Awaken Nootropic Review (ET Labz)

Awaken is a nootropic supplement from ET Labz. Another underground company with no website. Powered by 150 mg caffeine and a prop blend with some different ingredients, I’ve at least seen, Awaken will keep you focused and dialed in without a crash.

I tried it once, and I’m glad that I did. I’d recommend this for anyone experienced with stimulants. As this product contains some grey market ingredients, I would not recommend this to anyone that is drug-tested for work or sports.

Read on for additional details of my experience, the best prices for the Awaken nootropic, and a breakdown of its ingredient label. 

Where to Buy Awaken

Awaken is available from Supp Kingz.

Don’t forget to use LIFTVAULT15 to save 15% on your entire order at Supp Kingz!

My Experience 

I took Awaken just once, but that one time was all that I needed to understand its effects. I took it before a hectic workday, and I sorely needed the extra focus.

Effects 

I look for focus, energy, and some mood elevation in my nootropics.

Energy doesn’t come in hard, and you almost forget that it has caffeine, but it lasts for about 4-5 hours.

Focus is incredible on this and starts within 15 minutes.

After 30 minutes of first taking it, the mood elevation begins.

After about 4 hours or so, there was a slight come-down from the energy aspect.

No adverse side effects were noticed, including no alpha yo effects.

Flavor 

As the capsule is just 2 mm in size, it was easy enough to swallow.

Scoop Size 

A full serving is one capsule.

Awaken Ingredients

Caffeine Anhydrous – 150 mg per serving

Caffeine needs no introduction, right? Energy, focus, increased performance, etc. are all delivered by caffeine. It’s one of the most researched sports supplements.

For nootropics, 100-350 mg of caffeine is a standard dose. I’m glad they at least disclose the amount of caffeine.

There is a prop blend of Choline Citrate, 1,3 DMBA, L-Theanine, 7-[(3-Chloro-6-methyl-5,5-dioxo-11H-benzo[c][2,1]benzothiazepine-11-yl)amino]heptanoic acid, DMAE, n-(2 6-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-(oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)acetamide (Nefiracetam), Vinpocetine, 1-benzoyl-4-propanoyl piperazine, Rauwolscine HCL, and Huperzine-A.

Choline Citrate

From Nootropics Expert, choline citrate is an ester of citric acid and helps create Acetylcholine, increasing your focus. 

Choline citrate is a relatively obscure focus ingredient that isn’t seen much in sports supplements.

1,3 Dimethylbutylamine HCL

1,3 dimethylbutylamine HCL, also known as 1,3 DMBA, DMBA, 4-amino-2-methylpentane, AMP, or AMP Citrate, is a very rare stimulant nowadays (this is the only product I know of that contains it). A decade or so ago, it was more commonplace.

It’s in the realm of DMHA in terms of effects for motivation, energy, and mood.

L-Theanine

L-Theanine is a somewhat sedating amino acid that promotes relaxation and takes the edge off caffeine to prevent a crash.

7-[(3-Chloro-6-methyl-5,5-dioxo-11H-benzo[c][2,1]benzothiazepin-11-yl)amino]heptanoic acid

I have never heard of this and a few other ingredients in this formula, but this compound (from PubChem) has 2 component compounds: Tianeptine and Imipramine. 

ET Labz may have included this ingredient for mood-enhancing effects.

Tianeptine is a drug used primarily to treat major depressive disorder and has been studied in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Structurally, it is classified as a tricyclic anti-depressant (TCA). However, it possesses different pharmacological properties than typical tricyclic anti-depressants. 

Imipramine is a synthetic tricyclic derivative that enhances monoamine neurotransmission in some regions of the brain.

It most notably induces sedation through histamine 1 receptor blockage but has other diverse parasympatholytic effects.

DMAE

DMAE is a choline molecule used to treat cognitive decline in elderly patients. It is included in pre workouts to promote focus and feelings of well-being.

Dosing guidance for performance enhancement is not well understood.

For reference, Chemix pre workout contains 400 mg of DMAE, while Dark Energy and Assassin V6 contain 750 mg.

n-(2 6-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-(oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)acetamide

From ResearchGate, Nefiracetam, a member of the racetam family, is a nootropic compound typically administered as a cognitive enhancer.

Vinpocetine

Vinpocetine is an artificial chemical. Its structure is similar to a substance found in the periwinkle plant. It can be used for improving memory, boosting energy, and aiding weight loss. Unfortunately, there is a lack of good scientific evidence to support these uses.

The slowing of dementia and Alzheimer’s is one well-documented effect, though that is not relevant for most athletes.

1-benzoyl-4-propanoyl piperazine

This is a piperazine compound, a family of central nervous stimulants known for providing energy and euphoria similar to amphetamines. It’s an unusual ingredient, and hard to say how it would appear in drug testing.

Some consider piperazines to be a “failed pharmaceutical.” They were considered for use as an anti-depressant, but their potential for abuse prevented them from being approved.

Today, the sale of Benzylpiperazine is banned in several countries. These include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Romania, and other parts of Europe.

Rauwolscine HCL

Alpha Yohimbine, also known as “alpha yo,” is a polarizing stimulant. Some individuals are susceptible to alpha yohimbine and will always avoid any pre workout containing it.

Common adverse side effects can include anxiety, headaches, chills, sweating, frequent urination, excessive salivation, and increased blood pressure.

didn’t get any adverse side effects, minus sweating, but the energizing effects caused me to move more and thus sweat more.

Huperzine-A

Like Choline Citrate, Huperzine A is a cholinergic compound that acts as a cognitive enhancer. It does this by lengthening the half-life of cholinergic sources, which extends the focus effects in the user. Common doses range from 50 mcg to 200 mcg.