Think Tank: The Neuro Blog
Neuro Energy & Focus Gum and Mints: The Smarter Way to Power Your Day
You started the day strong. Schedule mapped out, ready to take on everything — the early meetings, the school run, the never-ending to-do list. Then 2 PM arrived and took all of that with it. Sound familiar? The answer isn't a third coffee. It's not a sugar-loaded energy drink or a jittery pre-workout you picked up on a whim. The answer is smarter — 40mg of natural caffeine paired with L-theanine, packed into a piece of gum or a mint you can take anytime, anywhere. That's Neuro, where clean energy meets real focus. Meet Neuro Energy & Focus Gum and Mints Neuro Energy & Focus Gum and Mints are functional, nootropic-powered products designed to give you steady, reliable energy without the side effects that come with most caffeinated options. No jitters, no crash — just clear, focused energy that lets you stay present at work, at home, and everywhere in between. The Neuro lineup includes both Energy & Focus gum and Energy & Focus Mints, each delivering the same core formula in different formats. Both come in multiple flavors, and in a range of pack sizes and variety options, so there's something for every routine, every preference, and every kind of day. How Neuro Energy & Focus Works Most energy products are a one-note song: caffeine hits, you buzz, you crash, you regret it around 4 PM. Neuro plays a different tune. Each piece of Neuro Energy & Focus Gum or Mints combines 40mg of natural caffeine with L-theanine — two ingredients that, on their own, are already well-researched. Together, they're genuinely something else. Caffeine wakes you up. L-theanine smooths the edges. The result is a balanced boost of energy that feels controlled rather than chaotic — like you flipped a switch instead of lighting a fire. The slightly longer version: L-theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in green tea. Once absorbed, it crosses the blood-brain barrier and gets to work. Research shows it increases alpha brain wave activity — the same waves associated with relaxed wakefulness, the mental state where you're sharp without being wired. When paired with caffeine, it doesn't cancel the energy out. It refines it. Main Ingredients & Their Benefits Natural Caffeine Caffeine is the world's most studied performance ingredient, and for good reason. Research shows it boosts alertness, sharpens reaction time, and helps fight the mental fatigue that builds through a long day.* At 40mg per piece, Neuro delivers a dose that's meaningful without being overwhelming — enough to feel, calibrated enough to control. Think of it as your afternoon co-pilot. It's not taking over the wheel. It's just making sure you stay in your lane. L-theanine With 60mg per piece, L-theanine is what separates Neuro from a standard caffeine hit. This naturally occurring amino acid found in tea has been shown to increase alpha brain wave activity — the brain state linked to calm focus without drowsiness — and reduce physiological stress responses like elevated heart rate.* When paired with caffeine, it smooths the sharpest edges without dulling the lift, so you get the energy you need without the buzz you don't. That's the science behind L-theanine gum and L-theanine mints, and why nootropic mints are a smarter choice than plain caffeine alone. Vitamin B6 & B12 Every piece of Neuro gum and mints also includes Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 — two essential vitamins that don't always get the credit they deserve. B6 helps your body produce serotonin, the hormone that keeps your mood steady and your stress responses in check.* B12 supports your body's ability to convert food into usable energy — the kind that powers your brain through a long afternoon, not just your first hour of the day.* Together with caffeine and L-theanine, they round out a formula that's built to support you from the inside out.* What You Won't Find Here No sugar. No aspartame. No crash-inducing spike hiding behind a clean label. Zero calories, fully vegan, and made with science-backed ingredients from start to finish. Neuro keeps it clean, because clean energy is the whole point. Neuro Energy & Focus Benefits Steady energy, no crash. The caffeine + L-theanine formula is designed for sustained focus — not a short burst followed by a hard stop at 4 PM.* No jitters, no racing heart. L-theanine balances caffeine's stimulating effects so you stay sharp, not scattered.* Discreet and portable. No cups, no cans, nothing to spill before an important meeting. A caffeinated mint or a piece of energy gum goes where you go — pocket, bag, desk drawer. Multiple flavors, one powerful formula. Whether you reach for the gum or the mints, every flavor delivers the same clean energy and focus — different experience each time, same results every time. Fresh breath is a bonus. You're welcome. Who It's For Neuro Energy & Focus Gum and Mints were built for people with full days — which, let's be honest, is most of us. The parent running a full operation — work, pickups, dinner, homework, repeat — who still wants to actually show up for the good parts of the day, not just survive them. The kind of energy that gets you through the afternoon without borrowing from tonight. The professional with a packed schedule who can't afford a 3 PM slump when there's still a presentation to deliver, an inbox to clear, or a decision to make that actually matters. The person who wants their evenings back — who works hard all day and still wants energy left over for a workout, a dinner out, quality time with family, or just doing something they actually enjoy when the workday ends. Not running on fumes by 6 PM. Actually showing up for life outside the job. The one who's done with energy drinks — the sugar, the crash, the can that's too loud to open in a quiet room, the ingredient list that requires a research degree to decode. These nootropic gum and mints are for anyone who wants energy that works with them, not against them. Whether you're heading into a meeting, stepping out to dinner, sitting through a school recital, or just trying to make it through the 3 PM slump without losing your mind — Neuro was made for that moment. How Neuro Stacks Up Against Your Other Options Let's be real — you have options. Coffee, energy drinks, caffeine pills. So why choose an Energy & Focus gum or mint over what you're already used to? Here's the comparison. Neuro Energy & Focus vs. Coffee Coffee is great. Nobody is here to fight that