INGREDIENT
LIBRARY
Every ingredient. Every dose. Fully explained. Nothing hidden. Nothing simplified.
Most supplement brands tell you what's in their products but not why. We go further. This library breaks down every ingredient across the Clear Supps range — from the dose in your scoop to the clinical research behind it.
Caffeine Anhydrous — Benefits, Dose & Why It Works
What Is Caffeine Anhydrous?
Caffeine Anhydrous is the purest, most concentrated form of caffeine available. The word "anhydrous" means without water — this form contains no water content, making it significantly more potent by weight than caffeine found naturally in coffee or tea. A 200mg dose of Caffeine Anhydrous delivers the equivalent energy of approximately two strong espressos — but with faster, cleaner absorption and more predictable onset.
What Does Caffeine Anhydrous Do?
Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain — adenosine is the compound responsible for making you feel tired. By blocking it, caffeine increases alertness, reduces perceived exertion and delays mental and physical fatigue. At 200mg, research consistently shows improvements in endurance, strength output, reaction time and focus. It also stimulates adrenaline release, increasing heart rate and preparing the body for physical effort.
Caffeine Anhydrous vs Regular Caffeine
| Absorption speed | Anhydrous faster |
| Dose precision | Anhydrous exact |
| Consistency | Anhydrous consistent |
| Bioavailability | Anhydrous higher |
Is 200mg caffeine too much for a first-time user? +
For first-time users or those sensitive to caffeine, start with half a scoop (100mg). Build your tolerance gradually. 200mg is the standard clinical dose for experienced users and is well within safe daily limits (400mg is the established upper limit for healthy adults).
Why use Caffeine Anhydrous instead of just drinking coffee? +
Coffee caffeine varies enormously between brands, roasts and brew methods — from 40mg to 300mg per cup. Caffeine Anhydrous gives you a precise, consistent dose every time. No guesswork, no variability, no extra liquid before a workout.
Coffea Arabica Extract — The Second Caffeine Source Explained
What Is Coffea Arabica Extract?
Extracted from unroasted Arabica coffee beans, Coffea Arabica extract contains both caffeine and chlorogenic acids — compounds that are largely destroyed by roasting. In supplement form, it provides a gentler, more sustained caffeine release compared to pure anhydrous caffeine, along with antioxidant benefits from the chlorogenic acids.
Why Use Both Caffeine Anhydrous AND Coffea Arabica?
This is the dual-caffeine strategy that separates serious pre-workouts from basic ones. Caffeine Anhydrous provides rapid onset energy — hits within 15 minutes. Coffea Arabica releases gradually — sustaining that energy through the second and third hour of a long session. The result: fast hit, no mid-workout fade, no crash. The 200mg anhydrous + 100mg Arabica combination in Scarface is a purposeful layering strategy, not filler.
Does Coffea Arabica in supplements taste like coffee? +
No. As an extract in a pre-workout powder, it contributes no coffee flavour. The flavour system of the product — Blue Razz, Watermelon etc. — completely masks any taste from the extract.
How much total caffeine is in Scarface per scoop? +
Scarface contains 300mg total caffeine per full scoop — 200mg from Caffeine Anhydrous and approximately 100mg from Coffea Arabica Extract. Start with half a scoop (150mg total) if you're new to stimulant pre-workouts.
Theobromine — The Dark Chocolate Compound In Your Pre-Workout
What Is Theobromine?
Theobromine is the primary alkaloid found in cacao — it's the same compound responsible for the mild euphoria and mood elevation people experience after eating dark chocolate. Structurally similar to caffeine but with a gentler, longer-lasting stimulant effect, theobromine acts on the cardiovascular system rather than the central nervous system, producing smooth energy without the edge of pure caffeine stimulation.
What Does Theobromine Do In A Pre-Workout?
