Nootropics Genius Burn is a caffeine free, thermogenic fat burner that is made by The Genius Brand. There are 60 capsules that come in one bottle for around $49.99 before shipping. It is supposed to help you burn fat, lose weight, and give you improved results just by taking 1-2 capsules 1-3 times per day. So what exactly does nootropics mean? If you are not familiar with this terminology, it is a drug that is used to help with improving memory and cognitive function. [1] The company that created Genius Burn is based out of Seattle, Washington, but they do not provide an address or any customer support outside of their e-mail form on the website. They push this product saying it works without having to incorporate any harmful stimulants, so I wanted to dig deeper on the effectiveness of this product as a whole for weight loss. Is this the best nootropics product out there, and does it live it up to the large claims that are being made?
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Genius Burn Claims
They claim, “Unlike any other formula on the market, Genius Burn features 9 clinically backed ingredients in efficacious doses that support both brain health & fat loss. The inclusion of these TESTED ingredients guarantees effectiveness, safety, and ultimately, results.” [2] Other claims regarding the ingredients are: “Boost memory, focus, & clarity without the use of cheap artificial stimulant like synthetic caffeine. Cognizin, AlphaSize, & TeaCrine come together to improve key brain functions (nootropic) including concentration & focus while protecting neural tissue from free radicals.”
In addition to increasing the metabolic rate and stimulating thermogenesis, Genius Burn boasts sensoril ashwagandha, which has shown to reduce stress, combat overeating, and enhance mood. It also helps weight management through cortisol regulation. In place of synthetic caffeine, Genius Burn boasts 200mg of clinically studied TeaCrine. Known for its increase in mental energy without the crash, it provides a great alternative to caffeine. [2]
These are some of the main claims involving their ingredients, but there are no outside studies done to prove why these ingredients really do work.
They warn if you are pregnant or breastfeeding not to take this product, and if you have certain medical conditions to run it by your doctor before taking it. These are simple precautions, but they are to be followed. It is also not advised to take this diet pill if you are under 18 years of age, especially without an adult's consent.
Genius Burn Ingredients
Camellia sinensis leaf extract, tuber fleeceflower root extract, loranthus parasiticus extract, ashwagandha, glycoside conjugates, theacrine, cognizin, alphasize, GS4, paradoxine, capsimax, astragin, and huperzia serrata. [3]
The Science (or Lack Thereof) Behind Genius Burn
They make an abundance of claims surrounding the ingredients in the product and what they are proven to do for weight loss, energy, brain function, and your metabolism. What the company fails to show is any proof backing up these claims on their site, which was unsettling. I wanted to do a little digging on my own to look into these ingredients to see if they are all they are cracked up to be. Anytime you are using supplementation to see weight loss, you want to make sure what you are putting into your body is indeed honest.
Right off the bat they come out and say that anything caffeinated is not needed for enhanced brain function, but that cognizin, alphasize, & theacrine will do the job for bettering your memory and brain function overall. When looking into a study done on cognizin and how it affects patients with traumatic brain injuries or illnesses like stroke, vascular dementia, and Parkinson’s disease, it was interesting to see the results. At the end of the study they admitted there are still many things that are unresolved, and many holes over the course of different studies.
They also said,
Despite these difficulties and elements of confusion between different clinical studies performed at different periods of time, citicoline has emerged as a valid treatment for patients with chronic cerebrovascular disorders or with memory problems. [4]
There wasn’t much information on alphasize, but there was a study involving theacrine (otherwise known as TeaCrine) and its effects on cognitive performance and how it compares to actual caffeine. They studied 20 different healthy men between the ages of 18 and 31, and all of these men were regular consumers of caffeine. Each day they were given either theacrine, caffeine, or a placebo. Both the caffeine and the theacrine contained around 150 mg. Each participant had to come in three days in a row, at the same time in the morning with strict rules regarding resting, diet, and stimulation.