battle. But black coffee gives you caffeine and that's largely it — no L-theanine to smooth the ride, no B vitamins, no controlled dose. And when you reach for a flavored latte or a coffee shop drink, the sugar adds up fast: a typical premium coffee drink can carry up to 46 grams of sugar per serving, which sets you up for exactly the kind of crash you were trying to avoid. Neuro gives you 40mg of natural caffeine — a focused, controlled dose — paired with 60mg of L-theanine that coffee simply doesn't have. The result is a steadier, smoother experience with zero sugar, zero calories, and nothing to brew, spill, or wait in line for. Neuro Energy & Focus Coffee (black) Flavored Coffee Drink Caffeine 40mg (natural) ~95mg (variable) ~95mg (variable) L-Theanine 60mg ✓ None ✗ None ✗ Sugar 0g 0g Up to 46g B Vitamins ✓ Minimal Minimal Portable & discreet ✓ ✗ ✗ Crash risk Low Medium High Neuro Energy & Focus vs. Energy Drinks This one's a bigger gap than it might seem. A standard energy drink can carry anywhere from 80mg to 160mg of caffeine per can — and starting at 27g of sugar, with some popular options pushing past 50g in a single serving. That's well above the American Heart Association's recommended daily sugar limit before you've even eaten anything. And that's before we talk about the crash that follows, or the fact that cracking one open isn't always an option when you're in a meeting or sitting at a school event. Neuro's energy mints and gum deliver a clean, controlled boost with zero sugar, zero calories, and an L-theanine pairing that no standard energy drink offers. Portable and built for real life — not just for the gym bag. Neuro Energy & Focus Typical Energy Drink Caffeine 40mg (natural) 80–160mg L-Theanine 60mg ✓ None ✗ Sugar 0g Starting at 27g Calories 0 Starting at 110 B Vitamins ✓ (intentional formula) Varies Portable & discreet ✓ ✗ Crash risk Low High The bottom line: energy drinks give you a spike. Neuro gives you a rhythm. Energy & Focus Mints Each of the three mint flavors — Peppermint, Spearmint, and Wintergreen — is available individually in two sizes: 72-piece pack (6 pack) — your everyday go-to, easy to keep stocked. 90-piece Bulk Bag — for when you're fully committed to the flavor and the lifestyle. New: Energy & Focus Mint Variety Pack — 6 Pack (54 pieces) Not sure where to start — or just the kind of person who likes options? The brand-new Energy & Focus Mint Variety Pack brings all three flavors together in one box, so you can explore without committing to a full pack of something you haven't tried yet. Each variety pack includes: 2 packs Peppermint — the classic, clean, cool option. Crisp, familiar, and exactly what you'd want from a go-to caffeinated mint. 2 packs Spearmint — a little sweeter, a little softer. The one that tends to surprise people in the best way. 2 packs Wintergreen — bold and refreshing, with that unmistakable cool finish that lingers in all the right ways. Six packs. 72 pieces. Three flavors to find your favorite. No wrong answer. Energy & Focus Gum The original Neuro format — and just as effective. The nootropic gum delivers the same 40mg caffeine + 60mg L-theanine formula, with a chew that lasts and a cold-compression process built for fast absorption. Choose from four flavors: Peppermint, Spearmint, Wintergreen, and Cinnamon. Available in a 54-piece 6-pack or a 90-piece Bulk Bag. Energy & Focus Gum Variety Pack — 6 Pack (54 pieces) Can't pick just one? The Energy & Focus Gum Variety Pack brings together three of the most-loved flavors in one box, so you can rotate, compare, and find the one that becomes your go-to. Each variety pack includes: 2 packs Peppermint — clean, crisp, and classic. The one that never lets you down. 2 packs Spearmint — a little smoother, a little sweeter. The surprise favorite. 2 packs Wintergreen — bold and refreshing, with a cool finish that sticks around. Six packs. 54 pieces. Same powerful formula across every flavor — because the only thing that changes is the experience. Frequently Asked Questions Do Neuro Energy & Focus Mints and Gum actually work? Yes, and the science backs it up. The caffeine + L-theanine combination at the core of Neuro's formula has been studied across multiple controlled trials. A systematic review published in Nutrients found that the combination consistently outperformed caffeine alone on measures of attention, alertness, and cognitive performance.* Haskell et al. found improvements in several cognitive measures and subjective alertness with the pairing,* and the evidence base for this combination continues to grow. That said, individual results depend on factors like caffeine tolerance, sleep quality, and baseline intake. Neuro is a smarter tool. Most people who use it consistently report steady, focused energy without the jitters or crash they get from other sources. How much caffeine is in Neuro Energy & Focus Mints and Gum? Each piece contains 40mg of natural caffeine — roughly half a standard cup of coffee. It's a focused, intentional dose designed to lift you without overwhelming you. Do Neuro Gum and Mints contain vitamins too? Yes — both products include Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12. B6 supports mood regulation and stress resilience,* while B12 helps your body convert food into usable energy.* They work quietly in the background to keep you feeling good throughout the day. Will Neuro mints or gum make me jittery? That's exactly what the L-theanine is there for. The combination of caffeine and L-theanine is specifically designed to reduce the overstimulated feeling that caffeine alone can cause.