Hunter Focus Review

The founder of Peak Nootropics, Jason M, takes a look at one of the most potent and highly dosed nootropic supplements in this Hunter Focus review.

Hunter Focus is billed as the most potent and high dosed nootropic supplement on the market – and with some of the highest dosages per serving this is hard to deny. But is it the best and does it have as much of an impact as you might think?

I took it to task with a two month testing phase and today I’m bringing you my results in this Hunter Focus review, so let’s dig in as I cover the brand, the ingredients, my testing and my results…

Brand Overview – Hunter Focus (Hunter Evolve)

Hunter Evolve is the brand behind their flagship nootropic supplement, Hunter Focus. As a brand, Hunter Evolve have three supplements – all of which are designed with the same ethos in mind – to have high doses of natural ingredients to elicit potent results.

Hunter Evolve are pretty much the epitome of quality. They only source high quality ingredients, their supplements are made in the UK and USA in FDA approved facilities that are GMP (good manufacturing practice) certified.

They fall under the umbrella of Roar Ambition Ltd, a UK based company that has a reputation for creating high quality supplements in their own right – so all green checks so far.

Although Hunter Evolve’s products are on the pricier end of the spectrum, when you examine the quantities of ingredients you are getting per serving, they actually provide exceptional value for money – and in some cases, they even compete on price against inferior products when you factor in bulk buy deals (such as their two and four month deals).

About Hunter Focus

Hunter Focus is a top tier nootropic that competes against the likes of Noocube, Kaged Mindset and Alpha Brain. In fact, if you take the latter – they smash them out of the park in terms of sheer quantities of ingredients in each serving.

Hunter Focus contains an incredible vitamin complex that is backed up by 14 additional natural nootropic ingredients (which I’ll cover shortly). There is almost no clinically backed nootropic ingredient that has been left out of their blend.

Owing to the comprehensive nature of the Hunter Focus formula, it means you get a supplement that offers an all-round cognitive boost. As the name suggests, there is a clear targeting of focus and concentration, but you can also expect improvements to memory, recall, creativity, mental energy and mood.

It does contain 100mg of caffeine, but with this being spread out through the day, this is on the lower end and so it won’t stop you enjoying your morning coffee if you drink one.

Hunter Focus Ingredient Profile

I usually aim to cover each ingredient in detail in a review such as this, but with so many to cover I can’t justifiably expect anyone to read to the end (you may indeed have given up already).

However, I will include all of the ingredients and why I think Hunter Focus have included them – before going on to give you my own personal experience of using Hunter Focus for a two month period.

I will also discuss the dosages of the ingredients contained in each serving. A serving is actually a whopping 6 capsules per day – which makes Hunter Focus pretty much the most cumbersome to deal with on a daily basis (more on that later), but do keep in mind that if some of the doses seem a little high to you then you can of course control this to some extent by reducing your intake – something I would likely suggest you do to begin with anyway (especially if you’re new to nootropics).

So – let’s kick things off with the impressive vitamin complex found in Hunter Focus…

Hunter Focus Vitamin Complex

Most nootropic supplements include two or maybe three B vitamins, the odd one or two include vitamin C – but that’s usually the limit, and that’s at the top end.

Hunter Focus includes no less than 6 vitamins – which include B6, B9, B12, D3, K2 and vitamin C. That makes it quite a potent multi-vitamin in its own right!

Not only that, but the doses are also impressive:

• Vitamin B6 – 2.5mg
• Vitamin B9 – 100mcg
• Vitamin B12 – 7.5mcg
• Vitamin C – 200mg
• Vitamin D3 – 75mcg
• Vitamin K2 – 100mcg

If we compare those doses to a standard multi-vitamin supplement – they are way over and above what you would normally get. Of course, you should still be trying to take on these vitamins through your diet, but anything that is in excess is just going to be flushed out of your system – so you can’t over-do it – and you know you’ll never under-do it.

All these vitamins carry with them their own nootropic benefits. The B vitamins in particular help with blood flow to the brain, vitamin C is an anti-oxidant that can reduce oxidative stress in the brain and help with the production of dopamine, vitamin D3 is crucial for neurotransmitter growth and repair (and can aid with memory and brain plasticity) and vitamin K2 is thought to help with cell growth and repair too.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine – 800mg

L-Carnitine in the Acetyl form it is provided here is an amino acid that can aid mitochondrial activity in the brain. It can pass through the blood brain-barrier which makes it a very competent nootropic ingredient that is well backed in clinical studies.

There are a number of studies that support its use as reducing cognitive decline, especially in patients with Alzheimers, and at a dose of 800mg it is an excellent inclusion in Hunter Focus.

L-Tyrosine – 500mg

L-Tyrosine is another amino acid that helps support our fight or flight activation – this means it is ideal in supporting us in stressful situations. Repeated exposure to stressful situations (both in our work and personal lives) can lead to reduced catecholamine levels – this has a negative impact our mental wellbeing and L-Tyrosine can help revert this and actually help to increase catecholamine levels.