So what was their finding? All of the participants completed the study and they found:
Our data indicates that acute intake of the theacrine-containing dietary supplement TheaTrim does not significantly alter heart rate or blood pressure in healthy men or women. Moreover, neither TheaTrim nor caffeine alone improves cognitive performance in a statistically significant manner. However, TheaTrim does appear to favorably impact multiple subjective feelings related to energy and mood compared to caffeine and a placebo. [5]
Lastly, I wanted to touch on ashwagandha, because the company states that this ingredient can reduce stress, give you a better mood, and reduce your appetite. While there are studies that show this ingredient can reduce stress there are no studies that prove it can combat overeating. Instead, it is traditionally used for medicinal purposes. “The health applications for ashwagandha in traditional Indian and Ayurvedic medicine are extensive. Of particular note is its use against tumors, inflammation (including arthritis), and a wide range of infectious diseases.” [7]
Another interesting ingredient found in the supplement is called astragin. So what exactly is it? It is a natural composite that allows the body to better absorb vitamins, minerals, and amino acids upon consumption. According to Noxnutrition, “AstraGin has been proven to help arginine absorption by 62% and glucosamine absorption by 42%. It improves certain vitamins absorption by 48%.” [8] While they do not mention anything about this ingredient, I wanted to touch on it in case you were unaware of its functions.
Word On The Street About Genius Burn
When looking into these nootropic supplement reviews, it was rather insightful to see how people were reacting to this product overall. There were a majority of happy customers versus unhappy, which was nice to see. However, with those who were unhappy there was a lot of feedback about the product making them sick, giving them headaches, or doing nothing at all. Take a look below at the mixture of reviews on the supplement Genius Burn.
V.L. (5.21.17, 1 star) said,
While I admit it seemed to be burning fat, I felt just AWFUL! Though I increased water consumption as suggested, I had headaches, stomach aches, and jittery feeling. I was hoping a non-caffeine product would be more do-able. If you have a sensitive system like me, it may not be for you. [9]
Jeannie (2.12.17, 1 star) said,
I cannot tell any difference before or after taking this. About the only thing I've noticed is the uptick in heartburn episodes. I don't feel more energy, enhanced concentration, or any noticeable weight loss. Honestly, why companies are allowed to sell this junk with the claims they make is beyond me. [10]
Jela (1.6.17, 4 star) said,
I bought this because I am looking at ways to enhance my weight loss journey and I had heard some great things about Thermogenics. I have only just started using this so I haven't really noticed any difference in my weight loss, but as the other aspect of this is Focus Enhancing, I HAVE noticed a little bit of extra clarity. Which is fantastic, when you're in low-carb fog and the like. The only thing I suggest is to take with LOTS of water as it can taste a little plant-like. [11]
The Bottom Line: Is Genius Burn Worth A Try?
Insufficient Data. There is something about a caffeine free, thermogenic fat burning pill that just doesn’t add up, as it almost seems too good to be true. There were some customers who were happy with the results, however, but the company could not provide one study as to why their product really does work. For those who were unhappy, it was apparent that the product really didn’t work for them at all! Headaches, foul taste from the supplement, and sickness were some of the main complaints. For some it apparently worked, but it is hard to know if they were paid or not for a nice review. There really isn’t enough data to say stay away from the product, but there is not enough evidence to make me believe that this product will truly help with fat loss and metabolic stimulation either.
Review Sources
- http://www.dictionary.com/browse/nootropic?s=t
- http://supplementsmarter.com/product/genius-burn/
- https://www.amazon.com/GENIUS-BURN-Thermogenic-Suppressant-Ashwagandha/dp/B01GP2Y3BS
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695184/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4663612/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3573577/
- http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-2039005
- https://noxnutrients.com/what-is-astragin-exactly/
- https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RXDGRGJCWPFSI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01GP2Y3BS
- https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R3R9DSOV1LVQ8S/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01GP2Y3BS
- https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/ROP809FWTUFGQ/ref=cm_cr_getr_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01GP2Y3BS