* Most people describe the effect as focused and steady rather than buzzing and anxious. What's in the new Energy & Focus Mint Variety Pack? The Energy & Focus Mint Variety Pack includes 6 packs (54 pieces total): 2 packs of Peppermint, 2 packs of Spearmint, and 2 packs of Wintergreen. Same formula across all three, different experience each time. Is Neuro safe to take every day? Yes, Neuro smart gum and mints are built for daily use. Across the full lineup, from caffeinated formulas for energy and focus to caffeine-free options for focus, calm, clarity, or sleep support, each product is made with thoughtfully chosen, balanced ingredients designed to fit into your routine without overdoing it. As with any supplement, just be mindful of your personal tolerance and use as directed. What's the difference between Neuro Gum and Neuro Mints? Same core formula. Different format. The energy gum is chewable. The focus mints dissolve quickly and are ideal for settings where chewing isn't appropriate. The energy & focus mints dissolve quickly and are completely silent — ideal for settings where chewing isn't appropriate. Both deliver 40mg caffeine + 60mg L-theanine + B vitamins per piece. Both work. Where can I buy Neuro Energy & Focus Mints and Gum? Several ways to get your hands on them: neurogum.com — The best place to start. Full flavor selection, variety packs, bundle options, and a subscription plan if you want a regular supply without the reorder hassle. Shopping directly guarantees you're getting the real thing. Amazon — Available on Prime for fast shipping, with the full lineup of flavors and sizes. TikTok Shop — Neuro has an official, verified TikTok Shop. A great option if you're already scrolling and want to grab it in a few taps — just make sure you're buying from the verified Neuro store to avoid counterfeits. Retail stores — Neuro is available in over 7,000 retail locations across the U.S., including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Albertsons, The Vitamin Shoppe, and more. Use the store locator on the Neuro website to find the nearest location. We can't choose what the day throws at you. But you get to choose how you show up for it. Neuro Energy & Focus Mints and Gum were built for exactly the moments when you need to be present, sharp, and fully in it, without the crash waiting on the other side. Try the new Energy & Focus Mint Variety Pack and find your favorite. Or go straight to a single-flavor pack if you already know what you want. Either way, your 3 PM is about to look a lot better. Shop Neuro Energy & Focus *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Learn moreNeuro Memory & Focus Gum: The Caffeine-Free Gum for Sharp Working Memory and Concentration
Meet the gum formulated to support your mind whenever you need it most. Some moments call for sharp, sustained mental performance. The kind that lets you stay present, think clearly, and keep up with everything your day demands. Neuro Memory & Focus™ gum was built exactly for those moments. Formulated with Cereboost® American Ginseng, L-theanine, and B vitamins, it's a caffeine-free gum that supports your focus, memory, and mood* through the power of clinically studied nootropics. A smart, clean formula that works with your body's natural rhythms, any time of day. How Memory & Focus Gum Works: The Science Behind the Formula Neuro’s Memory & Focus Gum is built around a simple but powerful idea: the best kind of mental performance comes from supporting your brain's natural state. Alert, present, and fully switched on. Its adaptogenic and amino acid formula supports the mental conditions where you do your best thinking.* Here's how it gets there. The Cold-Compression Advantage Most gums on the market are made using a heat extrusion process, which heats the gum base to high temperatures. The problem is that heat degrades thermolabile compounds — the very active ingredients the product is supposed to deliver. To compensate for this loss, manufacturers often add more of each ingredient than the intended dose, which means what ends up in each piece can be inconsistent and imprecise. Neuro does it differently by using a patented cold-compression process to manufacture its gum, a method specifically designed to preserve the potency of every active ingredient. What we put in is precisely what you get — consistent potency in every single piece. A Smarter Format Gum just makes sense. But most gum just gives you something to chew. Neuro smart gum gives you something more. Smart gum — gum with real, functional benefits — just makes sense. It's easy to carry, easy to share, and fits into any moment. Toss a few pieces in your bag (or in a Neuro tin), leave some on your desk, or pass one to a friend who looks like they need it. No water, no measuring, no routine required. Just good ingredients in a format that works for real life. The Ingredient Stack Memory & Focus is built on three pillars: Cereboost® American Ginseng for stress support and cognitive performance* L-theanine for relaxed, alert focus* Vitamins B6 & B12 for the brain chemistry and energy metabolism that keep everything running smoothly.* Together, they create a thoughtfully designed cognitive stack that supports mental performance from multiple angles.* More on each of those in just a moment. Memory & Focus Benefits: What You Actually Feel Sharper Working Memory This ginseng gum is formulated to support your ability to hold, process, and use information in real time.* The kind of mental sharpness that helps you stay on top of what matters without losing your thread. Clearer Focus The kind where you can actually sit with a task, think it through, and do it well. A focused, grounded mental state that supports you in working smarter, staying engaged, and bringing your best to what's in front of you.* Calm, Balanced Mood Stress is one of the biggest focus-killers there is. The adaptogenic and amino acid ingredients in Memory & Focus are specifically chosen to help your body regulate stress responses,* so you're not just sharp, you're steady. Caffeine-Free Memory & Focus is completely caffeine-free, which means it fits into any moment of your day. Morning, afternoon, or evening, there's no bad time to take it. A great choice for those who are caffeine-sensitive or anyone who simply wants a Neuro gum without caffeine that still boosts focus. And it is: Vegan Gluten Free Zero Sugar Aspartame Free Main Ingredients and Their Benefits Cereboost® American Ginseng Extract — 50mg Not all ginseng is created equal, and that distinction matters. Cereboost® is a patented, clinically studied extract of American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), specifically selected for its role in supporting mental performance and cognitive well-being.* What makes American Ginseng stand out is the type of active compounds it contains — ones more closely linked to anti-stress and calming effects than stimulation. Clinical research has shown that it supports mental performance and mood in healthy adults.* As a natural adaptogen, Cereboost® helps the body adapt to the demands of modern daily life, both mental and physical.* L-Theanine — 60mg L-theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in green tea, and it's one of the most well-studied focus ingredients in the world for good reason. It increases alpha brain wave activity, the neural pattern associated with relaxed wakefulness: alert, present, and mentally active without sedation, with EEG studies showing a measurable increase within the first hour after ingestion.