Bucked Up Black Ant: Strength You Can Feel with the Power of ANTS

What if we told you that people have been eating ants for 3,000 years to get stronger? And what if we told you that Bucked Up just broke their own cardinal rule by creating their first-ever creatine pre-workout... one that contains actual black ant extract instead of deer antler velvet?!

Bucked Up Black Ant: A Pre-Workout of Many Firsts

Bucked Up Black Ant represents a seismic shift for DAS Labs and their Bucked Up brand. For years, they never put creatine in their pre-workouts, preferring to keep the categories separate. But when you're dealing with a formula this ambitious -- one that targets strength beyond your bodyweight -- by combining ancient Chinese medicine, novel scientific discoveries, and cutting-edge creatine enhancement technology... all bets are off.

Bucked Up breaks their own rule with Black Ant -- their first creatine pre-workout featuring actual black ant extract used for 3000 years for strength. Plus RipFACTOR® research showing 2.4x faster strength gains and CreaSol SSAT creatine enhancer. Strength you can literally feel.

A Supplement for Strength You Can Feel

This isn't your daily driver pre-workout. Black Ant is what you reach for when the usual routine isn't enough, when you need that "big month" formula that delivers strength you can feel. And we mean that literally, from the 4 grams of beta-alanine creating that familiar tingle to the experiential impact you'll notice from the first scoop thanks to the combination of 300mg caffeine, Dynamine, L-tyrosine, and the all-new CreaSol SSAT tyrosol ingredient.

A Creatine Pre-Workout with Black Ant Extract...

But the centerpiece? Polyrhachis vicina Roger: Yes, black ant extract that's been consumed for millennia as both food and traditional medicine. These aren't random insects, they're nutritional powerhouses containing all essential amino acids and exceptional mineral density.

...anchored with RipFACTOR® and CreaSol SSAT

But Bucked Up didn't stop at ancient wisdom. To get clinical strength gains, they've boosted it with RipFACTOR®, a botanical blend that researchers discovered by complete accident when study participants kept reporting dramatic strength improvements during clinical trials. The published research shows participants gained strength 2.4 times faster than placebo groups... and that's with trained athletes who'd been lifting for years.

Then there's CreaSol SSAT, a patented form of tyrosol (the longevity compound found in Mediterranean olive oil) engineered specifically to amplify creatine's effectiveness. Think of it as a creatine booster that makes every gram work harder.

The result is a formula that bridges 3,000 years of traditional use with cutting-edge sports science, delivering an experience that's as memorable as it is effective.

This is a pre-workout unlike anything you've ever seen. And it's finally here for you to obliterate any plateau that's been in your way. Let's get into the science, but first, check prices and availability and sign up for PricePlow's Bucked Up news alerts:

Before digging into the ingredients, check out the video from out trip to Salt Lake City to celebrate this launch:

Black Ant Ingredients

Each serving of Black Ant provides the following at 1 or 2 scoops:

• L-Citrulline – 3,000mg / 6,000mg

  L-citrulline stands as the gold standard nitric oxide precursor, delivering pumps and vasodilation that L-arginine simply can't match. Unlike arginine, which faces extensive breakdown by intestinal arginase enzymes, citrulline bypasses this metabolic roadblock entirely.^[1]

  Superior Arginine Delivery

  Research demonstrates that oral L-citrulline increases plasma arginine concentrations more effectively than arginine itself. In controlled studies, just 0.75g of citrulline twice daily produced similar plasma arginine levels as 1.6g of sustained-release arginine twice daily, essentially doubling the bioavailability.^[1] The conversion occurs primarily in the kidneys through a two-step enzymatic pathway that transforms citrulline into arginine for sustained nitric oxide production.

  Performance Enhancement

  Clinical trials show L-citrulline supplementation improves both acute performance and training adaptations. Seven days of 6g daily citrulline supplementation enhanced oxygen uptake kinetics during high-intensity exercise and increased time to exhaustion compared to placebo.^[2] The enhanced oxygen delivery and metabolic efficiency translate to measurable improvements in both endurance and repeated bout performance.

