Focus Factor Review
Focus Factor is a well-known brand that specializes in creating brain-boosting supplements. The company has been in the market for over two decades and has gained a reputation for offering a wide range of products that focus solely on nootropics. Focus Factor's primary goal is to create supplements that enhance cognitive function and boost brain health.
In-Depth Analysis: Focus Factor
Focus Factor is a brand that stands out in the nootropic supplement industry because of its unique approach to product development. Unlike most brands that focus on perfecting one product to provide a broad range of benefits, Focus Factor has developed a wide range of products targeting specific cognitive needs. This approach ensures that customers can choose a supplement that best meets their unique cognitive needs.
However, this is the major flaw with the brand and its products - each product does a few things well, but is very limited overall when compared to the most cutting-edge products on the market, like NooCube.
For instance, if you are a gamer looking for a nootropic supplement to boost your focus during gaming sessions, Focus Factor has a supplement designed specifically for that purpose. Similarly, if you are a gym-goer looking for a supplement that will improve your cognitive performance during workouts, Focus Factor has a targeted offering. It also offers stronger versions of some products, again this is the result of many products in the range being a compromised solution, the stronger versions simply doing what the weaker ones should have done all along.
The brand has also developed supplements for children, which is commendable considering the lack of options available for kids in the nootropic supplement market, but we do question if this is necessary. Focus Factor also has a range of nootropic drinks that provide an energy boost and improved focus which is commendable.
Best Alternative To Focus Factor - NooCube
4.9 / 5
Unlike Focus Factor, Noocube is formulated to improve multiple aspects of cognitive function, including memory, focus, and mental clarity.
It contains a wider range of ingredients than Focus Factor, including Alpha GPC, Huperzine A, and Bacopa Monnieri, which have been extensively studied and shown to have significant cognitive benefits.
Overall, Noocube is a more comprehensive and evidence-based nootropic supplement than Focus Factor.
Focus Factor Claims
Focus Factor claims to be nutrition for your brain, more specifically they claim to:
Claimed Benefits
Does Focus Factor live up to the claims?
Focus Factor: A Comprehensive Examination of Benefits
Focus Factor is a nootropic supplement brand that claims to improve focus, concentration, and memory.
While these are critical cognitive functions, the brand's narrow focus on these areas neglects other essential cognitive domains, such as mood, anxiety, and stress. The brand does offer other products, such as their gummies range, that address these domains, a comprehensive formula that targets all cognitive functions would be preferable.
Focus Factor's narrow focus on improving memory, concentration, and focus is useful, but it falls short of addressing other cognitive domains essential for optimal cognitive function.
Questionable Research Methodology
Focus Factor's claims are not evaluated by the FDA. Nevertheless, the brand conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 2011 to investigate the efficacy of its supplements. The study, which was funded by Focus Factor and carried out by the Cognitive Research Corporation, found that the supplement did improve memory, concentration, and focus.
The study involved 96 participants, with 49 taking a placebo and 47 taking Focus Factor. However, the sample size was limited, and some participant data was removed due to non-compliance and a lack of follow-up.
Ingredients
The Focus Factor supplement contains a range of vitamins and minerals, as well as several other compounds that are believed to improve brain function, including ginkgo biloba, grape seed extract, Korean ginseng, L-tyrosine, DMAE, L-choline, L-glutamine, inositol, L-alpha glycerophosphorylcholine, algae oil powder, and boron.
Studies have shown that several of these ingredients may be beneficial for cognitive function and memory. For example, ginkgo biloba has been found to improve memory in both healthy individuals and those with cognitive impairment (Kennedy et al., 2000; Mix and Crews, 2002). Korean ginseng has also been shown to improve cognitive function and memory in healthy individuals (Lee et al., 2010).
L-tyrosine is an amino acid that is important for the production of neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, which play a role in cognitive function and mood regulation (Banderet and Lieberman, 1989). Research suggests that supplementation with L-tyrosine may improve cognitive performance in stressful situations (Deijen et al., 1999).
DMAE, or dimethylaminoethanol, is believed to increase levels of acetylcholine in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory (Ferris et al., 1976). Although research on DMAE is limited, some studies have suggested that it may improve cognitive function and memory (Pfeiffer et al., 1985).
Choline is an essential nutrient that is important for brain function, as it is a precursor to acetylcholine (Blusztajn and Wurtman, 1983). Research has found that supplementation with choline may improve cognitive function and memory in both healthy individuals and those with cognitive impairment (Cohen et al., 1995; Silveri et al., 2014).
Grape seed extract contains polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties and are believed to have neuroprotective effects (Lu et al., 2010). Although research on grape seed extract and cognitive function is limited, some studies have suggested that it may improve memory (Wightman et al., 2015).
