Catecostim: Improve Focus, Cognition and Mental Functioning

Want to increase alertness, concentration and mood?

LOL who doesn’t? We live in a fast-paced world that is applauded for it’s busy-ness.

Catecostim from Apex Energetics is a terrific tool to have in your toolbox to assist you in conquering the world and accomplishing your goals, one day at a time.

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You can use it for a midday pick-me-up, in place of a cup of coffee or to help you buckle down to get sh*t done. It’s a combination of vitamins and herbs that provide a smooth supply of energy to help brighten the mind.

For me, it feels like my speech flows more fluidly, motivation is increased and I’m better equipped to RESPOND to stressors instead of REACT to them.

For those casually using Adderall, Ritalin or other powerful brain stimulants to study, party or be productive, this is a great alternative. Many people taking these drugs are unaware that this ‘super-duper brain power’ don’t come fo’ free and there is a pricetag of long-term side effects.

[Stay tuned for my next post about TCM + Adderall!]

Catecostim is a better option to support overall brain health and cognition as it nourishes the brain by providing it with antioxidants and a fuel source to kick things into high gear (instead of burning the wick from both ends and depleting your reserves).

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NOTE: Some of you may be affected by more severe forms of ADD, ADHD or other ailments in which Adderall (or other meds) is NECESSARY for you to get through your day and that is absolutely OKAY!

I’m not suggesting this to be used as a direct swap for those who truly need the medication to function.

However, if you have been considering more holistic methods to manage focus, energy and cognition, this could be a great adjunct to help taper off as you explore other mind-body therapies.

Like any medication, there are warnings about getting off of them so be sure to seek the help of your prescribing physician first if you want to get off of Adderall or any other prescription.

Let’s Peep The Ingredients

+ why they’re important

VITAMIN C:

(aka ascorbic acid)

The brain uses LOTS of energy and Vit C helps facilitate the energy usage to avoid burn out.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant, this means it surrenders it’s electrons to neutralize rogue oxygen molecules given off in the brain’s metabolic process. Without antioxidants, these free-ballin’ oxygen free-radicals damage DNA and age your cells. Think of your neurons (brain cells) as having metabolic furnaces that churn through glucose (aka cell’s energy) to power all your thoughts, feelings and movements. The vitamin C is there as back up to make sure that you don’t run out of firewood.

Vit C IS ALSO NEEDED FOR:

-building the myelin sheath (insulated covering of nerve cells) = faster communication between cells

-converting dopamine to serotonin and modulating neurotransmitter release in nerve cells = #mood

-maintaining blood vessel integrity = decreased risk of XS bruising, aneurysms or brain bleeds

VITAMIN C DEFICIENCY SIGNS:

fatigue, depression, and poor wound healing

FACTORS THAT DECREASE VIT C:

-smoking

-toxin exposure from air pollution

-alcohol consumption

-overcooking food (heat destroys it)

PANTOTHENIC ACID

(aka Vit B5, aka the “anti-stress” vitamin)

Vitamin B5 is one of the eight B-vitamins (if you take a B complex you’re likely taking a combination of all eight) and it’s ESSENTIAL for making a bunch of really important stuff (acetylcholine, ATP, etc).

Adequate levels of acetylcholine can boost focus, memory, learning, and reduce brain fog so when you’re low in B vitamins you may feel unfocused, tired, and unmotivated.

‘Neurohackers’ who supplement with pantothenic acid report being wonderfully optimistic, energetic and mentally sharp. It helps them focus better and they feel a profound increase in energy and concentration.

Vit B5 converts food to energy, meaning, it helps to break food down into nutrients that can then be utilized as fuel to power your brain + body.

B5 ALSO:

-lowers LDL cholesterol

-stimulates red blood cell production

Chronic stress, anxiety and lower acetylcholine levels can damage your brain, possibly manifesting in memory loss, brain fog, anxiety, depression, and even neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Vitamin B5 supplementation can help increase acetylcholine, epinephrine and serotonin levels in your brain while also helping to modulate cortisol levels produced in your adrenal glands. This helps you to cope with stress and lessen depression.

