Unbound UNLOAD Pre Workout: Prepare to Unload on the Weights

In May of 2021, a mysterious brand named Unbound got the supplement industry rumbling with excitement. Various stores and industry figures received a literal wrench in their mailbox, with a message that it’d be used in the near future. Sure enough, the recipients put that wrench to use a week later, using it to open a barrel that arrived in the mail. The contents of these drums lived up to the hype — they were packed with Unbound’s six cutting-edge, extreme supplements, and disclosure of the identity of the team behind the new brand.

Prepare yourself for a wild ride – Unbound’s UNLOAD pre workout has several next-gen ingredients, and is the first to include RhodioPrime 6X!

A quick look at the containers revealed that Unbound was the brainchild of industry pioneer Mark Glazier and his team at NutraBio. With this sub-brand, Glazier and his talented formulators created an avenue for delivering more aggressive products to consumers looking to take things up a level. And based on the formulas in these six launches (described in our original Unbound article), they’ve accomplished just that.

But it all comes down to how the pre workout hits. This is where we Unload:

Bringing Intense Energy and Focus with UNLOAD

Now that the barrels are opened, we’re beginning our dive into what each supplement brings to the table. In this post, we focus specifically on UNLOAD, Unbound’s intense stimulant-powered pre-workout. Leveraging a unique concoction of ingredients — especially some that are truly innovative — UNLOAD serves as an excellent embodiment of what Unbound stands for: innovation, intensity, and effectiveness. It also pushes industry standards to new heights.

*13* ingredients all for energy and focus!

A simple logo, but not simple supplements. Unbound is here.

Read on for more about the 13 ingredients in UNLOAD and how they can help boost the energy and ferocity of your training. It’s not just about stimulants, either — this is the first pre workout to use RhodioPrime 6X from NNB Nutrition, a rhodiola extract we’ve been raving about for months, which really evens out the 450mg caffeine strike in a full two scoop dose.

Before we get started, make sure you’re signed up for our Unbound news and deal alerts — believe us, you’re going to want to stay up-to-date with what they’re up to!

Ingredients

With so much going on inside this label, let’s jump right into it! But the most important thing to note is that a full two-scoop serving yields 450mg caffeine and several other ingredients that synergize with the stimulant – so many of you are going to want to stick to one scoop for now.

Here’s what each two-scoop (~10g gram) serving of UNLOAD brings to the table:

• L-Tyrosine (HPLC) – 3,000mg

  

  Unbound UNLOAD’s Ingredients are exactly how you do a high-stim, novel pre workout supplement.

  There are few better ways to kick off a label that promises energy and euphoria than with L-tyrosine. This nonessential amino acid is known to have significant nootropic effects — specifically, tyrosine is a precursor for catecholamine production.^[1] These neurotransmitters — dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine — regulate cognitive function and mood through different actions. Dopamine, sometimes referred to as the “feel good” neurotransmitter, modulates motor control, motivation, and reward.^[2] On the other hand, epinephrine and norepinephrine (adrenaline and noradrenaline) control the body’s fight-or-flight response, effectively regulating responses to stressful situations.

  The catecholamines are especially relevant during training and exercise — exercise, after all, is a stressor to the body. Though training itself already raises catecholamine production,^[3] there’s still an opportunity to further push the production of these neuromodulating chemicals, resulting in a more focused, euphoric training session.

  Research has shown that tyrosine can increase catecholamine production,^[4] effectively improving mood, alertness, and mental energy in the process. Such boosts in focus have a tangible carryover to physical performance, as well — in a study from 2011, researchers found that tyrosine improved endurance levels and exercise capacity in men who consumed the amino acid prior to training.^[5] Tyrosine helps to sustain effective neurotransmitter production during stressful situations, working to keep mental clarity, focus, and motivation high during bouts of stress (such as those encountered during exercise).

  3 grams! Huge dose

  

  Long story short from our analysis — For the best effects from tyrosine, choose the regular L-Tyrosine version!

