If you normally feel mentally drained after writing an exam, an intense study session, working out a business problem, or a misunderstanding with your partner – Performance Lab® Energy may be for you.
If your get-up-and-go has got up and gone then this may be the answer you’ve been looking for.
Energy and motivation go hand-in-hand in my world.
When I’m energized, it usually translates into motivation to get things done. When energy is depleted in my brain and body, I feel burned out and life is put on hold.
Fatigue has a variety of causes. Depleted neurotransmitters like acetylcholine can cause fatigue as well as a decrease in attention, reaction time, mental performance, memory, and mood.
A lack of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy source for mitochondria in brain cells, is another cause of mental and physical fatigue. And can lead to neurodegenerative disease.
And if your body cannot convert the nutrients it gets from food into energy in your cells, you experience physical and mental fatigue, slower thinking and decision-making, and depression.
The amount of available energy has a direct influence on cognitive and mental performance. And the physical energy you need to power through your day.
The right combination of nootropic supplements can help fix mental and physical fatigue and boost motivation.
My Energy Supplement Stack Criteria
One of the questions I get consistently on NootropicsExpert.com and emails from neurohackers, is how to increase or restore energy and motivation.
One of the easiest and first things we humans do for an energy boost is grab a cup of coffee.
But the caffeine in coffee that we associate with an energy boost is not truly a boost in energy at all. It’s simply a decrease in sleepiness.
Caffeine is an adenosine antagonist. Adenosine naturally increases during the day as a byproduct of energy production in mitochondria by adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
As adenosine builds up in our system, our body and brain receive signals to start shutting down for the day. Caffeine delays this signal.
So to truly get an energy boost we need to do more than delay sleep. We need a stack of nootropic supplements that will increase energy.
This nootropic energy stack needs to:
- Increase ATP energy production in mitochondria
- Avoid the use of stimulants for energy
- Clean energy with no crash
- Optimize the use of nutrients from food for cellular energy
- Increase the number of mitochondria in cells for more energy
- Be natural and legal, safe to use every day
- Use verifiable and pure compounds, no synthetics
I’ve put together a few supplements to use in my nootropic stack to maintain healthy energy levels and motivation.
But these were individual supplements and powders that I use to make my own capsules. Because no supplement manufacturer was making a supplement stack for energy and motivation that didn’t include caffeine.
Discovering Performance Lab®
I use a lot of supplements every day. The list has grown as I learn more about how my body and brain work. And research has revealed what it takes for me to perform at the levels I want to live life.
But there came a point when I wondered if there was some way I could consolidate my daily supplement regimen. And take fewer capsules to maintain the way I feel and perform.
Then I discovered a new supplement line created and produced by the same company who makes my favorite nootropic supplement stack – Mind Lab Pro®.
Who Makes Performance Lab?
Performance Lab® is a new line of supplements made by Opti Nutra Advanced Nutraceuticals. The same people who produce Mind Lab Pro®.
I’ve been using Mind Lab Pro for over 2 years and have come to trust the company. And the quality of their supplements.
Opti Nutra is based in the U.K. and manufactures all their supplements in the USA.
Performance Lab® Whole-Food Multi is the foundation of their new supplement line.
The company’s multivitamin for men and women supplies the essential vitamins and minerals required for overall health. Nutrients that may be missing from your diet.
Performance Lab Energy extends the benefits of their Whole-Food Multi to enhance mitochondria and cellular energy throughout your body and brain.
This supplement stack encourages your body to use fat from your food and stored fat as preferred sources of fuel.
The result when using Performance Lab Energy daily is stimulant-free, clean energy with no crash.
You experience peak performance when working out. Or enjoying your favorite sport.
You maintain healthy body composition and your brain is firing on all cylinders.
Performance Lab® Energy Ingredients
Coenzyme Q10 100 mg (MicroActive® Q10)
CoQ10 is a fat-soluble vitamin-like coenzyme required for energy flow and transfer in each of your cells.
The majority of CoQ10 is found within mitochondria within each cell. It is part of the electron transport chain and participates in cellular respiration which generates energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
When oxidized CoQ10 (ubiquinone) accepts an electron from another molecule in the chain, it becomes Ubiquinol. And when Ubiquinol donates an electron it becomes ubiquinone. This state of equilibrium is necessary and how your body benefits from CoQ10.
