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Primal Mind Fuel Review – Can It Give Your Brain A Boost?

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By Ryan Brennan

Reviewed by Juliana Tamayo, MS, RDN - Last Updated

Primal Mind Fuel Review

Do you often experience brain fog and a lack of mental clarity? Are you not as productive and alert as you wish you were? Does stress weigh you down and hold you back in life? Do you have a hard time focusing, remembering things, or finding the energy to get through the day?

If you answered yes to any — or all — of those questions, then you could benefit from a quality nootropic formula that supports optimal brain function. With the right ingredients, a nootropic formula can help you achieve mental acuity and help you get the most out of your life. 

Brain Fog

The truth is your brain needs nutrients to function properly — just like any other organ in the body. While we get most of those nutrients through our daily diet, most of us don’t receive enough of those nutrients or are missing out on some key nutrients throughout the day. 

That’s where a quality nootropic supplement can help provide and replenish the nutrients your brain needs to function its best. With so many unique formulas out there, we’re going to take a hard look at Primal Mind Fuel by Primal Harvest to determine if it’s the right formula for you! Ready to learn more? Let’s dive into this Primal Mind Fuel review so you can find out if this nootropic is truly worth using!

What Is Primal Mind Fuel?

Primal Mind Fuel is a popular nootropic supplement that’s brought to you by well-known supplement company, Primal Harvest. Primal Harvest prides themselves on producing high-quality supplements to meet your daily needs and, in addition to Primal Mind Fuel, they are also the creators of Primal Harvest Collagen, Primal Harvest Turmeric Complex, Primal Gut Restore, Primal Flex, and many more popular supplements. Primal Mind Fuel is Primal Hravest’s gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free formula designed to improve mood, productivity, energy, focus, motivation, stress response, mental clarity, alertness, memory, and so much more. 

Primal Harvest Primal Mind Fuel

The formula contains 11 research-backed ingredients that are made in the USA. They’re produced in GMP-certified facilities and are third-party lab-tested to ensure quality — something that Primal Harvest is committed to. The 90-day money-back guarantee is icing on the cake.

If you’re someone who wants more out of their mental performance, this could be the right formula for you. It improves mental acuity in a variety of ways and only requires you to take one capsule per day. Of course, not all supplements are perfect, and they aren’t created equal.

To ensure you understand everything there is to know about this supplement, we’re going to break it all down for you below — including the ingredients, the pros, the cons, the pricing, the packaging, how they compare to competitors, and some frequently asked questions. 

Primal Mind Fuel Ingredients

The Primal Mind Fuel formula contains 11 ingredients designed to improve mental performance in a variety of ways. These 11 ingredients include vitamins, amino acids, stimulants, herbal extracts, plant compounds, and other nutrients that your brain needs on a daily basis.  

There are two unique blends included in the formula. The CogniPlex B-Vitamins blend contains three different B-Vitamins, while the NeuroSmart Proprietary Blend contains eight nootropic ingredients. Don’t worry; we’re going to break down each ingredient for you one by one below.

Primal Harvest Primal Mind Fuel Supplement Facts

CogniPlex B-Vitamins

There are eight B-Complex vitamins that are essential to a healthy and normal-functioning body. They’re unique vitamins because they’re involved in the energy production process and help our body break down the food we eat into ATP. Of course, they do a range of other things, as well. 

Let’s take a look at the three B-complex vitamins found in the Primal Mind Fuel formula:

  • Vitamin B1 – also known as thiamin; helps convert carbs into glucose, improves memory, reduces depression symptoms, and controls blood sugar levels.
  • Vitamin B6 – also known as pyridoxine; helps convert food into energy, regulates mood, improves brain function, and regulates cholesterol levels.
  • Vitamin B12 – also known as cobalamin, improves red blood cell formation, supports bone health, improves mood, and enhances brain health.

Since B-complex vitamins are essential vitamins, the body can’t produce them on its own. That means we must consume these vitamins through our daily diet or take supplements if we aren’t getting enough each day. B-complex vitamins are commonly found in animal-based foods.

