The Primacy Blog

Ingredient Science & Performance

47 deep dives into the neuroscience, clinical evidence, dose validation, and mechanisms behind every active compound in APEX and RESET.

47
Deep Dives
53
Branded Ingredients
200+
Citations
NeuroplasticityAPEX
Magtein®
Magnesium L-Threonate

The only form of magnesium clinically proven to cross the blood-brain barrier, increasing synaptic density and supporting cognitive flexibility in aging and healthy adults.

1,551 mg+9% synaptic density
7 min read
NeuroplasticityAPEX
CognatiQ®
Coffee Fruit Extract

Patented whole coffee fruit extract shown in human RCTs to raise plasma BDNF levels by up to 143% — the key protein governing neuroplasticity and long-term memory formation.

100 mg+143% plasma BDNF
7 min read
NeuroplasticityAPEX
Sabroxy®
Oroxylum indicum Bark

Standardized Oroxylum indicum bark extract showing preclinical evidence for BDNF upregulation and dopaminergic activity — a novel neurotrophin support ingredient.

200 mgBDNF + dopamine (preclinical)
8 min read
NeuroplasticityAPEX
ErgoX®
Ergothioneine

A rare amino acid with its own cellular transporter, increasingly recognized as a longevity nutrient for its exceptional antioxidant and mitochondrial protective properties in neural tissue.

10 mgProposed longevity vitamin
7 min read
Energy & FlowAPEX
The Caffeine System
Instant Coffee + Anhydrous

APEX uses a dual-source caffeine architecture — whole coffee extract plus anhydrous — to achieve a smooth, sustained adenosine blockade without the spike-and-crash of isolated caffeine.

~152 mgOptimal dose-response curve
8 min read
Energy & FlowAPEX
L-Theanine
Gamma-Glutamylethylamide

The calming amino acid from green tea synergizes with caffeine to produce focused alpha-wave activity within 40 minutes, eliminating jitteriness without reducing alertness.

300 mgAlpha-waves within 40 min
7 min read
Energy & FlowAPEX
Dynamine™ + TeaCrine®
Methylliberine + Theacrine

Two next-generation alkaloids that extend and enhance the caffeine effect via adenosine and dopamine pathways — with no tolerance development observed over 8 weeks of daily use.

250 + 200 mgZero habituation over 8 weeks
8 min read
Energy & FlowAPEX
MCT Powder
58.5% C8 Caprylic Acid

C8 caprylic acid is the most rapidly converted MCT to ketones, providing direct mitochondrial fuel for neurons — supporting sustained mental energy without blood sugar fluctuation.

2,000 mgC8 is 3x more ketogenic
7 min read
Drive & MethylationAPEX
TyroPure™
Fermented L-Tyrosine

The direct precursor to dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Fermented for superior purity, it selectively replenishes catecholamine reserves under stress without stimulant effects.

1,000 mgStress-selective cognitive protection
8 min read
Drive & MethylationAPEX
SalidroPURE™
Fermented Salidroside 98.5%

The active adaptogen from Rhodiola rosea, isolated at 98.5% purity via fermentation — delivering 3-10x the salidroside of standard extracts for robust HPA-axis modulation.

60 mg3-10x more salidroside
7 min read
Drive & MethylationAPEX
Folate
L-5-MTHF Methylfolate

The bioactive form of folate bypasses the MTHFR enzyme — relevant for the ~40% of the population with polymorphisms — ensuring full methylation cycle support for neurotransmitter synthesis.

600 mcg DFEBypasses MTHFR (~40% of population)
8 min read
Drive & MethylationAPEX
Vitamin B12
Methylcobalamin

Methylcobalamin is the neurologically active form of B12, supporting myelin integrity, homocysteine clearance, and linked in trials to significantly slower brain volume loss.

800 mcg30% slower brain atrophy
7 min read
CholinergicAPEX
Citicoline
CDP-Choline

CDP-choline is the most clinically studied choline source, raising both acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine levels — with trials showing a 14% increase in frontal lobe ATP and improved attention.

500 mg+14% frontal lobe ATP
8 min read
CholinergicAPEX
Cereboost®
American Ginseng Extract

Patented American Ginseng standardized for ginsenosides, with multiple human RCTs demonstrating improvements in working memory, accuracy, and sustained attention at the 200 mg dose.

250 mgWorking memory at 200 mg
7 min read
CholinergicAPEX
Uridine-5′-Monophosphate
Nucleotide

A nucleotide that crosses the blood-brain barrier and contributes to membrane phosphatidylcholine synthesis, with preclinical data showing up to 30% increases in dendritic spine density.

250 mg+30% spine density (preclinical)
7 min read
MitochondrialAPEX
BioPQQ®
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone

The only nutrient known to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis — the actual growth of new mitochondria — making it uniquely important for long-term cognitive energy capacity.

10 mgMitochondrial biogenesis
7 min read
MitochondrialAPEX
ALCAR
Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCl

The acetylated form of carnitine crosses the blood-brain barrier, supporting fatty acid transport into mitochondria and acetylcholine synthesis — with trials showing a 44% reduction in mental fatigue.

