HVMN Nootrobox Rise vs Thrivous Clarity

HVMN Nootrobox Rise is a nootropic dietary supplement that competes with Thrivous Clarity. Nootropics improve focus, memory, mood, energy, and generally support brain function and enhance mental performance. This is a review of how the Rise and Clarity products compare, based on third-party assessments of nootropic ingredient evidence and effect (click here for a review of how HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack and Thrivous Nootropic Stack compare). 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 HVMN Nootrobox Rise:

Clarity (30 days for $30)		Rise (30 days for $44.10)
This information is updated from Thrivous and HVMN websites on 21 February 2017.
		a-GPC (from 300 mg of 50% a-GPC)	150 mg
Bacopa Monnieri extract (25% bacoside)	600 mg	Bacopa Monnieri extract (50% bacoside)	300 mg
Rhodiola Rosea extract (2% salidroside)	300 mg	Rhodiola Rosea extract (2% salidroside)	300 mg
Vitamin B Complex	51 mg
Zinc (from Zinc Sulfate)	11 mg

Ingredient Evidence

Let’s look at the level 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 scores 3 in evidence because multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies support its effect on memory.

Ingredient	Evidence	Clarity	Rise
This information is updated from Examine.com, Thrivous, and HVMN websites on 21 February 2017. *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	X
Rhodiola	4	X	X
Vitamin B Complex*	3	X
Zinc	3	X

Clarity Ingredient Evidence: 3.3

Rise Ingredient Evidence: 3.0

In this comparison of ingredient evidence, Clarity beats Rise. 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.

Rise also includes reasonably well-researched ingredients. Two of its ingredients, Bacopa and Rhodiola, match ingredients in Clarity. Rise's third ingredient, a-GPC, appears not to have as much support in scientific studies, but it does have some support.

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	Rise
This information is updated from Examine.com, Thrivous, and HVMN websites on 21 February 2017. *My estimate of the rating for Vitamin B Complex corresponds to the Examine.com rating for ingredients with subtle effect.
Alpha-GPC	2		X
Bacopa	2	X	X
Rhodiola	2	X	X
Vitamin B Complex*	1	X
Zinc	2	X

Clarity Ingredient Effect: 1.4

Rise Ingredient Effect: 1.5

In this comparison of ingredient effect, Rise barely beats Clarity. 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.

Both Clarity and Rise include ingredients that may provide notable effects on focus, memory, and mood. Clarity includes an ingredient, Vitamin B Complex, which is well-researched, but its effect may be subtle. Rise includes an ingredient, a-GPC, which may provide a notable effect, but it's less well researched.

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, and nonlinear relations between dose and effect within recommended ranges.

Ingredient	Dosage	Clarity	Rise
This information is from Examine.com, Thrivous, and HVMN websites on 21 February 2017. *My estimate of the dosage for Vitamin B Complex is double the summed RDIs for B Vitamins.
Alpha-GPC	800 mg		19%
Bacopa	300 mg (55% bacoside)	91%	91%
Rhodiola	450 mg (1% salidroside)	100%	100%
Vitamin B Complex*	51 mg	100%
Zinc	7.5 mg	100%

Clarity Formula Effect: 5.6

Rise Formula Effect: 3.6

In this comparison of formula effect, Clarity beats Rise. 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.

Rise has an open formula that clearly indicates ingredient concentrations and amounts. Together they show that Rise provides approximately full dosages of Bacopa and Rhodiola, and an approximately one fifth dosage of a-GPC.

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 Rise sells for $44.10 ($49 without a subscription). These prices are updated from Thrivous and HVMN websites on 21 February 2017.

Clarity Value: 187

Rise Value: 81

Thrivous Clarity is more than 2 times more valuable than HVMN Nootrobox Rise, 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, of course we at Thrivous think our product is better. And now, after sharing this review with you, I hope you agree. If you’re currently using HVMN Nootrobox Rise, 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 $44.10. ;) Otherwise, get Clarity now for an effective price of $30.