Unmatched Supps BH2K: The All-Natural Pre-Workout with CreGAAtine

Pre-workouts have become predictable. Same stimulants, same pumps, same artificial everything. Unmatched Supps BH2K breaks that mold with a formula that bridges performance and longevity, delivering intense training support without compromising your health.

Unmatched Supps BH2K isn't your typical pre-workout. CreGAAtine technology, zero artificial ingredients, and a stimulant that won't wreck your sleep. Kris Gethin and Doug Miller created something different here.

The name says it all: Be Harder 2 Kill. This isn't just about crushing workouts; it's about building the mental and physical resilience that founders Kris Gethin and Doug Miller have championed throughout their careers. And true to Unmatched's philosophy, BH2K achieves this with zero artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavors.

A Pre-Workout with CreGAAtine

What makes BH2K unique is the addition of CreGAAtine, the innovative combination of creatine monohydrate and guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) that we explored in our in-depth GAA guide. This next-generation creatine system delivers powerful muscle and brain creatine saturation while avoiding the bloating and loading phases of traditional creatine. Combined with clinical doses of 3D Pump Breakthrough (which includes citrulline), enfinity paraxanthine, and targeted nootropics, BH2K creates a pre-workout experience that simply hits differently.

Before we dive into the formula, sign up for PricePlow's Unmatched Supps alerts and check our coupon-based deals, then let's get into it:

BH2K Ingredients

Each 20.2g scoop delivers a comprehensive blend of performance and cognitive support compounds:

• 3D Pump Breakthrough (L-Citrulline, Glycerol, Amla) - 6g

  3D Pump Breakthrough is a new pump ingredient released over the past few years, combining three synergistic components that deliver superior muscle pumps with remarkable efficiency. This patented blend contains 3g L-citrulline for nitric oxide production, 1.2g glycerol for cellular hyperhydration, and 165mg amla fruit extract for enhanced vascular function.^[1]

  The science behind 3D Pump's effectiveness comes from its unique synergy. While citrulline converts to arginine for nitric oxide synthesis and subsequent vasodilation, glycerol creates a hyperhydrated cellular environment that amplifies the pump effect. The real innovation lies in the amla extract, standardized for >68% low molecular weight tannins including punigluconin and pedunculagin. These compounds convert to powerful urolithins that enhance mitochondrial function and provide additional cardiovascular benefits.^[2]

  Research demonstrates that 6g of 3D Pump Breakthrough matched the muscle girth increases of 8g pure L-citrulline while showing superior effects on extracellular fluid retention and post-exercise blood pressure reduction.^[3] This efficiency means bigger pumps with less material and fewer side effects... exactly what you want in a comprehensive pre-workout.

• Beta-Alanine – 3.2g

  Beta-alanine serves as the rate-limiting precursor to carnosine synthesis, making BH2K's 3.2g dose a clinically-backed choice for enhanced muscular endurance.^[4] This non-essential amino acid works by significantly increasing intramuscular carnosine concentrations, which act as powerful pH buffers during high-intensity exercise.

  Once absorbed, beta-alanine combines with histidine to form carnosine within muscle fibers. Carnosine functions as an intracellular buffer, neutralizing the hydrogen ions (H+) that accumulate during intense training and cause that familiar "burn."^[4] This pH buffering extends your ability to maintain power output during those crucial final reps, with research showing the greatest benefits in exercise lasting 1-4 minutes.^[4]

  

  Meta-analyses demonstrate that beta-alanine supplementation produces significant performance improvements, with optimal benefits requiring 4-6 weeks of consistent use to maximize muscle carnosine saturation.^[5] The 3.2g dose in BH2K sits within the proven effective range while minimizing the harmless tingling sensation (paraesthesia) that can occur with larger single doses.^[4]

  Beyond performance, emerging research suggests carnosine may offer antioxidant properties, potentially supporting recovery and long-term muscle health.^[4]

• L-Tyrosine – 2g

  L-Tyrosine serves as the biochemical precursor to dopamine and norepinephrine, two catecholamine neurotransmitters critical for cognitive performance under stress. BH2K's 2g dose delivers clinical-grade cognitive support when you need it most: during intense training sessions that deplete these crucial brain chemicals.^[6]

  Stress-Resistant Cognitive Performance

  The magic of tyrosine lies in its conditional effectiveness. Under normal conditions, your brain maintains adequate dopamine and norepinephrine levels. But when stress, physical exertion, or cognitive demands spike, these neurotransmitters become depleted through increased turnover rates.^[6] Tyrosine steps in to replenish the raw materials needed for continued synthesis, preventing the cognitive decline that typically accompanies intense training.