FOODS WITH B5:

It’s always best to get vitamins from food so increasing the following can help with better brain function and energy:

-eggs -legumes

-avocados

-mushrooms -milk products

-fish + shellfish

-sweet potatoes

-organ meat (liver, kidney)

**Avocados contain the highest amount of pantothenic acid among commonly consumed foods, with one avocado containing about 2 mg**

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: [Isn’t it interesting that foods we were once told “cause cholesterol” are actually good sources of B5, a vitamin that LOWERS cholesterol?]

L-TYROSINE:

(an amino acid)

L-Tyrosine is the pre-cursor for 3 MUY importante neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, adrenaline) and it also increases nerve communication.

What does that mean?

Increased neurotransmitters = better mood, more motivation, less of a stress response

Better nerve communication = faster thought processing + multitasking capabilities

NEUROTRANSMITTER CHEAT SHEET:

• Dopamine: for mood + motivation
• Norepinephrine: for muscle recovery + blood flow
• Adrenaline: for focus + drive

When you’re under physical or mental stress, your neurotransmitter bank account can start to run low. But if you have plenty of tyrosine in your bloodstream, it replenishes the neurotransmitters before stress can deplete them, allowing you to stay sharp for longer without getting burned out.

FOOD VS LAB

You can get tyrosine from foods like chicken, turkey, fish, and cheese but if you want the cognitive benefits of tyrosine, you’re better off taking a supplement.

Purified tyrosine gets pushed to neurotransmitter synthesis while tyrosine in food ends up going to your muscles along with all the rest of the amino acids you eat.

USE W/ CAUTION:

if taking L-Dopa (Parkinson’s med)

or

MAOI inhibitor (Depression Med)

GUARANA:

(an Amazonian seed)

Guarana seeds contain tannins (plant antioxidants) and deliver a decadent dose of

caffeine. This combo provides a slower, smoother energy release than coffee and leaves you jitter-free. Guarana is often found in energy drinks and pre-workouts to provide an extra-caffeinated “oomph” as well as improve concentration and focus.

Guarana has been used for centuries to treat digestive problems like chronic diarrhea and constipation.

GUARANA + YOUR BOWELS

The tannins found in Guarana are known for their astringent properties, which means they can bind and contract tissue. Tannins regulate fluid secretion and absorption in the walls of your digestive tract, leaving you with a poo minus the goo.

If you’re worried about constipation, fear not. Caffeine works as a natural laxative since it stimulates the bowel contractions. Although every body responds differently, Guarana often helps to regulate bowel movements (no matter which end of the spectrum you are on) due to these two actions.

USE W/ CAUTION:

if taking blood thinners, alcohol, other stimulants

ELEUTHERO:

(aka Siberian Ginseng)

Eleuthero is one of the OG ‘adaptogens’ and it is commonly used to moderate stress, tonify Qi and regulate blood sugar.

An ‘adaptogen’ is a substance that helps the body adapt to various types of stress. In order to achieve this status, a plant must be harmless to the body. It must also have a broad-spectrum, normalizing action that brings an organism back to homeostasis.

STRESS LESS

Research shows that Eleuthero increases the ability of subjects to withstand stress such as heat, noise, motion, exercise, and increase in workload. Subjects in these studies also experienced a normalization in mental alertness and work output.

It helps balance the caffeine in Guarana to ensure a smooth energy flow.

In Summary

Catecostim will not give you the cracky, unnatural focus that comes with Adderall.

This is a gentle, stimulating supplement to benefit the brain to increase focus and overall mood.

As with any supplement, some general CAUTIONS to keep in mind:

Ask your doctor and use with caution if you’re currently taking:

-aspirin

-blood thinners

-L-Dopa (commonly used for Parkinson’s)

-depression medication (specifically MAOI inhibitors)

It’s NOT intended to be used WITH or as a direct replacement for those prescribed adderall

It does contain caffeine via the Guarana so I suggest taking it before 2pm if you’re sensitive to caffeine

Be aware of the amount of caffeine you are ingesting throughout the day as this can cause issues with sleep

Do you have any questions? Feel free to email me