750 mg44% mental fatigue reduction
8 min read
MitochondrialAPEX
Na-R-ALA
Sodium R-Alpha Lipoic Acid

The sodium salt of the biologically active R-isomer of alpha lipoic acid, offering approximately 40x superior bioavailability over conventional racemic ALA for mitochondrial antioxidant defense.

100 mg~40x bioavailability vs racemic
7 min read
Perfusion & VisualAPEX
NooLVL®
Arginine Silicate

A patented complex of arginine and silicon that consistently raises plasma nitric oxide in four independent RCTs at exactly the 1,500 mg dose used in APEX, improving cerebral blood flow and attention.

1,500 mgExact dose match across 4 RCTs
8 min read
Perfusion & VisualAPEX
CocoaNol®
High-Flavanol Cocoa Extract

A high-flavanol cocoa extract standardized for theobromine and epicatechin, shown to increase cerebral blood flow by 8% and improve working memory in young healthy adults.

1,000 mg+8% cerebral blood flow
8 min read
Perfusion & VisualAPEX
FloraGLO® Lutein
Marigold-Derived Lutein 10%

The most studied lutein brand in eye and brain research, delivering the 10 mg dose validated in AREDS2 and cognitive trials — accumulating in both the macula and cortical grey matter.

100 mg (10 mg)AREDS2 standard dose
7 min read
MetabolicAPEX
Sodium Bicarbonate
Electrolyte Support

A simple but overlooked morning alkalizing electrolyte that supports acid-base balance, gastric comfort, and rehydration — relevant for cognitive performance within the first hour of waking.

600 mgMorning rehydration support
7 min read
MetabolicAPEX
Ceylon Cinnamon
10:1 Extract

True Ceylon cinnamon extract, shown in meta-analyses to reduce fasting glucose by 18-29% — supporting stable blood sugar and avoiding the cognitive impairments associated with postprandial glucose spikes.

300 mg18-29% glucose reduction
7 min read
Shared InfrastructureAPEX + RESET
Vitamin B6 (P5P)
Pyridoxal-5′-Phosphate

Pyridoxal-5-phosphate is the coenzyme form of B6, directly active in over 140 enzymatic reactions including GABA, serotonin, dopamine, and melatonin synthesis — present in both APEX and RESET.

15 + 9 mg>140 enzymatic reactions
8 min read
Shared InfrastructureAPEX + RESET
Di-Magnesium Malate
Krebs Cycle Substrate

A dual-benefit magnesium form that delivers both elemental magnesium and malic acid as a Krebs cycle substrate — supporting mitochondrial ATP production and neuromuscular function across APEX and RESET.

330 + 550 mg~349 mg combined under UL
8 min read
Shared InfrastructureAPEX + RESET
AstraGin®
Panax notoginseng + Astragalus

A patented blend of Panax notoginseng and Astragalus membranaceus root extracts shown to increase the absorption of amino acids, vitamins, and other nutrients by up to 67% via intestinal transporter upregulation.

50 + 50 mgUp to +67% absorption
7 min read
Stress & CortisolRESET
Holixer®
Holy Basil (2.5% Ursolic Acid)

A clinically standardized holy basil extract with an extraordinary track record: 24 out of 24 published studies show statistically significant cortisol reduction and stress adaptation benefits.

150 mg24/24 studies positive
7 min read
Stress & CortisolRESET
Actiserine®
Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid essential for neuronal membrane integrity, with consistent RCT evidence showing cortisol modulation and cognitive preservation under physical and psychological stress at 300 mg.

300 mgCortisol modulation at 300 mg
8 min read
Neural Calm & SleepRESET
PharmaGABA®
Fermented GABA

Unlike synthetic GABA, PharmaGABA is naturally fermented Lactobacillus hilgardii, with evidence for crossing the blood-brain barrier and increasing relaxation alpha-wave activity by approximately 50%.

150 mg~50% alpha-wave increase
8 min read
Neural Calm & SleepRESET
Lemon Balm Extract
5% Rosmarinic Acid

Standardized for rosmarinic acid, a potent GABA-transaminase inhibitor that raises endogenous GABA levels — with clinical trials showing up to 42% reduction in insomnia symptoms.

600 mg42% insomnia reduction
7 min read
Neural Calm & SleepRESET
Magnolia Bark Extract
Honokiol 90%

Honokiol from magnolia bark acts as a positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors through a benzodiazepine-independent binding site — inducing sleep without the dependence risk of pharmaceutical sedatives.

100 mgNon-BZD GABA-A modulation
7 min read
Neural Calm & SleepRESET
Albion® Mg Bisglycinate
Chelated Magnesium

Albion's TRAACS-certified magnesium bisglycinate uses the PepT1 di/tripeptide transporter for superior intestinal absorption, delivering high-dose elemental magnesium for NMDA receptor modulation and deep sleep support.