  Meta-analyses confirm citrulline's ability to reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery metrics. Studies consistently show 24-48% reductions in perceived muscle soreness following intense training when supplementing with citrulline.^[3]

  Black Ant provides clinical doses of 3-6g L-citrulline to ensure maximum vasodilation, nutrient delivery, and pump enhancement from your first scoop. Even at one scoop, there's clinical backing, as we've seen significance from just 2.4g citrulline!^[4] And combined with the formula's comprehensive strength stack, you're getting research-backed vasodilation that delivers both immediate feel and long-term performance benefits.

• Creatine Monohydrate – 2,500mg / 5,000mg

  For years, Bucked Up maintained a clear separation between their pre-workouts and creatine products. But when you're dealing with a formula designed to deliver "strength you can feel", all bets are off. Black Ant represents Bucked Up's first-ever creatine pre-workout, and they've gone straight to the gold standard: creatine monohydrate at a clinical 5-gram dose.

  

  This three-panel graph compares plasma creatine concentrations over time with different supplementation methods. Panel A shows pure creatine solution's rapid absorption and clearance curve, panel B demonstrates how meat consumption provides lower but sustained creatine levels compared to solution, and panel C reveals how various creatine formulations (gel, suspension, lozenge) deliver comparable bioavailability despite manufacturer claims of superiority, supporting the article's point that alternative forms don't outperform basic monohydrate.
  ^[5]

  The Energy Currency Revolution

  Creatine stands as the most extensively studied supplement for strength enhancement, working through one of the most fundamental energy pathways in human physiology. Once consumed, creatine binds with inorganic phosphate to form phosphocreatine (PCr), creating a high-energy reservoir that rapidly regenerates adenosine triphosphate (ATP) when it breaks down during intense muscle contractions.^[6] This phosphocreatine system serves as your muscle's immediate energy source, powering those first few seconds of maximum-intensity effort where PRs are made.

  Research consistently demonstrates creatine monohydrate supplementation increases muscle creatine and phosphocreatine levels by 20-40%, directly enhancing your capacity for explosive strength and power output.^[7] The mechanism is elegantly simple: more stored phosphocreatine means more available energy for rapid ATP regeneration, translating to measurable improvements in strength performance and training volume.

  Strength Gains You Can Measure

  Meta-analyses consistently show creatine's remarkable ability to enhance upper body strength performance, with systematic reviews finding significant improvements in bench press and other strength measures compared to placebo groups.^[8] Studies across multiple populations demonstrate creatine supplementation increases strength, fat-free mass, and power output when combined with resistance training.

  Research shows creatine supplementation enables athletes to perform more total work during training sessions, with studies finding significant increases in training volume compared to placebo groups.^[9] This enhanced training capacity creates a positive feedback loop where greater training volume drives superior strength adaptations over time.

  

  This three-panel graph illustrates changes in muscle creatine content, fat-free mass, and total work capacity over a 28-day supplementation period. The data contradicts the myth that creatine increases fat mass, showing instead that it increases muscle creatine storage and fat-free mass while potentially improving work capacity. This evidence-based view supports creatine's benefits for diverse populations beyond young male athletes.^[5]

  The strength benefits extend beyond acute performance improvements. Clinical trials consistently demonstrate that creatine supplementation combined with resistance training produces greater strength gains than training alone, with some studies showing creatine groups achieving strength improvements 2-3 times greater than placebo groups performing identical training protocols.

  Enhanced by CreaSol SSAT

  Black Ant's creatine formula receives additional enhancement from CreaSol SSAT, a patented tyrosol compound specifically designed to amplify creatine's effectiveness. This innovative creatine booster increases creatine utilization and enhances phosphocreatine resynthesis, ensuring every gram of creatine works harder to support your strength goals.

  At Black Ant's clinical 2,500mg dose (5,000mg at two scoops), you're receiving the research-validated amount that has consistently produced measurable strength improvements across hundreds of published studies. Combined with this formula's strength-focused synergists like RipFACTOR and betaine, creatine forms the energetic foundation for the kind of strength gains that make people notice.

