by admin on February 20, 2010
Black Cats are Applied Nutriceuticals new energy product. Applied Nutriceuticals (a.k.a APP NUT) is known in the supplement industry for their “no hype, just make great products and let them speak for them selves” approach. Adding to their lines of both sports and wellness products are Black Cats. Black Cats have been designed to be “The perfect energy product,” and are designed for pre-workouts, a morning coffee replacement, and for whenever the day gets long, and your feet are tired. One serving is two caps, and contains contains a 1000mg Blend of, Natural Caffeine, Cocoa Ext (25% Theobromine),Licorice Root (26% ext), Naringin (98% ext), 1,3 Dimethylamylamine, White Willow Back (25% extract), and Bioperine (95%-98% piperine). One bottle contains 60 caps, and will retail for about $19.99-23.99 or so depending on the supplier.
When I first tried Black Cats, I popped just 1 pill at about 5:45AM, on an empty stomach. Now, I’m not as heavy a stimulant user as I once was, but waking up super early has me hating and cursing my life a few days a week. For those early mornings, coffee or energy drinks, and don’t really do what I’m fully looking for. I’ve grown mostly immune to them. Imagine my surprise,when the 1 pill lasted until about 12 pm or so, then slowly faded over about 2 hours! NEVER, do I remember just 1 pill doing something like that. Keep in mind, I spent nearly 10 years in the service industry, and once upon a time used to pop Yellow Jackets with ephedra in them almost like candy. So, lets just say, I’ve been around a myriad of stims for years.
I had the opportunity to participate in an early beta test of this product in the summer of 08, and liked it a lot. That version was a balanced blend, in that it gave a solid energy boost, and a chatterbox mental up- lift feeling, that a wise guy like myself just loves.
The effect of this version is more pure energy and focus. The days I’ve taking it before work recently, I do manage do get more work done, and it’s easier for ADHD me to focus. I’ve been taking 1 pill in the morning, then another 1 about 8-9 hours later. I’m still too scared to try 2 at once. They do have a very long burn to them, rather than a quick blast then crash.
Nightlife’s Verdict: 6 Stars!!!!!! (out of 5)
The only thing that can even touch this were the early versions of Stimulant X, which are sadly no longer available. This may be the de facto best stimulant since the ephedra ban.
I really love the price of about 33 cents a cap, and the VERY long effective time. I don’t need any Starbucks, Red Bull, or anything else when I have Black Cats. I bought 1 bottle to try out, and review for this site. Be assured dear reader, that I will be buying more, and can not speak highly enough about this product. APP Nut has a tremendous winner here!
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by admin on December 23, 2009
ThermoGum, LLC is a newly launched company, that aims to “focus on the perfect combination of convenience and effectiveness” in it’s products. ThermoGum, the product, “is a revolutionary new high-powered, fat-burning sugarless gum designed to stimulate energy, enhance focus, and amplify weight loss. ThermoGum is the next generation of energy enhancing gum…..provides clean energy, intense focus, and mood boost, but without crash……(and is) designed to aid in alertness as well as fitness goals.”
Thermogum gets it’s punch from raspberry ketones, caffeine anhydrous, Cinnamon Oil, Geranium Extract, and Black Pepper Extract. It’s sweetened with Xylitol, a sugar alternative, and thus is a sugar free gum. ThermoGum comes in 10 piece packs, and retails for roughly $5.00.
The stated directions for ThermoGum are to “start with 1 piece of ThermoGum to assess tolerance. Most users will find 1 piece sufficient.” The gum it best used preworkout, during morning or afternoons lulls, and when concentration or energy is required, such as before studying, driving, or meetings/presentations.” ThermoGum’s effects last about 2 hours, so nighttime exercisers need not worry about insomnia. The minimum suggested chewing time is 20 minutes, to get all the active ingredients into the bloodstream.
When I tried it, my impression was that the taste is much like caffeine injected gum or mints. If you have tasted such a thing before, you know what I mean. The taste is supposed to be Raspberry CinnamINFERNO, and it is cinnamon, but with a bitter tang, due to the ingredients. The Raspberry didn’t make it to the show in this batch. The taste may be off putting to some, if they are two expecting Wrigley’s, or Orbit gum. My girlfriend spat it out, but then again, she doesn’t like the taste of N.O. Xplode either, and that stuff is like Kool Aid to most. Matt Pearson, one of the principals of the company, says the newer batches are much improved in the taste department.