  UNLOAD utilizes a massive 3-gram dose of L-tyrosine, which is certainly on the higher end of what we typically see in pre-workout formulas. In addition to that, it’s noteworthy that Unbound is opting for the free form amino acid as opposed to acetylated tyrosine (N-acetyl L-tyrosine, NALT) — L-tyrosine possesses both superior bioavailability and nootropic action compared to NALT.^[5,6] This ingredient is also tested via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to ensure that the tyrosine used in this formula is pure and effective.

  A high dose of a strong, high-quality nootropic like tyrosine should certainly help you UNLOAD the dregs of life and allow you to attack your training with focus, clarity, and motivation.

• nooLVL (Inositol-Enhanced Bonded Arginine Silicate) – 1,600mg

  With a huge dose of tyrosine already in the fold, UNLOAD looks to deliver more focus with nooLVL, the industry’s first non-stimulant, focus-enhancing ingredient designed specifically for gaming. Coming from Nutrition21, this ingredient has cognitive effects backed by clinical studies on gamers, yet there’s no reason why its benefits can’t be leveraged elsewhere.

  

  nooLVLis has been dominating the gaming supplement scene since its inception… and now it’s here to provide added effects for pre workouts!

  Nutrition21 formulated nooLVL using a few components that should be familiar to those who have seen their ingredients in other formulas — arginine silicate and inositol. The former is simply L-arginine bonded with silica and capitalizes on an interesting relationship between the two. L-arginine is an amino acid that’s typically used for its ability to boost nitric oxide (NO) and increase blood flow,^[7] though we quickly learned that while those effects hold true, it has rather poor bioavailability due to rapid metabolization. Luckily, researchers found that bonding arginine to silica — yielding arginine silicate — and combining it with inositol can significantly increase plasma arginine and NO levels, as well as increase energy and blood flow.^[8]

  Added inositol for the tired brain

  

  We recently covered an article explaining why Nutrition21 added more inositol to nooLVL

  While inositol stabilizes nooLVL’s arginine silicate to effectively allow its function, this sugar molecule has benefits of its own, too. Used by the body to uphold cellular membranes and neurotransmitter signaling, research has unveiled some additional actions that make it useful in supplementation. One study cited high correlations between poor mental health and low inositol levels in the brain, fueling an understanding of the relationship between this sugar and neurotransmitter activity.^[9] Later on, a series of trials saw supplemental inositol improve dopamine and serotonin levels in individuals with brain chemical imbalances.^[10] Not only does this molecule boost the bioavailability of NO-producing arginine, but it also acts as a nootropic.

  Excited by the potential synergy of these two compounds, Nutrition21 created an effective cognitive-boosting ingredient, ultimately leading to nooLVL. In 2019, they funded research that put their ingredient to the test. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 60 esports athletes were split into two groups — one received 1.6 grams of nooLVL daily for seven days, while the other was given a placebo. After the seven-day treatment period, the nooLVL group significantly improved their acuity, decision-making, cognitive processing speed, and gaming performance, while also reporting higher levels of mental energy.^[11]

  1600mg dose: blood flow to the brain and elsewhere!

  

  The Stroop test is a neurocognitive test where subjects must read aloud the color of the text that is printed rather than the actual text! It evaluates selective attention, response inhibition, and reaction time. Fewer errors are better!

  nooLVL increases blood flow in the body, with a specific influence on blood flow to the brain, but likely everywhere else, including the muscles. This, in conjunction with enhanced neurotransmitter activity, leaves you with more mental energy and focus. And while it’s pretty easy to see how these effects could be advantageous while playing video games, it’s just as useful in the gym. Taking nooLVL is an incredibly effective way to stay zoned-in on the task at hand — and at the 1,600 milligram clinical dose, UNLOAD uses it to encourage more intense, fruitful training sessions.

• Alpha GPC Powder (Yielding 300mg L-Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine) – 600mg

  Alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine, more commonly referred to as alpha GPC, is one of our favorite cognitive boosters and is a frequent inclusion in focus-enhancing formulas from NutraBio (such as Alpha EAA, taken for intra workout aminos and focus). So while we’re not surprised to see it here, we’re certainly grateful for it.