• Beta-Alanine – 2,000mg / 4,000mg

  Beta-alanine is one of the most scientifically validated ingredients for muscular endurance, working through a straightforward yet powerful mechanism. Once consumed, it combines with the amino acid histidine in muscle tissue to synthesize carnosine, a crucial intracellular buffer that combats the acid buildup responsible for muscle fatigue.^[10]

  

  Carnosine: Your Muscle's Natural pH Buffer

  It all happens when high-intensity exercise produces hydrogen ions (H+), causing that familiar burn that forces you to stop mid-set. Carnosine acts as your muscle's built-in defense system, neutralizing these acids and extending your ability to maintain power output.^[11] Research consistently demonstrates that beta-alanine supplementation increases muscle carnosine concentrations by 40-60% after four weeks, with benefits most pronounced in exercise lasting 0.5-10 minutes.^[12]

  The 4-Gram Advantage

  Black Ant's 4-gram dose exceeds the standard 3.2-gram clinical benchmark, and there's good reason for this. Meta-analyses show that higher doses within the 4-6 gram range produce superior performance improvements, with one systematic review finding significant ergogenic effects across multiple exercise modalities.^[13]

  The enhanced dose also means you'll almost definitely feel it working. Beta-alanine produces a distinctive tingling sensation (paresthesia) that occurs when it binds to peripheral neuronal receptors, and this harmless "pins and needles" feeling serves as immediate confirmation that the ingredient is active in your system.^[14]

  With Black Ant's generous 4-gram serving, you're getting a dose that bridges the gap between clinical efficacy and experiential impact, delivering both the performance benefits you need and the sensory feedback that lets you know it's working.

• Betaine Anhydrous – 1,250mg / 2,500mg

  Betaine (trimethylglycine) delivers dual-pathway strength enhancement through cellular optimization and training adaptation acceleration.^[15,16] This naturally occurring osmolyte protects muscle proteins from denaturation under exercise stress while simultaneously supporting the biochemical processes that drive strength gains.

  Cellular Performance Enhancement

  Betaine functions as a critical cellular osmolyte, maintaining optimal hydration and protein stability during high-intensity training.^[15], ^[16] Thanks to its protective nature, the compound creates an ideal environment for excitation-contraction coupling even under metabolic stress.

  

  The placebo effect started strong with this group. But... the real gains obliterated placebo in due time with betaine!^[15]

  Training Adaptation Acceleration

  Clinical research demonstrates betaine's ability to enhance training adaptations beyond acute performance effects. Trained athletes supplementing with 2.5g daily showed significantly improved bench press training volume and increased arm cross-sectional area compared to placebo groups over six weeks.^[15,16] The betaine group also experienced favorable body composition changes, including increased lean mass and reduced fat mass.

  Creatine Synergy

  Betaine may amplify creatine's effectiveness through enhanced creatine synthesis pathways, as betaine serves as a methyl donor for creatine production.^[15], ^[16] This synergistic relationship makes betaine an ideal companion to Black Ant's clinical creatine + CreaSol SSAT doses, potentially maximizing phosphocreatine availability for explosive strength outputs.

  At Black Ant's 1,250mg dose (2,500mg at two scoops), you're getting the clinically-validated amount that produced measurable improvements in training volume and body composition in resistance-trained athletes.

• L-Tyrosine – 1,000mg / 2,000mg

  L-tyrosine is the precursor to dopamine and norepinephrine, two critical neurotransmitters that directly influence focus, motivation, and cognitive performance under stress.^[17] When intense training pushes your mental resources to their limits, tyrosine steps in to maintain the neurotransmitter synthesis needed for peak cognitive control.