Theobromine dilates blood vessels (vasodilation), improving cardiovascular efficiency and enhancing blood flow to muscles. It also acts as a mild bronchodilator, opening airways slightly for better oxygen delivery during intense cardio. Most importantly, it extends the duration of the energy matrix — the cacao compound stays active in the body for 6–10 hours, significantly longer than caffeine, providing a smooth, sustained tail to the energy curve without requiring more stimulants.
Is Theobromine safe for humans? I thought chocolate was toxic to dogs. +
Yes, Theobromine is completely safe for humans. Dogs and cats process it far more slowly than humans do, which is why chocolate is dangerous for them. In humans, Theobromine at 200mg is well within the safe range and has been used in supplements and food for decades without adverse effects.
Does Theobromine cause jitteriness like caffeine? +
No — that's the point of including it. Theobromine produces calm, sustained energy with none of the jitteriness associated with high-dose caffeine. It's the mellowing agent in the stimulant stack, extending the energy curve without adding overstimulation.
Citrus Aurantium Extract — Bitter Orange & Synephrine Explained
What Is Citrus Aurantium Extract?
Citrus Aurantium is the extract of bitter orange peel, standardised for synephrine — a naturally occurring adrenergic compound. It works as a mild stimulant and thermogenic agent, increasing metabolic rate and energy expenditure without the significant cardiovascular side effects associated with earlier thermogenic compounds. In pre-workout context it synergises with the caffeine complex to enhance focus and training intensity.
What Does Citrus Aurantium Do?
Synephrine binds to adrenergic receptors in the body, stimulating the release of noradrenaline — a compound that increases heart rate, improves focus and raises metabolic rate. Combined with the dual-caffeine complex in Scarface, Citrus Aurantium extends the thermogenic and energising effect of the formula, contributing to the sustained "locked-in" feeling that users consistently report.
Is Citrus Aurantium the same as ephedra? +
No. Ephedra (ephedrine) was banned due to serious cardiovascular risks. Citrus Aurantium is structurally different — synephrine has a weaker binding affinity to heart and blood vessel receptors, making it significantly safer at standard doses. It is permitted by WADA and most sporting federations.
Is Citrus Aurantium banned in sports? +
Citrus Aurantium / synephrine is not on the WADA prohibited list and is permitted for competitive athletes. Clear Supps batch tests every product to confirm compliance for competitive use.
L-Tyrosine — Benefits, Dose & How It Keeps You Focused Under Pressure
What Is L-Tyrosine?
L-Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that serves as the direct precursor to dopamine, noradrenaline (norepinephrine) and adrenaline — three of the most important neurotransmitters for performance, drive and focus. These neurotransmitters are depleted by physical and mental stress, which is exactly why cognitive performance drops during hard training. L-Tyrosine replenishes the raw material needed to keep producing them.
What Does L-Tyrosine Do In Pre-Workout?
At 1000mg — a full clinical dose — L-Tyrosine maintains neurotransmitter levels throughout intense training sessions, preventing the mental fade that typically sets in after 45–60 minutes of hard effort. Research in military personnel, athletes and cognitive performance settings consistently shows that L-Tyrosine improves performance under stress, fatigue and conditions of sleep deprivation — exactly the conditions of a hard training session.
What does L-Tyrosine feel like? +
L-Tyrosine doesn't produce a noticeable "hit" like caffeine. Its effect is felt as sustained clarity and focus that doesn't fade during the session — particularly in the second half of long or mentally demanding workouts. Many users notice it most when they train without it.
Why is 1000mg better than 500mg for L-Tyrosine? +
Studies showing cognitive benefits under stress typically use 100–150mg per kg of body weight, which translates to 800–1200mg for most adults. Many pre-workouts underdose at 250–500mg — a range where benefit is marginal. 1000mg is the meaningful threshold.
L-Citrulline — 6g Dose, Nitric Oxide & The Pump Explained
What Is L-Citrulline?
L-Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid found naturally in watermelon. In the body, it undergoes conversion to L-Arginine in the kidneys — and arginine is the direct precursor to nitric oxide (NO). Crucially, citrulline is more effective at raising blood arginine levels than arginine itself, because arginine is largely broken down in the intestine and liver before reaching circulation. Citrulline bypasses this problem entirely.