880 mgPepT1 absorption pathway
8 min read
Mood & MelatoninRESET
Affron®
Saffron Extract

Award-winning saffron extract standardized for safranal and crocins, with multiple RCTs demonstrating mood improvement and sleep quality enhancement at 30 mg — and one head-to-head trial showing equivalence to an SSRI.

30 mgComparable to SSRIs in trials
8 min read
Mood & MelatoninRESET
Albion® Zinc Bisglycinate
Chelated Zinc (20% Zn)

Zinc is the essential cofactor for arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), the rate-limiting enzyme in melatonin synthesis — making this chelated, high-bioavailability form critical to healthy sleep onset.

165 mgAANAT melatonin gate
8 min read
Mood & MelatoninRESET
CherryPURE®
Tart Cherry Powder

Montmorency tart cherry concentrate providing naturally occurring melatonin, anthocyanins, and tryptophan — with IDO inhibition preventing the conversion of tryptophan away from the serotonin/melatonin pathway.

1,000 mgNatural melatonin + IDO inhibition
7 min read
Neuro-StructuralRESET
L-Serine
Neuroprotective Amino Acid

L-serine is the precursor to phosphatidylserine, sphingolipids, glycine, and D-serine — participating in 5 critical neurological pathways and showing neuroprotective effects in emerging clinical research.

1,500 mg5 critical brain pathways
7 min read
Neuro-StructuralRESET
Taurine
Inhibitory Amino Acid

Taurine functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, neuromodulator, osmoregulator, and mitochondrial protector — with a landmark 2023 Nature paper identifying it as a potential geroprotector that reverses age-related decline in model organisms.

1,500 mgEmerging geroprotector
9 min read
Neuro-StructuralRESET
Glycine
Thermoregulatory Amino Acid

Glycine lowers core body temperature by dilating peripheral blood vessels — triggering one of the most powerful biological sleep onset signals. A 2012 RCT (Bannai et al.) confirmed it reduces sleep latency and improves SWS quality.

3,000 mgDeep sleep onset (Bannai 2012)
8 min read
Inflammation & RepairRESET
AvailOm® 50
High DHA Algae (Lysophospholipid)

A lysophospholipid-form DHA derived from algae, uniquely transported across the blood-brain barrier via the Mfsd2a transporter — achieving brain DHA uptake impossible with standard triglyceride fish oil at the same dose.

1,000 mgMfsd2a BBB transport
9 min read
Inflammation & RepairRESET
Levagen®
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)

PEA is an endogenous lipid mediator that reduces neuroinflammation through PPAR-α activation and mast cell downregulation — with over 30 clinical trials and a unique property of showing no tolerance development over long-term use.

400 mg3.5-pt pain reduction; zero tolerance
9 min read
Antioxidant DefenseRESET
Pycnogenol®
Maritime Pine Bark

One of the most studied branded ingredients in existence, Pycnogenol has over 160 published studies demonstrating endothelial nitric oxide production, free radical scavenging, and cognitive benefits in aging populations.

100 mg30% free radical reduction
8 min read
Antioxidant DefenseRESET
S-Acetyl Glutathione
Acetylated GSH

The acetylated form of glutathione is far more bioavailable than reduced GSH, surviving gastric digestion and entering cells directly to replenish the master antioxidant during the overnight repair window.

300 mgOvernight GSH replenishment
8 min read
Antioxidant DefenseRESET
Selenium
L-Selenomethionine

Selenium is the essential cofactor for glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) and 24 other selenoproteins involved in antioxidant defense, thyroid function, and DNA repair — making it irreplaceable in the overnight recovery stack.

12 mg25 selenoproteins; GPx1 cofactor
8 min read
Antioxidant DefenseRESET
Copper Bisglycinate
Chelated Copper

Copper is the cofactor for Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase, the primary cytosolic antioxidant enzyme. Included in RESET to balance the high zinc dose and prevent the copper depletion that can occur with long-term zinc supplementation.

2 mgCu/Zn-SOD + zinc balance
7 min read
Antioxidant DefenseRESET
Ubiqsome® CoQ10
Phytosomal Coenzyme Q10

Phytosomal CoQ10 with 3x superior bioavailability vs standard ubiquinone, supporting mitochondrial electron transport and membrane antioxidant defense — with cardiovascular outcome data from the landmark Q-SYMBIO trial.

150 mg50% MACE reduction (Q-SYMBIO)
8 min read
Antioxidant DefenseRESET
NeoAXT™ Astaxanthin
Fermented Astaxanthin

Fermentation-derived astaxanthin is the most powerful lipophilic antioxidant known, with in vitro singlet oxygen quenching 6,000x greater than vitamin C — and unique ability to span the full cell membrane bilayer.

10 mg6,000x vitamin C (in vitro)
8 min read
DigestionRESET
DigeSEB®
Super Enzyme Blend

A comprehensive digestive enzyme blend covering all 5 major enzyme classes — protease, lipase, amylase, cellulase, and lactase — ensuring maximum absorption of the 24+ ingredients in RESET taken immediately before sleep.

100 mg5 enzyme classes
7 min read