Making the most of my work time with Neuro Focus Plus

I am self employed, and try to only work while S is at school, which means I have around 25 hours per week to earn enough money to put food on the table. Focus then, is a major concern for me. The better my focus, the more I can get done. And the more chance I can close my laptop when I collect S from school and don’t need to open it again until the following morning.

Neuro Focus Plus from Utmost Me

I was intrigued then when Utmost Me asked me to trial their Neuro Focus Plus supplement. Anything that will help me to get my head down and work, rather than scrolling through social media or (my personal favourite) checking my emails every ten minutes just in case.

What is Neuro Focus Plus?

Neuro Focus plus is a mixture of vitamins and natural nootropics designed to support focus and memory. It was created by doctors, biochemists and expert nutritionists, and it’s more than just a standard supplement.

What are nootropics?

Nootropics are a relatively new type of supplement, sometimes referred to as “smart drugs.” Some are natural and others are manmade, but the thing they all have in common is that they are created specifically to provide cognitive benefits. 

According to Dr Corneliu Giurgea, in order to be classed as a nootropic, a substance should fit five key criteria:

1. Enhance memory and ability to learn
2. Help the brain to function under disruptive conditions
3. Protect the brain from chemical and physical assaults
4. Increase the efficacy of neuronal firing control mechanisms
5. Possess few or no side effects and be virtually non-toxic

I’m not a scientist and I wouldn’t know where to begin in testing against these five criteria – but I can test Neuro Focus Plus on the overworked, sleep-deprived brain of a woman still claiming “baby brain” even though her “baby” is six years old.

What is in Neuro Focus Plus capsules?

I won’t list all of the ingredients here; instead here is a photo of the label.

As you can see there are lots of vitamins we are all familiar with, but there are other key ingredients you may not have heard of:

L-Tyrosine

This is a key amino acid which synthesises neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are the chemicals that send information across synapses around the brain. More neurotransmitters means your brain has more ability to process information – so this can increase mental clarity and attention.

Rhodiola

Rhodiola is a herb that grows in mountainous regions in Asia and Europe, and its root, also known as arctic root or golden root, is considered to be an adaptogen, meaning that it helps the body adapt to stress so that we can concentrate on the task in hand.

Green Tea

Neuro Focus Plus provides 50mg of EGCG natural plant compound, which can increase energy, focus and mental function.

Curcumin Focus®

We’ve all heard about the benefits of turmeric by now, right? Circumin is the active compound within turmeric and has been proven to boost attention and performance in memory tasks.

Caffeine & Kola Nut

These provide a richer, nutrient dense source of caffeine; the two work together synergistically, creating an effective energy enhancer.

L-Theanine

This is an amino acid mostly found in plants. According to WebMD it has been used to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, which I suppose stands to reason when you consider its main function is to help transmit nerve impulses in the brain. When combined with caffeine it provides the benefit of increased focus for longer periods, without the jitters one often experiences with caffeine, and with no comedown when it wears off.

Zinc

Zinc helps with cognitive function and can be used for brain energy

Biotin

D-Biotin is a naturally occuring and biologically active form of Vitamin B7. It helps to convert nutrients into energy for the brain.

How do you take Neuro Focus Plus capsules?

The dosage for Neuro Focus Plus is two capsues daily with food. Because they contain caffeine, I take them with my breakfast.

The packaging says that for best results you should take them at least 5 days a week so that you can nbuild up cumulative benefits. I take them on week days and have a break over the weekend.

Do Neuro Focus Plus capsules work?

I have been trialling these for a couple of weeks now, and I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised. I’m finding that as well as being less generally forgetful, I’m able to sit down at my desk and work solidly for large chunks of time, without being distracted.

This has also highlighted a habit for me. I’m finding that I will be working on a document and take a break for a drink or to read back through my work, and my hand automatically floats across the desk towards my phone! I had never really “caught” myself doing this before; the first I knew was twenty minutes later when I realised I had been scrolling through nonsense on social media with no real intent or purpose. These days, I notice myself reaching for my phone and can quickly pull my attention back to the document I’m working on.

I had never tried nootropics but I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised by these. They contain about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, but their effect is quite different, and more prolonged than the caffeine rush of a coffee. 

How much does Neuro Focus cost?

Each bottle costs £29 and contains 50 capsules, which is enough for five weeks if only taken on weekdays. You can also purchase 3 bottles for £66 which is a saving of £21.

Disclosure: I received this product for free and have been compensated for my time but all words and opinions are my own.