L-Citrulline vs Citrulline Malate — What's The Difference?
This is why Scarface includes both — 6g pure L-Citrulline for maximum NO and pump, plus 2g Citrulline Malate for the malic acid's ATP recycling benefits. Total: 8g combined — the highest effective citrulline dose in pre-workout research.
| Pure citrulline per gram | Citrulline: 100%Malate: ~57% |
| Endurance support | Both effective |
| Pump/NO production | Citrulline stronger |
| ATP recycling | CitrullineMalate stronger |
Why does Scarface use 6g of L-Citrulline when most pre-workouts use 3-4g? +
Because 3–4g of pure citrulline is the minimum clinically effective dose — not the optimal one. Research shows continued benefit up to 6–10g/day, with significant improvements in muscle pump, endurance and perceived exertion. Most brands use the minimum to save cost. We use 6g plus an additional 2g of Citrulline Malate for a total of 8g.
What does a citrulline pump actually feel like? +
The pump from citrulline is a full, tight, vascular feeling in the working muscles — more intense than a pump from exercise alone. Muscles look visibly fuller, veins are more prominent, and the sensation of being "swole" is significantly enhanced. It's also functional — better blood flow means better nutrient delivery to working muscle.
Citrulline Malate — How Malic Acid Boosts Endurance & ATP
What Is Citrulline Malate?
Citrulline Malate is the combination of L-Citrulline with malic acid (malate) — an organic compound that plays a critical role in the Krebs cycle, which is the biochemical process responsible for energy production in cells. While the citrulline component drives nitric oxide and pump, the malate component improves the efficiency of ATP recycling, extending endurance by reducing the buildup of fatigue-causing metabolites.
Citrulline Malate Benefits for High-Rep Training
Research using 8g of Citrulline Malate before resistance training showed significant reductions in post-exercise muscle soreness at 24 and 48 hours, alongside meaningful improvements in total reps completed in high-volume protocols. For anyone doing 4+ sets per exercise, Citrulline Malate is directly responsible for extra reps in later sets where lactic acid would otherwise force you to stop.
Should I take pure citrulline or citrulline malate? +
The ideal answer is both — which is exactly what Scarface provides. Pure citrulline at 6g for maximum NO and pump. Citrulline Malate at 2g for the malic acid endurance benefits. Combined: 8g total, covering both mechanisms of action.
Does Citrulline Malate help with muscle soreness? +
Yes — significantly. A 2010 study found that Citrulline Malate reduced muscle soreness by 40% at 24 and 48 hours post-training compared to placebo, a notable finding for anyone who trains multiple sessions per week and needs faster recovery between sessions.
Beta-Alanine — The Tingling Explained & Why 4g Is The Right Dose
What Is Beta-Alanine?
Beta-Alanine is a naturally occurring non-essential amino acid that combines with histidine in muscle tissue to form carnosine — a powerful intramuscular buffer that neutralises lactic acid. Carnosine is what directly delays the burning sensation in muscles during high-intensity work. Beta-Alanine is taken in supplement form because it is the rate-limiting precursor to carnosine production — more beta-alanine = more carnosine = better buffering.
What Is The Beta-Alanine Tingling? (Paraesthesia)
Many users experience a tingling or flushing sensation on the face, neck and hands after taking beta-alanine. This is called paraesthesia — a completely harmless and normal physiological response caused by beta-alanine binding to sensory nerve receptors in the skin. It confirms the ingredient is active and being absorbed. It typically subsides within 20–30 minutes and reduces with consistent daily use as the body acclimatises.
Does the beta-alanine tingling mean it's working? +
The tingling confirms the ingredient is present and active — but the muscular endurance benefit comes from carnosine accumulation over weeks of consistent use, not from a single dose. Think of daily beta-alanine intake as filling a battery. Each dose adds to the carnosine pool. The full benefit peaks at 4–12 weeks of regular use.
