Cognitive Performance
Sharp when it counts.
Cognitive Performance
What's happening
Sustained attention and working memory depend on adequate acetylcholine signalling, sufficient neuronal energy, and the structural integrity of cell membranes. Particularly in the prefrontal cortex. Bacopa Monnieri's bacoside saponins modulate hippocampal acetylcholine and BDNF expression; clinical effects on attention speed and learning rate accumulate over 8–12 weeks of daily intake, characterised in the Stough 2001 RCT and the Kongkeaw meta-analysis of 9 RCTs. Choline is the precursor for acetylcholine. Rōnin delivers ~411 mg per serving via choline bitartrate, meeting the EFSA AI. Algal DHA constitutes ~60% of brain structural phospholipids. Rōnin's 250 mg DHA hits the GB-NHC threshold for the brain-function authorised claim exactly. Matcha contributes ~66 mg caffeine + ~40 mg L-Theanine per serving. The theanine:caffeine ratio behind the calm-focused attention Owen characterised in 2008.
Evidence. Peer-reviewed, PubMed-verified
Bacopa Monnieri. Stough 12-week RCT in older adults at 300 mg/day (Stough 2001, Psychopharmacology); Kongkeaw meta-analysis of 9 RCTs (Kongkeaw 2014, J Ethnopharmacol); Lopresti 2025 healthy adults RCT (Lopresti 2025, Clin Drug Investig).
L-Theanine + Matcha. Owen theanine + caffeine attention RCT (Owen 2008, Nutr Neurosci); Hidese 200 mg/day × 4 weeks RCT (Hidese 2019, Nutrients); Baba matcha middle-aged/older-adults RCT (Baba 2021, Nutrients).
Algal DHA. Stonehouse review (Stonehouse 2014, Nutrients); Yurko-Mauro MIDAS trial in 485 adults 55+ (Yurko-Mauro 2010, Alzheimers Dement); Maltais 6-month RCT across adulthood (Maltais 2022, Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids). [GB-NHC] DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function (≥250 mg DHA/day; Rōnin delivers exactly 250 mg).
Full register: /pages/research.
How Rōnin addresses it
| Ingredient | Dose | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Bacopa Monnieri | 300mg | ≥55% bacosides; hippocampal acetylcholine + BDNF |
| Matcha Green Tea | 2,000mg | Ceremonial Japan-origin; ~66mg caffeine + ~40mg theanine |
| L-Theanine | 200mg | Suntheanine ≥98% L-isomer; alpha-wave EEG activity |
| Choline Bitartrate | 1,000mg | ~411mg choline; [GB-NHC] homocysteine + lipid metabolism + liver |
| Algal DHA | 250mg DHA | [GB-NHC] maintenance of normal brain function |
| Pine Bark Extract | 150mg | ≥65% procyanidins; cerebrovascular NO bioavailability research |
| Methylcobalamin (B12) | 500µg | Active coenzyme form; [GB-NHC] normal psychological function |
| Alpha Lipoic Acid | 200mg | Mitochondrial dehydrogenase cofactor; recycles vitamin C / E |
All ingredients listed are included in the Rōnin Daily Formula at the stated doses. One daily scoop.