Innovapharm NovaPump Neuro Review
By now it seems like we’ve reviewed the entire InnovaPharm product line, but there are still products yet to be tried at Modern Athletic Health HQ. And, until recently, their newest preworkout NovaPump Neuro was one of them! NovaPump Neuro follows in the footsteps some of their other hit pre-workouts such as Limitless, NovaPump (stim-free original) and MVPre (from their subsidiary Precision Research). The original NovaPump was a hit due to its ability to be added to other pre-workouts, as it is stim-free—so what makes NovaPump Neuro different? Simple: they amplified the formula with nearly 3g of Nootropic compounds while keeping all of the pump enhancing goodies inside. Not to mention they switched up the flavors and created two unique ones for the Neuro formula which we will touch on in a bit. So, what’s the motive behind this new version of NovaPump? The answer is in the “pump” itself. Sometimes we struggle with achieving a pump, even with the right amount of carbohydrates, hydration, and supplements. The key to unlocking a mind-blowing pump is, well, in the mind! InnovaPharm designed NovaPump Neuro to enhance focus, cognition, and the ability to attain a true mind-to-muscle connection necessary to accomplish a big pump. We won’t drag this on any further, keep reading below to find out more about NovaPump Neuro and our thoughts on InnovaPharm’s newest release!
Mixability: As always, mixability is a plus with InnovaPharm products. NovaPump Neuro mixes fantastic based on the directions listed on the label. We tried both a half scoop and full scoop in 10-16oz of water as directed and the product mixed well, albeit a little bit better and not as strong tasting in 16oz of water. There were very few remnants at the bottom of the cup and the GlycerPump, which doesn’t always mix great, was almost completely dissolved. Nothing new here, Innovapharm knocks the mixability category out of the park every time.
Flavors: The OG Nova Pump offered 3 different flavors and an unflavored variety designed for those wanting to add it to another pre-workout. The 3 flavors we saw with the original are no longer available with NovaPump Neuro. Rather, InnovaPharm opted for 2 newer flavors on their line in Snow Cone and the Neuro exclusive, Mermaid Kisses. Now, we’ve done a lot of reviews and tried a lot of different flavors but this is certainly the first time we’ve seen “Mermaid Kisses” be a flavor. Let’s dive into how they rate.
Ingredient Profile: Nova Pump Neuro nearly doubled the OG’s number of ingredients going from 5 to 9 total. Many of the ingredients we have talked about before but it is very important to note how the specific doses they work synergistically with each other to amplify your workout experience. The label gives us dosing for both a half scoop and a full scoop but we’re going to elaborate further on the full scoop dose. Doses will be designated as half (scoop/full scoop)
Citrulline Malate (4g/8g): Citrulline Malate has become a staple in most pre workouts because of its ability to improve blood flow, exercise performance, and a host of other benefits. Citrulline Malate is known for its ability to increase blood levels of arginine and improve vasodilation, lower blood pressure, and deliver nutrients through your body via increased nitric oxide. Studies suggest citrulline can also reduce fatigue, improve endurance, and decrease rest times during exercises because of its ability to increase oxygen utilization. It is also thought that Citrulline Malate can also reduce soreness and improve recovery post workout due to the enhanced blood flow and nutrient delivery properties. NovaPump Neuro packs a whopping 8g per scoop while the clinical dose is anywhere from the 3g-6g range!
GlycerPump (2g/4g): GlycerPump is the patented form of Glycerol formulated by Pinnacle Ingredients and has been proven to be superior to all other glycerol products on the market in a multitude of ways. Glycerol has been used for years in pre workouts to enhance muscular pumps and improve tissue hydration but many companies were leery to include it because of its poor solubility and problems dissolving in water. GlycerPump on the other hand, dissolves extremely well and has a fairly neutral taste rather than the bitter flavor regular glycerol products have. Glycerol works well when ingested with a large amount of fluid (10-20oz of water/pre-workout) and creates a state of hyperhydration by enabling body tissues to absorb and hold larger amounts of fluid than normal. This is what causes the skin-splitting “pump” but can improve hydration, power output, and muscular endurance.
