Rainbow Dust Review - Our Testing And Results

Rainbow Dust Reviews

August 3, 2023

Today, we're turning our attention to a unique product known as 'Rainbow Dust' by Spacegoods. Our Rainbow Dust review tests this chocolate-flavoured blend of mushrooms and adaptogens, promising benefits like improved focus, calmness, and zero jitters or crashes - a big leap from what you'd expect from traditional caffeine sources.

Can this innovative product truly replace our familiar, beloved coffee or is it just another product in the rapidly expanding nootropic universe? In this review, we will delve into the science behind this mushroom-based blend and evaluate Spacegoods' claims to find if Rainbow Dust really stands up to its promises.

Rainbow Dust Review Spacegoods

Overall Verdict


 3.2 / 5 Stars


  • Rainbow Dust's very sweet, somewhat artificial chocolate flavour—caused by stevia and bitter cacao—may be off-putting to some consumers.
  • Claims made by Spacegoods about Rainbow Dust significantly overstate the product's actual performance.
  • Side effects, such as digestive discomfort, are linked to Rainbow Dust's ingredients.
  • In contrast to the underwhelming experience of our time with Rainbow Dust, our preferred nootropic, NooCube, actually does do everything Rainbow Dust claims to and more. NooCube's robust, science-supported blend encompasses ingredients such as Bacopa Monnieri, Huperzine A, and Alpha GPC. It enhances focus, reduces anxiety and supports energy levels - as well as boosting overall cognitive performance and supporting long-term brain health. For a very similar price, you get much more for your money.
NooCube vs

Introduction To Rainbow Dust and Spacegoods

Looking into Spacegoods, the firm behind the intriguing Rainbow Dust, we encounter some perplexing riddles. Their entry into the nootropic category is uintriguing - marketing mushroom powder blends is certainly an original approach. Yet, their identity remains veiled in an unusual opacity. Information about their genesis, the brains behind the brand, or their guiding principles is suspiciously elusive. In an era where transparency is highly valued, this dearth of information raises questions about the company's credibility. Can we trust a faceless entity with our cognitive health?

Rainbow Dust itself is an intriguing product, packed with ingredients like Chaga, Cordyceps, and Lion's Mane mushrooms, each at a hefty 1000mg dose, alongside Pantothenic Acid, Maca Root, Ashwagandha, Rhodiola Rosea Extract, and a modest serving of caffeine. These components are formulated to offer an impressive array of benefits - enhanced focus, tranquility, and cognition without the infamous caffeine side-effects. But can a single product deliver all that it promises, especially when its parent company lacks transparency?

While the distinctive packaging might allure some customers, is it a smokescreen for the product's potential shortcomings? As we delve deeper into this enigmatic player, it's prudent to remember that all that glitters is not gold - or, in this case, all that sparkles may not necessarily be 'Rainbow Dust'.

Benefits of Rainbow Dust

Claimed Benefits of Rainbow Dust

Spacegoods claims the following:

  • Sharper Focus
  • Sustained Energy
  • Zen-like Calm
  • Zero Jitters
  • Zero Crash

Rainbow Dust makes some bold promises - sharper focus, sustained energy, zen-like calmness, and zero jitters or crash. It's a potent mix of claims that sounds ideal for anyone seeking a cognitive boost. However, one cannot help but question whether these assertions are indeed attainable. Each ingredient in the blend, while recognized for their individual benefits, may not necessarily deliver the cumulative effects promised when combined. Does the calmness from Ashwagandha and Rhodiola Rosea Extract balance perfectly with the energy boost from caffeine? Does the presence of Lion's Mane mushroom guarantee sharper focus? Can we truly expect zero jitters or crashes from a product with caffeine, albeit modest in quantity?

Our Experience With Rainbow Dust

Our team's encounter with Rainbow Dust was, unfortunately, less stellar than we'd hoped. Despite the big promises of heightened focus, sustained energy, and zen-like calmness, our experience fell short of these impressive claims.

Upon the first sip, the product is noticeably different from a traditional cup of coffee. It boasts a sweet chocolate flavour, no doubt an attempt to make the blend more palatable. However, this sweetness, likely due to the inclusion of stevia, veers toward the artificial and is coupled with a bitter aftertaste, potentially from the cacao powder[1]. It's a taste that might appeal to some, but for coffee enthusiasts hoping for a comparable experience, Rainbow Dust does not hit the mark.

When it came to the cognitive effects, we found them lacking as well. The product didn't deliver any discernable improvements in focus or alertness for our team. This could be attributed to the limited caffeine content (80mg) compared to a standard coffee (95mg on average)[2]. Additionally, the adaptogens such as Ashwagandha and Rhodiola Rosea Extract, while known for their potential stress-reducing properties[3,4], don't necessarily correlate to the promised heightened focus or sustained energy.

