Neutonic is a nootropic productivity drink co-founded by podcaster Chris Williamson and personal trainer James Smith. The brand markets its sugar-free canned drink as a way to sharpen focus and sustain energy without the crash of a conventional energy drink.
But does Neutonic Productivity Drink contain research-backed ingredients for boosting focus? Are the active ingredients effectively dosed? Does it contain any unhealthy ingredients? And is Neutonic better or worse than other popular energy drinks like Celsius?
In this article we'll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze the ingredients in Neutonic Productivity Drink to give our take on whether or not it's likely to be effective, and whether or not it's healthy.
We'll also discuss the risk of side effects, and compare Neutonic to other popular energy drinks and nootropic supplements to pick our winners (and losers).
Key takeaways:
- Contains research-backed nootropic ingredients
- Contains four ingredients we consider unhealthy
- We do not currently recommend Neutonic
Ingredient Analysis
The active ingredients in Neutonic Productivity Drink are shown below:
image source: https://www.neutonic.com/
Cognizin is a branded form of citicoline, a compound clinically shown to support memory and cognitive performance.
Neutonic includes it at a 500-milligram (mg) dose, which is consistent with the dose used in clinical research.
Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogenic herb clinically shown to reduce mental fatigue and improve mental performance. Neutonic provides 400 mg of rhodiola root extract.
L-theanine is an amino acid clinically shown to improve attention and alertness when combined with caffeine.
Neutonic pairs 400 mg of L-theanine with 120 mg of caffeine, a moderate caffeine dose roughly equivalent to one cup of coffee.
Panax ginseng is clinically shown to improve cognitive performance during sustained mental activity. Neutonic includes 200 mg of ginseng root extract.
The vitamins in Neutonic are shown below:
image source: https://www.neutonic.com/
Neutonic also contains eight B vitamins, each at 100% of the reference intake.
The formats are high-quality: folate is included as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate rather than synthetic folic acid, and vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin, both of which are bioavailable.
The inactive ingredients in Neutonic are shown below:
image source: https://www.neutonic.com/
Citric acid is a flavoring agent and preservative that we consider an ingredient of concern, as we documented in our Instant Hydration review article.
We recommend avoiding products that contain it when a cleaner alternative is available.
Natural flavors is a vague descriptor that can encompass undisclosed synthetic solvents and preservatives, according to a medical review published in the Food and Chemical Toxicology journal.
Sucralose and acesulfame potassium are artificial sweeteners.
Sucralose is clinically shown to decrease insulin sensitivity in healthy adults, and we recommend avoiding artificial sweeteners altogether.
Overall, we consider Neutonic Productivity Drink likely to be effective for boosting focus and alertness, given its research-backed nootropic ingredients at effective doses.
We do not currently recommend this drink, due to the four inactive ingredients highlighted above.
Does Neutonic Cause Side Effects?
Neutonic Productivity Drink doesn't appear to have been studied for side effects in any clinical trials, but we can make an educated assessment based on its ingredients.
The primary side-effect consideration for any energy drink is caffeine.
At 120 mg per can, Neutonic contains roughly the caffeine of a single cup of coffee, a moderate dose that is lower than the 200 mg found in many competing energy drinks.
As noted in the Ingredient Analysis section, Neutonic pairs its caffeine with 400 mg of L-theanine, an amino acid that may reduce the jitteriness and crash some people experience from caffeine alone.
We do not consider Neutonic likely to cause side effects in healthy adults, though individuals who are sensitive to caffeine may still experience effects like restlessness or disrupted sleep, particularly if the drink is consumed later in the day.
Neutonic vs. Popular Nootropics
Here's how Neutonic Productivity Drink compares to other popular energy/nootropic supplements in terms of formulation quality, in our opinion:
Gorilla Mind Energy Drink
Gorilla Mind Energy Drink is another energy drink marketed around nootropic ingredients. Like Neutonic, it contains citric acid, natural flavors, and artificial sweeteners, but it also contains Alpha-GPC, which is clinically shown to be associated with increased stroke risk over a 10-year period.
Gorilla Mind Energy Drink also discloses fewer effectively-dosed active ingredients than Neutonic.
Neutonic is the winner from both a potential efficacy and a health perspective.
Winner: Neutonic
Thesis Nootropics
Thesis Nootropics is a nootropic supplement sold in capsule form. As we documented in our Thesis nootropics review article, its formulations lack effectively-dosed active ingredients, while Neutonic includes several nootropics at clinically studied doses.
However, Thesis Nootropics is a capsule supplement and does not contain the citric acid, natural flavors, or artificial sweeteners found in Neutonic.
Thesis Nootropics is the winner from a health perspective.
Winner: Thesis Nootropics
Celsius
Celsius is a mainstream energy drink. It contains citric acid, natural flavors, and sucralose like Neutonic, but it also contains green tea extract and glucuronolactone, which we consider additional ingredients of concern.
Celsius also relies primarily on caffeine and guarana rather than the broader nootropic stack found in Neutonic.
Neutonic is the winner from both a potential efficacy and a health perspective.
Winner: Neutonic
Our Clean Energy Pick
Illuminate Labs Panax Ginseng Extract is our top energy supplement.
Panax ginseng extract has been clinically shown to reduce mental fatigue and reduce physical fatigue, and our supplement is third-party tested to ensure its purity and potency.
Neutonic Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Research-backed nootropic ingredients
- Effectively dosed active ingredients
- Moderate caffeine dose
- B vitamins in bioavailable forms
- Healthier than some competitors
Cons:
- Contains citric acid
- Contains natural flavors
- Contains two artificial sweeteners
- Doesn't appear to be clinically tested as a finished product