  Research consistently shows tyrosine improves working memory, cognitive flexibility, and attention, but specifically under challenging conditions.^[7] This makes it ideal for pre-workout use, where physical stress and training intensity create exactly the conditions where tyrosine shines.

  Synergy with BH2K Formula

  

  The 2g dose pairs brilliantly with BH2K's other nootropics. While Cognizin citicoline supports acetylcholine pathways and CognatiQ enhances BDNF, tyrosine ensures your dopamine and norepinephrine systems stay firing on all cylinders throughout your session. This creates comprehensive cognitive support that maintains focus, decision-making, and motivation from first rep to last.

  But next up, we have another, different kind of brain booster: creatine and its precursor, which happens to work quite profoundly in the brain:

• CreGAAtine (Creatine Monohydrate + Guanidinoacetic Acid) – 2g

  BH2K includes 2g of CreGAAtine, the innovative combination of creatine monohydrate and guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) that brings a new twist to creatine supplementation. This next-generation formula delivers both immediate and sustained creatine support through complementary mechanisms that outperform traditional creatine alone.

  The Science Behind the Synergy

  GAA is creatine's direct precursor: your body naturally produces it in the kidneys before converting it to creatine in the liver. But supplemental GAA does something creatine alone can't: it bypasses transport limitations that often bottleneck creatine uptake.^[8]

  While creatine relies solely on the SLC6A8 transporter (which can become saturated), GAA utilizes both this pathway and the taurine transporter (TauT) for cellular entry.^[8] This dual-transport capability means continued uptake even when traditional creatine transporters hit their limit, explaining why head-to-head studies show GAA-creatine combinations achieve superior tissue saturation compared to creatine alone.^[9]

  Brain Benefits Beyond Basic Creatine

  The blood-brain barrier has notoriously limited permeability for creatine due to restricted transporter expression.^[8] GAA circumvents these limitations: studies using magnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrate GAA supplementation increases brain creatine more effectively than creatine monohydrate, with measurable improvements across multiple brain regions.^[10]

  

  Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) might deliver creatine to your muscles and brain better than creatine alone - but standalone GAA has risks. CreGAAtine adds B-vitamins to fix the homocysteine issue. Interesting option for advanced users who want to optimize beyond basic creatine.

  This enhanced brain delivery translates to noticeable cognitive benefits. Combined with BH2K's nootropic stack (Cognizin, CognatiQ, and paraxanthine), CreGAAtine creates a foundation for sustained mental energy and focus that creatine alone simply can't match.

  Performance Without the Bloat

  Research comparing GAA-creatine combinations to creatine alone show something interesting: while both improved strength, the combination resulted in significantly less weight gain (0.7 kg vs. 1.6 kg).^[9] For athletes concerned about water retention or making weight, this is a major advantage.

  The same study found GAA-creatine combinations produced superior upper body strength gains (6.0% vs. 5.1% for bench press), suggesting the enhanced tissue delivery translates to real performance benefits where it counts.^[9]

  Built-In Safety Support

  CreGAAtine includes targeted B-vitamins (B6, folate, and B12) specifically chosen to support the methylation pathways involved in GAA metabolism. These are required because GAA consumes methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) when undergoing its conversion, and that produces homocysteine.^[11] The added B-vitamins help provide additional methyl groups, and support the disposal of homocysteine.This is discussed in more detail below, but it addresses the homocysteine concerns of standalone GAA supplementation, ensuring you get the benefits without the risks.^[12]