  Mental Strength Under Physical Stress

  The connection between tyrosine and "strength you can feel" extends beyond pure muscle power to include the mental fortitude required for demanding training sessions. Research demonstrates that tyrosine supplementation specifically benefits cognitive performance when neurotransmitter function becomes temporarily depleted during stressful or cognitively demanding situations.^[18]

  

  This makes tyrosine ideal for high-intensity workouts where maintaining focus becomes as important as maintaining strength. Studies show tyrosine enhances working memory performance, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility -- precisely the mental skills that determine whether you push through challenging sets or give in to fatigue.^[18]

  Neurotransmitter Support During Training

  Tyrosine's effectiveness stems from its unique mechanism: it only enhances neurotransmitter synthesis in actively firing neurons experiencing high demand.^[17] During intense exercise, catecholamine neurons increase their firing rates to meet situational demands, rapidly depleting available tyrosine resources. Supplementation provides the raw material needed to sustain dopamine and norepinephrine production, preventing the cognitive decline that can sabotage training performance.

  At Bucked Up Black Ant's 1,000mg dose (2,000mg at two scoops), you're receiving a substantial amount that supports both the mental clarity needed for perfect form and the motivational drive required to push through challenging training sessions.

  There's the feel, but now it's time to get back to the strength:

• RipFACTOR® (Mangifera indica (bark) & Sphaeranthus indicus (flower head) Extract) – 542mg / 1,084mg

  PLT Health's RipFACTOR® is one of sports nutrition's most interesting accidental discoveries. When researchers screened over 2,000 botanical extracts for potential, this specific blend of mango bark and East Indian Globe Thistle consistently activated key pathways in muscle cells.^[19] What started as laboratory screening became human clinical validation when study participants kept reporting dramatic strength improvements that researchers couldn't ignore!

  The published research tells the story: trained athletes supplementing with RipFACTOR gained strength 2.4 times faster than placebo groups over 8 weeks.^[20] Even more impressive, RipFACTOR-supplemented groups outperformed placebo groups doing twice the training volume, suggesting the ingredient amplifies training adaptations rather than simply adding bulk.

  Multiple Pathways to Strength

  RipFACTOR's effects stem from simultaneous activation of several key mechanisms. The ingredient directly activates mTOR signaling pathways while upregulating muscle-specific transcription factors like myogenin and MyoD in skeletal muscle cells.^[19] Simultaneously, it enhances mitochondrial function in muscle cells and synergistically boosts nitric oxide production in endothelial cells, creating a comprehensive approach to strength development.

  

  Clinical studies demonstrate RipFACTOR's ability to increase both free and total testosterone while reducing cortisol levels, creating an optimal hormonal environment for strength gains.^[19] This hormonal optimization likely explains why participants experienced strength improvements within just 14 days of supplementation.

  RipFactor AWS: Advanced Water Soluble Formula

  Note that this is RipFactor AWS, which is the advanced water soluble formula, which is the version that works in powdered supplements.

  At Black Ant's 542mg AWS dose (1,084mg at two scoops), you're getting the clinically-validated amount that delivered measurable strength improvements across multiple published studies. This isn't theoretical dosing -- it's the exact amount that produced 2.4x greater strength gains in real human athletes.

  Now that we've got three clinically-demonstrated strength ingredients in creatine, betaine, and RipFACTOR, it's time to get to the namesake itself:

• Black Ant Extract (Polyrhachis vicina Roger) – 250mg / 500mg

  Yes, they actually did it. Step aside deer antler velvet, it's time for the next wild Bucked Up ingredient:

  

  From Traditional Chinese Medicine research archives, these 12 insects represent centuries of medicinal use, with black ants (panel 10) documented as nutritional powerhouses for strength enhancement and vitality support.^[21]

  Black ant extract brings 3,000 years of traditional Chinese medicine to modern sports nutrition. Polyrhachis vicina Roger, commonly known as Chinese black ant, has been consumed both as food and medicine throughout Asia, with documented use spanning millennia for enhancing strength, combating fatigue, and supporting overall vitality.^[21]

  Nutritional Powerhouse Profile

  What makes black ant extract interesting isn't folklore alone, it's the remarkable nutritional density that modern analysis has revealed. First, black ants contain an exceptional protein content of 56.6%, delivering all essential amino acids with an amino acid score of 93.15 compared to FAO/WHO standards.^[22] The protein quality rivals many conventional sources, though methionine and cysteine serve as the first and second limiting amino acids respectively.