  Alpha GPC is a precursor to acetylcholine,^[12] the “learning neurotransmitter” used by the brain to modulate central nervous system (CNS) firing, effectively regulating memory, muscle contractions, and overall cognition. The body metabolizes this neurotransmitter rather quickly in stressful situations — such as exercise — thus placing a heightened level of importance on having acetylcholine pools available to maintain focus and cognitive energy.^[13]

  Alpha GPC presents an excellent way of meeting those demands. A highly bioavailable form of choline, this compound has been shown to increase acetylcholine levels.^[14] Notably, it has a specific potency in the brain’s frontal cortex, the part of the brain that regulates motor control and attention.^[14] Contributing to overall focus and perhaps an improved mind-muscle connection in the gym, this alone makes alpha GPC an ingredient to use before training…but there’s more!

  Acute gains in strength and force production

  

  Alpha GPC isn’t just good for enhancing brain function, it can also deliver some big strength gains (when dosed at 600mg or greater).^[15]

  In a placebo-controlled study from 2008, researchers divided a group of seven men, with at least two years of resistance-training experience, into two groups — one was given 600 milligrams of alpha GPC pre-workout, while the other was given a placebo. The men then performed multiple sets of squats and bench presses, which were used to assess metabolic rate, peak power, and peak force. While no differences in caloric expenditure nor power were found, the researchers did see a 14% increase in peak bench-press force and elevated post-exercise serum growth hormone levels.^[16] These results, while having tangible benefits during training, could also encourage a more anabolic, muscle-building state post-workout.

  A later study published in 2015 supports these findings. Thirteen college-aged men were split into two groups, one received 600 milligrams of alpha GPC daily for six days. Testing the subjects in isometric quadriceps strength via a custom squat cage, the researchers found that the alpha GPC group saw significantly greater changes in mid-thigh peak force from baseline compared to placebo.^[15] They also saw a trend toward similar improvements in upper body peak force in another test, but such results didn’t reach statistical significance.^[15]

  A transparent 50% yield

  Alpha GPC is a sticky compound that needs bonding to a carrier — commonly silica or calcium phosphate — to be used in supplements. This creates an issue in standardization, leaving formulators the ability to manipulate actual alpha GPC concentrations in an effort to potentially influence their bottom line.

  

  New to NutraBio? Read The NutraBio Story!

  Unbound cuts no corners and puts themselves under no such constraints — their mission is to develop products that deliver maximum effectiveness. As such, they’re using a 50% yield alpha GPC here, the clinical dose that supplies 300 milligrams of actual alpha GPC. It’s great to see the NutraBio way — uncompromising, full disclosure labeling and manufacturing — extending to Unbound.

  Alpha GPC effectively delivers acetylcholine-generating choline to the brain, facilitating efficient focus and mental energy. Such nootropic benefits yield improvements elsewhere, with clinical data suggesting a direct influence on intra-training strength, power, and post-workout recovery.

• Zynamite [Mangifera Indica Extract (> 60% Mangiferin) Leaves] – 500mg

  Another innovative nootropic added to Unload, Zynamite is a relatively new ingredient standardized to deliver at least 60% mangiferin, the main bioactive found in Mangifera indica, commonly known as mangoes.

  Mangiferin is a glucoside known to have strong antioxidant activity, though recent research has highlighted various pharmacological effects —such as antidiabetic, antiviral, immunoregulatory capabilities — that increased the compound’s notoriety in supplements.^[17]

  Encourages long-term potentiation

  One of its most potent actions is as a cognitive-boosting agent. In 2018, an analysis published in Food and Nutrition Sciences assessed the ingredient’s effects on the CNS in mice, using Zynamite as the source of mangiferin. They used electrodes to measure brain activity in mice treated with either Zynamite, caffeine, a combination of the two, or a placebo. The researchers found that Zynamite suppressed alpha-2 and beta-1 spectral frequency brain waves within an hour of treatment, doing so to a degree virtually equal to that of caffeine. This activity increases brain activity in the short-term, as well as encourages long-term potentiation (LTP), the synaptic firing responsible for effective learning and memory formation.^[18]

  Works with caffeine to increase mental acuity…

  

  Subjects had enhanced peak power output after supplementing with Zynamite. Image courtsey of Nektium.

