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[–]lunarsea1 5 points6 points  (4 children)

This is excellent work, thank you once again!

Just a question: To which Nootropics Depot product does the Swanson Bacognize COA correspond, as they now sell 2 different Bacopa powders (20% and 45% - or are they from the same batch, just standardised differently?)

[–]MisterYouAreSoDumbNatrium Health & Nootropics Depot[S] 3 points4 points  (2 children)

It's their latest batch. Confirm it with /u/Parmatrix.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

That didn't answer their question. I'd like to know too, fwiw.

[–]MisterYouAreSoDumbNatrium Health & Nootropics Depot[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I don't work for ND, so I do not want to speak on their behalf. I think it is the 45% version, but confirming it with Matt first would be prudent.

[–]bosslurker 3 points4 points  (6 children)

Thank you very much. Would you be interested in looking into this?

fishy aniracetam

[–]MisterYouAreSoDumbNatrium Health & Nootropics Depot[S] 0 points1 point  (5 children)

Sure, I would definitely be interested in testing that.

[–][deleted]  (4 children)

[deleted]

    [–]MisterYouAreSoDumbNatrium Health & Nootropics Depot[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

    Thanks! We'll see what it comes back as.

    [–][deleted]  (2 children)

    [deleted]

      [–]MisterYouAreSoDumbNatrium Health & Nootropics Depot[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

      Sorry for the delay. My landlord decided to up and sell the house I was living in, so I had to move last minute. That messed a whole lot up. I got your sample. I just need to find it again in all the stuff I packed from the other house. I'll look for it today.

      [–]gwerngwern.net 4 points5 points  (3 children)

      Here is the COA for the Swanson brand Bacognize bacopa capsules.

      So, worries about metals was what was stopping me from buying any bacopa, and now I'm looking at what's on offer, but I'm a little confused here. I thought 'Bacognize' was a particular source of bacopa (how else can they promise a clinically-standardized bacopa product with a particular % content?) and I could just buy whatever Bacognize was cheapest, but looking on Amazon, I see two competing products:

      Does this COA apply only to the Swanson one, or what?

      [–]MisterYouAreSoDumbNatrium Health & Nootropics Depot[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

      Bacognize is the bacopa source. Vendors all get the same bulk powder in from the supplier, then they encapsulate it themselves. Nootropics Depot made an agreement with them to sell it in bulk powder, rather than in capsules. As far as I know, they are the only ones allowed to do that.

      So this COA would apply to all the sources of Bacognize, since everyone that sells it uses the same powder source from the manufacturer. Everyone's will be 45%, but may have different mg per capsule.

      [–][deleted]  (1 child)

      [deleted]

        [–]gwerngwern.net 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        I see, thanks.

        [–]zc2 2 points3 points  (5 children)

        I wonder if there's just a lot of variation in heavy metal content regardless of brand. NootropicsDepot's tests of Bacognize came out with substantially different results, but still under specifications apparently (Lead at .443 PPM).

        [–]MisterYouAreSoDumbNatrium Health & Nootropics Depot[S] 2 points3 points  (3 children)

        Well there is going to be variation, since it is an extract from a plant. Also, the method for testing might give different results as well. We could always pick a supplier, then test it multiple times throughout the year to see how it varies.

        At least we know that the Himalaya is not harming people with high lead like I suspected. They are still on my shit list for ignoring me, though.

        [–]zc2 0 points1 point  (2 children)

        Yea, none of the levels seem concerning. A few grams of fish or chocolate would blow away these numbers, and those aren't unhealthy in moderation.

        [–]gwerngwern.net 0 points1 point  (1 child)

        But the point of bacopa is that you'd be taking substantial doses for long periods of time: weeks at a minimum, I gather.

        [–]zc2 3 points4 points  (0 children)

        Sure. But if the heavy metal content is roughly on par with chocolate and fish, but you only take 500mg of it instead of 70 or more grams, then I don't see any reason to be concerned. If someone wanted to seriously cut down on exposure to heavy metals they should probably attack food first. As long as the heavy metal content in 500mg isn't obscenely highly, it's going to be a drop in the bucket.

        Also there's some evidence out there to suggest Bacopa is a protective factor with exposure to at least some heavy metals.

        [–]BurpeeBlast666 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        I'm concerned about that lead content...isn't that quite high? I have the ND capsules here and have been taking them with no ill effects but... what does that translate to in regards to California's 0.5 ug/ml daily allowable intake of lead in food? Does anyone know?

        [–]NJDubbz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

        Excellent work - something we have all been concerned out and now relieved to find out regarding brands we can trust. Keep it up. Thank you.

        [–][deleted]  (1 child)

        [deleted]

          [–]MisterYouAreSoDumbNatrium Health & Nootropics Depot[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

          Yes, the green capped bottles.

          [–]sd002002 1 point2 points  (1 child)

          Nootrabiolabs also goes by the name Johnson Laboratories. I have also had a couple of bad experiences with these people; yet they get excellent reviews on Ebay?

          [–]MisterYouAreSoDumbNatrium Health & Nootropics Depot[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

          Well Cerebral Health had a good reputation, and a close following. That place was run by a guy who's ex-con father runs a holistic healing center, and who never did any testing of any kind. And who started Nootrabiolabs/Johnson Labs? Well that is the ex girlfriend of the owner of Cerebral Health. Doesn't surprise me that we are seeing issues with them now as well.

          [–]Mr12i 1 point2 points  (4 children)

          So just to be clear, these should be safe regarding heavy metals? *Regarding heavy metals

          [–]MisterYouAreSoDumbNatrium Health & Nootropics Depot[S] 1 point2 points  (3 children)

          Yep, those are the ones. You should be good.

          [–]Mr12i 1 point2 points  (2 children)

          Thanks! Excuse me for asking some more, but did you notice I have the "for sale in India" edition. Does this have anything to say?

          [–]MisterYouAreSoDumbNatrium Health & Nootropics Depot[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

          Yeah, that is when Himalaya stopped replying to me, when I told them they were selling their India only version in the US. I thought that meant that there were high lead limits, but the testing shows that not to be the case.

          I am not sure about the legality with the FDA, though. Perhaps that it why they stopped replying to me. At least we know they are safe.

          [–]Mr12i 1 point2 points  (0 children)

          Ok, thanks! Awesome work!

          [–]brainstorm11Nootropedia 1 point2 points  (0 children)

          Excellent detective work with the Nootrabiolabs. Glad you're doing this service for the community (both Reddit and Longecity).

          [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

          Thanks! I initially used Bacognize from Swanson, but got leery about some of these issues, then switched to NutriGold BacoMind (b/c purportedly BacoMind was the type that's been "clinically proven")... and I am still left scratching my head about the difference between Bacognize, Brahmi bacopa, and "BacoMind".

          [–]jarrellt67 0 points1 point  (0 children)

          I had actually made the opposite switch (from Nutrigold to Bacognize from Swanson) due to the cheaper price. I'm glad I don't have to trash the Bacognize now.

          [–]subjective_insanity 0 points1 point  (1 child)

          Do you expect the orange capped Himalaya brand bacopa to be similar?

          [–]MisterYouAreSoDumbNatrium Health & Nootropics Depot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

          I would imagine, but that is just a guess.

          [–]fromthepharcyde 0 points1 point  (2 children)

          Would this contain the Bacognize in question?

          [–]hamsummit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

          yup, thats the one

          [–]MisterYouAreSoDumbNatrium Health & Nootropics Depot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

          Yes, that is the one we tested.