L-Tyrosine carries a range of other health benefits, will improve your sleep and will likely lead to you making less impulsive choices and as such it is always a welcome addition to any nootropic stack.

L-Theanine – 200mg

L-Theanine is another amino acid that is well known for its relaxing properties. It is usually found in tea and there are a number of studies that support it as a de-stresser which also makes it ideal for those who suffer with anxiety.

We often see doses at around the 100mg level, so 200mg is even better and despite it having a relaxing effect on the brain it doesn’t usually elicit a feeling of sleepiness or drowsiness.

When combined with caffeine it can provoke a sense of calm sustained energy which is ideal for concentration and focus.

Citicoline – 250mg

Citicoline (or cytidine-5-diphosphocholine to give it the full name) is a compound that occurs naturally in the brain and is known for its regenerative properties as well as being responsible for a whole array of brain boosting benefits which ultimately can lead to improved all round cognition, greater energy and better recall.

The research and data supporting its use are still in their infancy but there is a growing body of data to suggest it’s a very worthwhile addition. From what we do know 250mg is an optimal dose.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom – 500mg

Lion’s Mane Mushroom is an ingredient that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and we see it crop up in nootropics from time to time. It’s not exactly contentious to include it, but there is less robust data to support its inclusion.

Still, there are so many anecdotal records to support it that it seems a worthy ingredient to add to Hunter Focus when you consider they have thrown a whole who’s who of nootropics in to the mix.

Anecdotal evidence supports its inclusion as helping to prevent age related cognitive decline (mainly in more elderly subjects), but also as a mood booster and anxiety reducer.

500mg is a very generous serving and should see you good in the mood department.

Bacopa Monnieri – 300mg

Bacopa is one of my favorite nootropics and I always feel a bit peeved when it is omitted from a stack. Luckily for me, we are getting a high dose of 300mg of it in Hunter Focus.

Bacopa is a really good all-rounder. This herb can help with memory, focus and has anti-depressant properties with the positive effects being reported across all age groups.

Well done to Hunter Focus for including it in their blend in such generous quantities.

Ashwagandha – 300mg

Another ingredient that is crucial for anyone who wants to reduce stress and improve mood, Ashwagandha is one of the most well researched nootropic ingredients out there – yet some companies still leave it out of their stacks.

A really good dose of 300mg of it here can not only help with stress and anxiety but can also help balance hormones which in turn will amplify your mood further.

Caffeine – 100mg

It would have been very easy for Hunter Focus to load their stack with caffeine, and although they have included it, they have not gone overboard which means for most people it is present at safe levels. Especially if you are breaking up the serving through the day as suggested.

Here we see it in the form of caffeine anhydrous – which simply means it has be dehydrated. If you do break your servings down in to the three lots of two capsules per day as recommended then each serving is less caffeine than a cup of coffee – so you can combine it with a coffee if you wish.

This also means you are not going to get a huge energy spike to be followed by a crash. You should however take care not to consume the third serving too late in the day to ensure the caffeine does not impact your sleep – which could undo all the good the other ingredients are offering.

Phosphatidylserine – 100mg

Phosphatidylserine is a nootropic ingredient that has become quite prominent in recent years thanks to studies that have shown it as a means to improve mood, reduce stress levels and potentially improve focus and attention.

It is a chemical that is found in foods, but only in small quantities. It is widely regarded as being an important chemical for full cognitive functioning and we see it in most new nootropics that are launched – such as the recently released Kaged Mindset. True to form though, we see double the amount in Hunter Focus as we do in the Kaged version.

Maritime Pine Bark – 75mg

Maritime Pine Bark is another ingredient that is both rich in antioxidants and can pass the blood-brain barrier to deliver potent nootropic benefits.

The proanthocyanidins contained within Maritime Pine Bark allow for an increase in nitric oxide which in turn creates greater blood flow and therefore oxygen to the brain.

In theory, the result of supplementing with Maritime Pine Bark is greater focus, clarity of thought, brain energy and memory.

75mg is a pretty standard dose and it is a welcome addition to Hunter Focus.

Rhodiola Rosea – 50mg

Rhodiola Rosea is an adaptogenic herb that has been shown to help the body (and brain) deal with stress and anxiety. There are studies to suggest it has a wide range of health benefits but from a nootropic standpoint, as an adaptogen, it is most likely to benefit you in terms of improved mood and reduced stress.

There are some studies that support it as aiding libido and even having anti-cancer properties.

50mg is actually a little under-dosed when compared to these studies though so it may be that the quantities contained in Hunter Focus are not enough to truly realize these benefits.

Panax Ginseng – 40mg

Panax Ginseng carries with it a wide range of physical and brain boosting benefits and this is why we see it in so many health supplements – not just nootropics.

That being said, it is known for its cognition enhancing impact and although for all the physical benefits it can offer you should be aiming for closer to 300mg per day (and maybe as much as 1000mg for treatment of some conditions), it has been shown that 40mg can be an adequate amount for cognition related benefits if bio availability is good.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Hunter Focus actually deliver this as a 10:1 concentrated dose so in reality you are getting 400mg – which is more than enough to reap the cognitive and physical benefits.