Super Spinach (500mg/1g): We first saw Super Spinach in Nuvital’s Super Spinach standalone product and reviewed why it is the perfect add on into your pre-workout beverage. For years, beet root extract was the vegetable of extract of choice in pre-workouts due to its high nitrite content; until red spinach extract came alone. Studies have shown that red spinach extract like that in Super Spinach has up to 5x more nitrate content than beet root extract. Studies have also suggested that Super Spinach can enhance nitric oxide levels for up to 24 hours after consumption—talk about an all-day pump!
Agmatine Sulfate (500mg/1g): Agmatine Sulfate is known as a great pump agent and nitric oxide potentiator as well as a nitric oxide extender. Agmatine has been shown to inhibit arginase, the enzyme that degrades arginine. This helps to prolong the effects that arginine (or citrulline malate) have on your body. Combine this with GlycerPump and Super Spinach and you’ll be walking around for hours after your workout with full, solid muscles. Agmatine has also been shown to increase Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Growth Hormone (GH) with prolonged supplementation.
PegaPump- Peganum Harmala L-Extract (125mcg/250mcg): PegaPump, or Peganum Harmala L Extract is the only ingredient in Nova Pump Neuro that we have not reviewed before. Peganum Harmala is standardized for specific alkaloids that promote vasorelaxant properties and cardiovascular benefits. Peganum Harmala has been used around the world for years to treat cardiovascular disorders as well as improve properties such as making blood vessels more flexible, increase aortic flow, and decrease systemic arterial blood pressure. Essentially Peganum Harmala can improve general heart health and offer cardioprotective properties.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (500mg/1g): More commonly known as ALCAR, Acetyl-L-Carnitine is a highly bioavailable form of carnitine that easily crosses the blood/brain barrier, and is known for a number of neuroprotective and nootropic benefits. ALCAR contributes to the increase of acetylcholine, which when converted to choline, further increases cognitive functioning. Studies suggest that ALCAR can improve various learning functions, mental energy, improved mood and feelings of well-being, and improved mind-muscle connection.
L-Tyrosine (500mg/1g): An amino acid, Tyrosine is one of the most important amino acids with regards to cognitive functions. Tyrosine is vital to creation of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. These hormones are responsible for positive moods, feelings of well-being, and motivation. When faced with physically or cognitively stressful situations, the body’s dopamine levels are depleted causing lack of focus, “brain-fog”, and reduced motivation and energy. Supplementing with tyrosine can, through various metabolic pathways, increase neurotransmission and optimize performance during workouts.
Alpha GPC 50% (300mg/600mg): Alpha GPC or Alpha-glycerophosphocholine, is a compound in the choline family that has been shown to improve various cognitive functions, prevent cognitive slowing, and has even been shown to improve power output in athletes. Alpha GPC works synergistically with ALCAR as we mentioned earlier to improved acetylcholine production and further increase the mind-to-muscle connection. Not only has Alpha GPC been shown to reduce the cognition declining effects such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia, it has also been reported to support the structure of the cellular membrane to improve health and resiliency of cells. Studies also suggest that supplementing with Alpha GPC can increase your power output by up to 14%-- not bad for a supplement that has more of a cognitive intent. Anecdotally, users report various cognition increases, from focus, to elevated mood, to appetite suppression; especially when dosed with a stimulant like caffeine.
Huperzine A (100mcg/200mcg) So many nootropic-based products contain these tiny amounts of Huperzine A—but why? Huperzine A is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, or the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. We mentioned above why we need acetylcholine and the reason NovaPump Neuro is formulated with so many ingredients set on increasing choline levels. By adding Huperzine A, breakdown of acetylcholine is slowed and thus can provide users with longer lasting focus, concentration, and sustained mind-muscle connection, even during the longest workouts.
Price Point: When you compare NovaPump Neuro to the original NovaPump, you’d normally expect a big price jump given the extras they throw in. On the contrary, NovaPump Neuro ($54.99) is only $5 more than the OG Nova Pump ($49.99). If that isn’t a steal, remember, this can be clinically dosed at just a half a scoop which stretches a tub out to 40 workouts. A month or more of a solid clinically based pre-workout and nootropic blend for only $55? We’re sold—but of course we have a discount code for you. When you use code MODERN20 at checkout, you get an additional 20% off your entire order bringing your total down to less than a dollar per serving (using the half scoop dose)! We challenge you to find another pre-workout and nootropic blend on the market dosed as high as NovaPump Neuro for that great of price!
