Avanse Lumonol vs Thrivous Clarity

Avanse Lumonol is a nootropic dietary supplement that competes with Thrivous Clarity. Nootropics support brain function and enhance mental performance – improve memory, cognition, and focus. This is a review of how the Lumonol and Clarity products compare, based on third-party assessments of nootropic ingredient evidence and effect. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Please consult a physician before and during use of these and other nootropics.

Of course you'd expect us, at Thrivous, to think our product is better. But I think you'll agree with us after looking at this comparison. Here's an outline:

1. Ingredient List – List all ingredients and dosages in each product.
2. Ingredient Evidence – Score each ingredient based on its level of scientific evidence, and score each product based on the average of its ingredient evidence scores.
3. Ingredient Effect – Score each ingredient based on its magnitude of nootropic effect weighted by its ingredient evidence score, and score each product based on the average of its ingredient effect scores.
4. Formula Effect – Score each ingredient based on its dosage weighted by its ingredient effect score, and score each product based on the sum of its dosage scores.
5. Product Value – Calculate the relative value of each product by dividing its formula effect score by its price.

The end result of the comparison is two scores – one score for each product. Together, the scores show the relative nootropic effect you may reasonably expect per dollar spent. And you'll see that Thrivous is clearly the better value.

Ingredient List

Here are the ingredients in Thrivous Clarity and Avanse Lumonol:

Clarity (30 days for $30)		Lumonol (30 days for $47.97)
This information is updated from Thrivous and Avanse websites on 22 February 2017.
Bacopa Monnieri extract (25% bacoside)	600 mg
		Energy Blend (Panax Ginseng, Hordenine, Guarana)	430 mg
		Focus Blend (Phosphatidylserine, Acetyl L-Carnitine, L-Tyrosine, Noopept)	515 mg
		Memory Blend (Ginkgo Biloba, Alpha GPC)	170 mg
Rhodiola Rosea extract (2% salidroside)	300 mg
Vitamin B Complex	51 mg
		Vitamin B12	250 mcg
Zinc (from Zinc Sulfate)	11 mg

Ingredient Evidence

Let’s look at the strength of scientific evidence for nootropic effects from ingredients in these products. To score them, we’ll use evidence ratings from Examine.com, an independent and unbiased encyclopedia on supplementation and nutrition that is not affiliated in any way with any supplement company. In cases when Examine.com does not provide an evidence rating, I'll flag the ingredient and estimate the rating.

For each ingredient, the “evidence” column indicates the level of evidence on a scale of 0 to 4 for the nootropic outcome with the most evidence. For example, Bacopa is rated 3 in evidence because multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies support its effect on memory.

Ingredient	Evidence	Clarity	Lumonol
This information is updated from Examine.com, Thrivous, and Avanse websites on 22 February 2017. *My estimates of the ratings for Guarana and Hordenine correspond to the Examine.com rating for ingredients with uncontrolled or observational studies only. **My estimate of the rating for Vitamin B Complex corresponds to the Examine.com rating for ingredients with multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies.
Alpha-GPC	2		X
Bacopa	3	X
Carnitine	3		X
Ginkgo	4		X
Ginseng	3		X
Guarana*	1		X
Hordenine*	1		X
Noopept	1		X
Phosphatidylserine	3		X
Rhodiola	4	X
Tyrosine	3		X
Vitamin B Complex**	3	X
Vitamin B12	1		X
Zinc	3	X

Clarity Ingredient Evidence: 3.3

Lumonol Ingredient Evidence: 2.2

In this comparison of ingredient evidence, Clarity beats Lumonol by a wide margin. The product ingredient evidence scores are averages of individual ingredient evidence scores. They reflect the Examine.com evidence scale of 0 to 4, where 0 is practically no evidence, and 4 is robust evidence.

Clarity includes only ingredients that provide nootropic effects according to multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. Don't just take my word for it! Please look at the studies yourself, and ask your physician to look at them with you.

Lumonol includes several ingredients for which there is relatively little research. While it's important to consult a physician before and during use of any supplement, I recommend additional caution when using under-studied ingredients.

Ingredient Effect

Now, let’s look at the magnitude of nootropic effect from ingredients in these products. To score them, we’ll use effect ratings from Examine.com. In cases when Examine.com does not provide an effect rating, I'll flag the ingredient and estimate the rating.

For each ingredient, the “effect” column indicates the magnitude of effect on a scale of 0 to 3 for the nootropic outcome with the most evidence. For example, Bacopa is rated 2 in effect because it may provide a notable increase to memory.