  While these results suggest that Zynamite could potentially be used in place of caffeine as a CNS-stimulating ingredient, there’s evidence of potential synergy between the two. In 2020, a team of scientists performed in-vitro experiments focused on radioligand binding and enzyme inhibition regarding Zynamite and 106 different CNS targets. Though they saw interactions supporting the relationship with LTP cited above, the most notable interaction they identified was with the inhibition of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that breaks down catecholamines in the brain.^[19] Additionally, Zynamite didn’t display any interactions with the same targets as caffeine — such as the adenosine receptors — suggesting that the two could be used to stimulate brain activity simultaneously.^[19]

  Encouraged by these results, the team then turned their attention to human trials. In two clinical experiments, they found that individuals treated with 500 milligrams of Zynamite saw significant increases in reaction time compared to baseline, as well as similar improvements when using Zynamite and caffeine together.^[19] Both of these groups actually outperformed the slight increases seen in those who were given just caffeine.^[19] The scientists ultimately concluded that mangiferin could regulate brain activity, increase reaction time, and increase mental energy compared to placebo.^[19] Notably, there were also no negative effects on the cardiovascular system, a common concern in caffeine use — here, heartbeat and blood pressure remained stable.^[19]

  …and potentially athletic performance

  

  #BeUnequaled

  Just as the stimulatory action of caffeine is known to have benefits in exercise performance, Zynamite displays similar capabilities. A study published in 2019 tested the effects of Zynamite and quercetin taken prior to sprinting intervals. Forty men and women were divided into three groups — two received equal doses of Zynamite and quercetin (each alongside a different compound, either maltodextrin or sunflower lecithin), with the third given a placebo. The researchers found that both Zynamite groups had improved peak power output, muscle oxygen extraction, and mitochondrial respiration.^[20] They also saw significant increases in muscle recovery, perhaps contributing to the subjects’ ability to maintain performance in repeated bouts of intense sprinting.

  A generally regarded as safe (GRAS) ingredient that acts similarly to caffeine and doesn’t overlap with it? That sounds good to us — and at the clinical dose used in human trials, the 500 milligrams of Zynamite would add a great deal of focus on its own. Being just a piece of the cognitive-boosting capability of UNLOAD, though, it’s a seriously impressive inclusion.

  Zynamite doesn’t have to act alone in stimulating brain activity, either…

• Caffeine Anhydrous USP (HPLC) – 350mg (of 450mg total caffeine)

  What would a pre-workout formula that promises energy, focus, and intensity be without caffeine? This stimulant mainly acts as an adenosine receptor antagonist,^[21] effectively raising alertness in the process. Additionally, caffeine affects adrenergic receptors, encouraging the production of adrenaline and noradrenaline in the brain.^[21] Stimulating the CNS through these two actions, caffeine is one of the most effective, tried-and-true energy boosters in sports supplements.

  

  ~400mg caffeine is the dose that will get most people closest to 5-6mg/kg per day, where several research studies have proven successful. You don’t even need a full two scoop serving of Unload to get that!

  With higher levels of energy comes superior results in the gym, too — various studies support caffeine as an ergogenic aid, capable of improving strength, power output, muscular endurance, time to exhaustion, and anaerobic ability, among other things.^[22-24] It’s no wonder caffeine has been so ubiquitous in athletic performance — it works, and it does so quite well. Caffeine anhydrous is one of the fastest-hitting forms of caffeine available, meaning this ingredient will get to work quickly in raising energy levels.

  USP — caffeine that meets standards

  While we see caffeine anhydrous a lot in the industry — particularly in stimulant-based pre-workouts — we don’t see “USP” listed alongside it very often. The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is a standardization of quality, purity, and potency put in place by the United States Pharmacopeial Convention annually. Pharmaceuticals and other ingredients with a “USP” designation meet these quality standards, essentially verifying their specifications. Caffeine anhydrous is easily available these days, and not all forms of it are equal. Verified through HPLC testing, this form certainly isn’t among the lesser of them. Unbound, being unequaled, sought out perhaps the most superior variant of caffeine available for this formula.