  Beyond protein, black ants provide significant mineral density, containing 16 essential minerals with zinc, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron in substantial concentrations.^[22] These minerals directly support muscle function, energy metabolism, and recovery, making the traditional association with strength enhancement more scientifically plausible. The zinc dose is especially important, as there's enough here (~2%, or 10mg in two scoops) to legitimately move the needle for those who need more.

  Bioactive Compounds and Mechanisms

  Recent compound analysis has identified multiple bioactive components that may explain the traditional performance benefits. Black ant extract contains dopamine derivatives, alkaloids, nucleotides, fatty acids, cyclopeptides, and triterpenoids -- several of which demonstrate measurable biological activity.^[21]

  

  Traditional Chinese medicine research data showing pharmaceutical potential across insect orders, with Holometabola containing over 200 medicinal species, supporting black ant extract's historical therapeutic use.^[21]

  The extract also provides significant antioxidant capacity, containing 77,000 IU/100g of superoxide dismutase (SOD), which is a critical enzyme for combating exercise-induced oxidative stress.^[22] This antioxidant profile, combined with vitamin E content, may support recovery and reduce exercise-related cellular damage.

  Immunomodulatory research suggests black ant extract enhances immune function through multiple pathways, including increased antibody production.^[23] While not directly strength-related, robust immune function supports consistent training and recovery.

  Traditional Applications Meet Modern Context

  In traditional Chinese medicine, black ant has been prescribed for treating joint conditions, fatigue, and as a general tonic for enhancing vitality and sexual function.^[21] The recurring themes of strength, endurance, and vitality in traditional applications align with modern pre-workout goals, though direct strength enhancement research on black ant extract remains limited.

  The inclusion of black ant extract in Black Ant pre-workout represents both conversation starter and nutritional strategy, providing a complete amino acid profile, essential minerals, and bioactive compounds that theoretically support the strength and performance benefits that traditional medicine has long associated with this remarkable insect.

  

  From traditional Chinese medicine research, this evolutionary tree maps 29 insect orders used medicinally, with red underlines highlighting the 12 orders most exploited for pharmaceutical applications including black ants.^[21]

  However, when it comes to the strength of ants, who can carry many times their body weight, it's really all about the creatine, betaine, and RipFACTOR here.

  But there's one way we can make it better, and that's by making creatine better:

• CreaSol SSAT (Tyrosol) – 250mg / 500mg

  Perhaps Black Ant's most innovative ingredient, CreaSol SSAT breaks new ground as the first creatine enhancer developed specifically for sports nutrition. This stabilized form of tyrosol -- the longevity compound found in Mediterranean olive oil -- transforms every gram of creatine into a more powerful performance tool through groundbreaking ATP-supporting mechanisms.

  The Creatine-ATP Connection

  As described above, creatine's legendary status in sports nutrition stems from its role in the phosphocreatine energy system, where it rapidly regenerates ATP during high-intensity exercise. When ATP breaks down to fuel muscle work, creatine phosphate steps in to quickly restore ATP levels, enabling sustained strength and power output.

  CreaSol SSAT amplifies this fundamental process through multiple complementary pathways. Research demonstrates that tyrosol effectively prevents ATP reduction in stressed muscle cells while protecting muscle tissue from oxidative damage.^[24] The compound enhances phosphocreatine resynthesis and increases creatine utilization, creating a synergistic effect that goes far beyond what either ingredient achieves alone.

  Unprecedented Performance Data

  MolTek Nutrition's university research reveals CreaSol SSAT's remarkable ability to enhance creatine's effects. In controlled studies, the combination produced a 28.1% greater improvement in muscle strength and 51.5% greater improvement in endurance compared to creatine alone. Even more impressive, the combination group maintained consistent performance levels across consecutive training sessions, while creatine-only groups showed significant strength and endurance declines.