* In a controlled study published in Biological Psychology, L-theanine significantly reduced both psychological and physiological stress responses in healthy participants, including lowering heart rate and modulating stress-related markers.* The result is a state of sharp, relaxed focus where you stay mentally engaged with less friction and more flow.* At 60mg per serving, Memory & Focus gum delivers a clinically relevant dose. Research shows relaxation-related effects are typically observed at 50mg or higher, with effects beginning within approximately 45 minutes.* That's a smooth, steady mental state that carries you through whatever the day holds. Vitamin B6 B6 is the vitamin your brain quietly depends on every single day. It plays an important role in the production of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates mood, emotional balance, and your ability to handle stress, and supports energy metabolism, helping your body convert food into the fuel your brain needs to keep going.* Think of it as the background player that makes everything else work better. Vitamin B12 B12 helps your body produce DNA, supports the formation of red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your body, and plays a direct role in normal brain function and neurological health — making it one of the most essential nutrients for cognitive performance and neurological integrity across the lifespan.* At 100% of your daily value per serving, Memory & Focus ensures you're not running on empty where it counts most. Who Memory & Focus Gum Is For: Neuro Memory & Focus Gum was built for those who have a lot going on and still choose to show up fully. People who are balancing full days, choosing smarter ways to support their focus and mental performance, and refusing to let the demands of modern life dim their presence. If you're juggling work, family, school pickups, and late nights all at once, Memory & Focus fits naturally into your day, supporting the kind of focused presence that makes every moment count.* If you show up, get it done, and stay sharp through the 9-to-5 and beyond, Memory & Focus is the ideal PM complement to your morning routine, keeping your mental performance steady from the first meeting to the last task.* And if you're the one who holds it together for everyone else while somehow managing your own full life, Memory & Focus gives you the mental sharpness to stay present, socially on, and genuinely there for the people who matter.* Memory & Focus is also a great fit for: Caffeine-sensitive individuals who want powerful cognitive support through the benefits of adaptogens and amino acids* Students and professionals who need sharp, sustained focus for late-night studying or evening work sessions* Neuro Memory & Focus Packages: Find Your Format The Bulk Bag — 90 Pieces The original Memory & Focus format is a top-performing product for good reason. The 90-piece bulk bag is the smart choice for anyone making Memory & Focus part of their daily routine. Peppermint-flavored, built for consistency. Recommended use: up to 4 pieces per day to support memory and focus.* The 6-Pack — 54 Pieces (New!) This is the format you've been asking for. The new Memory & Focus gum 6-Pack brings the same clinically formulated gum into a portable blister pack format, perfect for your bag, desk drawer, or carry-on. Six individual packs of 9 pieces each. Convenient and ready to go wherever you go. Bundles: The Full-Day Stack Memory & Focus is even better when it's part of a bigger routine. These bundles are built around it: The Neuro Bundle Three bags, 270 pieces. The Neuro Bundle brings together Energy & Focus gum, Extra Strength Energy & Focus gum, and Memory & Focus gum in one go — so you've always got the right formula for the right moment. Mind & Momentum Bundle Energy & Focus (90-piece) + Memory & Focus (90-piece) Your mind, covered from first thing in the morning to the last task of the day. Energy & Focus brings the sustained energy and sharp focus you need when you're in full go-mode. Memory & Focus keeps your mental performance steady through the afternoon with its adaptogen-powered, caffeine-free formula. Mind & Momentum Extra Strength Extra Strength Energy & Focus (90-piece) + Memory & Focus (90-piece) Built for the days that demand more. Extra Strength Energy & Focus gum brings 100 mg of natural caffeine for the moments when you need to be fully on. Memory & Focus keeps your mental performance steady through the rest of the day with its nootropic-powered, caffeine-free formula. Your Questions Answered How is Neuro Memory & Focus gum different from Neuro Energy & Focus? Both products support mental performance, but one has caffeine and one doesn't. Energy & Focus is formulated with 40 mg of natural caffeine. Memory & Focus is caffeine-free, making it a great option for those who prefer an adaptogen-based approach to focus and concentration, or for anyone who is caffeine-sensitive. Same trusted Neuro format. Different formula, different moment. When should I take this memory gum? Memory & Focus is caffeine-free, so it fits seamlessly into your morning, afternoon, or evening routine. Many people love it as a PM focus tool, pairing it with Neuro Energy & Focus earlier in the day for full-day mental support.* How many pieces of Neuro Memory & Focus gum can I have in a day? Chew one piece up to 4 times a day, to support memory and focus.* For best results, we recommend spacing each piece throughout the day to maintain consistent cognitive support. Is it vegan and gluten-free? Yes. Memory & Focus is vegan, gluten-free, zero sugar, and aspartame-free. Does Neuro Memory & Focus gum contain caffeine? No. It's a caffeine-free gum. What's the difference between the M&F 90-piece bag and the 6-Pack? Same gum, different format. The 90-piece bulk bag is ideal for making Memory & Focus a consistent part of your daily routine. The 6-Pack (6 × 9 pieces) is designed for portability, convenience, and sharing with other people. Great for on-the-go lifestyles. Can I take Memory & Focus with other Neuro products? Absolutely. Memory & Focus is designed to complement the full Neuro lineup. The Mind & Momentum Bundle pairs it with Energy & Focus for full-day cognitive support,* the Mind & Momentum Extra Strength takes it up a notch for higher-demand days, and the Neuro Bundle gives you all three formulas in one go. Your brain is doing a lot. It deserves support that actually works with it, not just at it. Neuro Memory & Focus is the caffeine-free focus gum built for the moments that call for sharp, clear thinking. Backed by a patented delivery system, clinically studied ingredients, and a formula designed from the ground up to support memory, focus, and mood,* it's the kind of cognitive support you'll actually feel. Sharper memory. Clearer focus. Steady, grounded energy. That's the Memory & Focus difference. Ready to find your format? The 90-piece bag, the new portable 6-Pack, the full-day bundles. Pick your format, and your next great focus moment is one chew away. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Learn moreGood Energy, Bigger Purpose: How Neuro and Beast Philanthropy Are Turning Your Daily Habit Into Global Impact
