How We Test

Every product and protocol reviewed on CognixCore goes through a structured testing process. We don't rely on press releases or manufacturer claims — we buy products with our own money and test them ourselves.

1. We Purchase With Our Own Money

Every product is purchased at retail price through normal channels. We don't accept free samples, sponsored products, or review units. This ensures our experience mirrors yours — same product, same shipping, same unboxing.

2. Minimum 30-Day Protocol

Most nootropics and supplements require sustained use before effects emerge. We commit to a minimum 30-day testing period for every product, following the manufacturer's recommended dosing protocol. For cumulative-effect compounds like Lion's Mane and Bacopa Monnieri, we extend testing to 60-90 days.

3. Oura Ring HRV Tracking

Thomas wears an Oura Ring Gen 3 24/7 during every testing protocol. We track Heart Rate Variability (HRV), resting heart rate, sleep quality (deep sleep, REM, latency), and readiness scores. This gives us objective physiological data — not just subjective “I feel sharper” claims.

4. Cambridge Brain Sciences Assessments

We run standardized cognitive assessments at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks (minimum) using Cambridge Brain Sciences. This measures reasoning, short-term memory, verbal ability, and concentration with validated psychometric tests — the same tools used in clinical research.

5. Literature Review

Øyvind reviews the clinical literature for every active ingredient. We check: Is the dose in this product at or above the clinically studied effective dose? Are the ingredient forms bioavailable? Does the evidence support the marketing claims? Products using proprietary blends are flagged — if we can't verify the dose, we can't verify the claim.

6. Full Disclosure

We disclose every affiliate relationship. Commission rates never influence our rankings or recommendations. Our detailed affiliate disclosure explains exactly how we earn revenue and how editorial decisions are made independently.

What We Don't Do

• We don't accept free products or sponsored placements
• We don't publish based on press releases or manufacturer data alone
• We don't rank products by commission rate
• We don't make medical claims — we present data and let you decide
• We don't recommend products we haven't personally tested

Questions about our methodology? Contact us.