on research).
- AC-11: Also more commonly known as “Cat’s Claw”, AC-11 can possibly cause headaches, vomiting, and dizziness in some people. I have found that I only feel these side effects if I take a supplement or vitamin without eating. This is because it has a negative effect with my stomach lining. There are other very special cases where people with an auto-immune disease (such as multiple sclerosis) caused the disease to become more active.
- Alpha GPC: This ingredient has been rated as safe when used appropriately. Some side effects could include heartburn, headache, insomnia, dizziness, rashes on the skin, and confusion.
- Bacopa Monnieri: One study on animals found that there were no adverse side effects when using this nootropic.
- Huperzine A: This ingredient can sometimes cause nausea, diarrhea, sweating, blurred vision, restlessness, loss of appetite, some muscle cramping/twitching, and other mild side effects. It can also possibly slow the heart rate and cause some gastrointestinal tract blockage.
- L-Leucine: The most common side effects recorded are fatigue and loss of coordination.
- L-Theanine: There have been very few adverse reactions recorded in people using L-Theanine. The most common are headache, dizziness, and GI symptoms. L-theanine is drank regularly by green tea lovers.
- L-Tyrosine: This ingredient has been rated as “likely safe” when taken orally. Some side effects recorded are nausea, headache, fatigue, heartburn, and joint pain.
- Oat Straw: There are no recorded side effects of oat straw. However, if you are allergic to oat flour, you may want to avoid oat straw.
- Phosphatidylserine: The most common side effects of this ingredient are only seen in high doses (300mg and up). They include insomnia and stomach upset.
- Pterostilbene: In a study, researchers found that there were no real side effects when compared to the placebo.
- Vinpocetine: Many of the side effects that have been recorded using this ingredient are similar to the above — stomach pain, nausea, sleep disturbances, headache, nervousness, and flushing of the face.
While there are some rare side effects listed above, I can honestly say I have only experienced a handful of them (headache and upset stomach). This is because, in my personal opinion, I took the nootropics on an empty stomach and they had an adverse reaction with my stomach lining. I also never took more than the recommended dose of Alpha Brain. In doing so, you greatly risk seeing some of the adverse side effects listed above.
Again, I am not a doctor, nor do I pretend to be one. If you have any questions about Alpha Brain, definitely reach out to a medical professional for answers.
To end on a funny/positive note, here is a video of comedians’ Joey Diaz side effects stories…
View Comments (37)
Took on an empty stomach this morning with just a cup of coffee, water, and black tea in me and I feel pretty terrible. Headache, nauseous, and oddly enough jaw pain? Thanks for writing this article. I won't take this supplement again on an empty stomach.
Hey Lesia,
Thanks for your comment. Yep, I almost always take any supplement or vitamin with something in my stomach. I even make sure that I eat a little something before drinking coffee because it is very acidic and can lead to really bad stomach pains.
Definitely feel free to leave another comment when you try it out again!
-Dan
Has anyone reported nightmares & hearing voices?!? My son has been taking this and can’t sleep at night!
Ohmygosh, I took two pills on a couple bites of oatmeal and some tea and felt very odd yesterday. My jaw didn't exactly hurt but I felt like I was struggling to talk and move my jaw for a while.
oh my- so glad i'm not the only one. i have had nausea for 4 hours now. I'm like I fetal position in bed. will never take this again
Took two on an empty stomach. About two hours later started to vomit. Feel more anxious and lots of nausea.
Recommend taking with food. Maybe one pill at a time as well.
I’ve gotten sick from mine the last three times I have taken it (new bottle - have been taking it for three months now) and I always take it at night, But these last three times, by early morning I feel like I have a terrible case of food poisoning or a hangover. I’m a 125lbs (5’2”) female. Should I only be taking them one at a time during the day?
Yes, have been taking for 2 days now. First day on an empty stomach, this morning after eggs and bacon. Both days have experienced this strange jaw muscle "fatigue". Hard to explain but have had it both days. Almost a "frozen" face feeling when out in the bitter cold for awhile, without the cold sensation. Almost hard to talk, as my jaw muscles feel slowed or not operating correctly. I think I will not take tomorrow and see if it is present.
Thanks for the article. I took two today for the first, and probably last, time ever. Had a cup of coffee and an hour later a small meal followed by two Alpha Brain with water. An hour or so later I found myself vomiting and shaking tremendously. After that passed I had a serious nap with the chills and finally woke up feeling zonked. I am not allergic to much outside of your standard rag weed and pollen, however I am assuming there is something in Alpha Brain my body greatly disagrees with. Pretty let down but happy to know I’m not alone in experiencing side effects.
Same, happened twice so it's doesn't seem like a fluke
I took 2 this morning with a bowl of oats and a little coffee, vomited 3 separate times and had to leave work due to severe dizziness. Perhaps 1 will be sufficient?
Thanks for the article. I took two this afternoon right before a small meal around 1230pm.. 3 eggs. A couple hours later I was feeling nauseous, and was napping by 5pm. I had just started taking this supplement last week, and had similar side effects the first 3 days, so I then stopped for a few days, and restarted today. It's not the only onnit supplement I've been taking, but this is the only one that has changed in the past week. The others are the total gut health, key minerals and B vitamins, all of which I'd still recommend. I just think I'll stay away from this one unfortunately for now and make sure all the side effects go away.
I took it for around a week, and noticed that though it improves my concentration and alertness, it decreased my social ability. I found myself unable to converse with other people or follow what they say. Has anyone else experienced the same?
I have taken Alpha Brain twice. The first time I took two pills at the same time with a small snack and had a sudden onset of nausea, stomach pain and dizziness shortly after. I had to leave work. I went home and took a very long nap. The second time, today, I took one pill with a small breakfast. I felt fine after an hour or so, so I took the second pill with a snack, followed shortly after by lunch. About 45 minutes after returning from lunch, I started experiencing the same off putting affects of nausea, stomach pain and dizziness and just generally feeling lethargic and crappy. I will say the nausea was worse the first time when I took them both together. Nevertheless, my body obviously doesn't like something in them, so I will not be taking it again. My boyfriend, however, can take them with no negative side effects, though he hasn't really seemed to see any of the supposed increase in memory and focus.
Sorry to hear about the adverse side effects!
My wife took two this morning. I’m not sure if she had anything to eat. She said she had eaten a sandwich. She has been sick and nauseous all night. She’s in the bed in a fetal position I hope and hope soon this will wear off. I also took two and I feel fine but I am 200 pounds, she is 117 pounds
I had the side effects as most other people commenting here- however coincidentally it started when I opened a new bottle (with the new alpha-brain label, has a white flower on it) but I still may not have ate much that day. Is it possible they changed the formula after sometime in Feb/March?
I have been taking alpha brain on and off for about 2 years, along with other onnit supplements. I had no problems until about 4 months ago I got horribly sick for about 3 days, completely out of the blue. I had horrible nausea and vomited a few times. It took getting sick like this a couple of times before I figured out that I had a just received my usual alpha brain shipment and it too had the new label with the white flower. It makes sense now that someone else has also figured this out. I haven't been able to take it since, I tried again the other night for the first time in months and got mildly sick again.