Jimellow

A friend of mine recently recommended Jack3d to me, and after doing research and various searches online, I wanted to create a thread here to get opinions from those that lifted weights and are familiar with the supplement.

For those not familiar, I've posted a few links that should get you up to speed, if interested:

• Bodybuilding.com's Jack3d product page: Bodybuilding.com - USPlabs Jack3d - Pre-Workout!
  
• The nutrition label for Jack3d can be found here: http://www.priceplow.com/images/USPl...rition-872.gif
  
• I also came across an article that analyzes the ingredients and addresses potential negative issues that can arise from abuse of the substance. That can be found here: Jack3d - Dangerous and Addictive Supplement?

I'd like this thread to be open and free flowing to all things Jack3d related, but I did have a few specific questions/concerns of my own:

• 1) Is the creatine found in Jack3d likely going to result in adding water mass to my body? In other words, by using Jack3d, will I be adding mass in the same way those that take creatine do, or are there different types of creatine?
  
  2) How concerned should I be about Jack3d? The second article I listed indicates that there are multiple substances that very little is known about, and that alone generally causes red flags to go off in my experience. The article indicates that negative side effects are possible when the product is abused, but couldn't it also be dangerous if taken at recommended doses?

As of right now, I am taking whey protein, and nothing else. I eat well, lift regularly, and am healthy and in good shape. A friend recommended Jack3d as a way to increase the productivity of my workouts, but after doing research, it seems too good to be true, with the added risk of potential health concerns, or at least uncertainties.

To date, I've reached the health and fitness level I'm at through hard work and a healthy diet, and there is a nagging feeling that by starting to use Jack3d, I may be headed down a road I'm ultimately not interested in: one of unknown substances and health risks at the cost of my own well being and comfort.

I'm very stringent in regards to what I put into my body, and thus am leaning against taking Jack3d, but I wanted to create a thread and seek out further information and opinions. Thus, if you have any experience with the product, I'd appreciate you sharing your thoughts and opinion regarding its use.

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snowy

Well, here is info from Wikipedia on one of the active ingredients in the supplement, 1,3 dimethylamylamine: Methylhexanamine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sounds like pretty nasty stuff. I don't see the need for something like this if all you are interested in is being fit.

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Baraka_Guru

Not worth it.

Just stick to things such as creatine, glutamine, and whey for your preworkout needs. The difference in using the Jack shit might be marginal if anything, so it's not worth it.

---> Creatine for maximizing your workouts, glutamine for immune support, and whey for instant recovery.

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Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

Jimellow

Thanks for the replies and Wikipedia link. I didn't think to check Wikipedia, but after reading the listing, the ingredient cited definitely sounds like something I'm not interested in.

I am reluctant to even consider taking creatine, as I don't know much about it and haven't taken the time to do the research. It's my understanding that creatine adds water weight, but until I pursue the other benefits, I suspect I'm not really interested in that either.

I find that I'm getting stronger through a healthy diet and lifting regularly, and I also feel great. Thus, I'm not sure I need other substances to reach a goal I'm not headed towards anyway. Jack3d definitely sounds shady though. The reviews on Bodybuilding.com are all good, but the users there are more likely to be biased than those at the forum here, so I appreciate the replies already shared as well as any more that may be posted in the future.

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Jack3d

Hey Jimellow, I found this and thought I'd chime in. I'm actually the guy who runs the PricePlow.com site that you linked to for the ingredients image. If you actually look at our PricePlow page for Jack3d, you'll see that there's an even better deal on the stuff than at BB.com -priceplow.com/usplabs/jack3d

Anyway, I like Jack3d so much that I am in the process of designing a site DEDICATED to the product. It will be out in about a week at jack-3d.com

I believe that Jack3d is the real deal, but it honestly doesn't sound like it's for you. The 1,3 dimethylamylamine is amazing, and as long as you stay in low doses like Jack3d, you're fine. It behaves like a very weak amphetamine, great for lifting focus. It's the idiots in New Zealand who were snorting tons of the stuff and then drank a bottle of liquor while clubbing who killed themselves with it.

