As a strength coach juggling two kids, content creation, and a packed training schedule, I’m always on the hunt for supplements that can actually help me stay sharp without the crash.
When Avantera Elevate started making waves in the nootropics space, I figured it was worth testing alongside my usual lineup of brain boosters.
With claims of enhanced focus, memory, and clean energy from nine natural ingredients, Elevate promises to be the all-in-one cognitive solution for busy professionals and parents. But after spending several weeks with this supplement, I’ve got some thoughts that might surprise you.
Let me cut through the marketing fluff and give you the real deal on whether Avantera Elevate is worth your hard-earned cash.
Quick Verdict
While Avantera Elevate contains several properly dosed ingredients like Bacopa Monnieri, Rhodiola, and L-Theanine, the overall formula falls short of justifying its premium price point.
The supplement relies on caffeine for its noticeable effects, and key ingredients like Lion’s Mane and Turmeric are significantly underdosed compared to clinical research.
For a genuinely comprehensive nootropic with superior ingredient selection and proven effectiveness, Mind Lab Pro remains the better investment, offering more complete cognitive enhancement across multiple pathways.
Pros
- Some well-dosed ingredients: Bacopa, Rhodiola, and L-Theanine hit effective ranges
- Clean caffeine source: 95mg from green tea leaf provides smooth energy
- Vegan and allergen-free: Suitable for various dietary restrictions
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Risk-free trial period
- Made in USA: FDA-registered GMP facilities
Cons
- Key ingredients underdosed: Lion’s Mane and Turmeric well below effective amounts
- Proprietary blends: Dosages are hidden meaning they are likely underdosed.
- Premium price for mixed value: $65 for a partially effective formula
- Effects are mainly caffeine-driven: Limited true nootropic benefits beyond stimulation
- Incomplete cognitive support: Missing key nootropic compounds
- Mixed long-term benefits: Questionable value for sustained cognitive enhancement
What Is Avantera Elevate?
Avantera Elevate is a nootropic supplement manufactured by Avantera Health, a company based in Austin, Texas. The product positions itself as a comprehensive cognitive enhancer designed to support energy, focus, memory, mood, and gut health through a combination of nine natural ingredients.
The company markets Elevate as a daily brain supplement that works by enhancing neurotransmitter production, improving blood flow to the brain, and supporting the gut-brain connection. According to Avantera, the formula provides clean energy without the jitters or crashes associated with traditional stimulants.
Each bottle contains 60 capsules (30 servings), with the recommended dosage being two capsules taken within the first hour of waking up, preferably on an empty stomach.
The company suggests users may feel effects within 20-30 minutes, though they claim full benefits require consistent use over 30 days.
Avantera Elevate is manufactured in FDA-registered facilities in Utah and Florida, adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards. The product is vegan, non-GMO, and free from soy, dairy, nuts, gluten, and artificial additives.
Unlike many nootropics that hide behind proprietary blends, Avantera provides transparent dosing for all ingredients, allowing users to evaluate the formula based on clinical research. However, as we’ll explore, transparency doesn’t automatically equal effectiveness.
Avantera Elevate Ingredients
Bacopa Leaf Extract (50% Bacosides) – 300mg
Avantera gets this one right. At 300mg standardized to 50% bacosides, this dose aligns with clinical research showing memory and cognitive benefits. Studies typically use 300-450mg of standardized Bacopa extract, so Elevate hits the lower effective range [5][6].
The 50% bacoside standardization is solid – this ensures you’re getting meaningful amounts of the active compounds responsible for Bacopa’s cognitive effects. Expect memory improvements to take 4-6 weeks of consistent use to manifest.
This is legitimately one of Elevate’s better-dosed ingredients and likely provides real cognitive benefits.
CDP Choline (Citicoline)
Dosing likely falls short of optimal dosing but isn’t terrible. Clinical studies showing cognitive benefits typically use 250-500mg daily [8], so while you’re getting some benefit, you’re missing the sweet spot for maximizing brain energy and focus.
Citicoline supports acetylcholine production and cellular energy in the brain. The small dose might provide mild benefits, but you’d likely see better results with a higher amount. Still, it’s a reasonable inclusion that should contribute to the formula’s effects.
L-Theanine
Research consistently shows 100-200mg of L-Theanine effectively reduces anxiety while promoting calm focus. Paired with the 45mg of caffeine, this ratio should provide smooth, jitter-free alertness.
L-Theanine’s ability to take the edge off caffeine while maintaining its cognitive benefits is well-established[3][4]. The 200mg dose ensures you’re getting the full anxiolytic and focus-enhancing effects.
Turmeric Root Extract (95% Curcuminoids)
This is where things get disappointing. While the 95% curcuminoid standardization is excellent, the total dose well below effective doses for cognitive benefits. Anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects typically require 500-1000mg of curcumin daily.
