Acute Effects of Naturally Occurring Guayusa Tea and Nordic Lion’s Mane Extracts on Cognitive Performance

Summary & key facts

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, researchers tested one single dose of 650 mg guayusa extract (AmaTea® Max), 1 g Nordic Lion’s Mane, and a placebo in healthy adults. Tests were done before ingestion and at 1 and 2 hours after. Guayusa (AMT) led to several faster and more accurate responses on mental tasks over 2 hours but also reduced correct responses on one inhibitory (No‑go) test and raised blood pressure. Lion’s Mane showed some faster reaction times and more attempts on a calculation task and also increased some happiness ratings. Effects were measured only up to 2 hours after one dose.

Key facts:

• The study used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject crossover design with testing at baseline, 1 hour, and 2 hours after a single dose.
• Dose sizes were 650 mg for guayusa extract (AmaTea® Max) and 1 g for Nordic Lion’s Mane (LM).
• AmaTea® Max (AMT) significantly improved Serial 7s attempts, N‑Back total score, number of correct responses, total responses, and N‑Back reaction time (p ≤ 0.05).
• AMT also produced faster Go (response) reaction times on the Go/No‑go test, but it reduced the percentage of correct No‑go responses (i.e., fewer correct inhibitory responses) (p ≤ 0.05).
• Lion’s Mane (LM) significantly increased the number of attempts on Serial 7s and improved N‑Back reaction time and Go stimulus reaction time (p ≤ 0.05).
• AMT improved self-reported mental clarity, focus, concentration, mood, and productivity at both 1 and 2 hours (p < 0.05), and it improved ability to tolerate stress at 1 hour. It also rated higher than LM and placebo on several of those mea
• Both AMT and LM increased some measures of self-reported happiness (for example, “happiness compared to peers” and “getting the most out of everything”) (p < 0.05); LM showed those changes earlier (at 1 hour).
• Placebo showed a small effect: focus and concentration improved from baseline at 1 hour (p ≤ 0.05).
• AMT uniquely elevated blood pressure from baseline during the 2‑hour testing window.
• The study tested only acute (single‑dose) effects over a short window (1–2 hours), so these results do not show long‑term effects or safety beyond that time frame.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of guayusa extract and Nordic Lion's Mane (LM) on cognition. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, we examined the effects of a single dose of 650 mg guayusa extract (AMT: AmaTea® Max) vs. 1 g Nordic-grown Lion's Mane (LM) vs. placebo (PL). Participants attended three testing visits consisting of neuropsychological tests (Go/No-go, N-Back, and Serial 7 s tasks) assessing performance, subjective assessments of cognitive perception, and vital signs. Each assessment was measured at baseline (pre-ingestion) and 1 and 2 h post ingestion. AMT significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved the number of attempts during Serial 7s, total score, number of correct responses, total number of responses, and reaction time during N-Back and improved Go stimulus reaction time, but it reduced the percentage of correct responses in the No-go stimulus response during Go/No-go. LM significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved the number of attempts during Serial 7s and reaction time during N-Back and improved Go stimulus reaction time in Go/No-go. AMT improved mental clarity, focus, concentration, mood, and productivity at 1 and 2 h (p < 0.05); the ability to tolerate stress at 1 h; and had greater ratings than LM and PL for mental clarity, focus, concentration, and productivity. PL improved focus and concentration at 1 h from baseline (p ≤ 0.05). AMT and LM improved subjective ratings of "happiness compared to peers" and "getting the most out of everything" (p < 0.05); however, this occurred earlier in LM (i.e., 1 h post ingestion). AMT uniquely elevated blood pressure from baseline. AMT significantly improved cognitive performance and self-perceived cognitive indices of affect over a 2 h period and perceptions of happiness 2 h post ingestion. In comparison, LM helped improve working memory, complex attention, and reaction time 2 h post ingestion and perceptions of happiness over a 2 h period.

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Biochemical effects in animals Morinda citrifolia extract uses Muscle metabolism and nutrition

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Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology Cell Biology Life Sciences

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Biology Cognition Cognitive psychology Neuroscience Psychology