Why does Scarface use 4g when some pre-workouts use only 1.6g? +
The minimum effective dose in research is 3.2g per day. Many brands use 1.6g — enough to cause the tingling (so you know it's there), but not enough to produce meaningful carnosine loading. 4g is the full meaningful dose — at or above the research threshold, not just visible on a label.
Creatine Monohydrate — The Most Researched Supplement In The World
What Is Creatine Monohydrate?
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound synthesised from amino acids in the liver and kidneys, and found in small amounts in red meat and fish. In muscle tissue, creatine combines with phosphate to form phosphocreatine — the fastest available energy source for explosive muscle contractions. Supplementation saturates muscle creatine stores beyond what diet alone can achieve, with decades of peer-reviewed research confirming its safety and efficacy.
Creatine Monohydrate: What The Research Actually Shows
With over 500 published peer-reviewed studies, creatine monohydrate is the most extensively studied ergogenic supplement in sports science history. Research consistently shows: 10–15% improvement in single-rep strength output, 14–17% increase in high-intensity exercise capacity, accelerated muscle glycogen replenishment, and significant improvements in lean mass accrual during resistance training. No other legal supplement comes close to this evidence base.
Do I need a loading phase with creatine? +
No. Loading (20g/day for 5–7 days) saturates muscle creatine stores faster, but a standard 3–5g daily dose achieves the same saturation in 3–4 weeks. The only difference is time to peak — not the end result. Given Scarface already provides 3g per scoop, regular use will build creatine stores effectively without any loading protocol.
Does creatine cause water retention or bloating? +
Creatine draws water into muscle cells (intramuscular water), which is responsible for the slight weight gain some users see. This is not subcutaneous bloating — it's water inside the muscle, which actually makes muscles look fuller and perform better. The Clear Creatine product also includes Digezyme, specifically formulated to reduce digestive discomfort.
L-Theanine & Caffeine — Why This Stack Is The Gold Standard For Focus
What Is L-Theanine?
L-Theanine is an amino acid found almost exclusively in green tea leaves. It promotes alpha brainwave activity — the mental state associated with calm, relaxed focus and creative thinking — without causing drowsiness. In pre-workout context, its most important property is its synergy with caffeine.
The L-Theanine + Caffeine Stack — What Makes It Special
This is one of the best-studied combinations in nootropic research. When combined, L-Theanine modulates the sharp, jittery edge of caffeine stimulation while preserving and enhancing the cognitive benefits — focus, alertness, reaction time. The result is a clean, locked-in mental state without overstimulation. This is why green tea — which naturally contains both — produces a different subjective experience to pure caffeine.
Why does Scarface use 100mg theanine with 200mg caffeine? +
The 1:2 ratio of theanine to caffeine is the most studied combination and consistently shows the best cognitive performance outcomes. 100mg theanine is the right modulating dose for 200mg caffeine — enough to smooth the stimulant edge without blunting the energy and focus benefit.
Can L-Theanine make you sleepy? +
No — L-Theanine promotes relaxed alertness, not sedation. It does not cause drowsiness and will not impair performance or energy levels in a pre-workout context. Its effect is best described as "calm focus" rather than relaxation.
Mucuna Pruriens (Kaunch Beej) — The Dopamine Bean & Why It's In Scarface
What Is Mucuna Pruriens?
Mucuna Pruriens, known as Kaunch Beej or Kapikacchu in Ayurvedic medicine, is a tropical legume native to India, Africa and the Caribbean. Its seeds are exceptionally rich in L-DOPA (levodopa) — the direct chemical precursor to dopamine in the brain. Unlike many supplements that claim dopamine effects, Mucuna actually delivers the biochemical raw material that the brain uses to synthesise dopamine.
Why Is Mucuna Pruriens In A Pre-Workout?