  Recent post-marketing surveillance of CreGAAtine found excellent safety over six months of continuous use, with only mild gastrointestinal effects in a small percentage of users, and lower than typical creatine monohydrate.^[13]

  Who Benefits Most from CreGAAtine

  

  Research suggests certain populations respond exceptionally well to GAA supplementation. Creatine "non-responders" – those who don't see significant benefits from traditional creatine – show better results with GAA, with only 13.3% failing to respond compared to the typical 20-30% non-response rate for creatine monohydrate.^[14] Older adults also demonstrate enhanced responsiveness, making CreGAAtine ideal for masters athletes seeking both physical and cognitive support.^[15]

  At 2g per serving, BH2K provides enough CreGAAtine for immediate pre-workout benefits, with the option to take additional CreGAAtine post-workout for accelerated loading. Unlike traditional creatine that requires weeks of loading, CreGAAtine's enhanced delivery mechanisms mean you'll notice benefits faster – perfect for a pre-workout formula designed to deliver from day one.

  For a deeper dive into the science behind GAA and CreGAAtine, check out our comprehensive guide to Guanidinoacetic Acid.

• Acetyl-L-Carnitine – 1g

  Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) bridges the gap between mental focus and physical performance, making it a perfect addition to BH2K's comprehensive formula. Unlike regular L-carnitine, ALCAR crosses the blood-brain barrier efficiently, delivering dual benefits for cognitive function and energy metabolism.^[16]

  Enhanced Fat Oxidation and Energy Production

  L-carnitine facilitates the transport of long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for beta-oxidation, while providing acetyl groups for acetylcholine synthesis in the brain.^[17] During high-intensity exercise, ALCAR helps maintain the crucial acetyl-CoA/CoA ratio, allowing continuous flux through the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and reducing lactate accumulation.^[18]

  This dual mechanism means ALCAR supports both fat burning during moderate exercise and optimal energy production during intense training sessions, while the acetyl component enhances neurotransmitter synthesis for sharper mental performance.

  Cognitive Enhancement and Neuroprotection

  

  The acetyl group in ALCAR provides a direct substrate for acetylcholine production, the neurotransmitter essential for focus, memory, and mind-muscle connection.^[16] ALCAR also stabilizes cell membrane fluidity and provides antioxidant protection against exercise-induced oxidative stress, supporting both immediate cognitive performance and long-term brain health.^[16]

  Recovery and Muscle Protection

  Research demonstrates that L-carnitine supplementation reduces markers of cellular damage and muscle soreness while enhancing blood flow and oxygen supply to muscle tissue.^[19] The 1g dose in BH2K provides acute performance benefits while supporting faster recovery between training sessions.

  At 1g, BH2K delivers a clinically relevant dose that enhances both the mental and physical demands of intense training without requiring the higher doses used in standalone carnitine protocols.

• enfinity Paraxanthine – 300mg

  BH2K's stimulant profile centers around 300mg of enfinity paraxanthine, caffeine's primary metabolite that delivers energy without the genetic lottery of traditional caffeine metabolism.^[20] Paraxanthine provides clean stimulation with more consistent effects across all users, removing the genetic differences that make caffeine unpredictable for slow metabolizers.^[21]

  Targeted Energy Delivery

  Unlike caffeine, which must convert to paraxanthine to deliver most of its benefits, enfinity goes straight to the active compound. Paraxanthine blocks adenosine receptors with higher binding potency than caffeine itself, delivering superior alertness and focus.^[22] The 300mg dose equals roughly 420mg of caffeine in terms of active metabolite delivery, but with a shorter half-life (3.1 hours vs 4-6 hours) that won't disrupt sleep patterns.

  

  Cognitive Enhancement

  Recent research shows paraxanthine's cognitive benefits extend beyond basic stimulation. Studies demonstrate improved cognitive function, reduced errors, and sustained attention compared to caffeine, with enhanced performance on tests of cognitive flexibility and working memory.^[23] This makes BH2K ideal for maintaining razor-sharp focus throughout demanding training sessions.

  The paraxanthine also stimulates a bit of nitric oxide production, supporting the pump complex while enhancing dopamine and other neurotransmitters for elevated mood during training.^[24]

  There's far more to it, which you can read about in our deep-dive article, "Paraxanthine: Caffeine's Major Metabolite for Laser-Targeted Energy".