The high standardization means you’re getting most of the active curcuminoids, but this amount is more suitable for general anti-inflammatory support rather than meaningful brain benefits. It’s a quality ingredient that’s simply underdosed.
Organic Lion’s Mane
Another missed opportunity. Lion’s Mane can genuinely support nerve growth factor and cognitive function [1] [2], but effective doses start around 500mg and often go up to 1000mg in clinical studies.
This is particularly frustrating since Lion’s Mane is one of the most promising natural nootropics available. The 100mg dose is essentially a marketing inclusion rather than a therapeutic amount.
Natural Caffeine (from Green Tea Leaf) – 45mg
This is equivalent to about half a cup of coffee – a reasonable stimulant dose that provides alertness without overwhelming most users. The natural source from green tea leaf is preferable to synthetic caffeine anhydrous [10].
Combined with the L-Theanine, this should provide smooth, sustained energy without jitters or crashes. The caffeine content likely drives most of the immediate effects users report.
Ginger
A small amount included primarily for digestive support and potential anti-inflammatory benefits. While ginger has some research for cognitive benefits [9], 30mg is primarily a gut-health inclusion to prevent digestive upset from other ingredients.
Not a game-changer, but a thoughtful addition for tolerability.
BioPerine
Properly dosed for its intended purpose. BioPerine enhances absorption of other ingredients, particularly the turmeric. The 5mg amount falls within the effective 5-20mg range used in clinical studies.
While it won’t provide direct cognitive benefits, it should help maximize absorption of the other ingredients, particularly the curcumin from turmeric.
Avantera Elevate Price
| Nootropic Supplement | Subscription | One Time Purchase |
|---|---|---|
| Avantera Elevate | $49.95 ($1.78/serving) | $64.95 ($2.32/serving) |
Benefits of Avantera Elevate
Moderate Energy Boost
The 95mg of caffeine combined with 200mg of L-Theanine provides a noticeable but smooth energy increase. This combination is well-researched for providing alertness without jitters, making it suitable for users who find regular coffee too intense.
The energy boost is genuine and likely the most consistent benefit users experience.
Stress Management Support
The 300mg of Rhodiola, if well-tolerated, can provide meaningful stress resilience benefits. This adaptogenic herb has solid research supporting its ability to reduce mental fatigue and improve performance under stress.
Combined with L-Theanine’s calming effects, the stress management aspect of Elevate might be its strongest selling point beyond the basic energy boost.
Potential Memory Enhancement
The properly dosed 300mg of Bacopa Monnieri should provide legitimate memory benefits with consistent long-term use. Clinical research supports this dosage for improving memory formation, retention, and recall.
However, these effects take weeks to manifest and come primarily from one ingredient rather than synergistic formula effects.
Mild Cognitive Focus
The combination of caffeine, L-Theanine, and Rhodiola can enhance focus and mental clarity, particularly during stressful or demanding periods. The effects are real but not groundbreaking.
Who Is Avantera Elevate For?
Stress-Prone Professionals
Individuals dealing with high-stress work environments might benefit from the Rhodiola and L-Theanine combination. The adaptogenic properties could help maintain cognitive performance under pressure while reducing anxiety.
Caffeine-Sensitive Coffee Alternatives
People who want the benefits of caffeine without coffee’s intensity might appreciate the 95mg dose paired with L-Theanine. The combination provides alertness with reduced jitters and anxiety.
This represents decent value if you specifically need this caffeine-theanine combination, though dedicated supplements might be more cost-effective.
Nootropic Beginners
Users new to cognitive enhancement might notice benefits from the properly dosed ingredients, particularly if they haven’t tried individual nootropics before. The effects are mild but noticeable for newcomers.
Who Avantera Elevate ISN’T For
Experienced nootropics users seeking significant cognitive enhancement will find Elevate lacking. The underdosed key ingredients and limited scope make it unsuitable for serious cognitive optimization.
People wanting comprehensive nootropic benefits, optimal ingredient dosing, or strong value propositions should look elsewhere. The formula has gaps that prevent it from being a true cognitive enhancer.
My Experience With Avantera Elevate
After six weeks of testing Avantera Elevate, I’ll be straight with you – it was a mixed bag that ultimately left me disappointed relative to the price point.
The first week showed genuine promise. Taking two capsules around 7 AM before my morning training, I’d feel a smooth energy lift within 30 minutes.
Unlike my usual coffee, there was no initial jolt followed by jitters. The energy felt clean and sustained, which I appreciated during early morning grappling sessions.
The L-Theanine and caffeine combination definitely works as advertised. I felt alert and focused without the anxiety edge that sometimes comes with my pre-workout coffee.