Dopamine is the neurotransmitter most directly associated with motivation, drive, reward and pleasure. This is the ingredient responsible for the "want to train" feeling — the intrinsic motivation that makes a hard session feel engaging rather than like a chore. When dopamine precursors are depleted, training feels flat, motivation drops and mental performance suffers. Mucuna replenishes the raw material for dopamine synthesis continuously throughout the session.
| Tolerability | Mucuna better |
| Side effects | Mucuna fewer |
| Bioavailability | Mucuna more natural |
| Cofactors included | Mucuna yes |
What does Mucuna Pruriens / Kaunch Beej feel like in a pre-workout? +
Users consistently describe a more engaged, motivated, enjoyable training experience — workouts feel less like effort and more like something they want to do. The mood elevation from dopamine support is subtle but consistent. Most people notice it in the second half of the session when motivation would typically drop.
Is Mucuna Pruriens (Kaunch Beej) safe for daily use? +
At 500mg — as used in Scarface — Mucuna Pruriens is safe for regular use in healthy adults. It should not be combined with medications containing L-DOPA or dopamine agonists without medical consultation, as it can potentiate their effects.
Choline Bitartrate — The Nootropic That Powers Your Mind-Muscle Connection
What Is Choline Bitartrate?
Choline is an essential nutrient — the body requires it but cannot produce sufficient amounts through biosynthesis alone. In Bitartrate form, it has good bioavailability and serves as the primary dietary precursor to acetylcholine — the neurotransmitter that governs muscle contractions, memory formation and cognitive speed. Most people are chronically deficient in choline, making supplementation particularly impactful.
Choline Bitartrate In Pre-Workout — The Mind-Muscle Angle
Acetylcholine is the signal that travels from your brain to your muscles to initiate a contraction. Higher acetylcholine availability means cleaner, more precise neuromuscular signalling — the neurological basis of what gym practitioners call the "mind-muscle connection." At 1000mg, Choline Bitartrate also supports cognitive performance under the metabolic stress of hard training, where acetylcholine levels can become a limiting factor.
What's the difference between Choline Bitartrate and Alpha-GPC? +
Alpha-GPC has superior blood-brain barrier penetration but is significantly more expensive. At 1000mg, Choline Bitartrate provides meaningful acetylcholine precursor loading — a dose-dependent relationship where the higher quantity compensates for the slightly lower bioavailability compared to Alpha-GPC.
Does Choline Bitartrate improve memory? +
Research shows choline supplementation supports memory formation and cognitive performance, particularly in conditions where acetylcholine synthesis is a limiting factor. In a pre-workout context, the most relevant benefit is sustained cognitive acuity during training — mental sharpness that enables better form, better focus and better session quality.
Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) — The Nootropic That Crosses The Blood-Brain Barrier
ALCAR vs Regular L-Carnitine — What's The Difference?
What Does ALCAR Do In Scarface?
The acetyl group on ALCAR allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier — something standard L-Carnitine cannot do. Once in the brain, ALCAR enhances neurotransmitter function, supports mitochondrial energy production in neurons and provides neuroprotective effects. In the body, it shuttles long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for energy production. This dual action bridges the physical performance matrix (energy from fat) with the cognitive performance matrix (neurological function), making ALCAR the connecting ingredient between the two worlds in Scarface's formula design.
| Blood-brain barrier | ALCAR crosses itL-Car cannot |
| Cognitive benefits | ALCAR significantL-Car minimal |
| Fat oxidation | Both effective |
| Neuroprotection | ALCAR yesL-Car no |
Should I take regular L-Carnitine or ALCAR for fat loss? +
For fat oxidation alone, both forms work at the mitochondrial level. For a pre-workout context where cognitive performance and energy are also goals, ALCAR is clearly superior — it provides the fat metabolism benefits of regular carnitine plus brain-specific energy enhancement and neuroprotection that L-Carnitine cannot deliver.
Taurine — Why 2g In Pre-Workout Prevents Cramps & Supports Hydration
What Is Taurine?