  At 350 milligrams, this is a pretty serious hit of caffeine, especially considering the other stimulants contained in this label (which we’ll get to soon). UNLOAD is an intense pre-workout, though, so an intense dose of caffeine fits in neatly. You’ll want to make sure you’re aware of your own tolerances to caffeine and other stimulants prior to taking this product.

• RhodioPrime [Rhodiola Crenulata Extract (6% Salidroside) (Root)] – 300mg

  It’s finally here – the first pre workout supplement to use RhodioPrime 6X from NNB Nutrition!

  

  Rhodiola: The Adaptogen Powered by Salidroside. Unbound is the first brand to use RhodioPrime 6X, and no joke, this stuff feels great!

  Rhodiola is an adaptogenic herb that grows in the high-altitude, cold climates of northern Europe and Asia. It has been used in herbal medicine for ages, with anecdotal uses ranging from mood improvement to vitality to even “chi” replenishment. Popularized through Ayurvedic practices, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and even by the affinity Scandavaian vikings had for it, modern research has uncovered the bioactive compounds that give the herb such potent capabilities.

  Specifically, research has identified salidroside and rosavin as the key drivers behind much of what Rhodiola does, with the former often regarded as the more important of the two.^[25] Though the two display some level of synergy,^[26] studies suggest that isolated salidroside yields many effects accredited to Rhodiola, whereas rosavin does not.^[27] Research has shown that Rhodiola, through salidroside, can increase LTP in the hippocampus,^[27] promote cell proliferation,^[28] increase catecholamine activity,^[29-32] and stimulate amine uptake.^[29-32]

  Though these actions have multiple downstream effects — such as reduction in symptoms of chronic stress and depression — Rhodiola is mainly used in UNLOAD to enhance focus. In a double-blind clinical trial published in 2000, researchers administered 100 milligrams of the herb to college students in the middle of studying for final exams — an extremely stressful, tiring situation. After receiving treatment for 20 days, the students displayed significant increases in cognition, mental clarity, and physical and mental well-being compared to placebo.^[33] Another study, conducted three years later, saw similar improvements in stressed-out college students who received only a single dose of Rhodiola.^[34]

  RhodioPrime 6X: one of the highest salidroside yields available!

  While there are various standardized Rhodiola extracts on the market, only one prioritizes salidroside content above all else — and Unbound calls on it here.

  

  RhodioPrime 6X from NNB Nutrition is a trusted source, and high in salidroside!

  RhodioPrime 6X from NNB Nutrition is a standardized Rhodiola crenulata extract that’s certified to contain at least 6% salidroside, significantly more than most of the other Rhodiola extracts available. Its potency is supported with HPLC verification and other quality assurances — traits all NNB Nutrition ingredients carry — yielding an incredibly strong, trusted Rhodiola extract that’s unequaled.

  Unbound is opting for 300 milligrams of RhodioPrime 6X in UNLOAD, a dose that sits neatly in the range suggested by its formulators at NNB Nutrition. Its inclusion in this formula is twofold — contributing to cognitive focus and mental energy — making it an excellent addition alongside everything else in UNLOAD.

  You can learn more in our in-depth articles titled NNB RhodioPrime 6X: The Strongest Rhodiola Extract (6% Salidroside) and Rhodiola: The Salidroside-Powered Adaptogen of the Vikings.

• enXtra [Alpinia Galanga Extract (10:1) (Rhizomes)] – 300mg

  We’re not done with the novel ingredients yet. Unbound is making sure this is a completely unique experience.

  

  With Rhodiola, many can expect fewer mistakes and more accuracy when tired and fatigued!^[33] This is underrated in the nootropic world.