When in Ubiquinol-form, CoQ10 acts as an antioxidant and scavenges free radicals within mitochondria. Protecting mitochondria and your cells from oxidative damage.
Normal aging, environmental stressors, and statin drugs all deplete levels of CoQ10.
So if you are dealing with brain fog, slow thinking, poor memory, depression, or migraines it could be because of mitochondrial dysfunction due to low CoQ10.
Supplementing with CoQ10 has been shown to reduce declines in mitochondrial function. And increase cAMP levels, activate KREB and AMPK. All functions negatively affected by aging.[i]
And CoQ10 boosts mitochondria genesis.[ii]
Ordinary CoQ10 has poor bioavailability because it occurs naturally in crystals which are too large for cells to absorb. And it is fat-soluble which makes it more difficult to transport through your digestive system.
So manufacturers have tried increasing bioavailability by breaking up or melting CoQ10 crystals, using surfactants like oil to keep it dissolved, and adding other ingredients which cause side effects in some people.
Performance Lab Energy uses a patented form of CoQ10 called MicroActive CoQ10® which has been shown in clinical trials to be much more bioavailable than other forms.[iii]
MicroActive CoQ10 is made by combining two ß-cyclodextrin molecules in a water media. One side of the molecule is fat-soluble and holds the CoQ10 while the other is water soluble which helps transport CoQ10 right into your cells.
PQQ 10 mg (BioPQQ®)
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ) is an enzyme cofactor critical to the life of your brain cells.
PQQ has the unique ability to promote the growth of new mitochondria.[iv] And improve the function of your existing mitochondria.
Mitochondria’s role is to convert the food we eat into energy that powers cells to perform at peak function.
Your brain has more mitochondria per cell than any other area of your body. So more mitochondria mean more energy. Resulting in quicker thinking, better memory, elevated alertness, and less mental fatigue.
PQQ also helps boost the growth of new neurons by increasing the production of nerve growth factor. Which assists in brain cell repair, maintenance, and regeneration.
And PQQ is an extremely powerful antioxidant. For example, PQQ can carry out 20,000 catalytic conversions, compared to only 4 for Vitamin C.[v]
PQQ works in synergy with CoQ10 for dramatic improvements in mental and physical energy.
BioPQQ® is a patented from of PQQ. And the most bioavailable, nature-identical, and evidence-backed form of PQQ available today.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) 750 mg
ALCAR is an amino acid that is a required cofactor for cell energy production and is especially critical for muscle energy metabolism and function.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine helps regulate metabolism within your cells, including muscle tissue. Long-chain fatty acids cannot cross mitochondrial membranes without ALCAR.
ALCAR helps transport fatty acids into mitochondria where they’re needed for energy metabolism. Fueling your cells “power plants” boosts physical and mental energy.
As ALCAR shuttles fatty acids into mitochondria, it provides the fuel that is burned for energy. And then as ALCAR shuttles fatty acids out of mitochondria, it flushes out toxic byproducts.
ALCAR is also needed to donate an acetyl group to form Acetyl CoA. Required for the synthesis of acetylcholine which boosts alertness, memory, and fluid thought.
Researchers in Italy found that Acetyl-L-Carnitine stimulates the growth of new neurites. Which increases signaling between cells throughout the central nervous system.[vi]
A double-blind, randomized controlled trial with ALCAR on 1,204 people showed a significant effect on attention, mental performance, memory and higher mental functions.[vii]
ALCAR has been shown to reduce fatigue in patients dealing with chronic fatigue syndrome.[viii]
And Acetyl-L-Carnitine protects your mitochondria from oxidative stress caused by the use of MDMA (Ecstasy).[ix]
Performance Lab Energy uses Acetyl-L-Carnitine because regular L-Carnitine is not very bioavailable.
R-Lipoic Acid 150 mg (Bio-Enhanced® Na-RALA)
R-Lipoic Acid is the form of lipoic acid naturally occurring in your body. And is a cofactor for mitochondrial enzymes involved in carbohydrate energy production.