• Cognizin® Citicoline – 250mg

  Citicoline (CDP-Choline) delivers cognitive support through a unique dual mechanism that sets it apart from standard choline sources. Unlike simple choline compounds, Cognizin® provides both choline and cytidine, the two essential building blocks needed for optimal phosphatidylcholine synthesis in brain cell membranes.^[25]

  At 250mg, Cognizin supports multiple cognitive pathways simultaneously. The ingredient enhances focus and attention while improving task accuracy and reducing errors during demanding mental work.^[26] A 28-day study with healthy women found that 250mg of citicoline significantly improved performance on attention tasks, with participants making fewer omission and commission errors compared to placebo.^[26]

  

  The cognitive benefits stem from citicoline's ability to support multiple neurotransmitter systems. As a phospholipid precursor, it helps maintain healthy brain cell membranes while supporting acetylcholine, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels.^[25] This multi-pathway approach creates the "experiential" feel that makes citicoline distinct from other choline sources -- users often report noticeable cognitive enhancement within the first dose.

  The 250mg dose in BH2K provides clinically-validated support for concentration and mental productivity, creating synergy with the formula's paraxanthine for sustained, jitter-free cognitive enhancement throughout training sessions.

  You can learn more about it in our article titled "Cognizin® Citicoline: The Brain Choline".

• CognatiQ Coffee Fruit Extract – 100mg

  BH2K includes 100mg of CognatiQ (formerly known as NeuroFactor), a whole coffee fruit extract that delivers coffee's cognitive benefits without the typical caffeine load. This low-stimulant ingredient complements BH2K's paraxanthine beautifully, providing sustained mental clarity through entirely different pathways.

  CognatiQ works through its rich chlorogenic acid content: potent polyphenolic compounds that cross the blood-brain barrier to support cognitive function.^[27] The primary mechanism involves acetylcholinesterase inhibition, which prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine, a critical neurotransmitter for memory, learning, and focus.^[28]

  Research-Backed Cognitive Support

  Studies on coffee fruit extracts similar to CognatiQ demonstrate measurable improvements in working memory, reaction time, and sustained attention. In one notable study, participants receiving 100mg of whole coffee cherry extract showed significant improvements in cognitive performance within just 90 minutes.^[29] The extract was well-tolerated with no adverse effects reported.

  

  Beyond cognitive enhancement, CognatiQ's chlorogenic acids provide neuroprotective benefits through multiple pathways. They activate the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, reducing oxidative stress in brain tissue, while also supporting healthy glucose metabolism, all of wihch are crucial for maintaining steady neural energy.^[30]

  In BH2K's formula, CognatiQ synergizes with Cognizin citicoline to create a comprehensive nootropic foundation that enhances both immediate focus and long-term brain health, making this pre-workout as smart as it is strong.

• AstraGin – 50mg

  AstraGin is a patented blend of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng extracts, standardized for specific astragalosides and ginsenosides that may support nutrient absorption.^[31] The 50mg dose here works behind the scenes to potentially enhance the uptake of BH2K's other active ingredients, from the citrulline and beta-alanine to the nootropics and CreGAAtine itself.

  AstraGin's mechanism centers on supporting intestinal transport systems and ATP production, which are crucial for active nutrient absorption. While you won't feel AstraGin directly like you would paraxanthine or beta-alanine, it's added in an effort to help you get more from every other ingredient in the formula.

• Added Vitamins and Minerals

  As discussed above, CreGAAtine's B-vitamin complex isn't just thrown in for label appeal. These cofactors are essential for managing the methylation demands of GAA conversion. When GAA is methylated to creatine via GAMT (guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase), it consumes methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), generating homocysteine as a byproduct.^[11] Without proper cofactor support, this increased methylation burden can elevate homocysteine to problematic levels. These three B-vitamins work synergistically to recycle and dispose of homocysteine through complementary pathways:

  

  • Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine HCl) (from CreGAAtine®) - 600 mcg (35% DV)

    Vitamin B6 serves as the essential cofactor for cystathionine β-synthase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the transsulfuration pathway that irreversibly converts homocysteine to cysteine. This provides a critical disposal route for excess homocysteine generated during GAA methylation. Unlike remethylation (which recycles homocysteine back to methionine), transsulfuration permanently removes homocysteine from the methionine cycle. The 600mcg dose ensures adequate cofactor availability even under the increased metabolic demands of GAA conversion, supporting both performance and cardiovascular health.