Ingredient	Effect	Clarity	Lumonol
This information is updated from Examine.com, Thrivous, and Avanse websites on 22 February 2017. *My estimates of the ratings for Guarana, Hordenine, and Vitamin B Complex correspond to the Examine.com rating for ingredients with subtle effect.
Alpha-GPC	2		X
Bacopa	2	X
Carnitine	1		X
Ginkgo	2		X
Ginseng	1		X
Guarana*	1		X
Hordenine*	1		X
Noopept	2		X
Phosphatidylserine	1		X
Rhodiola	2	X
Tyrosine	1		X
Vitamin B Complex*	1	X
Vitamin B12	1		X
Zinc	2	X

Clarity Ingredient Effect: 1.4

Lumonol Ingredient Effect: 0.8

In this comparison of ingredient effect, Clarity beats Lumonol. The product ingredient effect scores are averages of individual ingredient effect scores, weighted by individual ingredient evidence scores (from the “Ingredient Evidence” section above). They reflect the Examine.com effect scale of 0 to 3, where 0 is practically no effect beyond placebo, and 3 is strong effect.

Clarity includes ingredients that may provide notable effects on focus, memory, and mood. Lumonol includes ingredients that may provide notable effects on focus, and subtle effects on memory, mood, and energy. Based on ingredient evidence, the effects of Clarity may be more reliable than the effects of Lumonol.

Lumonol contains Guarana, for which some persons may develop a tolerance if used daily. The Caffeine in Guarana may provide a stimulatory effect. To ensure you can take advantage of this effect when most needed, I recommend that you use Caffeine only in a targeted manner and avoid regular supplementation. If you want occasionally to use a nootropic that contains Caffeine, check out Thrivous Surge.

Formula Effect

Next, let’s look at the effective dosages of ingredients in the formulas for these products. To score them, we’ll use the middle of the recommended range of dosage per serving for nootropic effect from Examine.com, taking into account both concentration and amount. In cases when Examine.com does not provide a recommended dosage, I'll flag the ingredient and estimate the recommended dosage.

For each ingredient, the product columns indicate the percentage (capped at 100%) of the recommended dosage provided by their respective formulas.

Keep in mind that this is a simplified comparison, which does not account for factors like possible benefits from more servings per day, complementary interactions between ingredients, nonlinear relations between dose and effect within recommended ranges, and of course under-studied ingredients.

Ingredient	Dosage	Clarity	Lumonol
This information is updated from Examine.com, Thrivous, and Avanse websites on 22 February 2017. *My estimate of the dosage for Vitamin B Complex is double the summed RDIs for B Vitamins.
Alpha-GPC	800 mg		17% (139 mg) ?
Bacopa	300 mg (55% bacoside)	91%
Carnitine	1250 mg		19% (241 mg) ?
Ginkgo	180 mg (24% flavone glycoside, 6% terpene lactone)		17% (31 mg) ?
Ginseng	300 mg (2.5% ginsenoside)		100% (300 mg) ?
Guarana	62.5 mg		100% (62.5 mg) ?
Hordenine	0		(56.5 mg) ?
Noopept	20 mg		75% (15 mg) ?
Phosphatidylserine	150 mg		19% (29 mg) ?
Rhodiola	450 mg (1% salidroside)	100%
Tyrosine	1250 mg		19% (241 mg) ?
Vitamin B Complex*	51 mg	100%
Vitamin B12	1000 mcg		25%
Zinc	7.5 mg	100%

Clarity Formula Effect: 5.6

Lumonol Formula Effect: 2.5

In this comparison of formula effect, Clarity beats Lumonol by a wide margin. The product formula effect scores are sums of individual ingredient effect scores (from the “Ingredient Evidence” section above), weighted by individual ingredient evidence scores (from the “Ingredient Effect” section above) and product ingredient dosages.

Clarity has an open formula that clearly indicates ingredient concentrations and amounts. Together they show that Clarity provides approximately full dosages of Bacopa, Rhodiola, Vitamin B Complex, and Zinc.

Lumonol has a proprietary formula that hides ingredient concentrations and amounts. However, based on the amounts indicated for its blends, information on the Avanse website, and assumptions of otherwise standard concentrations and proportional formulation, we can make some reasonable guesses. Lumonol provides an approximately three quarters dosage of Noopept, and an approximately one quarter dosage of Vitamin B12. It may provide approximately full dosages of Ginseng and Guarana, and approximately one fifth dosages of its remaining ingredients.

Product Value

Finally, let’s look at the value of these products. One bottle of Clarity sells for $30 ($40 without a subscription). And one bottle of Lumonol sells for $47.97 ($59.97 without a subscription). These prices are updated from Thrivous and Avanse websites on 22 February 2017.

Clarity Value: 187

Lumonol Value: 53

Thrivous Clarity is more than 3 times more valuable than Avanse Lumonol, judging from the combined metrics of this comparison. The product value scores are product formula effect scores (from the “Formula Effect” section above) divided by product prices and multiplied by 1000 (just to make them easier to read). Basically, they show the relative nootropic effect you may reasonably expect per dollar spent on these products.

As mentioned at the beginning of this product comparison, we at Thrivous are biased toward our own product. And now, after sharing this review with you, I hope you’re biased toward it too. If you’re currently using Avanse Lumonol, please talk to your physician about all the good reasons to switch to Thrivous Clarity.

By the way, if you happen to prefer placebo pricing, we can make a special arrangement to sell Clarity to you for $47.97. ;) Otherwise, get Clarity now for an effective price of $30.