The Curse is a pre-workout supplement by Cobra Labs. It is designed to increase energy, pumps, and mental focus for improved workouts.
Cobra Labs was created in 2010 and distributes its products to over 100 countries worldwide. The Curse remains their best-selling pre-workout to date.
Ingredients Label
Active Ingredients
Beta Alanine
Beta Alanine is a beta-amino acid that increases Carnosine. Carnosine reduces acid build-up and free radicals, holding off muscle fatigue for longer (1).
The recommended daily dose is 2-5g.
Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine is a compound found in foods like meat and eggs, but only in small amounts. Supplementation allows the consumption of greater amounts than possible from diet alone.
It increases the production of energy (ATP) in skeletal muscle, improving both power output and endurance (2, 3).
L-Citrulline
L-Citrulline is an amino acid that increases endurance and muscle growth, and reduces soreness (4).
It is converted by the body to Nitric Oxide, which expands blood vessels and increases blood flow.
The effective dose is 6-8g.
L-Arginine AKG
Just like L-Citrulline, L-Arginine is a Nitric Oxide supplement that contributes to improved pumps and endurance by dilating blood vessels (5).
The AKG version is absorbed better than other forms (6).
An effective dose is around 3-6g.
Caffeine
Caffeine can significantly increase power output and athletic performance, as well as alertness (7).
The effective dose is about 200-500mg, but varies with individual tolerance.
Olive Leaf Extract
Olive Leaf Extract significantly reduces blood pressure, which may offset adverse effects from stimulants like caffeine (8).
An effective dose is 500-1000mg.
Who Takes It?
Any athlete wishing to increase the quality of their workouts may benefit from using The Curse.
How to Take
Mix 1 scoop with 250mL of water 30-60 minutes before working out for the first two days to assess tolerance. Increase to 2 scoops if tolerance allows.
Do not exceed 2 scoops within a 24 hour period.
Side Effects
Caffeine and Creatine may upset the stomach if taken without sufficient water, or if taken on an empty stomach.
You may feel a tingling sensation throughout your body from the Beta Alanine.
Pros
- Every ingredient in this formula is proven to be super-effective for its intended purpose
- The most effective forms of Creatine and L-Arginine are used
- A variety of flavours are available.
Cons
- The dose of each ingredient is less than optimal – this could be fixed by taking two scoops, if you can handle the extra caffeine.
Conclusion
Cobra Labs have use a smart combination of the most effective ingredients in The Curse, which means it definitely works.
The dose of each ingredient in a scoop is a little low, so taking two scoops might be best if extra caffeine isn’t an issue.