  Plants from the Zingiberaceae genus — the ginger family — and their extracts are commonly used in supplements. Extracts of Zingiber officinale (ginger), Curcuma longa (turmeric), and Aframomum melegueta (grains of paradise) have been around for quite a while and, given their success, formulators have continued to search for potential applications. Alpinia galanga is one member of the ginger family that has garnered more attention in recent years, and though it shares many of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities of its herbal cousins, its stimulatory effects have warranted such a spike in popularity.

  In a 2003 study, researchers identified various bioactive compounds — oils, tannins, phenols, and glycosides — that are largely present in the Alpinia rhizomes.^[35] Originally credited for the plant’s antioxidant and neuroprotective actions,^[35,36] further research has uncovered additional uses for these constituents.

  

  One more Rhodiola chart — Prone to making errors? Rhodiola seems to help correct that.^[34]

  In a landmark study published in a 2017 edition of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, researchers conducted the first human clinical trial exclusively interested in the potential psychostimulant effects of Alpinia. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled procedure, 59 healthy volunteers were separated into four groups — one was given a placebo, another received a proprietary Alpinia extract (enXtra), another was given caffeine anhydrous, and a final group received both Alpinia and caffeine. Multiple measures of mental alertness and cognition were evaluated at one hour, three hours, and five hours post-treatment.

  They found that while all three treatment groups saw significant increases in alertness after one hour, the caffeine-only group actually experienced a drop in alertness (below their baseline) at the three-hour mark, indicating a caffeine crash.^[37] The Alpinia-only group experienced and maintained spikes in cognition for the study’s duration, while the composite group saw only a slight decrease in alertness after three hours.^[37] This suggests that not only is Alpinia effective on its own in stimulating the CNS, but it can also work synergistically with caffeine and steady its effects.^[37,38]

  enXtra – the Alpinia galanga extract in sports supplements

  In the clinical trial above, enXtra was the proprietary Alpinia extract chosen and is the leading such ingredient on the market. And given the intriguing conclusions of that 2017 clinical study, this groundbreaking extract is seeing rapid growth in its inclusion in energy-promoting sports supplements.

  Naturally, following the unveiling of its short-term effects, its long-term efficacy has come into focus. In 2021, the same researchers from 2017 gathered again to test its prolonged usage and safety. Participants were given either enXtra, enXtra plus caffeine, or a placebo daily for 12 weeks, with cardiovascular measurements — as well as metrics pertaining to alertness and mood — taken before and after the test period. They received confirmation of significant increases in cognition in both treatment groups, as well as zero significant changes in cardiovascular health.^[39] So far, research has shown that both in acute and long-term applications, enXtra boosts acuity and mental sharpness without accompanying safety concerns.

  

  We’re about halfway through, so it’s a good time to remember the label.

  At 300 milligrams, enXtra on its own would be an excellent addition to a product promising increases in energy and alertness. In ULOAD, it’s used in conjunction with various stimulants, making it even more potent. Not only will it contribute to an increase in mental sharpness, but it will also help sustain the overall boost in energy provided by the entire formula.

• Mucuna Pruriens Extract [(Seed) (Std. 98% Naturally-Occurring L-DOPA)] – 153mg

  

  Mucuna Pruriens is popular for its dopamine and growth hormone boosting properties. Courtesy Wikimedia

  Mucuna pruriens is a plant from the Fabaceae species that hails from the warmer climates of India, Africa, and the Caribbean. Also known as velvet bean, Mucuna is a potent antioxidant that — just like many other natural herbs and plants we’ve discussed — has various anecdotal applications.^[40] Modern research has found that the plant’s seeds hold much of its potency, and they have an interesting cognitive interaction that warrants its inclusion here.

  Mucuna seeds contain levodopa (L-dopa), an amino acid that’s a direct precursor to dopamine.^[41] As we’ve talked about earlier, dopamine regulates motivation, reward, and motor function, and increasing its activity can significantly improve mood and focus. L-dopa stimulates its activity by converting into dopamine — and because it effectively crosses the blood-brain barrier, it’s pretty efficient at doing so.

  Most research testing the dopaminergic capabilities of L-dopa uses individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD), mainly due to disease-related decreases in dopamine levels. In a 2013 review of over 21 studies testing its effects in people with PD, researchers concluded that acute L-dopa caused significant improvements in cognition.^[42]

  98% L-dopa!?