R-Lipoic Acid increases acetylcholine production by activation of choline acetyltransferase and increases glucose uptake. This process supplies more Acetyl-CoA for the production of acetylcholine.[x]
R-Lipoic Acid is both water- and fat-soluble allowing it to work inside and outside of cells.
R-Lipoic Acid also regenerates other antioxidants which are depleted by the ongoing fight with free radicals in your cells. It allows you to use the antioxidants Vitamin C & E, glutathione and CoQ10 already in your body over and over again.
In fact, R-Lipoic Acid is so efficient at what it does, it boosts the energy in your cells while reducing inflammation and getting rid of heavy metals.
R-Lipoic Acid is used throughout your body. It helps increase insulin sensitivity which reduces the threat of diabetes. And it reduces the chances of metabolic syndrome which is associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and weight gain.
Performance Lab Energy uses Bio-Enhanced® Na-RALA which is the sodium salt form of R-Lipoic Acid. This form of R-Lipoic Acid is processed to remove impurities. And has a higher absorption rate than other forms of alpha-lipoic acid.
Piperine 2.5 mg (BioPerine®)
Piperine is an alkaloid extracted from Black Pepper (Piper Nigrum). And used to increase the bioavailability and metabolism of the other ingredients in Performance Lab Energy.
Piperine does this by inhibiting the drug transporter P-glycoprotein, and the major drug-metabolizing enzyme CYP3A4 active primarily in your liver.[xi]
Piperine also works as an antidepressant because it is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Piperine inhibits both MAO-A and MAO-B.
Research has found that Piperine is as effective as the popular pharmaceutical antidepressant Prozac® (fluoxetine).[xii]
Studies show that Piperine can also protect against oxidative damage by inhibiting free radicals and reactive oxygen species. Piperine protects against oxidative stress. And has been found to have anti-mutagenic and anti-tumor capabilities.[xiii]
Performance Lab Energy uses the patented BioPerine® form of Piperine made by Sabinsa Corporation. A highly purified form of black pepper extract standardized to 95% Piperine.
Plantcaps® capsules
The capsules used in Performance Lab® Energy are so unique I had to include them the list of ingredients. And here’s why …
The premium ingredients used in Energy will only provide the benefit promised if your body can use them. How the ingredients get into your body matters a great deal.
Every other pre-formulated nootropic stack on the market use either gelatin capsules, or vegetarian capsules.
Gelatin capsules are made by boiling down animal hoofs, bones, and connective tissue to form a gel-like substance. This material cools and dries. Then is formed into capsules.
Vegetarian capsules are Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose which are made from pine or poplar tree pulp. The end result is a type of plastic.
Performance Lab uses Plantcaps® which are made from pullulan (fermented tapioca). A much costlier way to encapsulate their supplements. But safer, vegan-friendly, and disintegrates right away once you take it.
And Performance Lab infuses each capsule with a prebiotic that helps support your digestion.
I’m not aware of any other quality supplement manufacturer who goes the extra mile by using Plantcaps.
Performance Lab® Energy Dosage
Recommended dosage of Performance Lab Energy is 2-capsules per day.
You can safely double your daily dose. One 2-capsule dose in the morning, and another 2-capsule dose early afternoon.
How Performance Lab® Energy Works in Real Life
The combination of supplements in the Performance Lab Energy stack could change your life. At the very least you should feel better.
Users report feeling an increased level of clean energy with less fatigue during the day. Thinking is clearer and quicker.
And the unique combination of ingredients in Performance Lab Energy means more energy without the crash normally associated with stimulant-based stacks.
Many report increased mental performance, better memory, and mood.
Even your sex life could get a boost. For guys, ALCAR helps get and maintain an erection. And both of you should have more stamina.
Some report less nerve pain likely because of the R-Lipoic Acid. And the rest of your nootropic stack and prescription meds may work better because of the Piperine in this formula.
Performance Lab® Energy is Good Value
You may have found like me that nootropic supplements can put a real dent in your monthly budget. Especially if you’re putting together a combination of supplements in a stack to increase energy.
But using Performance Lab’s Energy supplement has reduced my nootropic stack budget.
