CILTEP vs. Alpha Brain: Which Is Better for Long-Term Use?
Few nootropics are as popular as Alpha Brain.
Dozens of big names stand behind the supplement, including comedian Joe Rogan, NFL linebacker Brian Cushing, and MMA World Champion Michelle Watherson.
Just as many regular people, like you and me, also swear by the brain enhancing effects of Alpha Brain.
CILTEP, on the other hand, might not be quite as popular as Alpha Brain, but that doesn’t mean it’s not as effective.
Though it’s newer, less time-tested, and somewhat more controversial than Alpha Brain, there are hundreds of people that claim CILTEP as their favorite nootropic supplement.
Rather than go by what others have to say about these brain-boosting stack supplements, I decided to try them both for myself.
Though I thoroughly research and compared each nootropic, my goal was to find out which of the two is better for long-term use.
Here’s my head-to-head comparison of CILTEP vs. Alpha Brain.
In this article:
What is CILTEP?
CILTEP is a nootropic stack created by Natural Stacks, a popular manufacturer of other supplements including BioCreatine and MagTech.
What sets CILTEP apart from much of the competition is its all-natural ingredients. Every single ingredient is 100% natural for the safest, healthiest benefits possible.
Natural Stacks claims that CILTEP’s benefits include improved alertness, concentration, motivation, and mental endurance. Other benefits include improved mood, reduced anxiety, and a more sociable attitude.
So what’s in CILTEP that brings about these benefits? The ingredients, and their stated benefits, include:
- Premium Artichoke Extract – Boosts energy and improves long-term memory.
- Forskolin – Improves overall mental function, especially learning retention.
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine – Maintains short-term memory and energy levels.
- Vitamin B-6 – Promotes optimal function of brain processes.
- L-Phenylalanine – Boosts energy and promotes a positive mood. Also increases attention span, according to Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease.
According to Natural Stacks, these natural ingredients give CILTEP its amazing mental benefits.
Students, business executives, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals most commonly use the supplement.
My Experience with CILTEP
I never completely trust what companies say in their marketing materials about their nootropics.
So I tried CILTEP for myself. I wanted to experience the full range of its benefits, so I used the supplement for an entire month (if you’d like to try CILTEP for free – sign up to my newsletter from the homepage to find out how to get one bottle).
The results were almost immediately noticeable. Roughly an hour after my first dose of CILTEP, I felt a slight burst of energy coupled with an improved ability to focus.
I had a big project for work I needed to finish, so I buckled down and dove in. I was surprised at just how much more I got done than normal. These feelings continued over the next few weeks.
Something that I was surprised about at the end of the month was that I could immediately remember and recall information I’d learned in my first days of taking CILTEP.
A mild stomachache that lasted only a few days was my only negative experience. I believe this was simply my body adjusting to CILTEP’s ingredients.
What is Alpha Brain?
Alpha Brain is a nootropic stack created by Onnit, one of the most well-respected nootropic supplement manufacturers around.
The compound is designed to improve mental function as a whole. In particular, Alpha Brain is said to enhance memory, focus, and energy in both the short and long term. The benefits of the nootropic are backed up by a study in Human Psychopharmacology.
It’s important to note that Alpha Brain contains a lot of ingredients. The long ingredient list means its more expensive than many other nootropics that contain only a handful.
So what’s in Alpha Brain? The ingredients, and their stated benefits, include:
- Alpha GPC – Improves cognitive function.
- Huperzine A – Improves learning, memory, and mental health.
- Vinpocetine – Increases alertness, focus, and overall concentration.
- Bacopa – Improves memory and information recall. Also reduces anxiety, according to Rejuvenation Research.
- Pterostilbene – Improves overall brain function.
- L-Tyrosine – Improves all mental skills, especially energy, focus, and problem-solving, according to Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
- Theanine – Provides an energy boost.
- AC-11 – Enables increased physical exertion.
- Vitamin B-6 – Maintains the health of the brain.
- Phosphatidylserine – Reduces stress and improves cognitive performance.
Onnit claims that this combination of ingredients gives Alpha Brain its powerful cognitive benefits.
Students, CEOs, and athletes are only a sliver of those that can benefit from taking the Alpha Brain nootropic.
My Experience with Alpha Brain
My experience with Alpha Brain was very similar to my experience with CILTEP.
When I tried Alpha Brain for myself, I felt a near immediate boost of energy. Seriously, the increase was noticeable in a half hour tops.
Soon after that, I noticed additional effects including increased focus and alertness. These effects lasted several hours and were possible to maintain by taking the capsules as directed.
Like CILTEP, the benefits of Alpha Brain seemed to pile on top of each other with continued use. At the end of the month, I felt like my mental performance was on point. My memory was improved as was my ability to accomplish complex tasks.
I didn’t experience any of the mild side effects (stomachache) with Alpha Brain that I did experience with CILTEP.
CILTEP vs. Alpha Brain
CILTEP and Alpha Brain are fairly similar as nootropics.
The key difference is that CILTEP focuses more on enhancing certain brain chemicals while Alpha Brain takes a more well-rounded approach.
Personally, I felt the effects of Alpha Brain much more strongly. They never felt overpowering or overwhelming though.
I’d recommend Alpha Brain over CILTEP for most people. However, you might prefer CILTEP if a choline-class brain-builder is specifically what you’re after.
Closing Thoughts
Both CILTEP and Alpha Brain get the job done. The best nootropic for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Here’s what you should do:
- Try both supplements if possible.
- Take as directed for one month each.
- Keep track of the effects and how they make you feel.
- Compare the results after each month.
- Order more of the nootropic that worked best.
Another option is to build your own nootropic stack. Because both CILTEP and Alpha Brain have a lot of ingredients, they probably contain a handful you don’t really want or need.
A DIY nootropic allows you to add only those that you do want – in the quantities you desire.
Please leave a comment below if you have any experience with CILTEP or Alpha Brain. If you have experience with both, well, tell me which you think is best!
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