Mindset Elite (Caffeine & Caffeine-Free) Nootropic Review

Kaged, formally Kaged Muscle, is back with its Elite Series of supplements. This is an upgraded version of its mindset, which features many trademarked and patented ingredients at clinical or highly efficient dosages. The significant difference between this product and their non-elite version is the addition of Rhodiola. 

I recommend this for anyone looking to have more capable mental focus, replacing energy drinks or coffee, and those wanting a bit more from lagging products. Since it comes in caffeine and caffeine-free, it is even more versatile. 

True to Kaged’s mission to deliver effective supplements that athletes can use, this does not contain any banned substances and is safe for athletes.

Thank you, Kaged, for sending this full product for review!

Where to Buy Mindset 

You can buy Mindset (caffeine & caffeine-free) by Kaged from the following retailer:

• Kaged (caffeine free version available here)

Experience

After the first 15 minutes, I felt the back of my head tighten with focus, with the front doing the same 5 minutes later. My productivity improved, which helped me write many reviews while also working at the hospital. Things came to memory with more ease, and it didn’t affect my performance at all, only enhanced it. 

I noticed a slight improvement in my breathing, and to my enjoyment, I didn’t have any kind of high energy that was non-productive. Over the next 4 hours, I had clear, sustained focus and productivity.

The caffeine version had similar effects and I feel more energetic vs. just focused, as I need to move around more and can’t sit still.

Side Effects

I didn’t experience any effects that were negative while using this product.

Flavor

“Strawberry Lemonade” was the flavor I was sent for review. This delicious flavor tastes as good as the freckled strawberry lemonade at Red Robin, making it a 9/10 for me. The suggested amount of water for one scoop is 10 to 12 ounces, and I enjoyed it most, around 10 ounces of water, as it was the perfect sweetness ratio for me. The mixability was really good, with a small amount of sediment towards the end of the cup.

Dose/Scoop Size

The serving size is 4.3 grams for a whole serving with my flavor, but Kaged does vary their sizes on each flavor. The total serving amount comes to an almost level below the handle. If you shake a product very well, which you should do, it will cause some aeration, so the powder might be more fluffy and measure differently. 

With each serving of this nootropic, I used the one-scoop serving size except on one occasion, which I used two, which the former hit well enough to review it adequately to whom this is marketed. We are given 30 servings, with directions explicitly saying not to exceed the recommended one-serving dose. 

Ingredients

Vitamin C – 75 mg

Niacin – 15 mg

Vitamin B6 – 10 mg

Vitamin B12 – 250 mcg

Phosphorus – 58 mg

Phosphorus at this dosage is interesting, as the phosphorus dosage is the same as calcium’s. It is crucial to maintain your phosphorus level as it helps with ATP production. 

Magnesium – 7 mg

Similarly to phosphorus, magnesium is used to produce ATP. Low levels can cause muscle soreness or contractility issues. Although most people reach for high-potassium foods to address muscle spasms, they are typically caused by low magnesium levels. Depending on your diet, it can be imperative to supplement with magnesium to aid recovery.

Sodium – 55 mg

Sodium is the most critical electrolyte since it is readily lost through sweating. Sodium dosage depends on which source you look at, but all electrolyte products contain various amounts ranging from 50mg to 1g (as seen in LMNT). The proper dosage depends on your unique needs, diet, exercise, and nutrition, which is affected by previous medical history (i.e., hypertension). I would like to see this dosage higher. However, sodium affects the taste and isn’t desired by all users.

Potassium – 78 mg

Potassium is an essential mineral that regulates blood pressure and contractility of the heart tissues. It helps reduce muscle cramps and weakness in the muscle fibers. High potassium dosages aren’t typically found in supplements due to the effect on the body when ingested in large amounts. Potassium is generally found in fruits, some vegetables (bok choy, potatoes, beets, bananas, broccoli, avocados, and more), and cream of tartar powder. 

Alpha GPC – 600 mg

Alpha GPC is a cholinergic compound that is produced within the body. It is used for enhancing cognition and increasing power output. Based on several studies, Alpha GPC dosages should be between 300 and 600 mg. At 600 mg, this is on the high end.

Some key benefits include choline source, cognitive enhancement, acetylcholine precursor, neuroprotective properties, and athletic performance. 

