Joe Rogan Supplements List – What He Takes & Why – 2023

Joe Rogan’s supplement list helps him stay in better shape than most 30 year olds.

Whether he’s injecting testosterone, devouring elk meat or drinking CBD, Joe is always on the look out for performance enhancing substances.

And it’s not just his physique that’s impressive, he’s also managing to stay mentally sharp too.

In this post we’ll list the supplements Joe takes regularly, occasionally or is experimenting with. Updates are tracked at this change log.

Joe Rogan’s Daily Vitamin & Minerals:

• Multivitamin – Pure Encapsulations Athlete Pure Pack
• Vision / Eye Support – Pure Encapsulations – Macular Support Formula
• Cartilage & Joint Support – 365’s Glucosamine Chondrointin & MSM
• Omega-3 Fish Oil – Carlson Omega-3 Fish Oil
• Vitamin D – Thorne Research – D3 5,000iu

Products Joe Rogan takes frequently, occasionally or is experimenting with:

• Nootropics – AlphaBrain Black Label & Neuro Gum
• Pre-workout – Shroom Tech Sport
• Hemp/CBD Oil – Charlotte’s Web
• Kratom
• Resveratrol & NMN
• Coffee

Hormone Replacement Therapy

• TRT – Testosterone Replacement Therapy
• HGH – Human Growth Hormone

Joe Rogan Supplements – Daily Supplements

Multivitamin

You can see from this old video clip that Joe has always taken a lot of supplements. However, as far as we can tell from his podcasts, he keeps things a bit simpler these days.

Joe says he uses a multivitamin called Athletic Pure Pack – which comes in “on the go” sachets.

Each sachet contains a number of pills, specifically:

• Vitamins & Minerals – 3x capsules
• EPA/DHA Omega-3s – 1x capsule
• Creatine (Kre-Alkalyn) – 2x capsules
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) – 1x capsule
• Coenzyme Q₁₀ – 1x capsule
• L-Glutamine – 1x capsule

The clip below has Joe mentioning Athletic Pure Pack – from his #802 podcast with Tom Papa (full video on Spotify). They start talking about supplements from 1hr 8mins, and the specific mention of Athletic Pure Pack is at 1:14:37.

^ Short video clip of Joe Rogan discussing his use of Athletic Pure Pack Multivitamins

For those who want a multivitamin, but don’t necessarily need the extras, Pure Encapsulations also make a multi called O.N.E. It is used by Joe’s regular guest Dr Rhonda Patrick. For more discussion on O.N.E see this post on Dr Rhonda Patrick’s supplements.

Products Taken Intermittently or Testing Out

Nootropics

Alpha Brain Black Label

During Joe’s interview with Andrew Huberman (at 12m 49s of the episode) he mentions he’s been taking Alpha Brain Black Label for the last 6 months and has found it beneficial.

Initially there was just 1 version of Alpha Brain, but since mid 2021 they’ve released a Black Label version.

Comparing the ingredients, there are 3 common ingredients:

• L-Theanine
• Phosphatidylserine
• Toothed Clubmoss (Herpzia serrata)

Beyond those, the ingredients are quite different:

• The original version was notable amongst nootropics for not including caffeine, however the Black Label version contains 25mg caffeine per dose.
• Black Label uses citicoline, compared to Alpha GPC in the original. These are both forms of the nutrient choline – and each has its strength and weaknesses.
• Black Label adds Lion’s Mane, which has been shown to increase brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This can support the growth of nerve cells in the brain.
• Black Label adds Lutein, which is a nutrient supporting healthy eye sight.
• Black label adds mucuna pruriens, which contains L-Dopa, the pre-cursor to dopamine. It can provide a short term boost in mood and feelings of wellbeing. However, it’s unclear if you’d want to be taking this every day.

So as you can see, Alpha Brain Black Label appears to be a go-to nootropic for Joe Rogan these days. You can get 10% off Onnit products (including Black Label) with this coupon code.