You already know the feeling: a packed schedule, real responsibilities, and never quite enough hours to do everything you want to do well. And it's exactly why what you put into your body matters. Steady energy and sharp focus aren't luxuries. They're how you show up for your day — and when you show up better, the world around you feels it. Neuro was built on that belief. And now, through a landmark partnership with Beast Philanthropy, every Neuro x Beast Philanthropy tin you choose does something bigger than fuel your afternoon. All proceeds from both limited edition tins are donated directly to Beast Philanthropy to support Build TAMU— turning your daily habit into meaningful change across the globe. Your imprint makes an impact. Here's the full story of how we got here. Two Brands, One Big Idea: When You Show Up Better, the World Feels It Some partnerships are built on spreadsheets. This one was built on shared values. Neuro and Beast Philanthropy look different on the surface — one is a science-backed functional gum and mint brand, the other is one of the most powerful non-profit organizations. But underneath, they're wired the same way. Both were built by young people who refused to separate performance from purpose. Both believe that doing well and doing good belong in the same sentence. And both have spent years proving that a single person's choice — to focus, to give, to show up — can ripple out into something far larger than themselves. This isn't a marketing move. It's a meeting of minds. How Neuro Was Born: Resilience, Neuroscience, and a Scuba Diving Trip Kent Yoshimura and Ryan Chen didn't set out to disrupt the energy industry. They set out to help each other. The two met at UC San Diego, where Kent was studying Cognitive Science with a specialization in Neuroscience, and Ryan was pursuing Chemistry and Economics — both passionate student-athletes with a shared hunger for performance. Then, at 19, Ryan's life changed in an instant. A snowboarding accident left him with a spinal cord injury, paralyzing him from the waist down. What followed was years of physical recovery, mental resilience, and a relentless search for tools that could help him feel capable again. It was during that recovery that Kent began mixing nootropic formulas — caffeine, L-theanine, B-vitamins — to help Ryan push through the demands of healing, keeping up with his studies and other activities. He shared what he was learning with Ryan, and these homemade supplements became a daily tool for both of them, as they wanted better ways to get energy. Together, they saw that there had to be a better way to deliver those benefits. The realization was simple but powerful: clean, functional energy could change how you show up, even on the hardest days of your life. That became the foundation of everything Neuro would be built on. During his recovery, Ryan was searching for new ways to stay active and that's when he came across scuba diving. He asked Kent to join him, and together they headed to Catalina Island to get PADI-certified. It was on that dive trip that the idea hit. Their homemade supplement pills weren't social or shareable. What if those same brain-boosting ingredients lived in a gum or a mint? Something more portable, effortless, and easy to pass to the person next to you? That idea became Neuro. Launched in 2015, it grew from a dorm-room experiment into a brand now available in over 20,000 stores worldwide, generating millions in monthly revenue — and earning fans including Joe Rogan, Steve Aoki, and Katy Perry. How Neuro Gives Back: Purpose Has Always Been Part of the Formula Neuro's commitment to social causes isn't a footnote. It's written into the company's origin story. Inspired by the scuba diving trip that sparked Neuro's creation, the brand partnered with the PADI AWARE Foundation, donating 20% of proceeds from limited-edition ocean-themed tins to ocean conservation. Ryan Chen's own recovery shaped the partnerships Neuro would go on to support. The High Fives Foundation — an organization supporting adaptive athletes recovering from severe injuries — was one of the first organizations to step in for Ryan after his accident, providing a sit-ski grant that helped him rediscover independence through sport. Years later, Neuro gave back. In a 2025 campaign launched on National High Five Day (also Ryan's birthday), Neuro donated 20% of proceeds to the High Fives Foundation, raising over $11,000 for adaptive athletes across the country. That's gratitude in action. Neuro also partnered with Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB), dedicated to supporting America's veterans through community, fitness, and social connection — raising over $53,000 for veteran wellness programs. The throughline in all of it: every cause Neuro supports is personal. Every partnership is built from a real story and a real reason to care. Beast Philanthropy: How Jimmy Donaldson Made Kindness Go Viral Jimmy Donaldson — the creator the world knows as MrBeast — has built the most subscribed YouTube channel on the planet, with more than 475 million subscribers. But what sets him apart from every other creator is the conviction that business and generosity don't just coexist — they amplify each other. Beast Philanthropy was founded in September 2020 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a radical model: 100% of all revenue generated from its content — every ad dollar, every brand deal, every merchandise sale — goes directly to charitable causes. No overhead skimmed off the top. Everything in, everything out. The mission is to make kindness viral. Not just to give, but to inspire an entire generation to care more than the one before it. Here are some