For example, here in the USA at the time I write this, here are some of the prices I’ve been paying for individual supplements every month.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) 100 mg – Little-known brand Quality of Life is one of the very few manufacturers who use MicroActive Q10®. One 30-capsule bottle with 100 mg of CoQ10 in vegetarian capsules is $26.44.
PQQ 10 mg – Life Extension PQQ Caps using BioPQQ® 10 mg vegetarian capsules are $19.99 for 30-capsules.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) 750 mg – ALCAR is one of the lower cost supplements I’ve been using for years. I make my own capsules using empty veggie caps and ALCAR powder. NOW Foods sells 750 mg ALCAR in 90 vegetarian capsules for $19.73. Which works out to $6.60 per months for 30-capsules.
R-Lipoic Acid 150 mg (as Bio-Enhanced® Na-RALA) – Doctor’s Best offers this type of highly bioavailable R-Lipoic Acid in 100 mg vegetarian capsules for a 60 count at $13.27. You would need two capsules to get the benefit provided in Performance Lab Energy’s 150 mg per dose.
BioPerine 2.5 mg – The smallest BioPerine capsule or tablet sold on its own is offered by Doctor’s Best 10 mg for a 60 count at $6.00.
My total cost for supplements similar to the Performance Lab Energy stack has been about $72 per month.
Opti Nutra sells the Performance Lab Energy supplement stack for a month’s supply (60 capsules) for only $50.
And you get a 5% discount by ordering 2-boxes. Or a 10% discount when you order 3-boxes of Performance Lab Energy.
Pros & Cons of Performance Lab® Energy
Most supplements on the market promoted as “energy” enhancers use caffeine to give you the boost you’re looking for.
Caffeine on its own is a worthwhile nootropic supplement. But it doesn’t provide the energy you need by boosting mitochondria. Or help your cells use nutrients more efficiently as fuel. Caffeine tricks you into thinking you have more energy by reducing sleepiness.
Performance Lab Energy provides stimulant-free clean energy with zero crash associated with other energy boosters.
Now, let’s look at what I think are the pros and cons of this premium energy supplement.
Pros
- Full disclosure on the amount of each ingredient
- High quality branded ingredients (i.e. MicroActive® Q10, BioPQQ®, Bio-Enhanced® Na-RALA, BioPerine®)
- No added ingredients
- No World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned substances
- Vegan-friendly PlantCaps® capsules infused with Prebiotics
- Tested prior to encapsulation for allergens, GMOs, microbes, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and other contaminants
- Tested again to confirm potency, purity, and activity after encapsulation
- Ships in recyclable cardboard security boxes filled with biodegradable packing peanuts
- Competitively priced
- Empty bottle, money-back guarantee (less shipping)
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Only available on their website
I honestly can’t think of any other cons for this energy supplement. It works for me and I truly hope it works as well for you.
Nootropics Expert Recommendation
I recommend the use of Performance Lab® Energy as an energy supplement stack.
Pricing of Performance Lab Energy is competitive for what you get. Buying these supplements separately can cost up to twice as much depending on where you get them. And in what form.
The biggest advantage with Performance Lab Energy is all-day energy without the use of stimulants. And without the crash. Natural clean energy for faster thinking, better athletic performance, and more efficient use of fats.
Performance Lab Energy pairs well with the company’s Performance Lab Whole-Food Multi formula which supplies the vitamins and minerals your body requires.
Opti Nutra only offers their Performance Lab products including their Energy formula on their website. You will not find it on Amazon or other online retailers.
Opti Nutra goes the extra mile by using top-notch ingredients in this formula. Including patented and science-backed sources of CoQ10, PQQ and Alpha Lipoic Acid.
The company uses vegan Plantcaps® for capsules infused with Prebiotics to ensure quick absorption and better bioavailability. And the test before and after encapsulation of each batch of product for unparalleled quality control.
And Opti Nutra also offers a risk-free, “empty bottle”, money-back guarantee if you are not happy with any of their products.
So if your get-up-and-go has got up and gone, and you’ve tried other ways to boost your energy, including endless cups of coffee – I recommend giving Performance Lab Energy a try.
