Guarana
Other names Paullinia Cupana, P. Sorbilis
Guarana is used by many people as a natural nootropic to boost energy, mood, and focus. But is it effective? Read on to find out what the science says.
Benefits
Read about the effects of Guarana in relation to the amount of evidence we've found
We analyzed data from 2 placebo-controlled studies on the effects of Guarana in healthy humans and summarized the results here:
| Effect | Effect size | Evidence amount |
|---|---|---|
| Memory | Minute positive | Relatively large |
Risks
The legality and side effects of Guarana
You should always consider the risks of a nootropic before you use it.
Side effects
No negative side effects were seen in any of the studies that we reviewed.
Interactions
Supplements and drugs can interact with Guarana to increase or decrease the positive or negative effects you experience. If you are already using any supplements or drugs, speak with your trusted medical professional before you experiment with Guarana. To learn more about the potential interactions between Guarana and other substances, use interaction-checker.
Legality
Is your country not included? Learn how to find out if Guarana is legal in your country.
Legality Disclaimer
The contents herein are not legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel. information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. While we have done our best to be as accurate as possible in the information we convey to you about the legality of nootropics, there is a risk for inaccuracies and errors. If you’re uncertain about the legality of any of your actions, contact a legal counsel or your local authorities governing the legality of various substances you may want to use/import/travel with.
How To Use
Dose, frequency and duration
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Guarana
Which are the active ingredients in guarana?
The primary active ingredient in guarana is likely caffeine.
In studies in healthy humans that examined the effects of guarana on mood and cognition 2.5% caffeine was present in the study in which participants received 1080 mg doses for acute effects [1] and in the study in which participants received 75 mg doses for acute effects, caffeine and theobromine together made up 11–13% of the studied guarana product.
Other than caffeine and theobromine, guarana also contains theophylline, tannins, and catechins. [9]
How should I select a guarana product for mood and cognition?
There are some things to consider that can increase your chances of finding a safe and effective guarana product:
- Find a product with a certificate of analysis verifying that the product contains safe levels of heavy metals and other potentially dangerous chemicals
- Find a product as similar as possible to those used in studies in humans
- Look for standardized amounts of active ingredients (see the question above this one) that are likely of relevance to guarana's effects on mood and cognition
A certificate of analysis is necessary for you to be certain that the product you are going to use will be safe. You should not stop searching for a product until you have found one which has a certificate of analysis. There is no way to be 100% certain that the company you are buying a product from has not faked a certificate of analysis, but them providing you with one significantly increases their commitment to the chemical purity and identity of the product, which should make you trust them more.
Guarana product selection is not easy because of the lack of transparency and chemical testing by most supplement companies.
When it comes to the active ingredients, that is not as crucial as a certificate of analysis. Sure, you may purchase an ineffective product if you buy one without the relevant active ingredients, but ultimately safety is more important than efficacy. The reason we say it's not crucial to find a product with standardized amounts of active ingredients as those used in studies in humans is that it is very hard to find such products as a consumer. You may or may not want to take a chance and buy a product that is not standardized to contain the same active ingredients as those used in the studies, and carefully self-experiment with it to see if it is safe and effective.
Who should use Guarana?
There’s a need for more high-quality scientific information about the safety and effectiveness of Guarana. Specifically, there’s a great degree of individual variance in how people respond to nootropics in general and Guarana in particular. This means that if you use Guarana, you may not experience the same effects as those that were seen in scientific studies on it.
It is currently largely unknown what factors play a role in whether a nootropic will be effective for a person.
While we wait for science to explain who is likely to respond to which nootropics, patient self-experimentation with nootropics that have been found safe and effective in placebo-controlled studies in healthy humans is a proven strategy to feel and perform better with the help of nootropics.
Studies
Studies conducted on the effects of Guarana in healthy humans
In the 2 studies that met our inclusion criteria, 55 participants received Guarana. In total, we examined 3 studies on the effects Guarana, which you can find summaries of below.
This study is used in our recommendation engine calculations. Learn more about how we select studies
Summary
"In healthy subjects a 5-day treatment with a commercial preparation of guaranà used according to labelled instructions provided no evidence for any major effects on psychological well-being, anxiety and mood."
Study groups
Adults using 1080 Milligram
This study is used in our recommendation engine calculations. Learn more about how we select studies
Summary
Guarana had a moderate positive effect on cognitive performance in healthy adults
Study groups
Adults using 75 Milligram
Summary
"Guarana seems to improve reaction time and accuracy of performance at tasks, but no significant effects were found when compared with caffeine."
Last updated Saturday, June 10, 2023