For that specific benefit, Elevate delivers – you’re getting a well-formulated caffeine supplement with some nice supporting ingredients.
By week two, I started noticing what I initially thought might be stress resilience benefits. During particularly busy days, juggling content creation, training clients, and kid duties, I felt slightly more even-keeled.
Whether this was the Rhodiola kicking in or just a placebo effect from taking something I expected to help, I can’t say for certain.
However, the supposed cognitive enhancement never materialized in any meaningful way. My focus during scripting sessions wasn’t noticeably sharper than usual, my recall during podcast interviews stayed the same, and I wasn’t experiencing any of the mental clarity breakthroughs the marketing suggested.
The memory benefits from Bacopa are supposedly long-term, so I gave it the full six weeks. Honestly, I didn’t notice any improvement in my ability to remember workout programming details, study breakdowns, or the hundred other things I need to keep track of daily. Maybe it takes longer than six weeks, but at $65 monthly, I need to see some progress.
What really frustrated me was the realization that most of the benefits came from ingredients I could get much cheaper elsewhere. The energy and focus effects were clearly from the caffeine-theanine combo, which you can buy separately for a fraction of the cost. The Rhodiola benefits, while nice, aren’t worth the premium pricing for the dosage you’re getting.
By week four, I did a simple experiment: skipped Elevate for a few days and substituted my regular morning routine with green tea and a separate L-Theanine supplement.
The effects were nearly identical at a fraction of the cost. That’s when I knew this wasn’t the cognitive game-changer I was hoping for.
Don’t get me wrong – the product is not without merit. The stress management aspect has value, and the clean energy was pleasant. But for someone who’s used comprehensive nootropics like Mind Lab Pro, Elevate simply underdelivers.
Customer Avantera Elevate Reviews
Positive Reviews
Many customers on Avantera’s website and Amazon praise the energy and focus benefits. Users frequently mention feeling more productive and alert throughout the day. A graduate student and mother wrote, “Elevate enables me to focus on tasks that I typically avoid,” highlighting the supplement’s utility for demanding schedules.
Several reviewers specifically appreciate the “clean energy” without jitters. One Amazon customer noted, “I really like the elevate. It keeps me focused but not jittery. Very good product and I’ve tried a lot! This one is the best!”
Healthcare workers seem particularly drawn to Elevate, with multiple nurses mentioning it helps them manage long shifts and high-stress situations.
Negative Reviews
A significant portion of users report minimal cognitive benefits beyond basic stimulation. Common complaints include a lack of noticeable effects even after weeks of use. One customer bluntly stated, “Did not do anything for me,” while another mentioned, “I haven’t noticed much of a change approaching my 4th week.”
Several users note that the effects seem primarily caffeine-driven rather than comprehensive cognitive enhancement. Some specifically mention the high price point as unjustified, given the limited benefits.
Mixed Feedback
Many users report subtle benefits that are difficult to definitively attribute to the supplement. Comments like “I think it might be helping” and “Taking consistently but I haven’t noticed much of a change” suggest borderline perceptible effects.
Some customers acknowledge benefits but question the value proposition, with one noting it’s “too expensive” and wanting to cancel their subscription.
Review Patterns
Interestingly, many positive reviews focus on energy and mood rather than cognitive enhancement, suggesting users may be satisfied with the caffeine-theanine effects even if the nootropic benefits are minimal.
The company’s website shows predominantly positive reviews, while third-party platforms like Amazon show more mixed results, suggesting potential review curation or selection bias in displayed testimonials.
Avantera Elevate Side Effects
Based on user reports and the ingredient profile, Avantera Elevate appears generally well-tolerated but isn’t without potential issues.
Common Side Effects
The most frequently reported side effect is mild gastrointestinal discomfort, particularly when taken on an empty stomach despite the manufacturer’s recommendation. Multiple users suggest taking it with food to minimize nausea and stomach upset.
Headaches during the first few days of use are occasionally reported, possibly related to the Rhodiola or changes in caffeine intake patterns.
Rhodiola-Related Effects
The 300mg Rhodiola dose may be too stimulating for some users, particularly when combined with caffeine. Some people report feeling overly energized or having difficulty winding down in the evening.
A few users mention vivid dreams or altered sleep patterns, which could be related to the Rhodiola content.
Individual Sensitivity
Caffeine-sensitive individuals may find even the 95mg dose too stimulating, especially combined with the adaptogenic effects of Rhodiola. Starting with one capsule might be advisable for these users.
Some people report feeling “wired” rather than calmly focused, suggesting the L-Theanine dose may not fully offset the stimulant effects for everyone.
Long-term Considerations
The ingredient combination appears safe for long-term use based on individual ingredient research, though the high Rhodiola dose might require cycling to prevent adaptation.