Caffeine Anhydrous

Benefits: increased alertness, suppresses appetite, stimulates thermogenesis, aids weight loss, enhances brain function, improves athletic performance, boosts energy

Source: caffeine that’s extracted and dehydrated from the seeds and leaves of coffee plants, ‘anhydrous’ means ‘without water’

Recommended Dosage: no more than 400mg per day (total caffeine, including other sources)

Side Effects: caffeine overdose when taken in high amounts (restlessness, shaking, insomnia, headache, dizziness, rapid heart rate, dehydration, anxiety, and dependency)

L-Ornithine HCl

Benefits: reduces anxiety, crosses the blood-brain barrier, enhances skin health and skin repair, supports proper liver function, and improves athletic performance (strength, power, and speed)

Source: an amino acid that’s produced naturally in the body with the help of arginase, L-arginine, and L-glutamate; it’s a normal part of the urea cycle

Recommended Dosage: 100-200mg per day

Side Effects: nausea, vomiting, cough, muscle cramping, and diarrhea when taken in high amounts

L-Tyrosine

Benefits: helps produce dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and melanin, improves mental performance in stressful situations, and can possibly improve mood, 

Source: amino acid that’s produced naturally in the body with the help of phenylalanine, commonly found in cheese, chicken, turkey, dairy produces, and other high-protein foods

Recommended Dosage: 500-1,500mg per day

Side Effects: generally regarded as safe, but shouldn’t be taken alongside antidepressants or thyroid medication

Theobromine

Benefits: lowers blood pressure, boosts energy levels, encourages blood flow to the brain, can possibly improve mood, and increases alertness

Source: a chemical naturally found in cacao beans and other plants (coffee beans, guarana beans, tea leaves), chemically-similar to caffeine 

Recommended Dosage: 250-500mg per day

Side Effects: nausea, headaches, loss of appetite, and mood changes when taken in high amounts

Rhodiola Rosea

Benefits: reduces stress, promotes relaxation, alleviates fatigue, reduces symptoms of depression, improves brain function (learning and memory), improves athletic performance, and has antioxidant properties

Source: popular adaptogenic herb that grows best in cold, mountainous areas, native to Europe and Asia, a staple in traditional Chinese medicine

Recommended Dosage: 200-500mg per day

Side Effects: headache, chest pain, irritability, and high blood pressure when taken in high amounts

Bacopa Monnieri

Benefits: improves memory and spatial learning, has antioxidant properties, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, reduces ADHD symptoms, prevents anxiety and stress, and lowers blood pressure

Source: also known as brahmi or water hyssop, a popular herb that grows best in wet and tropical climates, can grow underwater, a staple in traditional Ayurvedic medicine

Recommended Dosage: 250-500mg per day

Side Effects: nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea when taken in high amounts

D-Glucuronolactone

Benefits: protects blood vessels, improves joint health, increases energy, improves athletic performance, enhances mood and mental performance (more research is needed for these benefits)

Source: a naturally-occurring chemical that plays a role in glucose metabolism in the liver and converts into glucuronic acid, it is commonly found in energy drinks

Recommended Dosage: 100-250mg per day

Side Effects: generally regarded as safe, but more research is needed

Huperzine-A

Benefits: increases levels of acetylcholine in the brain, improves memory and learning ability, increases mental energy, and protects nerve cells

Source: a chemical found in Chinese club moss that acts as a cholinesterase inhibitor in the brain

Recommended Dosage: 50-200mcg every 2nd day (maximum of three times per week)

Side Effects: nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, anxiety, and dizziness when taken in high amounts

Primal Mind Fuel Dosage, Packaging, and Pricing

The packaging for Primal Mind Fuel is extremely fun, eye-catching, and colorful. The bottle is dark brown, and the cap is black, but the label is what really catches the eye. The label has a blue and pink background with white lettering and unique, neuron-like shapes throughout. 

The ingredients are clearly listed on the back of the label, so let’s take a quick look at the dosage of each ingredient:

  • Vitamin B6 – 10mg
  • Vitamin B12 – 6mcg
  • Vitamin B1 – 2.5mg
  • Caffeine Anhydrous – 110mg
  • L-Ornithine HCl – 100mg
  • L-Tyrosine – 100mg
  • Theobromine – 1mg
  • Rhodiola Rosea – 1mg
  • Bacopa Monnieri – 1mg
  • D-Glucuronolactone – 1mg
  • Huperzine-A – 0.05mg

Each bottle contains 30 servings, and each serving is just one capsule, meaning one bottle will last you a full month when taken as directed (though we suggest only taking one serving every 2nd day).

Primal Harvest Primal Mind Fuel Website

You can purchase Primal Mind Fuel directly from the official Primal Harvest website here. Primal Mind Fuel is offered in sizes of 1 bottle, 3 bottles, or 6 bottles with additional savings at each level. We will detail the pricing options and savings below.

Primal Mind Fuel Pricing:

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Primal Mind Fuel Pros vs. Cons

At first glance, Primal Mind Fuel contains a lot of good ingredients that are proven to work when the right dosage is given. As you take a closer look at this supplement, you start to see a variety of inconsistencies and imperfections in the formula that raise concerns about its effectiveness. 