We also had reports of abdominal discomfort following consumption, an unpleasant side effect not explicitly disclosed by the brand. Some of the ingredients, such as Chaga, Cordyceps, and Lion's Mane mushrooms, have been linked to digestive issues in certain people[5,6]. Furthermore, the sweetener Stevia can also cause gastrointestinal upset in some individuals[7]. While this reaction may not be universal, it's worth noting for those with sensitive stomachs.

In terms of delivering zen-like calmness, the blend contains several ingredients like Ashwagandha and Rhodiola Rosea Extract known for their calming effects[8,9]. However, achieving this sense of tranquility without any jitters or crash might be challenging when caffeine is also in the mix. Not to mention, the variation in individuals' responses to adaptogens could mean not everyone experiences the same level of calmness[10].

Rainbow Dust's formulation does contain elements that individually possess nootropic properties, but our experience with the blend as a whole fell short of delivering the cumulative benefits it promises. This, coupled with its unusual taste and potential for causing abdominal discomfort, makes it less than ideal for those seeking an effective coffee alternative or an effective nootropic supplement.

Research And Evidence

Potentially Misleading Claims

The claims made by Rainbow Dust, while appealing, appear to somewhat overreach when scrutinized against the actual ingredients and their dosages. Notably, some of the dosages used in this blend are markedly lower than those used in clinical studies showing positive effects, while the purported nootropic properties of several ingredients are not well-established. The absence of several well-researched and proven nootropics further complicates the credibility of its claims. This gap between what's promised and the blend's actual composition raises valid questions about the likelihood of Rainbow Dust delivering on its promises of sharper focus, sustained energy, and a zen-like calm.

Ingredients

Rainbow Dust Ingredients (click to reveal)

  • Pathothenic Acid (b5) (6mg)
  • Chaga Mushroom (1000mg)
  • Cordyceps Mushroom (1000mg)
  • Lion's Mane Mushroom (1000mg)
  • Maca Root (250mg)
  • Ashwagandha (200mg)
  • Caffeine (80mg)
  • Rhodiola Rosea Extract (25mg)
  • Cacao Powder
  • Stevia

At first glance, Rainbow Dust's ingredients read like a who's who of popular adaptogens and nootropics. However, a closer look at the dosages and the actual efficacy of these ingredients raises questions about their potential to deliver on the product's promises.

The blend contains Chaga, Cordyceps, and Lion's Mane mushrooms, each at a dosage of 1000mg. While these mushrooms are renowned for their health benefits, their potential as cognitive enhancers is less clear. A review on Lion's Mane highlighted its potential neuroprotective benefits, but the study dosages often exceed the amount present in Rainbow Dust[11]. Similarly, Cordyceps has shown potential for combating fatigue, but again, clinical trials generally use higher dosages[12]. Chaga's role as a nootropic is even less clear, with more research required[13].

The blend also includes Maca Root (250mg) and Ashwagandha (200mg). While these adaptogens have shown potential in boosting mood and reducing anxiety[14,15], their dosage here is relatively low compared to clinically effective levels. For instance, studies with positive outcomes from Ashwagandha typically used dosages ranging from 300mg to 500mg daily, well above the 200mg present in Rainbow Dust[16].

The inclusion of caffeine (80mg) is a clear nod to conventional stimulants. Yet, compared to the average 95mg in a cup of coffee[17], this may not provide the energy boost most users are accustomed to. Additionally, Rhodiola Rosea Extract is present in a small quantity (25mg), which falls short of the 288-680mg daily dose typically used in studies showing benefits in fatigue and cognitive function[18].

Another important aspect is the notable absence of several proven nootropics, such as L-Theanine, which works synergistically with caffeine to enhance focus while mitigating caffeine's jittery side-effects[19]. Also missing are Citicoline and Bacopa Monnieri, both of which have robust evidence backing their cognitive enhancing properties[20,21].

Rainbow Dust does include a selection of ingredients known for their adaptogenic and potential nootropic properties, but the dosages of these ingredients do not align with the levels proven to be effective in clinical trials. The blend also lacks several established nootropics which could more convincingly deliver on the product's claims of enhanced focus, sustained energy, and a zen-like calm.

Rainbow Dust Ingredients Label

Pros

  • Unique Mushroom Blend: Potential health benefits.
  • Contains Adaptogens: May resist stress.
  • Low Caffeine: Mild stimulant effect.
  • Sweet Flavor: Enjoyable for some.

Cons

  • Opaque Company Info: Raises credibility concerns.
  • Potential Side Effects: Digestive upset possible.
  • Artificial Taste: Stevia and cacao bitterness.
  • High Cost: More expensive than similar products.
  • Limited Effects: Promises may overstate performance.
  • Missing Proven Nootropics: Less effective formulation.

Potential Side Effects of Rainbow Dust

The potential side effects associated with the use of Rainbow Dust could stem from a number of its ingredients, each of which carries its own spectrum of possible reactions. It's critical to note that everyone's body chemistry is different, and therefore, responses to these ingredients can vary significantly. That said, based on our understanding of each ingredient, here's a rundown of potential side effects and their root causes.


