If you are aware of any Nootropics and/ or smart pill products of any kind, or any other brain supplements that are similar to Nootropics, then surely you must have heard of “CILTEP” at some point.

CILTEP is a smart pill Nootropic made in capsule form to enhance cognitive abilities.

How CILTEP was created is pretty interesting. A couple of years ago when a few great minds from Longecity started a discussion online on what ingredients the best nootropic would contain, some ingredients were thrown around here and there… until a new nootropic stack was born and created by the original poster of that discussion, Abelard Lindsay.

Not many brain supplements we know of have a creation story as epic as this, so we thought its recognition would be nice. Not a lot of nootropic stack stories or nootropics that we know of have an awesome creation story like this, so we a slight nod to it would be appropriate. So let’s start off the review.

What is CILTEP and What Does it Do?

CILTEP, like some other all-natural nootropics, was formulated with artichoke extract and forskolin to create somehing called “Long-term potentiation“. What is Long-term potentiation? Well in neuroscience, it’s when the snyapses of the brain, strengthen specific patterns of brain activity.

CILTEP claims to be a healthy way to stay focused, improve memory, stay consistently alert, while enhancing your mood through out the day. So it can be said through what know so far that CILTEP is a fast-acting nootropic. It’s sustainable throughout the day around 2-3 capsules, which is one dosage in total.

Ciltep claims that it can do the following:

• Increase your ability to retain information and concentration
• Improve and increase mental performance
• Improve concentration and long-term memory

CILTEP also claims that the effects of the nootropics for at least 8 hours. That’s not bad for only 2-3 capsules.

It seems as if many of the claims CILTEP makes is similar with common ADHD symptons. So if you do have ADHD, CILTEP may work for you, or it may not. But even without ADHD, CILTEP seems might work for anyone who is looking to improve over all cognitive abilities and cognitive performance.

The website itself is of high-quality because it’s appears to be very detailed. The website provides a lot of information about what CILTEP does, CILTEP ingredients and so on. One great thing about CILTEP is that the supplements facts label is on there site.

Now that we have a better understanding about what CILTEP claims it can do and a little information about the company itself, let’s find out what ingredients CILTEP has.

CILTEP Ingredients 

It is important to point out the fact that CILTEP has included the supplement facts label on their website because, surprisingly, not that many Nootropic companies do that.

Full Ingredients List:
Vitamin B6 – 5 mg
Artichoke Extract – 900 mg
Coleus Forskohlii (root) extract – 20 mg
L-Phenylalanine – 500 mg
Acetyl L-Carnitine – 750 mg

Judging from CILTEP’s ingredients alone, you will  notice two things when looking at the list of ingredients used: there are only five ingredients in the formula and that makes the formula very potent.

Now why does this stand out? Because a lot of brain supplement companies stuff their supplements with a lot of ingredients to create a single-formula or one pill that can be used for all things brain enhancement wise. Sort of like a super pill that will provide you with all the nootropics needed, plus nutrients, multivitamins and even stimulants. Now, I guess this wouldn’t be a faulty way to create a nootropic, but stuffing the supplement with so many ingredients could lead to less dosages per ingredients and more pills to be taken a day.

This would be an ineffective way of producing and consuming Nootropic supplements, because the consumer would end up with smart pills that don’t work (because of the lack of dosages per ingredients) or smart pills that are priced at a very expensive price (because of the amount of pills needed to be taken a day). But with CILTEP, this doesn’t happen since there are only five ingredients that they use.

But the question arises- does the amount of ingredients that they’ve used, which isn’t that much, lack variety?

You could say yes to that. But, we have to find out how effective the main three ingredients are themselves.

Premium Artichoke Extract: 

This is one of the main ingredients found in CILTEP. What is artichoke extract? Well… it is the extract of an artichoke. Sounds simple right? It is, but what it does is more complex and very interesting.

Artichichoke can be said to be a superfood. In fact, it’s been used throughout history for various purposes, long before nootropic supplements was even brought up, like in ancient Greece and Rome, it was a prized delicacy. They claimed that it helped aided with many health risks, so it’s no wonder that it’s used today by a lot of Nootropic supplements as one of the main ingredients.

