Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice, and is just the opinion of the writer(s). We recommend that patients follow their doctor’s guidance in regard to dietary supplements.
Gorilla Mind is a supplement brand founded by a popular fitness influencer named Derek who's the owner of the "More Plates More Dates" YouTube channel. This supplement line is thought to be more potent than the average supplement company.
But are Gorilla Mind supplements really as potent as advertised? Do they contain any unhealthy ingredients? How does the brand compare to other popular nootropic brands in terms of formulation quality? And which Gorilla Mind formulation is the best?
In this article we'll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze the formulation of some of Gorilla Mind's most popular products based on clinical studies, to give our take on whether or not they're likely to be effective.
We’ll review Gorilla Mode (pre-workout), Gorilla Mind Smooth (nootropic), Turk-Plex (turkesterone), and Gorilla Mind Sigma (testosterone-booster).
We'll also compare Gorilla Mind to other popular nootropic brands like Nootropics Depot in terms of formulation quality.
Key takeaways:
- All formulations reviewed are highly potent
- We have safety concerns with some formulations
- We do not currently recommend Gorilla Mind
Gorilla Mode Ingredient Analysis
Gorilla Mode is Gorilla Mind's pre-workout supplement, and its ingredients are shown above. This is one of the most potent pre-workouts we’ve analyzed to date on Illuminate Health.
We consider nearly every active ingredient in Gorilla Mode to be effectively dosed.
L-citrulline is an ergogenic (workout-enhancing) ingredient, and is dosed at 9,000 milligrams (mg) per two scoops of Gorilla Mode.
A medical review on this amino acid found that at doses above 3,000 mg it improves exercise performance and recovery.
Creatine is one of the most well-studied pre-workout ingredients.
A review published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found the effective dosing range of creatine to be 3-5 grams (g), and two scoops of Gorilla Mode provides 5 g.
The study authors noted that creatine supplementation provides both performance benefits and musculoskeletal benefits (increased muscle-building), and that the supplement does not increase fat mass.
Caffeine is clinically shown to improve focus and strength during exercise, as we documented in our Myprotein Pre Workout reviews article.
The caffeine dose in Gorilla Mode is within the effective range, although the 350 mg in two scoops may cause jitters in some individuals.
Kanna (Scelectium tortuosum) may be included at too high of a dose in this supplement.
We cannot identify any safety or toxicity data showing kanna to be safe at a 500 mg dose, nor does the brand cite any on their product page at the time of updating this article.
Drugs.com’s review of the compound mentions that "Information regarding toxicity of S. tortuosum in humans is lacking."
A professor of neurology and biochemistry at Georgetown University Medical Centre was quoted in an article stating that kanna was neurotoxic at doses above 100 mg, but didn’t cite his research.
We’re not suggesting that kanna is necessarily harmful at the dose in Gorilla Mode, but it seems logical to avoid such a high dose of this ingredient until more safety and toxicity data emerges.
There are two inactive ingredients in this formulation that we consider to be unhealthy.
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener which was shown in a 2020 clinical trial to impair insulin function in healthy adults.
Natural & artificial flavors is a broad categorical descriptor that fails to identify the specific flavoring agents used. Some artificial flavors were shown in a 2018 clinical trial to be toxic to animals.
Overall, we consider Gorilla Mode likely to improve performance and focus at the gym, but we don't currently recommend this supplement due to our concerns about kanna and the inclusion of an artificial sweetener and artificial flavors.
Gorilla Mind Smooth Ingredient Analysis
The ingredients in Gorilla Mind Smooth (the brand's caffeine-free nootropic supplement) are shown above.
Ginkgo biloba extract was shown in a 2002 clinical trial to improve cognition and memory in healthy older adults.
Bacopa monnieri extract was shown in a medical review published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine to improve memory when used at a daily dose between 300-450 mg.
Two servings of Gorilla Mind Smooth provides 330 mg of bacopa, which is right within the effective dosing range.
Alpha GPC is clinically shown to have nootropic effects, but has also been shown in at least one clinical trial promote atherosclerosis, as we discussed in our Noocube reviews article on another nootropic supplement using this ingredient.
Kanna is included in Gorilla Mind Smooth, and we explained our concerns regarding this ingredient's safety in the previous Ingredient Analysis section.
The inactive ingredients in this formulation should be safe and non-toxic.