When alpha-gpc is combined with other nootropic compounds, it can enhance the cognitive effects. Common combinations include racetams (like piracetam) and other brain-boosting supplements.

L-Tyrosine – 500 mg

L-tyrosine boosts cognitive performance in stressful environments. Pre-workouts include it as a focus ingredient and help achieve anti-stress effects. The typical dosage range is 500 mg to 2,000 mg for exercise, where the 500 mg dosage we have is on the low side but an effectively efficient dose in terms of potency. 

L-tyrosine is a naturally occurring amino acid and a precursor to several important neurotransmitters and hormones in the body. It plays a significant role in producing dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, which regulate mood, stress response, physical performance, and cognitive function.

Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl – 500 mg

L-carnitine is a compound made in the body, composed of lysine and methionine. Once acetylated, it becomes acetyl-l-carnitine and can cross the blood-brain barrier much more quickly.

While it is often included in fat burner products, like Herolean or Superhuman Burn, the research around its fat-burning efficacy is mixed, with some positive effects shown for weight loss in obese subjects.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine also has potential in other areas, such as reducing depression, reducing fatigue in older adults, and helping with recovery from exercise. Most doses range from 500 mg to 2,000 mg; this is on the low end but a decent amount. 

Here are some other effects of ALCAR: energy production, cognitive benefits, neuroprotective properties, and anti-aging.

L-Phenylalanine – 150 mg

L-phenylalanine is one of the nine essential amino acids. It helps assist with the production of tyrosine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

**Caffeine Version Only** Caffeine (PurCaf) – 150 mg

PurCaf is made from organic green coffee beans. This means the coffee beans that produce this caffeine are grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. It typically contains around 95% pure caffeine. 

Caffeine anhydrous is the standard form of caffeine, known for increasing energy, alertness, motivation, and mood. The caffeine content varies for each product. The 350-450 range is the typical dosage for sports supplements, around 200 for fat burners, and some products may contain other forms or stimulants.

Less is more, as your dependency will lead to diminishing returns as you increase your intake. The overall combination of many factors, such as sleep, when you take caffeine, diet, and nutrition, affect how much you will need. PurCaf is not synthetically created but rather extracted, making it more pure. This typically results in a noticeable decrease in crashing later in the day as the energy is more regulated. 

Rhodiolife (Rhodiola Extract) – 125 mg

Rhodiola Rosea has consistently been shown to reduce fatigue, increase cognition, and somewhat improve subjective well-being (more info at Examine). 

Dosages as low as 50 mg are effective when taken daily for fatigue. At 300 mg, we have a substantial dosage in Speed.

Cereboost (American Ginseng Panax) – 100 mg

Cereboost is a brand of American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) extract. American Ginseng is an herbal supplement known for its potential cognitive and energy-boosting properties. Cereboost is often marketed as a cognitive enhancer and is claimed to support mental alertness and concentration. Read more here. 

Ioniplex Fulvic Ionic Mineral Complex – 50 mg

(calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, manganese, vanadium, zinc, iodine, chromium, molybdenum, copper, sulfur, silicon, boron, barium, zirconium, lithium, cobalt, silver, platinum, iron)

Phosphatidylserine – 50 mg

Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid (fatty substance) that covers the cells within the body. It is produced within the body and can also be found naturally in the liver, egg yolks, and soybeans. There is not much research on how supplementing with phosphatidylserine can benefit humans. Limited research suggests it can boost exercise capacity and overall athletic performance.

From WubMed, Phosphatidylserine supplements can block specific adverse effects of increased cortisol levels for a long time. By reducing and stabilizing cortisol levels, phosphatidylserine also helps regulate metabolism, strengthen memory, improve mood, and reduce inflammation. 

From WebMD, the dose is 200-400 mg daily.

Huperzine – 5 mg

Huperzine A is cholinergic and acts as a cognitive enhancer. As an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, it helps lengthen the half-life of cholinergic sources. Depending on the extract percentage, it is taken in 50 to 200 mcg dosages. This label states 5 mg, not mcg, but it would be a considerable dosage at the former.

Huperzine A is a naturally occurring alkaloid compound derived from a Chinese club moss plant (Huperzia serrata). It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and is known for its potential cognitive-enhancing properties. Some additional benefits include cognitive enhancers, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, nootropic, and smart drugs.