  This makes CreaSol SSAT the perfect complement to Black Ant's clinical creatine dose, ensuring maximum utilization of every gram. There's more research on the way, which is being conducted at a notable Florida University as Bucked Up Black Ant launches.

  

  You can learn more in our article, "CreaSol SSAT: MolTek Nutrition Unveils CreaSol SSAT (Stabilized Tyrosol) as the New Creatine Enhancer".

• Himalayan Rock Salt – 250mg / 500mg (7% / 13% DV)

  While most pre-workouts focus solely on pumps and energy, Himalayan rock salt addresses a fundamental performance factor that's often overlooked: electrolyte balance during intense training. At 250mg per scoop (500mg at two scoops), you're getting meaningful sodium support that directly impacts your ability to maintain strength throughout demanding sessions.

  The science behind sodium's performance benefits is well-established. Research shows that trained athletes lose between 1.4 to 4.8 grams of sodium per hour during exercise, with professional football players losing up to 30 grams during intensive training sessions.^[25][26]

  Critical for Strength Performance

  Sodium serves as more than electrolyte replacement: it's essential for muscle contraction and nerve signaling. When chasing personal records, adequate sodium levels help maintain plasma volume, support optimal muscle function, and prevent the performance decline associated with electrolyte imbalance.^[26]

  The connection to Black Ant's "strength you can feel" promise becomes clear when you consider that even minor electrolyte imbalances can lead to reduced power output and that dreaded feeling of strength evaporating mid-workout. Himalayan rock salt provides trace minerals beyond pure sodium chloride, supporting comprehensive electrolyte balance while the formula's more exotic components work their magic.

• GPCgold (Alpha GPC 50%) – 200mg / 400mg

  Alpha-GPC delivers the kind of strength-focused cognitive enhancement that makes Black Ant's promise extend beyond muscle to mind. This highly bioavailable choline source doesn't just sharpen mental clarity, research demonstrates it can directly enhance force production and power output through enhanced acetylcholine synthesis at the neuromuscular junction in higher doses.

  Strength Enhancement Through Neuromuscular Optimization

  The strength connection runs deeper than most realize. Alpha-GPC provides choline for acetylcholine production, the neurotransmitter responsible for the action potential that signals muscle contraction.^[27] Research shows 600mg alpha-GPC supplementation for just six days significantly improved peak force production in trained athletes, with participants experiencing enhanced isometric strength compared to placebo.^[27] That's more than we have here, but the connection is there.

  

  Bucked Up Buck Naked is a fat burner powered by enfinity paraxanthine, and when we researched it, we noticed a few ingredients that may support mood improvements on top of the thermogenic effect!

  Additional research confirms alpha-GPC's power-enhancing effects, with acute 600mg dosing producing 14% greater peak bench press force during resistance exercise compared to placebo.^[28] The mechanism involves increased acetylcholine levels creating more pronounced muscle contraction signals, translating to measurable strength improvements.

  Cognitive Performance Under Pressure

  Beyond strength, alpha-GPC enhances the mental focus needed to maximize training intensity. Recent research demonstrates higher purified doses significantly improve cognitive performance in healthy males, with faster reaction times and enhanced attention during demanding mental tasks. This cognitive enhancement proves especially valuable during intense training sessions where mental clarity directly impacts performance quality.

  At Black Ant's 200mg dose (400mg at two scoops), GPCgold provides clinically relevant alpha-GPC content that bridges the gap between cognitive enhancement and direct strength benefits, creating the mind-muscle synergy essential for breakthrough training sessions.