It appears that some of the ingredients in Focus Factor may be dosed at levels that are lower than what scientific evidence suggests is necessary for a nootropic effect. For example, while the supplement contains choline, which has been shown to improve cognitive function and memory, the dose provided in Focus Factor is relatively low at 75 mg. Studies have used doses of choline ranging from 500 mg to 2,000 mg (Cohen et al., 1995; Silveri et al., 2014), suggesting that the amount provided in Focus Factor may not be sufficient for optimal effects. Additionally, while grape seed extract has been suggested to improve memory, the amount provided in Focus Factor (1500 mg) may be lower than what has been used in some studies (Wightman et al., 2015).
Potential Side Effects of Focus Factor
Focus Factor is generally considered safe, there are a few significant side effects that to be aware of.
Main problems experienced with Focus Factor
Test | Result |
|---|---|
Attention | 8 |
Cognition | 9 |
Memory | 8.5 |
Mood | 6 |
Stress | 7 |
Brain Health | 6 |
Learning | 7 |
Overall | 7 |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Includes scientifically-backed ingredients
- May improve cognitive function and memory
- Suitable for vegetarians and gluten-free diets
Cons
- Some ingredients may be underdosed
- Potential for gastrointestinal side effects
- Expensive compared to similar products
- May not work for everyone
- Limited clinical studies on effectiveness
Conclusion
While Focus Factor may be a suitable option for some, there are many other more comprehensively formulated products available.
After examining the ingredients, research and potential side effects of Focus Factor, it is clear that this supplement may have some benefits for cognitive function and memory. However, there are many other nootropic supplements on the market that offer more comprehensive formulas with higher doses of ingredients that have been shown to have a positive impact on brain health.
Best Alternative To Focus Factor - NooCube
4.9 / 5
Unlike Focus Factor, Noocube is formulated to improve multiple aspects of cognitive function, including memory, focus, and mental clarity.
It contains a wider range of ingredients than Focus Factor, including Alpha GPC, Huperzine A, and Bacopa Monnieri, which have been extensively studied and shown to have significant cognitive benefits.
Overall, Noocube is a more comprehensive and evidence-based nootropic supplement than Focus Factor.
References
Banderet, L. E., & Lieberman, H. R. (1989). Treatment with tyrosine, a neurotransmitter precursor, reduces environmental stress in humans. Brain research bulletin, 22(4), 759-762.
Blusztajn, J. K., & Wurtman, R. J. (1983). Choline and cholinergic neurons. Science, 221(4611), 614-620.
Cohen, B. M., Renshaw, P. F., Stoll, A. L., Wurtman, R. J., & Yurgelun-Todd, D. (1995). Decreased brain choline uptake in older adults: an in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Jama, 274(11), 902-907.
Deijen, J. B., Orlebeke, J. F., & van den Berg, H. (1999). Effect of tyrosine on cognitive function and blood pressure under stress. Brain research bulletin, 48(2), 203-209.
Ferris, S. H., Sathananthan, G., Gershon, S., & Squire, L. (1976). Senile dementia: treatment with deanol. JAMA, 235(9), 916-918.
Kennedy, D. O., Scholey, A. B., & Wesnes, K. A. (2000). The dose-dependent cognitive effects of acute administration of Ginkgo biloba to healthy young volunteers. Psychopharmacology, 151(4), 416-423.
Lee, S. T., Chu, K., Sim, J. Y., Heo, J. H., & Kim, M. (2010). Panax ginseng enhances cognitive performance in Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer disease and associated disorders, 24(2), 173-178.
Lu, J., Wu, D. M., Zheng, Y. L., Hu, B., Zhang, Z. F., & Ye, Q. (2010). Grape seed extract inhibits VEGF expression via reducing HIF-1α protein expression. Carcinogenesis, 31(4), 512-518.
Mix, J. A., & Crews, W. D. (2002). An examination of the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 on the neuropsychologic functioning of cognitively intact older adults. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine, 8(6), 877-885.
Pfeiffer, C. C., Jenney, E. H., Gallagher, W., & Shucard, D. W. (1985). Clinical and quantitative EEG studies of a DMAE derivative. Psychopharmacology bulletin, 21(1), 101-108.
Silveri, M. M., Dikan, J., Ross, A. J., Jensen, J. E., Kamiya, T., Kawada, Y., ... & Yurgelun-Todd, D. A. (2014). Citicoline enhances frontal lobe bioenergetics as measured by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy. NMR in Biomedicine, 27(2), 147-155.
Wightman, E. L., Haskell-Ramsay, C. F., Reay, J. L., Williamson, G., Dew, T. P., & Kennedy, D. O. (2015). Effects of resveratrol alone or in combination with piperine on cerebral blood flow parameters and cognitive performance in human subjects: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over investigation. British Journal of Nutrition, 114(9), 1427-1437.
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