HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack vs Thrivous Nootropic Stack

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

Thrivous (30 days for $66)		Nootrobox (30 days for $148.50)
This information is from Thrivous and HVMN websites on 11 March 2017.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine	500 mg
Alpha-GPC	300 mg	Alpha-GPC (from 300 mg of 50% Alpha-GPC)	150 mg
Alpha-Lipoic Acid	150 mg
		Astaxanthin	1 mg
Bacopa Monnieri extract (25% bacoside)	600 mg	Bacopa Monnieri extract (50% bacoside)	300 mg
		Caffeine	100 mg
Ginkgo Biloba extract (24% flavone glycoside, 6% terpene lactone)	90 mg
		Glycine	450 mg
L-Theanine	200 mg	L-Theanine	300 mg
		L-Tyrosine	400 mg
Magnesium (from Magnesium Glycinate)	200 mg	Magnesium (from Magnesium Citrate)	200 mg
Melatonin	5 mg	Melatonin	1.5 mg
		Omega-3 (DHA and EPA)	690 mg
Rhodiola Rosea extract (2% salidroside)	300 mg	Rhodiola Rosea extract (2% salidroside)	300 mg
		Vinpocetine	40 mg
Vitamin B Complex	51 mg
		Vitamin B6	20 mg
		Vitamin B12	60 mcg
		Vitamin D3	2000 IU
		Vitamin K (K1 and K2 MK7)	600 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, I’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	Thrivous	Nootrobox
This information is from Examine.com, Thrivous, and HVMN websites on 11 March 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 on humans. **My estimate of the rating for Vitamin K corresponds to the Examine.com rating for ingredients with a single double-blind study or multiple cohort studies on humans.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine	3	X
Alpha-GPC	2	X	X
Alpha-Lipoic Acid	3	X
Astaxanthin	2		X
Bacopa	3	X	X
Caffeine	3		X
Ginkgo	4	X
Glycine	2		X
L-Theanine	3	X	X
L-Tyrosine	3		X
Magnesium	2	X	X
Melatonin	3	X	X
Omega-3	4		X
Rhodiola	4	X	X
Vinpocetine	2		X
Vitamin B Complex*	3	X
Vitamin B6	1		X
Vitamin B12	1		X
Vitamin D	2		X
Vitamin K**	2		X
Zinc	3	X

Thrivous Nootropic Stack Ingredient Evidence: 3.0

HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack Ingredient Evidence: 2.4

In this comparison of ingredient evidence, Thrivous Nootropic Stack beats HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack. 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.

Thrivous Nootropic Stack includes only ingredients that provide nootropic effect according to multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies on humans. Don't just take my word for it! Please look at the studies on Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Alpha-GPC, Bacopa, Ginkgo, L-Theanine, Magnesium, Melatonin, Rhodiola, Vitamin B Complex, and Zinc. And ask your physician to look at them with you.

HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack includes ingredients with varying levels of evidence for nootropic effect. Six of its ingredients match ingredients in Thrivous Nootropic Stack. One of its other ingredients, Omega-3, has robust evidence. Two of its other ingredients, Caffeine and L-Tyrosine, have substantial evidence. And the remainder of HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack's ingredients have less evidence for nootropic effect, although some of them may be effective as geroprotectors or for other purposes.

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	Thrivous	Nootrobox
This information is from Examine.com, Thrivous, and HVMN websites on 11 March 2017. *My estimates of the ratings for Vitamin B Complex and Vitamin K correspond to the Examine.com rating for ingredients with subtle effect.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine	2	X
Alpha-GPC	2	X	X
Alpha-Lipoic Acid	2	X
Astaxanthin	0		X
Bacopa	2	X	X
Caffeine	2		X
Ginkgo	2	X
Glycine	1		X
L-Theanine	2	X	X
L-Tyrosine	1		X
Magnesium	1	X	X
Melatonin	3	X	X
Omega-3	2		X
Rhodiola	2	X	X
Vinpocetine	1		X
Vitamin B Complex*	1	X
Vitamin B6	0		X
Vitamin B12	1		X
Vitamin D	1		X
Vitamin K*	1		X
Zinc	2	X

Thrivous Nootropic Stack Ingredient Effect: 1.5

HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack Ingredient Effect: 0.9

In this comparison of ingredient effect, Thrivous Nootropic Stack beats HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack. 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.

Thrivous Nootropic Stack includes ingredients that may provide a magnitude of nootropic effect ranging from subtle to strong for focus, memory, mood, calm, sleep, and long-term brain function. Multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies on humans support these effects for all ingredients.

HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack includes ingredients that may provide a magnitude of nootropic effect ranging from none to strong for focus, memory, mood, calm, sleep, energy, and long-term brain function. Judging from the individual ingredient effect scores, its most effective nootropic ingredients are probably Alpha-GPC, Bacopa, Caffeine, L-Theanine, Melatonin, Omega-3, and Rhodiola -- all of which are in Thrivous Nootropic Stack, except Caffeine and Omega-3.

HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack contains Caffeine, which may not be appropriate for daily supplementation without cycling. Daily use of Caffeine may lead to tolerance, which may dull its nootropic effects. So it may be best to take regular breaks from 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 measure them, we’ll compare each ingredient dosage against a recommended dosage. And we'll approximate the recommended dosage from 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.

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.

In the table below, for each ingredient, the "dosage" column indicates the recommended dosage for nootropic effect. And the product columns indicate the percentage (capped at 100%) of the recommended dosage provided by their respective formulas.

Ingredient	Dosage	Thrivous	Nootrobox
This information is from Examine.com, Thrivous, and HVMN websites on 11 March 2017. *My estimate of the dosage for Vitamin B Complex is double the summed RDIs for B Vitamins.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine	1250 mg	40%
Alpha-GPC	800 mg	38%	19%
Alpha-Lipoic Acid	450 mg	33%
Astaxanthin	N/A		N/A
Bacopa	300 mg (55% bacoside)	91%	91%
Ginkgo	180 mg	50%
Glycine	2000 mg		23%
L-Theanine	150 mg	100%	100%
L-Tyrosine	1250 mg		32%
Magnesium	300 mg	67%	67%
Melatonin	3 mg	100%	50%
Omega-3	1000 mg		69%
Rhodiola	450 mg (1% salidroside)	100%	100%
Vinpocetine	38 mg		100%
Vitamin B Complex*	51 mg	100%
Vitamin B6	N/A		N/A
Vitamin B12	1000 mcg		6%
Vitamin D	4800 IU		42%
Vitamin K	750 mcg		80%
Zinc	7.5 mg	100%

Thrivous Nootropic Stack Formula Effect: 12.2

HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack Formula Effect: 9.7

In this comparison of formula effect, Thrivous Nootropic Stack beats HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack 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.

Thrivous Nootropic Stack has an open formula that clearly indicates ingredient concentrations and amounts. Together they show that Clarity provides approximately full dosages of Bacopa, L-Theanine, Melatonin, Rhodiola, Vitamin B Complex, and Zinc; approximately half dosages of Ginkgo and Magnesium; and approximately third dosages of Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Alpha-GPC, and Alpha-Lipoic Acid.

Thrivous Nootropic Stack ingredient groupings and dosages enable supplementation strategies that match clinical studies. For example, studies typically administer multiple daily servings of Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Alpha-GPC, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Ginkgo. And studies indicate that Melatonin, which promotes sleep, should be supplemented separately from ingredients that promote focus.

HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack has an open formula that indicates ingredient concentrations and amounts. They show that it provides approximately full dosages of Bacopa, L-Theanine, Rhodiola, Vinpocetine, and Vitamin K; approximately half dosages of Magnesium, Melatonin, Omega-3, and Vitamin D; an approximately third dosage of L-Tyrosine; and small dosages of its remaining effective nootropic ingredients. For Alpha-GPC, the label may be misleading because it indicates 300 mg, but the certificate of analysis clarifies that the product contains 300 mg of 50% Alpha-GPC per serving, which results in 150 mg of Alpha-GPC per serving.

In at least one case, HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack ingredient groupings and dosages don't enable a supplementation strategy that matches clinical studies. For example, using enough to achieve a clinical dosage of Alpha-GPC would result in excessive dosages of Bacopa and Rhodiola.

Product Value

Finally, let’s look at the value of these products. A 30-day supply of Thrivous Nootropic Stack sells for $66 ($88 without a subscription). And a 30-day supply of HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack sells for $121.50 ($135 without a subscription), but it includes only a 10-day supply of Yawn, which means a full 30-day supply would cost $148.50 ($165 without a subscription). These prices are from Thrivous and HVMN websites on 11 March 2017.

Thrivous Nootropic Stack Value: 184

HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack Value: 65

Thrivous Nootropic Stack is more than 2 times more valuable than HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack, 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, I'm confident that, after reading this review, you probably agree with me that Thrivous Nootropic Stack is the superior product. If you’re currently using HVMN Nootrobox Full Stack, please talk to your physician about all the good reasons to switch to Thrivous Nootropic Stack.

By the way, if you happen to prefer placebo pricing, we can make a special arrangement to sell Nootropic Stack to you for $165. ;) Otherwise, get Thrivous Nootropic Stack now for an effective price of $66.