The stimulant effects, on the other hand, are the noteworthy aspect of the gum. The first time I tried it, I didn’t read the instructions fully, and didn’t chew for the minimum 20 minutes. I’m guesstimating I got about 15 or so in. Even so, the gum provided a pleasant stim like focus, that got me very sidetracked and lost in videography forums and blogs, when I was SUPPOSED to be working. Haaaa, guess I am ADHD after all! Well, it does count as work, because I’m learning as much as possible about videography, to best utilize the equipment I ordered, so we can do videos for this site, for YOU, our community. THERE! Tangent justified! I popped a second piece, a few hours later, and the great focus continued. I will try this out as a more long term test, as the company was generous enough to send us a bunch of trial packs, and update here with my findings. Already I can see this replacing my morning joe, as I wake up at 5:30 am several days a week.
Nightlife’s Verdict: 4 stars (out of 5)
We give the ThermoGum product a 4 stars, for being a very effective, and innovative product. Early adopters, get in on this one pronto! We did deduct a bit, for the funky taste, which I will gladly give back, if the new batches show improved taste. We will give a mini update, on the new flavor, when we get a chance to taste it. In the meantime, this is a serious utility weapon, for fighting the battle of the bulge, focus for getting stuff done, and, an economical (insert evil coffee chain empire here) replacement. It’s pretty new, and only a few places carry it at the time of writing, but it’s more than worth the hunt.
J. “All I want for Christmas is a Marshall that goes to 11”Channell
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by admin on December 21, 2009
MoodPak is a product line for Real Performance in Real Life, and features easily carried, and practical supplements for varying situations. Today we will be reviewing MoodPak’s Relax product.
MoodPak’s Relax contains a B vitamin blend, Tryptophan, Bacopa Monnieri, Theanine, Phenibut, and 5-HTP. B vitamins commonly get depleted when the body is under stress, and help support the metabolism, enhance immune and nervous system function,, and are water soluble, meaning your body needs them constantly replenished. Tryptophan, is an essential amino acid, and a precursor to serotonin, 5-htp, and melatonin, and can have anti depressant, and calming effects. Bacopa Monnieri has traditionally been used an Ayurveda, has been listed as a nootropic, and has anti-anxiety and cognitive enhancing properties. Theanine is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, may reduce physical and mental stress, increase dopamine levels, and improve mood when taken with caffeine. Phenibut is a nootropic that also crosses the blood-brain barrier, and has been shown to stimulate dopamine receptors. 5-HTP, can also cross the blood-bran barrier, is a precursor to serotonin, and has anti-depressive, and anti-anxiety effects.
When I personally tested it, I took it with a Celsius energy drink several times. I got a great, giddy, cloud 9 feeling, of mental well being. I mean, I was having a seriously good day at that point, almost regardless of whatever was going on around me. I mean, I was energetic, happy go lucky, Cheshire cat huge smile, hug every person you see, brand of HAPPY. Now, I did only get that super awesome effect when taken with Celsius, so there was some serious synergy going on. It’s a bit strange, I will readily admit, to take a product called Relax, with an energy drink. However, I’m personally a huge advocate of counterbalancing products to get a great effect. Much like the Red Bull and vodka phenomenon, other products can be combined for a best of both worlds approach. I’ve tried a TON of energy drink+ mood support product combos, and this one was right up there in my eyes.
Nightlife’s Verdict: 5 Stars(when combined with Celsius)(out of 5)
The MoodPak line tends to combine several proven ingredients, with a lot of history and research behind them, in inventive ways. MoodPak’s Relax formula does not deviate here. As a straight, relaxing product, it’s pretty good. However, the real fun starts when counterbalancing it with an energy drink of choice. Celsius Wild Berry is my choice to mix it with. If you try that combo, and actually wind up hugging your S.O.B. Boss, a policeman, an IRS agent, or a homeless guy bumming some spare change, be not surprised.
J. ”Andy Jenkins is THE man! We are not worthy!” Channell
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