^ Short video clip of Joe Rogan discussing his use of Alpha Brain Black Label

Prior to this in 2019, Joe discussed the 3 nootropic supplements he takes:

On Neuro1, TruBrain & AlphaBrain

Pre-workout

Joe takes Shroom Tech Sport as a pre-workout, about an hour before exercising. He says it allows him to push harder in the gym, without giving him the jittery feeling that strong caffeine based pre-workout supplements do.

It contains a number of interesting ingredients:

• Vitamin B12 – important for energy production, but the effects are typically only noticeable if you’re low in B12
• Chromium – thought to play a role in insulin regulation¹A scientific review: the role of chromium in insulin resistance – PubMed 2004 which in turn is important for the bodies’ management of energy.
• Cordyceps mushroom – supposed to improve athletic performance – data currently largely anecdotal
• Ashwagandha – an “adaptogen” that appears particularly adept in helping manage stress/anxiety²A Prospective, Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Safety and Efficacy of a High-Concentration Full-Spectrum Extract of Ashwagandha Root in Reducing Stress and Anxiety in Adults – K. Chandrasekhar et al – 2012
• Green tea extract – this likely means the supplement contains small amounts of caffeine and l-theanine, which come from tea leaves
• Rhodiola – popular “adaptogen” – supposed to boost energy
• Astragalus – has been researched as a drug to improve healthspan – unclear how it helps with sports performance

Onnit also published a clinical trial that found Shroom Tech Sport increased volume for strength training and high-intensity cardio. The full study is here, and their blog post about it here. Naturally, given it was self-funded, it should be approached with healthy skepticism.

In case it’s of use, for 10% off Shroom Tech Sport (and anything else at onnit.com) you can use this coupon code.

Hemp/CBD Oil

Joe mentions his use of hemp oil in a number of different podcasts, including this clip and this clip.

Joe explains he uses hemp oil in 2 different forms:

• As an oil taken orally – he says it “puts me in a great place”. Specifically mentioning how it has “saved family vacations” by reducing his anxiety.
• As a cream used topically – Joe exercises a lot, and says “it’s probably the best thing I’ve found for alleviating soreness and stiffness”

Which Brand?

Whilst Joe has experimented with different brands of hemp oil, the brand Charlotte’s Web has specifically been talked about a few times on the podcast, after Joe was first introduced to it by Pete Holmes in 2017 (see clip from JRE #912).

Whilst CBD containing hemp oil has become big business, and lots of new sellers have flooded the market, Charlotte’s Web has been there since the early days, and appear to pride themselves on quality. Each product bought from them can be checked on their website for a certificate of analysis, detailing the levels of cannabinoids as well as heavy metals, pesticides, solvents, and THC found in the batch.

I’ve reached out to Charlotte’s Web, and they’ve kindly provided a 15% discount code for readers of this blog. To redeem it, use the coupon code FLH on the Cart page. It works for all products except “bulk” and “bundles”.

Kratom

Joe first mentions learning about Kratom in 2016, on episode #843, then later that year he mentions trying it for the first time on Twitter (link).

Then in 2018, episode #1136 he shares with Hamilton Morris that he’s on Kratom while they speak – to help curb the pain of a recent knee injury (see clip). Then later on #1296 he discusses the effect of different doses, with smaller doses being a stimulant, and higher doses being a relaxant (see clip).

About Kratom

Kratom is the powdered leaves of a plant from SE Asia called Mitragyna speciosa (you can see why the simpler name “kratom” caught on). It has 2 main properties:

• At lower doses, it acts as a mild stimulant
• At higher doses, it acts as a pain-killer

It’s most commonly used for 2 issues:

1. Beating opioid addiction – whether that’s from “street drugs” like heroin, or from prescription drugs like OxyContin.
2. Chronic pain management – as an alternative to prescription drugs.

Other, less common, uses include:

• Social anxiety – helping users to feel more confident and relaxed in social situations
• Bodybuilding – to help train longer and harder in the gym

Kratom Types?

Similar to the way all types of tea we drink (black, green, white etc) are derived from the same species of plant; camellia sinensis, all types of kratom are derived from a single species of plant also – called mitragyna speciosa.