As a consumer, you deserve to know exactly what you’re putting in your body. That’s the only way you’ll be able to make an informed and quality decision when purchasing a supplement. Don’t worry; we’re going to list out everything we like and everything we don’t like about it below!

Pros

  • Contains Vitamins B1, B6, and B12
  • Bacopa Monnieri can improve memory and spatial learning
  • Rhodiola Rosea is a popular adaptogenic herb that promotes relaxation
  • Caffeine increases energy and alertness
  • L-Tyrosine improves mental performance in stressful situations
  • Gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free
  • Produced in GMP-certified facilities in the USA
  • 90-day money-back guarantee
  • Free shipping on orders above $75
  • Only need to take one capsule per day
  • Only $1 per serving (but you get what you pay for)

Cons

  • Extremely low dosages of each ingredient (to the point it won’t do anything to the body)
  • Huperzine-A needs to be cycled every 2nd day and shouldn’t be taken daily
  • The 1mg dosage of Bacopa Monnieri and Rhodiola Rosea is laughable (need at least 200mg)
  • Contains 110mg of caffeine (more than 25% of your daily allowed limit)
  • ⅓ of the proprietary blend is caffeine, meaning that’s mostly what you’re paying for
  • L-Ornithine HCl and D-glucuronolactone need more research to confirm their benefits
  • Better alternatives out there
  • Contains caffeine, but doesn’t contain L-Theanine
  • Doesn’t contain a source of choline

Claims vs. Reality

Primal Mind Fuel claims to improve cognitive function with a variety of nootropic ingredients that are designed to enhance everything from memory to focus, energy, productivity, and motivation. Unfortunately, the ingredients listed on the label don’t necessarily back those claims.

For starters, L-ornithine and D-glucuronolactone don’t have a lot of scientific research backing the claims most people make. While they’re allegedly designed to improve energy and mental performance, more research is needed before jumping on that train. 

In addition to that, the use of Huperzine-A is a little concerning. With 50mcg per serving, your body likely isn’t going to utilize all of it throughout the day, leading to a buildup of Huperzine-A in your body. They market it as a daily supplement, but we recommend taking it every 2nd day.

To make matters worse, the supplement facts show only 1mg of Bacopa Monnieri and Rhodiola Rosea, which isn’t a high enough dosage to do anything. Despite these two ingredients being the best ingredients in the formula (as well as L-tyrosine), your body won’t get any use out of them.

And while the 110mg of caffeine isn’t dangerous, it’s more than 25% of your daily allowed limit of 400mg. If you’re someone who drinks a lot of caffeine each day, you’ll need to be careful when taking this supplement. 

Primal Harvest Primal Mind Fuel-For Memory

Primal Mind Fuel Competitors & Alternatives

Like we mentioned above, there are a lot of red flags and imperfections with the Primal Mind Fuel formula. It has extremely low dosages (almost non-existent) of the ingredients that matter the most, while also containing other ingredients that are unnecessary and even dangerous. 

If you’re looking for a quality nootropic supplement, Primal Mind Fuel isn’t the one. Of course, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other formulas out there that you can trust. Below, we’re going to break down some of our favorite nootropic formulas available on the market today. 

Mind Lab Pro

Primal Harvest Primal Mind Fuel Competitor-Mind Lab Pro

Mind Lab Pro is one of the best nootropic supplements on the market today. It’s manufactured by Opti-Nutra Ltd., a supplement company that’s highly devoted to quality and efficacy. Their facilities are GMP-certified and FDA-approved, and their products are also third-party lab tested.

This supplement contains 11 nootropic ingredients — just like Primal Mind Fuel. Unlike the one we talked about above, the 11 ingredients are backed by science, safe, and effective. Although it’s more than double the price, you get what you pay for and can save money by bundling.

The Mind Lab Pro formula contains Citicoline, phosphatidylserine, Lion’s Mane mushroom, Bacopa Monnieri, L-Theanine, Rhodiola Rosea, N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, Maritime Pine Bark Extract, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B9, and Vitamin B12. It costs $69 per one-month supply. 

Performance Lab Mind

Primal Harvest Primal Mind Fuel Competitor-Performance Lab Mind

Performance Lab Mind is another high-quality nootropic supplement manufactured by Opti-Nutra Ltd. You can think of this formula as Mind Lab Pro’s little brother. Although it only has four ingredients, they’re four ingredients that are also found in Mind Lab Pro. 