Now how does the Artichoke extract in CILTEP, or other wise known as “Artskolin” work? Well it’s made up of two parts.

1. PD4E Inhibition – This is an enzyme that breaks down cAMP molecules, which are messenger systems that will relay signals in the brain. PD4E will block the breakdown of cAMP (Cyclic adenosine monophosphate or cyclic AMP), which then will increase the levels of the cAMP themselves in the brain. This could create an effect of what some nootropics do- which include an overall increase in cognition, improved memory and alertness, while providing neuro-protection.
2. Forskolin: Comes from Coleus Forskohlii, it can cause an increase in cAMP levels, which effectively help to increase memory formation and retention. Effects are heightened when used in conjunction with Artichoke extract. CILTEP also uses 4 mg of Forskolin per serving..

Other CILTEP Ingredients

• L-Phenylalanine – This is an essential amino acid that is one of 8 other amino acids that must be supplemented through diet because the human body cannot synthesize it on it’s own. Once it is consumed it is then converted into another amino acid known as, L-Tyrosine. L-Tyrosine is used to create dopamine, and I’m sure any one that has any knowledge of Nootropics or Nootropic ingredients or neuroscience knows some what of dopamine. L-Tyrosine also works hand in hand with artichoke and forskolin, which results in an overall enhanced focused.
• Acetyl L-Carnitine: Another version of Carnitine, Acetyl L-Carnitine, also known as “ALCAR” offers more mental benefits than physical due to its ability to cross the brain-blood barrier. Its primarily affects are an increased production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetlcholine is responsible for a lot of cognitive enhancement abilities, like learning, problem-solving, memory, analysis and even cognition itself. So it’s not a suprise that CILTEP has used ALCAR.
• Vitamin B6 – B6 is an essential vitamin in the B-vitamin complex. This was added to maintain balance in dopamine levels.

Over all, the ingredients in CILTEP would be given an a plus rating. But we do think it does lack in variety in terms of memory enhancment but it makes up for with it’s effective combination of Artichoke and Forskolin.

But the credit deserves it’s due so we can say that Abelard Lindsay combination of premium ingredients is definately a good one.

Some Online Reviews of CILTEP 

When we review we also like to look at online reviews of others to see what they thought and to share it with you as well so you get more information. We’ve found various reviews with different opinions.

From Gina on January 24, 2014 (Amazon)
4/5 Stars

“If you’re looking for a pill that will give you unending focus, prolonged motivation, and heightened intelligence…look elsewhere. If you’re looking for a product that will subtly but noticeably provide a clear mind and a neutral attitude towards work or other intellectual endeavors, Ciltep may be the way to go. Ciltep isn’t the be all end all of nootropics, but it does provide a real benefit for those who have long hours in the office, deadlines, finals, etc. I like to analogize it to an IV drip. It doesnt give you any jittery feelings or waves of euphoria that make you feel like you can conquer anything. It gives you a sustained source of energy where you can keep doing what you’re doing with very little brain fog or “antsiness.” While on Ciltep you feel normal, as if you’re just there doing your work. It’s only when you look back after hours of working that you realize how productive you were, with the added feeling that you don’t really feel overworked or tired. Just normal. It’s a pretty good product. The reasons I’m giving it four stars is because it isn’t the greatest nootropic ever to be developed (but I think it’s definitely up there), plus its a bit pricey. Regardless, I would recommend people giving it a try to see how it works for them.”

Disclaimer: Everyone has a different biochemistry, so a product that works for one person may not work for another. Happy studying

–

From Sally on July 10, 2014 (Amazon)
5/5 Stars

“I have really loved CILTEP by Natural Stacks. I feel like I am remembering more and forgetting less, can concentrate better, and just have felt over all more motivated to do and learn more. If you have concentration or learning problems (focus),it is definitely worth trying. It comes fast and is super affordable. I just take one in the morning when I wake up and really feel like it’s helping.”

–

From Xavier Arias on October 10, 2014 (Amazon)
1/5 Stars

“Really, really wanted it to work. After not feeling anything remotely close to what some reviewers here describe, I thoroughly read through the longecity thread for CILTEP non-responders, and added more excercise to my routine and some additional supplements that CILTEP coul be requiring and I couldv’ve lacked.

