RAVE is a pre-workout supplement made by ANS Performance.
It’s a multi-stimulant formula designed to improve energy and focus levels, for better workouts.
ANS Performance is a Canadian supplement company, which was founded in 2012.
Ingredients Label
Active Ingredients
Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid that is commonly paired with caffeine in energy drinks.
In this combination, it’s believed to improve mental performance, however studies show that it may just be the caffeine that’s responsible (1).
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine is an amino acid which helps with fat-loss in those with a carnitine deficiency.
In the acetyl form, it may also improve concentration levels in people with fatigue (2).
The effective dose is 2,000mg.
Tyrosine
Tyrosine is an amino acid with anti-stress effects.
When taken at the effective dose, it can enable improved performance under fatigue or stress (3).
An effective dose is 500-2,000mg.
Choline Bitartrate
Choline is a brain-boosting vitamin.
Studies show that people with a greater dietary intake of choline demonstrate better mental performance (4).
Unfortunately, the bitartrate form is somewhat cheap, and other forms of choline are much more effective.
Hericium Erinaceus
Also known as “Lion’s Mane”, Hericium Erinaceus is a Chinese mushroom.
It’s been shown to boost something called “nerve growth factor”, which improves brain cell health, memory, and learning (5, 6).
Huperzine-A
Huperzine-A is yet another brain-booster, which improves cognition and memory.
It does this by preventing the break-down of acetylcholine, the “learning transmitter” (7).
The effective dose is 50-200 micrograms.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant which increases energy and alertness.
It’s also been shown to improve athletic performance at higher doses (8).
Dicaffeine malate is also used here, which releases more slowly than regular caffeine.
The effective dose is between 200-500mg.
Theanine
Theanine is an amino acid which improves relaxation and focus.
It’s often used alongside caffeine, to reduce any anxiety or jitters (9).
A standard dose is 100-200mg.
Kigelia Africana
Kigelia Africana is an African tree, whose fruit contains a compound called DMHA.
This compound is very similar to the now-banned DMAA, in effects and structure – although it’s believed to not be as strong.
This includes increases in energy, mood and motivation.
Due to a lack of research, we’re not yet sure how safe it is.
Higenamine
Higenamine is another “replacement” ingredient for a banned ingredient – this time for ephedrine, a stimulant and fat burner.
Ephedrine is heavily regulated across Australasia, so Higenamine has recently gained a lot of popularity.
Like Kigelia Africana above, it is not well-researched in humans yet.
Who Takes It?
Athletes who want to improve their workouts by increasing their energy and focus will enjoy using RAVE.
How to Take
Mix 1 scoop (3.5g) with 250mL cold water, and consume 30 minutes before your workout.
Side Effects
The stimulants in RAVE could trigger rapid or irregular heartbeat, as well as other unknown side effects.
Caffeine may upset the digestive system when taken without sufficient water, or on an empty stomach.
Pros
- A wide range of focus and energy-enhancing compounds are used
- New and promising stimulants used included, in addition to caffeine
Cons
- Some of the ingredients are dosed too low
- There could be potentially dangerous side effects from the less-researched stimulants
- No ingredients specifically for pumps or performance
Conclusion
RAVE is a pre-workout supplement that is purely focused on increasing energy, focus, and mood levels.
It packs 3 different stimulants and a whole range of brain-boosting ingredients into its formula, which should be more than likely to give you a good kick.
Although some of these are included in cheap forms or low doses, the sheer number of different ingredients should make up for this, especially at the 2-scoop dose.
There aren’t any ingredients in this formula strictly for pumps and performance, so if you want a more well-rounded pre-workout, you may have to look elsewhere.