  Most of the Mucuna extracts in sports supplements fall at or beneath a 50% L-dopa content. This is for two reasons — formulators want to include some of the seed’s other bioactive compounds (some of which may work in tandem with L-dopa^[43]) and because any L-dopa extract above 60% is subject to pharmaceutical-grade jurisdiction.

  

  L-DOPA first raises plasma L-DOPA levels… and then comes the dopamine burst! Get ready for some euphoria from Unload

  Unbound has decided to go with an incredibly strong 98% L-dopa extract in UNLOAD — a potency we practically never see in sports supplements. This speaks to how determined the brand is in its mission to create the industry’s strongest, most intense products. Unbound clearly isn’t shying away from strong ingredients — they’re opting for the best possible variants of everything in UNLOAD, evidenced by such a high L-dopa yield.

  Ultimately, this means more euphoria in your pre workout.

  With only 153 milligrams of Mucuna seed extract, Unbound is able to deliver 150 milligrams of actual L-dopa. This yield is enough to further support dopamine levels and contribute to the formula’s overall focus-enhancement.

• zümXR – 139mg (yielding 100mg of Delayed Release Caffeine out of 450mg total caffeine)

  We’ve already covered the 350 milligrams of fast-hitting caffeine anhydrous in UNLOAD, but Unbound didn’t stop there. While that hit of caffeine is more than enough to get you going, it could leave you feeling very fatigued once it wears off — the infamous caffeine crash.^[44] To help avoid that, UNLOAD contains 100 milligrams more caffeine coming from 139 milligrams of zümXR delayed-release caffeine.^[45]

  Delayed Release = A later release

  Note that this isn’t their “extended release” — this is a purely delayed release! This variant of caffeine is designed to start breaking down later than your normal caffeine. Its inclusion here is methodical — once the initial caffeine anhydrous begins to tail off, zümXR steps in to maintain energy levels and reduce adverse crashing effects.

  

  Again, this dose contributes an additional 100 milligrams of caffeine, increasing our total yield to 450 milligrams…and we haven’t even covered all of the stimulants yet! As we said earlier, UNLOAD is a serious supplement meant for experienced, hardcore users, and this highlights why.

• AstraGin [Astragalus Membranaceus (Root) & Panax Notoginseng (Root)] – 50mg

  

  AstraGin is a combination of Astragalus and Panax Notoginseng that’s been shown to increase ingredient absorption, especially of amino acids!

  There are a lot of ingredients in UNLOAD, and though they each serve a uniquely specific purpose, it does present the body with the challenge of properly absorbing them all. In order to offer help in that regard, Unbound turns to AstraGin, one of the industry’s premier bioavailability-enhancing ingredients. Created by NuLiv Science, AstraGin leverages proprietary extracts of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng — specifically, their bioactive astragalosides and ginsenosides — that have been clinically shown to increase the bioavailability of nutrients.^[46]

  With research showing that AstraGin helps improve the absorption of a virtually endless list of supplement ingredients — including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and creatine — it’s no surprise to see it here. At 50 milligrams, this inclusion will help the body efficiently take in everything UNLOAD brings to the table.

  To learn more, read our articles titled NutraBio UpSorb: Make Your Supplements Stronger and Astragalosides and Ginsenosides: Differentiating NuLiv Science’s Ingredients.

• Rauwolscine [Rauwolfia Vomitoria Extract (Root) (⍺-Yohimbine)] – 2mg

  The first of UNLOAD’s final two stimulants is a doozy and happens to be one of the industry’s most potent workout amplifiers. Turning up the intensity even further is rauwolfia, standardized for the psychoactive rauwolscine, better known as alpha yohimbine or “alpha-yo”.

  

  Increase the absorption and effectiveness of your supplements with AstraGin from NuLiv Science!

