5-HTP or 5-Hydroxytryptophan is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body. It leads to an increase in levels of serotonin - a neurotransmitter which regulates behavior and mood, and melatonin – a hormone linked with the normal sleep pattern. 5-HTP is used in BigNutrition PowerTrip because it is known to reduce anxiety and depression as it is an antidepressant. It is used in the treatment of insomnia, migraine and Fibromyalgia which causes pain in the muscles, tendons and ligaments, severe fatigue and disturbed sleep. It also assists weight loss by reducing appetite. It is found in small amounts in cheese and white meat. Using the supplement in excess can cause side effects like heart valve disease, nausea, etc. and hence it is essential to seek medical advice before using it.

D-Ribose is pentose sugar found in ribonucleic acid. It is used to relieve anxiety and stress. It also has anti-depressing properties. D-ribose is present naturally in all living cells. Though it is not an essential nutrient, as the body can make it naturally, but it is very essential for life. D-Ribose is basically a solid, sweet, water-soluble matter, and is sometimes called just ribose. D-ribose is ingested in the food we eat. Nutritional foods like brewer’s yeast that are high in RNA content are excellent sources of D-Ribose. D-Ribose supplements increase the rate of generation of ATP, increasing exercise performance and enhancing muscle growth.

Fo-Ti is native to South Western China. It is sometimes known as fleece flower or Chinese Cornbind. It is known to be used as an overall health tonic that increase longevity and as a remedy for various illness and health conditions. It contains alkaloids that rejuvenate the nerves, brain cells and endocrine glands. It has antibacterial, detoxifying and antioxidant properties. It prevents premature greying of hair, and improves sexual vigour. Fo-Ti Root contains lectin that attaches itself to carbohydrates in the body that aids in lowering blood cholesterol. It even helps in slowing down the effects of heart diseases by preventing the accumulation of fat that may restrict the blood vessels. Fo-Ti Root also helps boost the immune system, treat chronic bronchitis, alleviate fatigue, and improve digestion.

GABA or gamma-aminobutyric acid happens to be an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain that is crucial for our well being since it helps induce relaxation and sleep. As such, it performs the role of a balancer for the brain by balancing excitation of the brain with inhibition. There is more to GABA than its balancing effects. GABA has a major impact on muscle building and fat prevention due to its effect on HGH levels. GABA stimulates the anterior pituitary thereby increasing Human Growth Hormone (HGH) levels. HGH has anabolic and lipotropic properties and GABA thus indirectly causes these two positive effects in the body. However, people taking GABA supplementation may experience certain side effects that may range from tingling sensations around the face and neck area to mild change in breathing patterns or heart rate. Thankfully, these side effects are not harmful and subside quickly.

Guarana is a climbing plant of the Sapindaceae family native to the Amazon basin. Guarana is best known for its fruit and seeds. Guarana extracts contain naturally high amounts of caffeine which the plant uses in defense against pathogens. Its extracts are a natural and abundant source of caffeine in most parts of the world. It is added to soft drinks, herbal tea, energy shots and used in capsules. The extracts have a positive effect on cognition and they also increase memory retention and physical endurance. A 2007 study on human pilots showed its positive effects on memory, alertness and mood. It is also reported to have antioxidant and antibacterial effects.

Horny Goat Weed is actually belonging to the genus Epimedum, where about sixty species are in the family of Berberidaceae, all of them flowering herbaceous plants. Many of the species have the tag of being aphrodisiacs, but Horny Goat Weed seems to be the most potent one. It is found naturally in south of China, then toward Europe all over Asia, whereby only the furthest outposts of Europe seems to grow these perennials. Japanese cultivars have imported Epimedum for centuries already, using it as garden plants. The legend states that a goat keeper observed the mating habits of the goats after they consumed the Horny Goat Weed and thus recognized the properties of the plant. Chinese herbal medicine used this icariin containing plant for treatment of erectile dysfunctions. It seems to mimic testosterone effects, is a PDE5 inhibitor, just like Viagra, antioxidant, antidepressant and has nootropic properties as well.

L-Arginine HCL is a non-essential fatty acid that is a precursor of nitric oxide. It has potent antioxidant properties. It aids in maintaining a healthy supple skin, prevents premature aging, and reduces the risks of acquiring illness caused by free radicals such as cancer and heart diseases. It helps diminish the accumulation of ammonia and lactate in muscles, thus, increasing the endurance and improves the formation of lean muscles. L-Arginine HCL also helps improve fertility in men and increase libido. It also stimulates the release of human growth hormones that promotes anabolic metabolism that results in increased growth and development of muscles. L-Arginine HCL also speeds up the healing of wounds.

L-Ornithine is produced when the enzyme arginase reacts on L-arginine, whereby urea is being created. Consequentially, ornithine seems to be a vital part of the urea cycle, the disposal of ammonia and the removal of excess nitrogen. Although ornithine is not coded for by the DNA, which means that it is not a part of the protein synthesis processes. Despite this fact, the urea cycle plays a big part in arginine biosynthesis, which means that as an intermediate in a metabolic process, ornithine still retains vital importance. L-Ornithine is gaining on popularity as a nutritional supplement, in particular with the body building circles, where it is propagated as a muscle building and fat loss agent. It is furthermore stated that L-Ornithine may be initiating the release of growth hormones in the body.

L-Threonine is an essential alpha amino acid, classified as polar. There are three proteinogenic amino acids that have an alcohol group, besides threonine there are tyrosine and serine. Like many other amino acids that are not synthesized in humans, threonine needs to be ingested through protein food sources that contain it, namely meat, poultry, cottage cheese, fish, sesame seeds and others. When ingested, threonine goes either through the threonine dehydrogenase and becomes pyruvate or, as in humans, it can be converted by the enzyme serine dehydratase to alpha ketobutyrate and continue towards succinyl-CoA. Threonine is also supposed to assist the protein balance by maintaining normal growth, but in addition to that, it seems to support the immune system, the central nervous system, the liver and the cardiovascular system.

L-Tyrosine is a common amino acid and a para-isomer of tyrosine. It is deemed organic because of the carbon atom present and it is nonessential to survival, but works as a building block of protein. It is also viewed as a precursor of dopamine, which has several effects, like offsetting fatigue, mental and physical, as well as increasing the impression of well being. When the amino acid phenylalanine is broken down, L-Tyrosine can be won completely naturally. Besides being a precursor of the aforementioned neurotransmitter dopamine, L-Tyrosine is also deemed a precursor to some adrenal hormones, namely epinephrine and norepinephrine. In body building circles this supplement is popular to offset fatigue after a hard training or competition, but also to raise mental alertness while working out.

Mucuna Pruriens- These are legumes extensively found in tropical surroundings of India and Africa. This enhances dopamine which is a neurotransmitter often linked with pleasure, sex drive, happiness and motivation. Mucuna Pruriens contains L-dopa; these L-dopa contains secretagogues which encourages ability of the body to stimulate in releasing growth hormones in human body. They help is enhancing creativity, increase sex drive, increase sperm production and testosterone and elevate mood. This herb is low in toxicity, though people are using it from centuries but no noticeable side effects have been reported as yet. Insomnia, heart beating rapidly and body temperature are few side effects caused in case high doses were consumed. If consumed in right doses there can be no side effects.

Niacin, also called Vitamin B3, exists in two main forms, niacin and niacinamide. The niacin form produces a flushing and itching of the skin when taken at higher dosages and this feeling is only temporary.