Often kratom gets segmented into 3 colors: red, green and white. The colors refer to the veins within the leaves. However, during processing the veins and stems are cut out, so that what you receive all looks similar; a green ground-up powder.

Then within each color the products are often further segmented, in order indicate subtle differences between the plants. For example, popular red kratoms are Bali, Borneo and Maenga Da. For more information on kratom strains, see this post on reddit.

Is Kratom Addictive?

Even though kratom is a “natural” product, it can still be addictive, particularly if taken daily. For people who are dealing with chronic pain, then this is less of an issue, given they may need to take addictive pain killers daily anyway. However, when used recreationally, addiction is something to watch out for. There’s a good video on the Psyched Substance YouTube channel here, about the risks of kratom addiction. There is also a thread on Reddit around how to quit (suggesting it’s not easy once addicted).

Is Kratom Legal?

Kratom’s legal status varies from country to country, and you should be aware of the status where you are. In the USA kratom is federally legal, but some individual states and cities have made it illegal. For example it’s legal within California except for in the city of San Diego. There has been discussion (link) to make kratom federally illegal, but this has not happened so far.

For the USA, this map on speciosa.org shows the legal status in different states and cities. For other countries, this reddit post has more details.

Where to Buy?

Assuming kratom is legal in your location (see above) then kratom can be purchased both in head shops and via online stores.

^ Left: dried, ground kratom leaf. Right: the kratom plant (Mitragyna speciosa)

Coffee

Ok, so, coffee – what’s the big deal? It’s one of the most common drinks in the Western world, and probably not worthy of a special spot in this list. True.

But at the same time, coffee is one of the strongest (unregulated) cognitive enhancers available to man – and Joe’s a big fan.

Whilst it may be difficult to find reliable evidence on the effectiveness of some of Alpha Brain’s ingredients, there are hundreds of studies on caffeine and its effects.

UFC star Chael Sonnen has talked in the past about how he’s able to supplement caffeine before a fight, and it gives him a boost.

Coffee Joe has mentioned drinking:

• Caveman Coffee Nitro Cold Brew – A single estate coffee, “infused’ with nitrogen, containing 250mg caffeine per can (source IG)
• Black Rifle Coffee – a coffee range by Joe’s bow hunting friend John Dudley (source IG)
• Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee – a sponsor of the podcast, but also something Joe likes, particularly their Lion’s Mane & Chaga mix

Joe has also recently got into using a coffee creamer by his friend’s business – the surfer Laird Hamilton. It’s a coconut based creamer (dairy-free, vegan and keto friendly) that contains turmeric. He mentions enjoying it on the Dan Crenshaw podcast, and also displays it on an Instagram post.

• Laird Superfood Coffee Creamer – Turmeric version

Hormone Replacement Therapy

TRT – Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Whilst some people start slowing down in their 50s, Joe hasn’t. Whether he’s hosting his podcast, practicing stand-up comedy or commentating at UFC events, the man doesn’t stop.

Part of this can be put down to “success”, a healthy lifestyle and good genetics. But it would be a mistake to ignore the elephant in the room; Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT).

Joe says he started testosterone replacement therapy at age 37/38, originally using creams, which weren’t very effective. Then at 39 progressing to weekly injections, under the close supervision of his doctor.

Then more recently, on his 2021 podcast with Andrew Huberman, he mentioned injecting testosterone every 3 days, using an insulin needle (which has a smaller diameter). This more closely resembles our natural testosterone cycles, compared to injecting weekly.

The aim is to raise his testosterone to the levels he would have had in his late 20s. Joe on TRT:

“Testosterone replacement therapy, there’s a real science to it.

The idea is you don’t take too much, you take what you would have in your body if you were a younger man.

People are like well you’re not a younger man anymore well, duh, like, people just want you to wither away and die.”

^ Short video clip of Joe talking about his use of TRT

In the next clip, Joe goes on to say:

Quote:
“All that matters is that you have testosterone in your system. If you don’t have it in your system, you’re not going to feel as good.