of their highlights. Fighting Food Insecurity, One Community at a Time Beast Philanthropy began close to home. Located in Jimmy's hometown of Eastern North Carolina — a region with deep food insecurity challenges — the Beast Philanthropy Food Pantry operates as a mobile distribution network, reaching underserved communities that traditional food banks miss. Today, it distributes over 100,000 meals every month to families in need. That's not a one-time event. That's ongoing, structural change. A Global Footprint Built on Real Impact From those local roots, Beast Philanthropy has grown into a genuinely global operation. The numbers are staggering: over 42 million meals distributed, $5 million in aid to Ukrainian refugees, $500,000 in school supplies and technology for students in need, 2,000 prosthetics funded, 1,000 cataract surgeries that restored people's sight, and 100 cleft palate surgeries for children who couldn't otherwise access care. Wells have been built in Africa to deliver clean water to communities that had none. Schools and orphanages have been saved from closure. #TeamWater: The Biggest Clean Water Campaign in History In 2025, Beast Philanthropy and WaterAid launched the #TeamWater campaign — raising over $40 million to bring safe drinking water to 2 million people around the world for decades to come. More than 100,000 individual donors joined major partners, including Google, TikTok, and Accenture. Many contributed less than $4. The power wasn't in the size of any single gift. It was what happened when millions of people decided to care at the same time. Partnering With the Rockefeller Foundation In November 2025, Beast Philanthropy announced a strategic partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation, combining next-generation storytelling with over 112 years of science-based global development expertise. "Content has the power to inspire kindness," Jimmy Donaldson said. "Joining forces with such a respected philanthropic powerhouse will help us reach even more people to take action." When Good Energy Meets a Global Movement: The Neuro & Beast Philanthropy Partnership Two brands and one shared belief: that what you do with your platform matters more than the platform itself. Neuro had spent years building a product and a community rooted in purpose — supporting veterans, adaptive athletes, and ocean conservation, and always looking for ways to do more. But as the brand grew, so did the ambition. Because Good Energy doesn't have a ceiling. The question became: what does giving back look like when you start thinking about a movement? Beast Philanthropy had already answered that question. By harnessing one of the largest social media audiences on the planet and routing 100% of its content revenue into charitable causes, Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, had built a blueprint for what modern philanthropy can look like — fast, transparent, viral, and deeply human. Neuro and Beast Philanthropy Connection The connection between these two brands isn't manufactured. It's the natural result of two teams who built their companies the same way: by caring about people first, and trusting that the business would follow. Neuro brings the product, the community, and the everyday ritual. Beast Philanthropy brings the infrastructure, the project, and the global reach. Together, they bring something neither could offer alone — a way for anyone, anywhere, to make their daily energy habit count for something beyond themselves. The partnership is simple by design: all proceeds from the Neuro x Beast Philanthropy limited edition tins go directly to Beast Philanthropy to support Build TAMU. And the problem they chose to tackle first? It started with a group of students, some shipping containers, and an idea that's already changing lives. The Texas A&M Project: A Shipping Container That Saves Lives At the heart of the Neuro x Beast Philanthropy partnership is one of the most inventive humanitarian projects in recent memory. Students at Texas A&M University asked a bold question: What if decommissioned shipping containers could become fully equipped medical clinics? Portable, durable, and deployable to communities that need them most — no matter how remote. Through Beast Philanthropy, those ideas are becoming a reality. The first units are heading to four locations where healthcare access is critically underserved: Ukraine, where an ongoing conflict has devastated medical infrastructure Kenya, where millions of people live hours from the nearest healthcare facility Nigeria, where healthcare gaps affect hundreds of millions Chester, Texas, a small rural community in the United States where access to medical care remains a persistent challenge Neuro is putting its full weight behind this initiative. All proceeds from the Neuro x Beast Philanthropy tin sales on the Neuro website and TikTok Shop go directly to Beast Philanthropy's Texas A&M medical clinic project. The more tins sold, the more clinics get built. This is what it looks like when your daily energy habit and global healthcare intersect. Make Your Moment Matter: How Buying a Tin Builds a Clinic Here's the thing about real impact: it doesn't always require a grand gesture. Sometimes it's the small, consistent choices — the ones you were already making — that create the biggest ripple. You're already reaching for something to get through your day with focus and clarity. When you choose the Neuro x Beast Philanthropy limited edition tins, that same choice invests in your own performance and helps create meaningful change across the globe. Your daily habit becomes a medical clinic in Kenya. Your afternoon focus boost helps a family in Ukraine access healthcare. Every small step you take creates something bigger. Beast Philanthropy has already proven what happens when a massive, purpose-driven audience points its energy at a real problem. The #TeamWater campaign raised $40 million — fueled largely by everyday people who gave less than $4 each. The power is in what happens when a community of people decides to show up for something beyond themselves. Neuro is inviting you into that same moment. You don't have to donate separately. You don't have to sign up for anything. You just choose the tin and something real happens on the other side of the world. When you show up better, the world feels it. That's good energy doing exactly what it was built to do. Get your Neuro x Beast Philanthropy limited edition tins on Neuro's website or on Neuro's TikTok Shop!