My issue though, is that you can't meter your doses. For instance, one scoop of Jack3d does not have enough beta alanine or creatine to make a huge difference. So if you're really trying to fine-tune things, you can just get caffeine and arginine and beta alanine pre-workout (and even add 10-25mg 1,3 dimeth, but it sounds like this is one you want to skip), and then do 5g creatine post-workout with some juice, then hit up the protein. An hour later, mealtime!

To answer your questions:

1. Yes, creatine monohydrate will bind to water and increase water mass to your muscles. But there is no doubt that it will help you add real muscle mass and increase power too. However, Jack3d doesn't have that much creatine in it. Creatine IS SAFE AND PROVEN EFFECTIVE. I take 5g first thing in the morning, 5g post-workout.

2. Long-term, we don't know enough about 1,3 dimeth or Schizandrol A. Creatine was argued about forever, but we now have long-term studies showing its efficacy and long-term safety. Who knows what we'll find out about these two drugs. The risk is yours.

That said, Jack3d puts you in the ZONE. For some, it's worth the limited risk. For others, you might just want to take a caffeine pill on days when you're feeling blah and be done with it.

Hope you guys don't mind my intrusion.
Jack

MSD

Geranamine and Schizandrol A have very little research supporting their safety or effectiveness. This alone is enough for me to recommend against it. Theophyline can have severe side effects and patients taking it under doctors' orders have to be monitored carefully for toxicity; these drawbacks make it very rare for medical use.

I strongly advise talking you your doctor before taking something like this.

Jimellow

Thanks for the replies. To also get a reply from someone named Jack3d is interesting, especially given the smaller size of this community.

As has been stated, I don't think Jack3d is for me right now. Of the pre-workout supplements available, I gather it's one of the best, but I've been able to get productivity out of my workouts without it up until now, and thus likely won't make any changes.

I am intrigued by creatine. When I last did research about it, less was known, and since I haven't done any research lately, my understanding of it is based heavily on early results and suspicions, and not necessarily proven data. Pursuing discussion about it is new thread material, but if anyone stumbles across this post and has links to good creatine-related resources/information, please share them.

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Redlemon

He was probably a one-shot poster. Most of TFP is searched by Google, so he probably has a web-alert for any new pages that contain the word Jack3d. I doubt he'll be back.

Usually I report people like that for a ban, but he seemed to provide reasonably good information and was polite about it, so I let it go.

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The_Jazz

It was a close call. We decided to let it stand in the end because of the good information he provided.

On the off chance he comes back, if he plugs a site again, he's gone unless he has prior approval from the staff. Hit the report post button if there's a question, please.

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MSD

Someone at my old job asked me about creatine since I was the go-to smart guy for any questions you might have. I did a bit of research and found a bunch of stuff warning about possible kidney damage. I'll hit up the general questions thread at a bigger fitness forum to see what the pros say and report back.

Baraka_Guru

I've read quite a bit of material on sports nutrition—books written by, you know, nutritionists, RDs, MDs, and the like who have either done research or have gone through extensive secondary research, rather than random people on the Internet who post only their own experiences as helpful information. I'm getting the impression that creatine is generally safe if taken properly. I think the issue was making sure you drink a lot of water. Even a high-protein diet alone can give your kidneys issues.

The general impression, as well, is that creatine is a "must have" supplement for serious bodybuilders. The key to using it is "cycling" it properly, rather than just taking it regularly. The net effect should be more intense workouts, heavier lifting capacity, etc. If used properly, it should help you gain muscle a bit faster. But it doesn't build muscle itself. To do that you merely need to challenge your muscles enough and to take in enough calories and protein.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

MSD

Most of the people on that forum are scientifically-minded enough to do their homework, but it sounds like you've got a good answer.

zero317537

I use to exclusively take Jack3d on a regular basis. I did not have to much experience with pre-workout drinks and this one had great reviews. I liked Jack3d but it seemed to be not quite giving me the results I had hoped from a pre-workout powder. I tried just about every other one out there and finally found LG Sciences Anadraulic State GT. I was shocked by the results I was getting from ASGT. Not only was the energy great, but the stamina, strength and endurance were all unbelievable. I NEVER felt like this on Jack3d. The energy was great, but ASGT gave me so much more. I’m definitely an LG Sciences believer now! I’ll be recommending this to everyone I talk to about pre-workout powders.