• Caffeine Anhydrous – 150mg / 300mg

  Black Ant's caffeine dosing represents strategic moderation in a formula designed for measurable strength gains. At 150mg per scoop (300mg at two scoops), this dose falls within the optimal range for enhancing muscular strength and power without overwhelming stimulation that could interfere with precision training.^[29]

  Research demonstrates that caffeine significantly improves both maximal muscular strength and power output, with meta-analyses showing consistent ergogenic effects in the 3-6mg/kg bodyweight range (roughly 200-450mg for most adults).^[30] The strength-enhancing effects stem from caffeine's ability to block adenosine receptors in the central nervous system, reducing perceived exertion while enhancing motor unit recruitment and muscle fiber activation.^[31]

  

  Bucked Up Babe Pre-Workout is a skin-supporting pre-workout supplement made for women with a smooth 100mg dose of enfinity Paraxanthine from TSI Group

  Caffeine's Direct Impact on Strength Performance

  Clinical studies often show caffeine's effectiveness for upper body strength tasks, with significant improvements in one-repetition maximum (1RM) performance across multiple muscle groups.^[29] The compound enhances both isometric and dynamic strength through faster muscle fiber conduction velocity and increased motor unit activation, creating the neurological foundation for the strength gains you'll experience during intense training sessions.^[32]

  Black Ant's caffeine dose (that's not too high, not too low) ensures sustained energy enhancement without the jittery side effects that can compromise form and focus during heavy lifting. This allows the synergistic effects with RipFACTOR's strength-building mechanisms to fully develop, while the enhanced Dynamine provides smooth, extended energy without the typical caffeine crash that could interfere with training quality.

• Fulvic Mineral Complex (as RéjéN) – 50mg / 100mg

  RéjéN™ delivers fulvic mineral complex, a naturally-occurring bioactive compound that transforms how your body utilizes nutrients and minerals. While fulvic acid might sound obscure, this water-soluble polymer has been clinically studied for its remarkable ability to enhance nutrient absorption and bioavailability, making every other ingredient in Black Ant work more efficiently.

  The Absorption Multiplier Effect

  Fulvic acid functions as nature's ultimate transport system, conducting electricity excellently due to its ionic mineral content and improving the absorption of compounds it interacts with.^[33] Research demonstrates fulvic acid increases the bioavailability of essential minerals while simultaneously reducing toxicity, creating an optimal absorption environment.^[34]

  Studies show fulvic acid enhances digestive enzyme activity and improves nutrient digestibility, with research in animal models demonstrating improved phosphorus and ash digestion.^[34] This enhanced absorption creates a multiplier effect for Black Ant's strength-focused ingredients like creatine, RipFACTOR, and beta-alanine.

  

  Supporting Strength from the Cellular Level

  Beyond absorption enhancement, fulvic mineral complexes contain over 70 naturally-occurring minerals that support cellular energy production and recovery processes.^[33] Research indicates fulvic acid compounds demonstrate antioxidant capacity, containing significant levels of total polyphenols and providing ferric reducing ability that may support recovery from intense training sessions.

  Ultimately, RéjéN works behind the scenes to ensure Black Ant's powerful combination of strength-enhancing ingredients achieves maximum bioavailability and cellular uptake, helping you truly feel the strength improvements this formula delivers.

• Dynamine™ (40% Methylliberine) – 25mg / 50mg

  Dynamine transforms Black Ant's caffeine experience from ordinary stimulation into the smooth, sustained energy that supports the "feel" word in the tagline "strength you can feel". This patented extract containing 40% methylliberine creates what researchers call the "caffeine enhancement effect", extending caffeine's benefits while eliminating the jittery side effects that can undermine training performance.

  Beyond Typical Stimulation

  Methylliberine's unique mechanism stems from its activity as an adenosine receptor modulator, but unlike caffeine's aggressive receptor blockade, Dynamine works as an allosteric modulator.^[35] This subtle but crucial difference allows it to enhance dopamine transmission in key brain regions without triggering the anxiety, jitters, or subsequent crash that often accompany higher caffeine doses.