  Alpha yohimbine is an alkaloid that has a strong effect on the sympathetic nervous system, acting as an alpha-2 antagonist, effectively blocking substrates from binding to alpha-2 receptors.^[47] This yields a stimulatory effect that raises energy levels and even encourages lipolysis (the oxidation of fatty acids).^[48,49]

  Alpha yohimbine can be too intense for some — particularly those sensitive to anxiety — but others find they handle it better than yohimbe (surprise — that’s next!). Make sure you’re aware of how you tolerate rauwolscine — at 2 milligrams, this is a pretty serious dose of it.

• Yohimbine HPLC [Pausinystalia Johimbe Extract (Bark)] – 2mg

  Yohimbe bark extract, standardized for pure yohimbine content, is the last of a long list of stimulants found in UNLOAD. Similar to alpha yohimbine, it’s an alpha-2 antagonist that has a potent stimulatory effect on the brain.

  At 2 milligrams of HPLC-verified yohimbine, combined with another 2 milligrams of alpha yohimbine, it makes for a fierce tandem. If you thought the 450 milligrams of caffeine, RhodioPrime, Zynamite, and enXtra wouldn’t be enough for you (and if that’s the case, you should probably reassess your stimulant tolerance) then these two inclusions will certainly raise energy levels to insane heights.

• Huperzine A [as 20mg Huperzia Serrata Standardized Extract (Leaf)] – 200mcg

  Huperzine A, the bioactive constituent found in Huperzia serrata, is a very popular ingredient in nootropic supplements. This compound inhibits acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the brain.^[50] In other words, huperzine A indirectly increases available acetylcholine by preventing its degradation, prolonging its effects. It is also known to have some neuroprotective effects, as well.^[51]

  

  UNLOAD.

  It feels like a while ago that we talked about alpha GPC, but this inclusion works in accordance with that acetylcholine-boosting ingredient. Unbound includes 200 micrograms of active huperzine A here, an excellent complement that will help sustain acetylcholine levels in the brain. Unsurprisingly, this is also on the upper bound of dosing we see.

Now that is what you call a high-stim focus and energy pre workout supplement!

UNLOAD Pre Workout Flavors Available:

Stack it with UNBENT

Looking to add monstrous pumps to the mix? Then look no further than Unbound’s UNBENT, which goes beyond nitric oxide pumps, bringing you huge doses to get you nearly-uncomfortably-pumped!

The Unbound Pre Workout Stack, fronted with nooLVL in the UNLOAD high-energy and stim pre workout supplement and the first to use NNB’s RhodioPrime 6X, followed by massive pumps in UNBENT, all manufactured at NutraBio Headquarters

PricePlow’s Introduction to Unbound

In case you missed our initial introduction to Unbound and their impressive array of supplements, make sure you check out Mike’s initial thoughts during his “un-drumming”:

UNLOAD on Your Training Limitations

When the industry first started buzzing about the mysterious new brand Unbound, excitement built in a hurry. With an intriguing launch campaign — including mailing literal tools and barrels to various industry figures — Unbound raised expectations even higher. And yet, as evidenced by their initial six products, they’ve managed to surpass them.

Unbound has launched with six cutting-edge supplements, manufactured in one of the world’s most trusted facilities at NutraBio HQ.

Of course, the fact that NutraBio CEO Mark Glazier and his team are behind Unbound certainly helps. NutraBio is one of the industry’s leading brands — facilitating the use of clinical data, third-party lab testing, and continuous innovation — and they’ve continued to impress us with their products over the years. Unbound gave Glazier and his formulators a way to go step further, utilizing more novel, aggressive ingredients for those looking for something hardcore, potent, and above all, effective.

One could certainly use those three words to describe UNLOAD. This high-stim pre-workout uses an absolutely loaded formula — built with 13 ingredients — to deliver some insanely powerful energy, focus, and euphoria to your training. With a mix of tried-and-true, cutting-edge ingredients, UNLOAD actually goes beyond what we expected from Mark Glazier and the team at NutraBio HQ. But that’s because this isn’t NutraBio — it’s Unbound — literally and figuratively. They launched with the mission to #BeUnequaled in sports supplements, and if UNLOAD is any indication, they’re not just hitting that bar — they’re clearing it with room to spare.