Methylliberine Ingestion Improves Various Indices of Affect but Not Cognitive Function in Healthy Men and Women

Abstract

This study assessed the acute effects of oral methylliberine (DynamineTM) supplementation on cognitive function and indices of well-being. This was a double-blind, randomized, within-subject crossover trial. In total, 25 healthy men and women (33.5 ± 10.7 yr, 172.7 ± 8.6 cm, 73.3 ± 11.0 kg) underwent pretesting before ingesting methylliberine (100 mg) or a placebo (PLA) for 3 days. On the fourth day, the participants were tested before their fourth dose (baseline) and every hour post-ingestion for 3 h. After a one-week washout period, the participants repeated testing with the alternate investigational product. The testing battery consisted of vitals, Stroop test, Trail Making Test-B, and visual analog scales that assessed various indices of well-being. Mixed factorial ANOVAs with repeated measures were used to assess all variables. There were significant (p ≤ 0.050) interactions in terms of concentration, motivation, and mood. Methylliberine improved concentration at 1 and 3 h, motivation at 3 h, and mood at 1, 2, and 3 h (p ≤ 0.050). Methylliberine improved energy, sustained energy, and mood in all participants to a greater extent than PLA at 1 h and 3 h relative to baseline (p ≤ 0.050). PLA improved motivation at 1 and 2 h and mood at 2 h (p ≤ 0.050). Methylliberine improved concentration, well-being, and the ability to tolerate stress to a greater extent than PLA at 3 h relative to baseline (p ≤ 0.050). Women observed elevations in sustained energy at 1 and 3 h (p ≤ 0.050) with methylliberine vs. PLA. Methylliberine had a negligible influence on cognitive function and vitals (p > 0.050), and no adverse events were reported. Methylliberine significantly improved subjective feelings of energy, concentration, motivation, and mood, but not cognitive function. PLA improved motivation and mood at hours 1 and 2, while methylliberine sustained these benefits for longer. Methylliberine also improved concentration, well-being, and the ability to tolerate stress to a greater degree than PLA, while having no detrimental effects on vital signs. Methylliberine also seemed to have a positive impact on sustained energy in women.