Learn moreNeuro After Shark Tank: The Founders, the Deal They Turned Down & the Update
Most companies go on Shark Tank hoping for a deal. Neuro went on Shark Tank with momentum and walked away without an agreement. If you’ve been wondering what really happened when our founders walked away after that high-stakes pitch, the short answer is: they continued building a thriving, fast-growing business on their own terms. But the real story starts long before — in college, with two student-athletes who were more interested in brain chemistry than buzz. The Neuro Founders: Science, Sports & a Smarter Energy Idea Kent Yoshimura and Ryan Chen met in college, at UC San Diego, where both were students balancing academics with intense training schedules. Their bond deepened in a way neither expected when Ryan suffered a devastating snowboarding accident at 19 that left him paralyzed from the waist down. After months of surgeries, rehabilitation, and grappling with what life would look like next, Ryan began searching for meaningful ways to rebuild physically and mentally. Kent was there throughout the journey, offering support as a friend and as a teammate in the truest sense, and seeing Ryan push through long days of recovery and therapy, often drained and needing focus, sparked something deeper. Kent, who was studying neuroscience, knew the limitations of traditional energy sources: coffee wasn’t always convenient, energy drinks were loaded with sugar, and caffeine pills felt clinical and uninspiring. So he began experimenting with nootropic blends, testing combinations of ingredients that could enhance energy and mental clarity without the crashes or side effects of conventional options. Then he shared what he was learning with Ryan, but they both knew there had to be a better, more convenient way to deliver those benefits. It was during a scuba diving trip that everything clicked. They both realized that developing clean energy nootropics was a fantastic idea for their own lives and that it could help many more people around the world — but it also needed to fit seamlessly into real life: compact, portable, and easy to share. That moment clarified the vision: combine scientifically backed nootropic ingredients with a delivery format designed for life on the move. That insight became the foundation of Neuro. The Birth of Neuro While in college, with Kent’s neuroscience knowledge and Ryan’s chemistry background, they began crafting formulations in Kent’s apartment, blending ingredients to support energy, clarity, and focus* in a way that felt natural and effective. Once they refined the concept and identified the right combination of ingredients, they looked for a manufacturer partner. Neuro officially launched in 2015 with a focused mission: create functional gum and mints that support energy and focus* without sugar crashes or complicated supplement stacks — in a format that was portable, easy to use anywhere, and simple enough to share. The innovation wasn’t just in the ingredients; it was in the format. Ryan overcame the obstacles and went on to rediscover his love for adventure – training with the Paralympic team and even earning his pilot’s license. Kent continued to express his creativity through large-scale murals. Through it all, the mission stayed the same: build a product that helps people reach their potential without compromise, because sometimes the best innovations come from the challenges life throws your way. Unlike traditional capsules or drinks, chewing gum can lead to a faster onset of effects, which aligns perfectly with the founders’ vision of “energy when you need it, not 45 minutes later.” The result was a product that felt modern, portable, and differentiated in a crowded supplement market. How Neuro Took Off on Indiegogo After refining their early formulations, Kent and Ryan decided to test the market through a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. To get the word out, they shared the launch within the Reddit nootropics community, where members quickly recognized the concept as innovative and worth backing. The response was immediate. The community supported the campaign and actively helped spread the word, amplifying visibility and driving Neuro to reach its funding goal in just three days. But momentum didn't mean comfort. In our early days, Kent and Ryan handled operations themselves — packaging products by hand, managing inventory, fulfilling orders, and responding to customers directly. As orders increased, so did our operational challenges. Scaling required navigating manufacturing logistics, refining formulas, improving packaging, and ensuring consistency at larger volumes. Instead of outsourcing vision, they stayed deeply involved in every step, from ingredient sourcing to customer feedback loops. That discipline laid the operational foundation that later allowed Neuro to expand into retail stores across the country. Early Growth: Neuro Before Shark Tank By the time Ryan and Kent went on Shark Tank, the company had already proven demand. The founders leaned heavily into direct-to-consumer sales, allowing them to gather customer feedback and iterate quickly. Early adopters included students, entrepreneurs, athletes, and productivity enthusiasts — communities that resonated with performance-focused wellness. At the same time, Neuro worked strategically to enter brick-and-mortar retail. Getting space on physical shelves signaled credibility and validated the brand’s place in the market. Functional gum was still a relatively new concept, and retail presence helped validate the category. It was a scaling company looking to accelerate. Before appearing on the show, Neuro had: Generated millions in cumulative sales Built national retail distribution Established brand recognition in wellness circles Demonstrated repeat customer demand Neuro on Shark Tank: The Pitch and the Deals Turned Down When Kent and Ryan stepped into the Tank in Season 11, they asked for $750,000 in exchange for 5% equity — a $15 million valuation. That valuation raised eyebrows, but it was grounded in real revenue and growth potential. The Sharks recognized that Neuro was a brand with traction and distribution. The negotiation unfolded dramatically. Kevin O’Leary offered $750K for 5%, but with a $0.50 royalty per unit until he recouped $1 million. Robert Herjavec countered with a larger equity stake for more capital. Both offers had merit, but both required meaningful trade-offs. Walking away from a Shark isn’t easy, especially on national television. But it sent a clear signal that they believed in the business more than they feared missing the deal. Neuro Update: What Happened to Neuro After Shark Tank After our Shark Tank episode aired, everything changed. People who had never heard of functional gum were suddenly searching for us, curious about what made Neuro different. Orders started pouring in, and retailers who had been on the fence were now reaching out to get us on their shelves. That momentum never really slowed