  • Folate (as L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium) (from CreGAAtine®) - 105 mcg DFE (26% DV)

    For its folate source, CreGAAtine uses the bioactive 5-methyltetrahydrofolate form, the direct methyl donor for homocysteine remethylation via methionine synthase. This bypasses the MTHFR enzyme entirely, ensuring efficient homocysteine recycling regardless of genetic variants that affect up to 40% of the population. By providing pre-methylated folate, CreGAAtine maintains the methionine cycle's capacity to handle increased GAA conversion without depleting methyl reserves. This strategic choice makes the formula universally effective, not just for those with optimal methylation genetics.

  • Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin) (from CreGAAtine®) - 1.5 mcg (63% DV)

    Methylcobalamin acts as the essential cofactor for methionine synthase, the enzyme that transfers methyl groups from 5-methyltetrahydrofolate to homocysteine, regenerating methionine. Without adequate B12, folate's methyl groups remain trapped and unusable... a phenomenon known as the "methyl trap". The methylcobalamin form provides immediate cofactor activity without requiring conversion, ensuring the remethylation pathway operates at full capacity. This completes the methylation support triad, allowing GAA to enhance creatine synthesis without compromising cardiovascular health markers.

Using BH2K

Mix one scoop with 10-14 ounces of cold water and consume 15-30 minutes before training. The formula hits quickly: you'll feel the paraxanthine energy and nootropic focus within 20 minutes, with pumps and endurance support building throughout your session.

Timing Considerations

Unlike traditional caffeine-based pre-workouts, BH2K's paraxanthine has a shorter half-life (3.1 hours vs 4-6 hours for caffeine), making it ideal for afternoon training sessions without disrupting sleep. The CreGAAtine component works cumulatively, so consistent daily use will enhance both immediate and long-term benefits.

Stacking Strategies

• For Maximum Pump: Stack with Unmatched's standalone pump product (Dissident) or additional citrulline (2-3g) for enhanced vasodilation.
• For Strength Focus: The 2g of CreGAAtine provides a solid foundation, but you can add another 2-3g of standalone CreGAAtine or creatine monohydrate post-workout for accelerated strength gains.
• For Fat Loss: Combine with Unmatched's 2SHRED for 24-hour metabolic support without stimulant overload.

Cycling Recommendations

While BH2K doesn't require cycling like high-stimulant pre-workouts, taking one day off per week can help maintain sensitivity to the nootropic components. Creatine and beta-alanine work best with daily use, so you may want to have them ready for off-days.

Flavors Available

Wrapping Up: A New Kind of Pre-Workout Experience

The Unmatched 2SHRED System offers stimulant-free 24-hour weight management with separate AM/PM formulas. Founded by Kris Gethin and Doug Miller, this system works around the clock without artificial ingredients.

BH2K embodies everything Unmatched Supps stands for: uncompromising quality, innovative formulation, and a refusal to sacrifice health for performance. By combining breakthrough ingredients like CreGAAtine with newcomers like 3D Pump and paraxanthine, they've created a novel pre-workout that delivers both immediate intensity and long-term benefits.

The natural sweetening approach might seem like a limitation, but Kris Gethin and Doug Miller have turned it into a strength. Every ingredient serves a purpose, every dose is clinically relevant, and the synergy between components creates an experience that synthetic formulas can't match.

For those ready to bridge the gap between performance and longevity -- to truly become harder to kill -- BH2K offers a path forward that doesn't require choosing between your workout goals and your health. This is pre-workout supplementation evolved.

As Kris says in every video: "This is what sets us apart, and this is what's going to make you unmatched."