Spanish Sage – 25mg

There is less evidence in support of our final ingredient, but Spanish Sage has been used over the last few decades to improve memory and recall – and there are some interesting studies that really do show a strong correlation between using it and showing a considerable improvement in these areas.

Dosed at a 4:1 extract, we are getting a 100mg effective dose of Spanish Sage and although it is not something we see in many nootropics, it’s a worthwhile addition to the blend.

What’s Missing From Hunter Focus?

It’s hard to knock Hunter Focus on the face of it when you take a look at what’s included in the stack. It pretty much covers every single base.

The only ingredient I would personally like to see included is Reservatrol – which is known to have a wide range of cognition enhancing properties. That being said, Hunter Focus has plenty in its mix to replace it.

My Experience With Hunter Focus

If you are new to nootropics (and even if you’re not) you might find Hunter Focus a little daunting. The bottle is about twice the size of a standard nootropic bottle and the fact they go straight in and tell you to take 6 capsules per day can be off-putting.

And that brings me on to pretty much my only gripe with Hunter Focus – and that is taking SIX capsules per day, split over three sittings!

I adapted the approach and split it in to two lots of three – and I actually started off with less than that – so let me take you back to the beginning.

When testing a nootropic for review purposes I always try and have at least a 7 day break from my usual stack before starting the testing process. This allows me to reset my system a little and although it’s probably not a perfect starting point – it’s as good as I can manage.

However, prior to testing Hunter Focus I actually had a two week break. I had been away and forgot to take my nootropic stack with me. So, I had plenty of natural brain enhancing and regenerating conditions – but they all came through sunlight, fresh air, exercise and sleep.

So I went in to this test feeling refreshed but also being pretty weened off my usual stack.

As a result of this, I went in to the testing for this Hunter Test review with my cautious head on. I really didn’t fancy going straight in to 6 capsules per day of this mega dosed supplement.

I don’t usually suffer with stomach cramps or nausea when taking a nootropic supplement, but I was aware that some of the ingredients in Hunter Focus might cause this (especially at high quantities) so I decided to start at two thirds of the suggested dose – so 4 capsules per day.

I also wanted to see if there was any major difference between a 66% dose and a 100% dose and intended to move up to the full dose after 2-3 weeks – which I did.

Sleep is important for anyone – and I am pretty obsessive about my sleep – I track it with an Oura ring and if I don’t get at least 15% deep sleep per night then I can usually feel it the next day.

This meant I wasn’t prepared to break my rule of no caffeine after 1pm.

Now, the caffeine level in two capsules of Hunter Focus isn’t too high – and I could probably have gotten away with taking it up until around 3pm – but I didn’t want to risk it. So I decided right from the start that I’d go for two capsules after breakfast and then two with lunch – which for me is usually 12 noon.

My Results

The reason I take nootropics is to stay focused on my work for longer and to do so with a calm energy. If a nootropic can relax me and offer me better sleep and therefore improved mental and physical recovery then all the better.

I have to say that I didn’t expect Hunter Focus to be potent in the very short term. However, I found I was getting exactly what I wanted from day two. Day one was hard to judge as I was transitioning from holiday to work mode – but day two there was a definite impact in terms of the energy and focus I felt.

I also think the timings worked well – with each sitting being about 4-5 hours apart. Just as the first was starting to wear off, the second was there to kick me through the afternoon lull.

I didn’t have any negative side effects; no nausea, no stomach cramps or pains – so after two weeks I decided to up the dose to the full deal – but taking 3 capsules in the morning and 3 just after lunch.

Without a doubt I could feel the impact. The caffeine was certainly quietly doing its thing, there was a calm energy within me and I felt hyper focused.

This is of course all completely anecdotal but I also felt more chilled in the evening. This may not have been the case had I taken a late afternoon dose though – so I do think there is something to the timing of taking the capsules.

In terms of memory and recall, that’s a hard one to judge. I felt sharp and so recall was likely somewhat improved, but memory I couldn’t say from this specific test.

What was interesting was that by the end of month two I expected the impact to be wearing off. But if anything it felt better – with the non-acute ingredients seemingly coming in to effect.

My overall assessment of Hunter Focus is that it lives up to its billing as a top tier nootropic that is incredibly potent.

Would I take it all the time? Probably, but I would likely manage the dose at the two thirds level for the majority of the time, with the full dose being reserved for when I really need it – as when you take it this way it starts to feel like a bit of a super power.

Verdict

Hunter Focus is one of the most potent natural nootropic supplements I have ever used. It is incredibly fast acting and I personally suffered zero negative side effects as a result of taking it.

It definitely left me more focused with more mental energy, greater clarity of thought and a sharpness that helped me power through work – all whilst helping me to stay relaxed in the evening and enjoy good quality sleep.

It’s not cheap, but if you opt for a 4 month bundle this could actually last you 6 months if you take it how I did – and this makes it exceptionally good value for money too.