  Clinical research demonstrates Dynamine's ability to create what users consistently describe as clean energy: the alert, focused state needed for maximum strength output without the distracting side effects. When combined with caffeine, study participants reported improved mood, sustained energy, and enhanced cognitive performance compared to caffeine alone, all without increased anxiety or headaches.^[35]

  Enhanced Training Experience

  What makes Dynamine particularly useful in Black Ant's strength-focused formula is its ability to prolong caffeine's effects without requiring higher doses. Research shows that when methylliberine is combined with caffeine, the combination works synergistically to improve self-reported mood and energy levels while reducing the cardiovascular stress typically associated with stimulants.^[36]

  

  The 50mg dose in Black Ant provides enhancement without overstimulation, allowing the formula's 300mg caffeine content to deliver sustained energy that supports the kind of focused, high-intensity training where RipFACTOR and creatine can produce their measurable strength benefits. This creates an experiential synergy where every component works together to deliver the "strength you can feel" that defines this formula.

  Toxicological research confirms methylliberine's safety profile, with studies showing no adverse effects at doses well above those found in Black Ant, making it a reliable component for those seeking enhanced performance without compromising long-term health.^[37]

• Huperzine A – 100mcg / 200mcg

  At 100mcg per scoop, Huperzine A delivers precision cognitive enhancement when your training demands complete mental engagement. This naturally-derived alkaloid functions as a potent and selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, blocking the enzyme responsible for breaking down acetylcholine (your brain's primary neurotransmitter for focus, learning, and mind-muscle connection).^[38]

  The cognitive-strength connection runs deeper than most realize. Research demonstrates that Huperzine A shows 900-fold selectivity for acetylcholinesterase over butyrylcholinesterase, creating targeted enhancement without unwanted peripheral effects.^[39] This selectivity translates to enhanced acetylcholine signaling exactly where it matters most: in the neural pathways governing focus, motor control, and cognitive performance under stress.

  Beyond Basic Focus Enhancement

  Huperzine A can also enhance memory formation and learning. Studies show it reverses scopolamine-induced working memory deficits with bell-shaped dose-response curves, suggesting optimal dosing creates sustained cognitive benefits.^[38] This means better technique retention, improved movement patterns, and enhanced ability to push through challenging sets when mental fatigue typically degrades performance.

  At Black Ant's 100mcg dose, you're getting the sweet spot for cognitive enhancement without overdoing stimulation, perfectly complementing the 300mg caffeine and Dynamine for sustained mental clarity throughout your entire training session.

Flavors Available

Bucked Up goes big with flavors -- and with this formula, you're going to need a good bit of water (16oz) to take on all of the ingredients inside:

Conclusion: Black Ant Takes Strength Beyond Body Weight

We've been due for something crazy in the pre-workout space, and this is it. Ryan Gardner, CEO of Bucked Up, has long wanted to employ black ant extract, and also needed a creatine-based pre-workout. But to really target strength, we suggested he boost it with CreaSol SSAT, RipFACTOR, and good old fashioned betaine. Meanwhile, why not push beta alanine to 4 grams?!

With all of this, Bucked Up Black Ant represents everything bold about supplement innovation: the willingness to combine 3,000-year-old traditional wisdom with accidentally-discovered botanical research and cutting-edge enhancement technology. This isn't a formula you take every day of the year (although you can)... it's what you reach for when ordinary isn't enough.

An Experiential Pre-Workout: Strength You Really Can Feel

The experiential aspect is undeniable. From the moment you feel that beta-alanine tingle to the sustained energy and focus throughout your training session, Black Ant delivers on its "strength you can feel" promise. The combination of clinically-dosed creatine, betaine, and RipFACTOR creates a foundation for serious strength gains, while the black ant extract serves as both conversation starter and nutritional powerhouse.

Is it weird to drink insects for gains? Absolutely. But when those insects have been consumed safely for millennia, and when they're combined with ingredients showing 2.4x better strength improvements in published research, weird starts looking pretty smart.

Bucked Up has always pushed boundaries. From deer antler velvet to one of the first paraxanthine adopters to now black ant extract. Bucked Up Black Ant continues that tradition, creating something that's simultaneously ancient and futuristic, traditional and cutting-edge.

For those ready to embrace the unconventional in pursuit of exceptional results, Black Ant offers a unique path forward. But get ready for questions when people start asking why you're suddenly so much stronger – and why your pre-workout contains extreme ant power.