It’s real simple, if you’re fine, with not feeling as good – good! If you’re not fine with it, this is 2018, hormone replacement exists for a reason – and that reason is that it makes you feel way better, it makes your body work way better.

You can avoid a host of ailments and conditions related to your body breaking down due to age with hormone replacement therapy. The key to doing it though is to do it correctly. You’re supposed to go to a doctor who is going to test your blood levels, test your nutrient levels, and adjust your diet first.

The first thing that happens, they want to find out:

• How much you’re sleeping
• How stressed out you are
• How much water you’re drinking
• Are you getting the proper amount of protein – are you eating correctly?

Then they want to get you off the:

• Sugar
• Alcohol
• Cigarettes

Before you do anything.

This is a many month process that I went through. They get you off of all these different things first.

Then they start adding testosterone. It takes a bit of time to figure out what works best. And then you get to a point where you have the hormone levels of a healthy young man. You don’t want to elevate, you don’t want to be higher than that. That’s where you get problems.

There’s ways of elevating your hormones naturally, they just don’t work as well. Whether it’s deadlifts, or running hills, doing sprints, they work a little bit better than nothing. But there’s going to be a difference.”
/Quote

^ Short video clip of Joe discussing how he got started and why he uses TRT

So as you can see – Joe’s a big fan of hormone replacement therapy. It seems to be fairly undisputed in the medical community that testosterone decreases with age. One study³Age Trends in the Level of Serum Testosterone and Other Hormones in Middle-Aged Men: Longitudinal Results from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study – Feldman et al (2002) suggests “free testosterone”⁴Free testosterone: clinical utility and important analytical aspects of measurement – Shea et al. (2014) (the metabolically active testosterone not bound up with SHBG or albumin) decreases by 2% per year from the age of 40. The study notes that poor health may accelerate the age-related decline in hormone levels. So the healthier we can keep our bodies, the slower the decline may be.

Traditionally, testosterone replacement therapy has been thought of as something only a small percentage of the population need, if they have chronically low levels of testosterone. Rather than seeing the age-related decline as something to be fixed. Now, gradually, it’s become more mainstream, as a method for those who can afford it to improve their quality of life as they age.

It’s not something to be taken lightly however, and you certainly don’t want to take testosterone if you don’t need it. As Joe has done, the therapy needs to be taken under the guidance and supervision of a doctor who specializes in hormone replacement therapy – with regular blood tests and check ups. They will be best positioned to discuss the complexities of the treatment, and whether or not it’s something that would be safe and beneficial to take.

HGH – Human Growth Hormone

In addition to testosterone, Joe also takes growth hormone daily.

In episode #1580 with Andrew Schulz he mentions taking 1 IU per day (which is 0.33 mg).

Jump to 6m 20s of this video for where he mentions it.

Similar to testosterone, our body produces less growth hormone with age.

Who does Joe consult with for this?

Whilst I’m unsure if Joe has explicitly stated who he works with for his hormone replacement therapy, he does seem to have a tight relationship with a Texas based company called Ways 2 Well.

Their founder, Brigham Buhler, was on episode 1873, and I believe Joe has separately mentioned using Ways 2 Well for stem cell injections – however I forget which episode he mentioned that.

If anyone knows more on this, please leave a comment.

Before you go…

If you liked this post, you may also find these interesting:

• Andrew Huberman Supplements List
• David Sinclair Supplements List
• Dr Rhonda Patrick Supplements List

Let me know in the comments if you’ve any questions.

References

• 1
  A scientific review: the role of chromium in insulin resistance – PubMed 2004
• 2
  A Prospective, Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Safety and Efficacy of a High-Concentration Full-Spectrum Extract of Ashwagandha Root in Reducing Stress and Anxiety in Adults – K. Chandrasekhar et al – 2012
• 3
  Age Trends in the Level of Serum Testosterone and Other Hormones in Middle-Aged Men: Longitudinal Results from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study – Feldman et al (2002)
• 4
  Free testosterone: clinical utility and important analytical aspects of measurement – Shea et al. (2014)