Main problems experienced with Rainbow Dust

  • Gastrointestinal discomfort (from Chaga, Cordyceps, and Lion's Mane Mushrooms): Mushroom-based supplements, particularly in high doses like the 1000mg per serving found in Rainbow Dust, have been known to cause digestive upset in some individuals, including bloating, gas, and diarrhea[22].
  • Stimulation Overdrive (from Caffeine): At 80mg per serving, Rainbow Dust's caffeine content is close to that of a standard cup of coffee. For individuals sensitive to caffeine, this could potentially lead to jitteriness, rapid heart rate, and sleep disturbances[23].
  • Blood pressure fluctuation (from Maca Root): While Maca Root has many purported health benefits, it has been associated with changes in blood pressure. Individuals with hypertension should use it with caution[24].
  • Thyroid dysfunction (from Ashwagandha): Although often used to manage stress, Ashwagandha can potentially alter thyroid hormone levels and may not be suitable for individuals with thyroid conditions[25].
  • Potential Allergic reactions (from Rhodiola Rosea Extract): While rare, some individuals may be allergic to Rhodiola, resulting in symptoms like rash or difficulty breathing[26].
  • Over-sweetness and potential aftertaste (from Stevia and Cacao): Although these are not 'side effects' in the traditional sense, the sweetness derived from Stevia and the flavor profile of Cacao might not be to everyone's liking. Additionally, Stevia has been associated with a bitter aftertaste for some individuals[27].

Best Alternative to Rainbow Dust

Whilst it's worth noting it's a capsule product, rather than a powder blend, NooCube stands out as a superior way to increase focus whilst reducing anxiety, alongside a wide range of additional cognitive benefits.

NooCube vs Vyvamind

NooCube


4.9 / 5


NooCube's formulation excels over Rainbow Dust in several key areas. The ingredient selection in NooCube, including LuteMax 2020, Bacopa Monnieri, and Huperzine A [28,29], is based on established scientific evidence supporting cognitive enhancement, unlike the less substantiated blend in Rainbow Dust. 

The use of capsules further simplifies the consumption process, eliminating the need for added sweeteners and providing a hassle-free intake method. For anyone seeking a trustworthy and effective nootropic, NooCube is a comprehensive and convenient alternative [30].

Conclusion

Despite its eye-catching packaging and unique blend of ingredients, Rainbow Dust from Spacegoods falls short in delivering on its lofty promises of enhanced focus, sustained energy, and a zen-like calm. Several issues arise, from the brand's opaque operational background to the product's mismatch between formulation and claimed benefits.

Rainbow Dust's formulation, despite its interesting mix of ingredients, doesn't quite align with clinical data regarding optimal dosages for nootropic effects. The individual dosages of certain ingredients, such as Ashwagandha and Rhodiola Rosea, are lower than what's typically recommended for cognitive benefits [31,32]. In addition, the product's flavor, far from being a coffee alternative, leans excessively towards an artificial sweetness that may not appeal to many consumers.

The product's potential side effects, such as gastrointestinal discomfort, caffeine overdrive, and blood pressure fluctuations, amongst others, need to be carefully considered [33-35]. The lack of transparency about the company behind the product also poses a legitimate concern, particularly for discerning consumers who value transparency and traceability in their choices.

For individuals seeking a truly effective nootropic supplement, NooCube stands out as a superior alternative. It is backed by robust science, with ingredient dosages that align with clinical evidence. Additionally, NooCube's transparency in terms of company information and product formulation fosters trust - a crucial element in the world of dietary supplements.

As this test has shown, when it comes to nootropics, it's vital to look beyond the packaging and marketing claims, and assess the product based on scientific evidence, dosage, and the credibility of the company.

FAQs

Do nootropics work?

Many nootropic ingredients and formulations have been shown to improve attention, memory, and learning, while others may promote relaxation and reduce stress and anxiety. For example, caffeine is a commonly used nootropic that can increase alertness and reduce fatigue, while L-Theanine, an amino acid found in tea leaves, has been shown to promote relaxation and reduce stress.

Are nootropics safe?

Nootropics that contain natural ingredients and have undergone clinical testing are generally considered safe when used properly. It is important to follow recommended dosages and to avoid taking more than the recommended amount. It's also worth being aware of any potential side effects and if necessary consult with your doctor if you have any underlying medical conditions.

What should I expect from a nootropic?

When taking a nootropic supplement, you should expect to experience some improvement in cognitive function, such as enhanced memory, concentration, and mental clarity. The effects of a nootropic will vary depending on the specific ingredients and dosage of the supplement, as well as individual factors such as age, overall health, and your lifestyle.

Which nootropic should I buy?

Popular nootropic supplements include NooCube, Mind Lab Pro, and Vyvamind. NooCube contains a blend of ingredients that may improve memory, focus, and overall cognitive function. Mind Lab Pro is designed to support brain health and cognitive performance through a variety of ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, and plant-based compounds. Vyvamind is a premium nootropic supplement that focuses almost exlcusively on cognitive function and mental performance. Read DBEM's guide to nootropics to see how the leading nootropic brands compare.

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