down. Since then, we've grown to over 10,000 retail locations, sold more than half a billion pieces, and expanded our product line well beyond where we started. What began as a pitch on national TV turned into the foundation for building Neuro into a real player in the functional wellness world. Product Line Expansion After Shark Tank, we could have played it safe and stuck with what was working. Instead, we kept asking ourselves the same question: how else can we help people feel and perform their best? That's how one product turned into an entire lineup. Today, Neuro offers something for almost every part of your day. Need to lock in at work? Energy & Focus has you covered. Hitting an afternoon wall? Extra Energy & Focus gives you that extra push. Want sharper thinking without the caffeine? Memory & Focus was built for exactly that. When it's time to wind down, Calm & Clarity helps you get there. And Sleep & Recharge is designed to help you wake up actually feeling rested. We've also had a lot of fun experimenting with new flavors and seasonal drops along the way. The idea was never to just sell more products — it was to be there for you from your morning routine all the way through bedtime. Every formula is rooted in the same principle we started with: functional support that's backed by science and easy to fit into your life.* Retail, Digital & Cultural Relevance What happened after Shark Tank wasn't just about getting into more stores, it was about becoming part of people's daily lives. Yes, you can now find Neuro at CVS, Walmart, Whole Foods, and on Amazon. But what really blew us away was watching the brand take off organically on social media. TikTok, in particular, became a game-changer. Thousands of real customers started posting videos about Neuro — unboxing it, tossing it in their gym bags, reaching for it before a big meeting. We became one of the fastest-growing brands on TikTok Shop, and that kind of momentum isn't something you can manufacture. It comes from people genuinely loving what you make. Then came the moments that made us do a double-take. Joe Rogan mentioned us on his podcast — without us asking. Mitchell Hooper, the World's Strongest Man, became a fan. Andrew Schulz joined as a partner, and as the first Neuro Professional Paddle Athlete. Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda got on board too. It happened because Neuro resonated with people who care about performing at their best. We think the timing matters, too. More and more people are looking for cleaner ways to stay sharp — something better than sugary energy drinks or downing way too much caffeine. Neuro fits that shift perfectly. Here's the part that really excites us, though: most of the people buying Neuro in stores aren't switching from another brand. They're trying functional energy for the very first time. That means we're not just competing for shelf space — we're actually growing the category and bringing entirely new customers into the aisle. From the gym to the office to the podcast studio, Neuro has found its way into all kinds of routines. And by showing up both on store shelves and in people's social feeds, we've managed to stay relevant in a wellness world that moves fast. Neuro Comeback on Shark Tank Season 17 In Season 17, Episode 13 of Shark Tank, which aired on March 11, 2026, Neuro returned to the show as part of the update segment. And the numbers we brought back with us told a story no investment offer could have written. When Kent and Ryan first stepped into the Tank back in Season 11, they left without a deal, but what followed was anything but a setback. After the episode aired, sales surged by more than 700 percent, proof that the audience saw what the Sharks initially passed on. As of 2026, the company has grown into a business with substantial lifetime sales and is now available in more than 20,000 stores nationwide, including CVS, Walmart, and Whole Foods Market. What began as a nootropic gum formulated in a college apartment now sits on the shelves of some of the biggest retailers in the country. The Lawsuit That Almost Changed Everything The road between that first Shark Tank appearance and where we stand today wasn't without turbulence. Not long after our episode aired, we were hit with a lawsuit — the kind of legal battle that can undo everything a young company has built. Kent and Ryan decided to reach out to Daniel Lubetzky, the Kind Bar founder, who had appeared on Shark Tank before. He stepped in to help them navigate the dispute and worked with them to reach a settlement. Years later, what started as a lifeline in a tough moment grew into something bigger: in 2026, Daniel officially became a partner in Neuro. From Shark to Partner: The Daniel Lubetzky Chapter Daniel Lubetzky helped us settle a lawsuit and believes in what we’re building enough to become part of it. That partnership says more about where Neuro is headed than any deal we could have walked out of the Tank with. His involvement helped Neuro come out of that legal chapter stronger, with a clearer path to the kind of retail scale the company has reached today. The Bigger Picture Coming back to Shark Tank in Season 17 was a reminder that the entrepreneurial journey rarely goes according to the script, and that's exactly the point. We didn't land a deal in the Tank, but we got something better: exposure that fueled our growth, a challenge that led us to the right partner, and a foundation strong enough to build $135 million in sales on top of. So what actually happened to Neuro after Shark Tank? In short, we kept building. We grew from a handful of stores to over 10,000 retail locations. We went from one product to an entire lineup designed to help you stay energized, focused, calm, and well-rested. We showed up on the biggest social platforms and earned the attention of some pretty incredible people along the way. And the company we've built today has grown far beyond anything that was discussed on that Shark Tank stage. But if there's one thing we hope people take from our story, it's this: sometimes the boldest move isn't landing the deal — it's walking away and betting on yourself anyway. What started as a college experiment turned into a brand that millions of people now trust as part of their daily routine. And honestly? We're just getting started. Curious what all the buzz is about? Explore Neuro's products for Energy, Focus, Calm, Memory, and Sleep — and find the one that fits your day. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Neuro products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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Why not bestow upon your loved ones the invaluable gift of achieving a balanced and focused state of mind? In this article, we explore the art of thoughtful gifting and discover how you can elevate your loved ones' well-being by choosing presents that nurture their physical, mental, and emotional health - gifting Neuro Gum.
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