Overall, we consider Gorilla Mind Smooth highly likely to have a nootropic effect, but we don't currently recommend this supplement due to our concerns about the health effects of kanna and Alpha GPC.
Gorilla Mind vs. Popular Nootropic Brands
Here's how Gorilla Mind compares to other popular nootropic supplement brands in terms of formulation quality, in our opinion:
Nootropics Depot
Brand faces similar issues to Gorilla Mind in regard to high potency but questionable safety.
However, Nootropics Depot takes it further in our view, previously selling "grey area" supplements like phenibut. The company's founder pled guilty to interstate drug distribution.
Winner: Gorilla Mind
Prevagen
Unimpressive formulation and company has faced serious legal issues.
Sued by FTC and received warning letter from FDA in regard to alleged ingredient dosing discrepancies, as we documented in our Prevagen review article.
Winner: Gorilla Mind
Alpha Brain
Backed by clinical trials published in peer-reviewed journals, which is the gold standard of product research.
Potentially less potent nootropic formulation, but none of the same safety concerns we have with some Gorilla Mind formulations.
Winner: Alpha Brain
Turk-Plex Ingredient Analysis
The ingredients in Gorilla Mind Turk-Plex are shown above.
This formulation has been changed slightly since we initially published this article (the dosage and plant are the same, but the standardization ratio changed).
Ajuga turkestanica is the plant, and it's standardized to 10% ecdysteroids, which are plant-derived anabolic agents.
Ecdysterone was shown to cause "significantly higher increases in muscle mass" compared to those taking placebo in a clinical trial published in the Archives of Toxicology journal, but the dose used was 200% of the dose in Turk-Plex.
We can't find any clinical evidence that a standardized Ajuga turkestanica extract at the dose in this supplement has performance or aesthetic benefits in humans, nor does the brand cite any on their product page at the time of updating this article.
We do not currently recommend this supplement, and consider it to be the worst-formulated of the three supplements that we've reviewed.
Gorilla Mind Sigma Ingredient Analysis
The ingredients in Gorilla Mind Sigma are shown above. This supplement is used to support optimal testosterone (T) levels.
Vitamin D3 levels are positively associated with T levels according to a 2020 medical review, which suggests that men with low T should get their vitamin D levels tested regularly and optimize against the test results.
Fadogia arestris extract was shown in a 2005 clinical trial to increase sexual behavior and testosterone levels in rats, but we can't find any trials with human participants showing the same effect.
Tongkat ali was shown in a clinical trial published in the Maturitas journal to increase testosterone levels in aging men, and to improve erectile function.
Another clinical trial found that tongkat ali improved testosterone levels by an average of 37% in a stressed but otherwise healthy patient population. The dose used was the same as that in Gorilla Mind Sigma, and the researchers concluded that this plant “appears to have significant potential for restoring hormone balance (cortisol/testosterone).”
Ashwagandha extract is clinically shown to increase testosterone levels by around 15%, as we documented in our T Hero reviews article.
Overall, we consider Gorilla Mind Sigma likely to improve testosterone levels. This is one of the most impressive T-boosting supplement formulations that we've reviewed to date.
The inactive ingredients in this supplement should be safe and non-toxic.
The vitamin and mineral doses in two servings of Gorilla Mind Sigma are relatively high, so we'd recommend that consumers using this dose daily speak with their doctor about getting regular blood tests to ensure their blood levels of these nutrients don't rise too high.
Our Clean Nootropic Picks
Illuminate Labs Ginkgo Biloba Extract is our top herbal nootropic pick.
A medical review published in the Psychopharmacology journal found that ginkgo biloba supplementation improved attention and cognitive performance in healthy, young adults.
Mind Lab Pro by Performance Lab is our top multi-ingredient nootropic pick.
This is the first Illuminate Labs Certified supplement, and has been shown to be effective for short-term cognitive improvements in two clinical trials published in peer-reviewed journals.
Gorilla Mind Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Highly potent formulations
- Great value
- Gorilla Mind Sigma is one of the best T-boosters
- Capsule formulations have no unhealthy additives
- Brand publishes third-party testing of some ingredients
Cons:
- Seems to be a lack of focus on safety data
- Gorilla Mode and Gorilla Mind Smooth have high doses of kanna
- Gorilla Mode has an artificial sweetener and artificial flavors
- Gorilla Mind Smooth contains Alpha GPC
- We can't find evidence that Turk-Plex is safe or effective in humans
- Products don't appear to be clinically tested
- Brand website charges for shipping