I Started with the recommended dose, 3 pills right upon waking, about 20-30 minutes before eating. I tried two pills in the morning and one at noon, tried lowering the dose to 1 and 2 pills, raising it to four. I tried downing it with water and downing it with milk. I tried them on an empty and full stomach, I cracked open the pills and mixed them into my breakfast yogurt.

I tried absolutely everything besides snorting these things, and I got absolutely nothing.

Now, I’m aware of the real-world effects of nootropics. It’s not like I’m expecting an NZT experience here. I didn’t even get this pill for the cognitive or memory enhancements, there were just nice side effects. What I wanted from this pill was the “razor-sharp focus” that was advertised. Now my bottle is almost over, I’m 40 bucks poorer and have exactly as much trouble focusing as I did before.

Not saying it’s a placebo, that Natural Stacks are phonies (their Smart Caffeine is great), or that the reviewers here are lies/exaggerations/paid posts, but this just didn’t work for me. At all.”

–

From Ann on July 8, 2014 (Amazon)
2/5 Stars

“I took one on the first day – no effect. I took two on the second day – still no effect. Three on the third day – I felt anxious. I’ve continued taking two pills for four days of the week (so three days off) since I bought the product but I haven’t noticed any help. There were even days I’ve felt like I needed a nap. I won’t be buying another bottle.

On the plus side, no obvious side effects.

This also reflected the opinions of other online communities. In a few Reddit threads, CILTEP was even being criticized and debunked.”

CILTEP SIDE EFFECTS

It’s important to understand that most nootropic supplements, although not a guranutee, could produce some side-effects be it minor or major.

CILTEP, from what we know so far, does not produce any major side effects. Maybe it’s because of the amount of ingredients used but from we know so far there aren’t a lot of major side effects.

Now that doesn’t mean that CILTEP should be taken without caution. Caution should always be taken when taking any Nootropic supplement or smart pill.

Pricing 

A bottle of CILTEP contains 60 capsules and goes for $42.95. With the 60 capsules comes 20 servings per container and a recommended 3 capsules per container.  Their website recommends, however, that you should take 1-2 days off every week (on the weekends, for example) from CILTEP.

Nevertheless, we feel that CILTEP is available at a great price, especially when considering the other offerings available on the market. So over all, the price of CILTEP compared to what it’s offering is pretty great, considering the other offers on the market.

The premium blend of ingredients and amount of capsules makes it affordable for the results.

CILTEP also has a 30-day money back guarantee (shipping and handling charges not included).

RECAP: Pro’s vs Con’s of CILTEP

Pro’s:
– Effective combination of Artichoke Extract and Forskolin
– Result of a collective nootropic supplement community
– Affordable price at $42.95

Con’s:
– Ingredients list not of variety
– Experiences varied – simply does not work for some

Over all conlusion of CILTEP

We really have to acknowledge that CILTEP’s history is one of the most interesting one’s we’ve heard in the industry. Also, the core ingredients they’ve used in its creation… there’s simply nothing like them. But after giving credit where they’re due, we have to say that we were slightly disappointed with CILTEP. While there were some great effects that were reported in focus, concentration, and memory enhancement, we couldn’t help but feel that these effects were just a tad inconsistent – especially in comparison to some of the other supplements we’ve tried before.

The history of CILTEP and the creation story behind it tells us that the people that made it were themselves interested in Nootropics as well and had some prior knowledge to brain enhancing, memory boosting, and cognitive enhancing ingredients and supplements.

But with the history aside, we can say that CILTEP ranks high in ingredients because of it’s premium blend of two effective ingredients: Artichoke Extract and Forskolin. Now having said that, CILTEP was at times inconsistent with it’s results compared to other supplements we’ve tested before, but there were also some great effects from reviewers and other people that claimed that it improved their focus, concentration, and memory enhancement.

So if you are interested in using CILTEP, what we would say is, go ahead, with caution of course. So far, no major side effects have been reported and you can see if it works for your self and how it works for you, because from the tests gathers, we can say that it works very well for some and doesn’t work that well for others.

Those looking for the absolute best in memory enhancement aren’t going to find it here. If you’re looking for a supplement to increase memory though, than we would CILTEP might not be the option.

Over all, it’s a unique supplement with minimal but effective ingredients.

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