Users should monitor their total caffeine intake from all sources to avoid excessive stimulation.
Avantera Elevate Alternatives
Hunter Focus
Hunter Focus takes a more aggressive approach with higher doses of premium ingredients. It includes 800mg of Acetyl-L-Carnitine, 500mg of L-Tyrosine, and 500mg of Lion’s Mane – all at clinically effective doses that dwarf Elevate’s token amounts.
While Hunter Focus costs around $90 monthly, you’re getting genuinely therapeutic doses of each ingredient. The formula targets serious cognitive enhancement rather than mild stimulation, making it suitable for users wanting noticeable effects.
The downside is the higher price point and more intense effects, which may not suit casual users. However, for comprehensive cognitive support, Hunter Focus delivers the dosages necessary for real results. You can read my full, in-depth breakdown in my Hunter Focus review.
NooCube
NooCube offers a balanced approach with transparent dosing of proven ingredients like 250mg Bacopa Monnieri, 250mg L-Tyrosine, and 100mg L-Theanine.
While some ingredients are slightly below optimal clinical doses, they’re generally better than Elevate’s underdosed components.
At a similar price point to Elevate, NooCube provides better overall ingredient selection and more comprehensive cognitive support. The stimulant-free formula appeals to users wanting benefits without caffeine dependency.
The main limitation is that key ingredients remain somewhat underdosed compared to clinical research, though still superior to Elevate’s problematic components. You can read my full, in-depth breakdown in my NooCube review.
Mind Lab Pro
Mind Lab Pro represents the gold standard in nootropic supplementation, offering 11 research-backed ingredients at clinically effective doses with complete transparency.
The formula includes 250mg of Citicoline (higher than Elevate’s 200mg), 500mg of Lion’s Mane (five times Elevate’s dose), and 150mg of properly standardized Bacopa Monnieri.
At $69 monthly, Mind Lab Pro costs only slightly more than Elevate but provides genuinely comprehensive cognitive enhancement.
The clean, stimulant-free formula avoids caffeine dependency while delivering measurable benefits across memory, focus, processing speed, and mental energy.
Having extensively used Mind Lab Pro, the difference in effectiveness compared to Elevate is substantial. While Elevate provides caffeine stimulation with some supporting ingredients, Mind Lab Pro offers true cognitive enhancement across multiple pathways without relying on stimulants for effect.
For anyone serious about cognitive optimization, Mind Lab Pro justifies its pricing through proven effectiveness, superior ingredient selection, and comprehensive brain support. You can read my in-depth breakdown in my Mind Lab Pro review.
Frequently Asked Avantera Elevate Questions
Does Elevate really work for memory improvement?
The memory benefits primarily come from the well-dosed 300mg of Bacopa Monnieri, which clinical research supports for memory enhancement. However, these effects typically take 4-6 weeks of consistent use to manifest and represent a contribution from essentially one ingredient.
How long before I notice results from Elevate?
Most users report feeling effects within 20-30 minutes, primarily from the 95mg caffeine content combined with L-Theanine. This immediate energy and focus boost is likely what users interpret as the supplement “working.”
However, meaningful cognitive benefits from ingredients like Bacopa and Rhodiola typically require 2-6 weeks of consistent use.
Can I take Elevate with coffee?
You can combine Elevate with coffee, but monitor your total caffeine intake carefully. Elevate contains 95mg of caffeine, so adding coffee could push your total consumption to potentially uncomfortable levels.
Many users might be better served choosing between Elevate and coffee rather than combining them
Avantera recommends taking two capsules within the first hour of waking up on an empty stomach. This timing maximizes the caffeine’s alerting effects and allows the adaptogenic ingredients to work throughout your productive hours.
However, if you experience stomach upset, taking Elevate with a light meal may be more comfortable, even if absorption might be slightly reduced. Consistent daily timing is more important than perfect conditions.
Summary
Avantera Elevate represents a mixed bag in the nootropics world – a supplement with some genuinely well-dosed ingredients alongside others that fall frustratingly short of effective amounts. The transparent dosing is refreshing compared to proprietary blend alternatives, but transparency doesn’t automatically equal value.
Most users will experience benefits primarily from the caffeine-theanine-rhodiola combination rather than comprehensive cognitive enhancement. While these effects are pleasant and functional, they don’t justify the premium pricing when similar benefits could be achieved more affordably with individual ingredients.
For those seeking genuine, comprehensive cognitive enhancement, Mind Lab Pro remains the superior choice. With 11 properly dosed ingredients targeting multiple cognitive pathways, Mind Lab Pro delivers the kind of noticeable, sustained benefits that justify premium nootropic pricing.
Mind Lab Pro
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