The formula contains Citicoline, Phosphatidylserine, Maritime Pine Bark Extract, and L-Tyrosine. These four ingredients should be included in every nootropic due to the research behind them, how safe they are, and how essential they are for a healthy and sharp brain. 

It’ll still cost you a pretty penny compared to Primal Mind Fuel and is actually the same price as Mind Lab Pro. Although you’re better off going with Mind Lab Pro (more bang for your buck), it’s an excellent option for those that want a simpler formula with less ingredients. 

Hunter Focus

Primal Harvest Primal Mind Fuel Competitor-Hunter Focus

Hunter Focus isn’t manufactured by the same company as the other two we talked about, but that doesn’t make it any less important. It’s manufactured by ROAR Ambition and is easily one of our favorite nootropic formulas today. In fact, it contains a lot of the same ingredients. 

The nine ingredients in the Hunter Focus formula include Lion’s Mane mushroom, Citicoline, Ashwagandha, Passion Flower Extract, Bacopa Monnieri, N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, L-Theanine, Phosphatidylserine, and Maritime Pine Bark Extract — a powerful combination of nutrients. 

The only downside to Hunter Focus is that it’s even more expensive than Mind Lab Pro and Performance Lab Mind. At $75 per one-month supply, it’s certainly going to have you clutching your wallet. With that said, it’s worth the investment and blows Primal Mind Fuel out of the water. 

Final Verdict: Primal Mind Fuel

Primal Mind Fuel might look like a quality nootropic, but there are simply too many imperfections and mishaps with the formula. L-ornithine and D-glucuronolactone need more research, there’s too much caffeine for some people, Huperzine-A can be dangerous, and low does all-around.

It might be an inexpensive option compared to other nootropic formulas on the market, but there’s a reason for that. If you want our honest opinion, you’re better off going with one of the other nootropics we mentioned — Mind Lab Pro, Performance Lab Mind, or Hunter Focus. 

More reviews of Primal Harvest products:

FAQ: Primal Mind Fuel Review

What are nootropics?

Nootropics are a unique type of supplement designed to enhance cognitive function. They do so in a variety of ways, including memory, focus, mood, mental energy, brain health, energy, and more. The formulas contain a combination of vitamins, herbs, stimulants, amino acids, and other nutrients. 

A quality nootropic is one that contains all the nutrients your brain needs, but none of the ones it doesn’t. This includes, but isn’t limited to Citicoline, L-Theanine, L-Tyrosine, Phosphatidylserine, Bacopa Monnieri, Ginkgo Biloba, Rhodiola Rosea, Lion’s Mane mushroom, and much more.

How do nootropics work?

Nootropic ingredients are designed to improve cognitive function in a variety of ways. A majority of the nutrients are linked to the production of neurotransmitters in the brain — such as serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, acetylcholine, glutamate, GABA, and others. 

In addition to neurotransmitters — which control everything from focus to alertness, mood, and memory — nootropics target the production of ATP for energy and protect the very neurons that make up the brain. Antioxidants also help reduce inflammation and prevent oxidative stress. 

How much caffeine is too much caffeine? 

Caffeine is one of those nutrients that comes with a lot of benefits, but you have to be careful with it. While it’s a proven stimulant that increases alertness, focus, energy, and metabolism — among other things — too much of it can cause a wide range of health issues and dependency.

With that said, the FDA recommends limiting yourself to under 400mg per day. For reference, a soda contains about 70mg per 12oz., regular coffee contains about 150mg per 12oz., tea contains around 75mg per 16.9oz., and a Starbucks venti contains around 400mg of caffeine.

Can nootropics increase energy levels without caffeine?

Although most nootropic formulas are going to contain caffeine, it’s not needed when increasing energy levels. In fact, there are a ton of nutrients outside caffeine that can increase energy. They do so by increasing metabolism and converting the food you eat into adenosine triphosphate.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the main source of energy in the body. It’s produced in the mitochondria of the cell, which breaks down glucose and converts it into ATP. Once produced, ATP transfers energy from one cell to other cells, including the organs that need it most.

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Ryan Brennan

Ryan Brennan is a health and fitness writer with both personal and professional experience in the field. His passion for nutrition stems from personal experiences dealing with malnutrition, low energy, and other health complications. Through research and experimentation, Ryan was able to overcome these issues and take control of his health. He now aims to help others do the same. Ryan has been writing about nutrition, fitness, and supplementation for the past 7 years. He also has experience in the field, serving as the manager of a high-end fitness facility in Las Vegas, NV where he currently resides.