If you’d like to try Performance Lab Energy, or learn more about this exceptional line of supplements, please go to their website for more: www.PerformanceLab.com
[i] Tian G., et. Al. “Ubiquinol-10 Supplementation Activates Mitochondria Functions to Decelerate Senescence in Senescence-Accelerated Mice” Antioxidants & Redox Signaling 2014 Jun 1; 20(16): 2606–2620. (source)
[ii] Noh Y.H., et. Al. “Inhibition of oxidative stress by coenzyme Q10 increases mitochondrial mass and improves bioenergetic function in optic nerve head astrocytes” Cell Death & Disease 2013 Oct; 4(10): e820. (source)
[iii] Madhavi D., Kagan D. “A Study on the Bioavailability of a Novel Sustained Release Coenzyme Q10-β-Cyclodextrin Complex” Integrative Medicine Vol. 9, No. 1 • Feb/Mar 2010 (source)
[iv] Kuo Y.T., Shih P.H., Kao S.H., Yeh G.C., Lee H.M. “Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Resists Denervation-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy by Activating PGC-1α and Integrating Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain Complexes.” PLoS One. 2015 Dec 8;10(12):e0143600. (source)
[v] Paz M.A., Martin P., Flückiger R., Mah J., Gallop P.M. “The catalysis of redox cycling by pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), PQQ derivatives, and isomers and the specificity of inhibitors”. Anals of Biochemistry. 1996 Jul 1; 238(2):145-9. 1 (source)
[vi] Taglialatela G., Navarra D., Olivi A., Ramacci M.T., Werrbach-Perez K., Perez-Polo J.R., Angelucci L. “Neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells stimulated by acetyl-L-carnitine arginine amide.” Neurochemical Research 1995 Jan;20(1):1-9. (source)
[vii] Montgomery S.A., Thal L.J., Amrein R. “Meta-analysis of double blind randomized controlled clinical trials of acetyl-L-carnitine versus placebo in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer’s disease” International Clinical Psychopharmacology 2003 Mar;18(2):61-71. (source)
[viii] Tomassini V., Pozzilli C., Onesti E., Pasqualetti P., Marinelli F., Pisani A., Fieschi C. “Comparison of the effects of acetyl L-carnitine and amantadine for the treatment of fatigue in multiple sclerosis: results of a pilot, randomized, double-blind, crossover trial.” Journal of Neurological Science 2004 Mar 15;218(1-2):103-8. (source)
[ix] Alves E. et. Al “Acetyl-l-carnitine provides effective in vivo neuroprotection over 3,4-methylenedioximethamphetamine-induced mitochondrial neurotoxicity in the adolescent rat brain” Cellular Neuroscience Volume 158, Issue 2, 23 January 2009, Pages 514–523 (source)
[x] Ahmed H.H. “Modulatory effects of vitamin E, acetyl-L-carnitine and α-lipoic acid on new potential biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease in rat model.” Experimental Toxicologic Pathology 2012 Sep;64(6):549-56. (source)
[xi] Bhardwaj R.K., Glaeser H., Becquemont L., Klotz U., Gupta S.K., Fromm M.F. “Piperine, a major constituent of black pepper, inhibits human P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4.” Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2002 Aug;302(2):645-50. (source)
[xii] Lee S.A., Hong S.S., Han X.H., Hwang J.S., Oh G.J., Lee K.S., Lee M.K., Hwang B.Y., Ro J.S. “Piperine from the fruits of Piper longum with inhibitory effect on monoamine oxidase and antidepressant-like activity.” Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin (Tokyo). 2005 Jul;53(7):832-5. (source)
[xiii] Srinivasan K. “Black pepper and its pungent principle-piperine: a review of diverse physiological effects.” Critical Revues of Food Science and Nutrition. 2007;47(8):735-48. (source)
What are your thoughts about stacking the original MindLabPro with the Performance Lab Energy?
Brandon, I stack Mind Lab Pro with Performance Lab Energy twice per day. I’ve replaced two of my ALCAR doses with PF Energy. Works great.
Are you at all sponsored or affiliated with this company?
Joon, I get a discount for mentioning their product. So double bonus for me. I love the product and how it works for me. And a discount.