UPDATED: OCTOBER 2021
* Updated to take into account the re-branding of the Hunter brand into Hunter Evolve.
There are three products in the Hunter Evolve range created by UK-based Roar Ambition. I have already taken a look at Test by Hunter Evolve and Burn by Hunter Evolve and have been pleasantly surprised by both (particularly the testosterone booster).
Hunter Focus by Hunter Evolve is a serious nootropic supplement designed to work well on its own, but also to work well with the other two products. This is a really cool idea by Roar Ambition — help men to boost their testosterone, burn some fat, and boost their brainpower. It’s marketing genius.
What’s also really interesting about Hunter Focus is that it is upfront about targeting men over 30, particularly, so it says, those men who are at the top of their game and want to stay there. It doesn’t offer a one-size-fits-all approach; it doesn’t want to appeal to the students or the elderly. Instead, Focus by Hunter Evolve is designed to provide stress relief and mood support as well as mental clarity to stressed-out men in the boardroom. It also claims to look after your long-term brain health.
So, does it work? Let’s dive right in and find out…
Ingredients
Lion’s Mane Mushrooms (Mycelium), 500mg
Lion’s Mane Mushrooms (Mycelium), 500mgAlso known as Monkey’s head mushroom. Just let that sink in for a moment. Roar Ambition could have listed an ingredient called Monkey’s head but chose to go with Lion’s Mane instead. A waste in my opinion, but the good news is that this is a pretty decent ingredient.
It helps to reduce anxiety, prevent cognitive decline as you age, and may even alleviate the symptoms of depression. Offers both neuroprotective and neuro-regeneration benefits.
Ashwagandha, 300mg
One of the most commonly used herbs for relaxation (that’s legal), Ashwagandha has lots of evidence for its positive effects on post-stress, cortisol, and anxiety. It may also be effective at reducing your blood pressure, reducing fatigue, and working as an anti-depressive. There is even some evidence that Ashwagandha may have a positive effect on testosterone production. The dosage is spot on.
Citicoline, 250mg
Choline is a common ingredient in nootropics, but sadly many companies often use the cheapest version (Choline Bitartrate) which has no effect on cognition. Roar Ambition has bucked the trend and has used a more expensive, but infinitely more effective version of Choline. Citicoline (also known as CDP-Choline) has lots of evidence backing up claims that it can increase attention and aid brain health.
Higher levels of Citicoline, for instance, have been shown to potentially aid age-related memory decline by boosting brain energy and cell membrane repair, and aiding memory recall in the elderly.
A 2012 study on healthy adult women also found that citicoline increased attention and reduced “attentional deficits associated with nervous system disorders”. Improvements were seen with 250mg of citicoline, the same amount in Focus by Hunter Evolve.
Passion Flower Extract, 250mg
Also known as Passiflora incarnata. This supplement is believed to reduce anxiety, boost cognition and is typically used in sleep aid supplements because of its relaxant benefits, so its inclusion here is interesting. It may have the possibility to improve performance by ensuring you’re not plagued by an overactive mind, but more research would be appreciated here.
Bacopa Monnieri, 200mg
A strong nootropic, a lot of evidence points to Bacopa Monnieri being effective at improving memory, enhancing attention, reducing anxiety, and acting as a mild antidepressant. While a lot of studies have been done on the elderly, Bacopa also seems to affect younger generations as well, making it an ideal nootropic. Note that Bacopa needs time to work (in certain studies, impressive results were seen at 8-12 weeks that weren’t seen at all in 5 or less).
NALT, 200mg (N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine)
Increases cognition, especially during times of stress, improves mood, and may also improve memory. An excellent ingredient. It is good to see tyrosine included as the highly bioavailable form of NALT.
Focus contains 200mg, taken daily. While that may be slightly under the recommended dosage for tyrosine alone, it’s an ingredient that is easy to gain more of — tyrosine is found in meat, eggs, wheat, fish, dairy products, beans, nuts, and oats, for instance.
A good nootropic stack should add up to more than just the sum of its parts if its ingredients are chosen well and work together in synergy, and we’re pleased to say that is the case with Focus by Hunter Evolve.
L-Theanine, 200mg
It is quite rare to take theanine without caffeine because the two work together so well. But theanine is an effective supplement ingredient in its own right. It can improve sleep quality (always important for health), massively increase attention, reduce anxiety, and help you relax. It influences alpha brain waves to create a state of relaxed alertness. The dosage in Focus by Hunter Evolve is just right.
Phosphatidylserine, 100mg
Shown to help the immune system dispose of damaged brain cells so other cells don’t suffer; also helps to support energy production in the brain and promotes neurotransmitters. May help to boost cognition and sharpen memory, particularly in the elderly, and even has an FDA qualified claim behind it.
Maritime Pine Bark Extract, 100mg
An antioxidant-rich nitric oxide booster which can help supply more blood (and therefore oxygen) to the brain. A 2011 study by Luzzi et al found that it can boost cognition, attention, and mental performance. Dosing is perfect. Maritime Pine Bark extract is a very promising ingredient.
Pros of Focus by Hunter Evolve
- Focus by Hunter Evolve contains lots of evidence-based, effective ingredients
- Offers significantly more generous dosages than many of its competition
- Should help boost focus and attention
- Improves memory
- Improves mood
- Reduces anxiety
- Made from a well-known and respected, UK-based company
- All-natural ingredients, no stimulants.
Cons
- Some people may find four capsules per serving a lot to take.
Safety/Side Effects
There should be zero side effects to taking this supplement, but if you have a health condition or are pregnant you should consult your doctor first. Everyone is different and people interact with supplements in a unique way.
Who Takes Focus by Hunter Evolve?
The entire Hunter range by Roar Ambition is aimed at an older age group than its other products, such as Instant Knockout and TestoFuel. Older men in their 30s, 40s, and beyond should see the biggest improvements from using Focus by Hunter Evolve, with its emphasis on reducing stress, enhancing mental clarity, and aiding memory.
Final Word on Focus by Hunter Evolve
Focus by Hunter Evolve is an excellent nootropic and fits in well with other supplements from the Hunter Evolve range. Focus eschews stimulants, unlike many products on the market which claim to be nootropics but load their supplements with caffeine to keep you up all night.
Instead, Focus by Hunter Evolve works by calming your anxiety and tackling an overactive mind, allowing you to relax and focus instead. Perfect for busy executives or anyone dealing with a lot of stress in their lives.
In short, Focus is a smart nootropic stack. It stacks all-natural brain and cognition boosters with anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) substances such as L-theanine, passionflower and ashwagandha. This keeps the brain fully charged, optimised, and in balance.
Add ingredients such as Lion’s Mane, Maritime Pine Bark Extract, and L-Theanine and you have ingredients that offer both a long and short-term boost to the brain. Not something all nootropic stacks can claim. Dosages in Focus are impressive.
I’ve been really impressed with the Hunter Evolve product range in general. It offers high-quality supplements with inventive and well-dosed ingredients tailored to men in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.
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