CardaMind^™: Cognitive Performance That Goes Beyond the First Dose

Modern life demands sustained mental performance. Whether at work, school, the gym, or managing everyday responsibilities, focus, processing speed, and mental agility all matter. 

Caffeine is often the default solution, but not every consumer wants or needs a stimulant. That creates an opportunity for plant-based cognitive ingredients that can support performance on their own while also complementing caffeine when desired. 

Enter CardaMind™:

CardaMind is a proprietary black cardamom (Amomum subulatum) fruit extract designed to support mental energy and cognitive performance at just 250 mg once daily. 

In its first clinical study, CardaMind demonstrated that a plant-based, caffeine-free ingredient could support cognitive performance from the first dose, with significant benefits observed within just one hour. New 14-day clinical research now expands that story, showing benefits with daily use across attention, processing speed, cognitive flexibility, and executive function, with select effects observed up to eight hours post-dose.

From the First Dose to Daily Performance

In the randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled study, 96 working professionals aged 35–65 received CardaMind (250 mg), caffeine (200 mg), CardaMind plus caffeine, or placebo once daily for 14 days. 

Cognitive performance was measured on Days 1, 7, and 14 at 1, 3, 5, and 8 hours after dosing using the Shifting Attention, Symbol Digit Coding, and Stroop tests. Together, these assessments evaluated attention, processing speed, cognitive flexibility, and executive function. 

CardaMind demonstrated significant cognitive benefits from Day 1 through Day 14, with performance often comparable to caffeine during early post-dose assessments.  

One Ingredient. A Growing Clinical Story.

By Day 14, CardaMind demonstrated significant improvements across all three cognitive assessments, further expanding the clinical evidence: 

• Faster and more accurate attention shifting: On the Shifting Attention Test, CardaMind significantly increased correct responses at 1, 3, and 5 hours. At 3 hours, the estimated difference versus placebo was +8.29 correct responses, with reaction time approximately 276 milliseconds faster.  

• Sustained processing speed and accuracy: On the Symbol Digit Coding Test, CardaMind significantly improved correct responses and reduced errors at 1, 3, 5, and 8 hours on Day 14.  

• Improved cognitive flexibility and executive function: CardaMind significantly improved Stroop reaction-time outcomes, with stronger and more consistent effects observed by Day 14. Significant effects extended through 5 hours, with a selective benefit still observed at 8 hours on one Stroop measure.  

Together, these findings support CardaMind’s ability to benefit multiple dimensions of cognitive performance, from speed and accuracy to attention and executive control. 

Caffeine-Free or Paired with Caffeine

CardaMind does not require caffeine to support cognitive performance. Used alone, it produced significant improvements across multiple outcomes. 

When paired with caffeine, however, the combination generally produced greater and/or more sustained effects. On Day 14, for example, improvements in Shifting Attention accuracy remained significant through the 8-hour assessment, supporting a broader performance window for caffeine-containing formulations.  

This gives formulators two distinct opportunities: a caffeine-free cognitive-performance solution, or a complementary ingredient for caffeine-containing cognitive-performance products. 

Well Tolerated Over 14 Days

CardaMind was also well tolerated throughout the study, with no adverse events reported in the CardaMind-alone group. Across the trial, all adverse events were mild and resolved during the study, with no serious adverse events and no discontinuations due to adverse events. 

Why Choose CardaMind™?

• Clinically substantiated benefits in just one hour 

• Fast-acting and sustained cognitive-performance support 

• Caffeine-free mental-energy support 

• Ideal for cognitive performance and nootropic formulations 

• Use alone or in combination with caffeine 

• Responsibly sourced, ensuring full traceability and sustainability 

• Low-dose format: just 250 mg once daily 
• Water-soluble and suitable for capsules, tablets, powders, and ready-to-mix beverage applications 

Expanding the Opportunity for Cognitive-Performance Innovation

With human clinical evidence spanning both single-dose and repeated daily use, CardaMind offers formulators a differentiated, plant-based approach to cognitive performance at just 250 mg once daily. Its flexibility across caffeine-free and caffeine-containing formulations creates opportunities for the next generation of mental-energy, focus, and nootropic products. 

Formulating for mental energy, focus, or sustained cognitive performance? Connect with our experts to explore CardaMind™ for your next innovation. 

References:

Thomas JV et al. 2026. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 20:1786880. DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2026.1786880. 

Thomas JV et al. 2026. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 20:1879347. DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2026.1879347.