Taurine is one of the most abundant amino acids in skeletal muscle tissue, the heart and the brain. It functions as an osmolyte — a compound that regulates the movement of water and electrolytes across cell membranes. By drawing water into muscle cells, taurine supports cellular hydration and volume, contributing to the "full" feeling in muscles during training. It's also the primary amino acid responsible for regulating electrolyte balance at the cellular level.
Why Taurine Matters Alongside Stimulants
This is often overlooked: caffeine is a diuretic. High-dose stimulant pre-workouts drive urination and can accelerate dehydration during training. Taurine at 2000mg directly counteracts this effect by drawing water back into muscle cells, maintaining hydration status throughout the session. It also has a calming effect on the central nervous system — complementing rather than competing with the stimulant complex in Scarface.
Is taurine safe? I heard it's an ingredient in energy drinks. +
Taurine is completely safe and has one of the best safety profiles of any supplement ingredient. Energy drinks typically contain 1000mg taurine per can — Scarface contains 2000mg, a therapeutic dose backed by research. Taurine is a naturally occurring compound in human tissue, not a synthetic stimulant.
Does taurine help with muscle cramps? +
Yes. Muscle cramps are often caused by electrolyte imbalance and cellular dehydration. Taurine's role as an osmolyte and electrolyte modulator directly addresses both underlying causes. Athletes who train intensely in hot conditions — particularly in India — benefit significantly from adequate taurine intake.
Himalayan Rock Salt — Why Pink Salt In Pre-Workout Beats Regular Sodium
Why Himalayan Rock Salt Instead Of Regular Sodium?
Sodium is the primary electrolyte lost through sweat — essential for muscle contractions, nerve signalling and plasma volume maintenance during exercise. Regular table salt is 97% sodium chloride with all trace minerals removed. Himalayan Rock Salt retains a broad spectrum of trace minerals alongside sodium — calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and over 80 others — providing a more complete electrolyte profile for the demands of athletic performance.
Why do I need sodium in my pre-workout? +
Sodium is lost rapidly through sweat — even a 1–2% drop in plasma sodium can impair muscle function and cognition. Pre-loading sodium before training helps maintain plasma volume and electrolyte balance, directly supporting endurance, power output and preventing the late-session fatigue caused by electrolyte depletion.
BioPerine® — How Patented Black Pepper Extract Increases Absorption By 30%
What Is BioPerine®?
BioPerine® is the patented, clinically validated trademarked extract of black pepper standardised to a minimum 95% piperine. Unlike generic black pepper extract — which may vary in piperine content — BioPerine® guarantees a consistent, pharmaceutical-grade piperine concentration validated in human clinical trials. It is produced by Sabinsa Corporation and is the gold standard form of piperine used in serious supplement formulations globally.
How Does BioPerine® Increase Absorption By Up To 30%?
Piperine inhibits enzymes in the intestinal wall and liver that are responsible for breaking down and excreting certain nutrients before they can be fully absorbed. By temporarily slowing this "first-pass" metabolism, piperine allows more of each co-administered ingredient to pass intact into circulation. The research demonstrates up to 30% improvement in bioavailability of specific nutrients — meaning every other ingredient in Scarface is absorbed more completely when BioPerine® is present. This is the ingredient that makes 15mg do the work of an extra gram of every other compound in the formula.
Is BioPerine® the same as regular black pepper extract? +
No. BioPerine® is the patented, clinically tested form. Generic black pepper extracts vary in piperine content from 5% to 95% depending on quality and manufacturing standards. BioPerine® guarantees minimum 95% piperine with clinical validation — the only form proven in human studies to increase nutrient bioavailability by up to 30%.
Which ingredients in Scarface benefit most from BioPerine®? +
BioPerine® has documented bioavailability enhancement for multiple compound classes. The nootropic compounds — L-Tyrosine, Mucuna Pruriens, Choline Bitartrate and ALCAR — benefit significantly, as does Creatine Monohydrate. When 15mg BioPerine® is present in a formula, every ingredient is working at a higher effective dose than the label number alone suggests.
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