Geniux Reviews

The Commission vote approving the proposed court order was 5-0. The FTC filed the complaint and proposed orders in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

Geniux Dietary Supplement Sellers Barred from Unsupported Cognitive Improvement Claims

Twelve corporate and four individual defendants have settled Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceptively marketed “cognitive improvement” supplements using sham news websites containing false and unsubstantiated efficacy claims, references to non-existent clinical studies, and fraudulent consumer and celebrity endorsements.

The FTC also alleged that the defendants used affiliate marketers to make deceptive claims about their products, which they sold using different names, including Geniux, Xcel, EVO, and Ion-Z. The settlements ban the defendants from engaging in this conduct, which the agency contends violated the FTC Act.

“With an aging population, it is more important than ever that advertisers have solid evidence to back up their claims about memory and cognitive health benefits,” said Andrew Smith, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Moreover, the FTC will hold companies accountable when they deceptively design their ads to look like news articles and fabricate celebrity endorsements and consumer testimonials.”

According to the FTC’s complaint, individual defendants Fred Richard Guerra, III, Lanty Paul Gray, Jr., Rafat Abbas, and Robby O. Salaheddine owned a complex web of corporate entities. Acting as a common enterprise, between about August 2012 and January 2017 the defendants marketed and sold the purported cognitive enhancement dietary supplements, which cost between $47 and $57 per bottle.

The defendants made allegedly false or unsupported claims online about the Geniux products’ ability to: improve short- and long-term memory; increase focus—including by as much as 300 percent; increase concentration; prevent memory loss; boost brain power —including by as much as 89.2 percent; increase IQ — including by as much as 100 percent; and improve users’ speed of information processing. The ads claimed that scientists were calling their “Smart Pill ‘Viagra for the Brain,’” and that it should be “taken as directed for extreme IQ effects.”

The ads also allegedly falsely claimed that the Geniux products had been tested in over 2,000 clinical trials and that scientific studies proved the Geniux products increase users’ focus “by up to 121%,” “sky-rocket concentration by 32%,” and boost brain power, memory recall, and IQ. The FTC alleges that the defendants made these claims on their own websites, as well as through the websites of at least 36 third-party affiliate networks. Some websites were deceptively formatted to look like — but were not — real news sites, to lure consumers to the defendants’ websites where they could purchase the Geniux products.

At times, the websites falsely attributed the dramatic achievements of scientists and others — including Stephen Hawking, Bill Gates, and Elon Musk — to the Geniux products. Some sites included fake consumer endorsements. According to the complaint, none adequately disclosed that they were actually paid advertisements.

Consumers purchased the Geniux products either on the defendants’ websites or via toll-free numbers advertised on the sites. Although the advertisements claimed that the Geniux products came with a “100% Money Back Guarantee” and that consumers could try the products “risk free,” those who tried to return them found it difficult or impossible to get a refund. In some instances, the defendants allegedly charged consumers who had ordered the Geniux products but never received them.

What the Settlements Mean

The Commission has approved two separate proposed orders settling the FTC’s charges in this case. The first order resolves the allegations against individual defendants Fred Richard Guerra, III; Lanty Paul Gray, Jr.; and Rafat Abbas, as well as corporate defendants Global Community Innovations LLC; Innovated Health LLC; Emerging Nutrition Inc.; Buddha My Bread LLC; Innovative Fulfillment LLC; Ship Smart LLC; Vista Media LLC; Ash Abbas LLC; DCT Marketing, Inc.; and RNA Enterprise, Inc.

The second order resolves the allegations against individual defendant Robby O. Salaheddine, and corporate defendants Premium Health Supplies, LLC and ROS Marketing & Consulting LLC.

The proposed orders contain the same conduct provisions, but different monetary relief. First, the orders bar the defendants from making certain disease claims and several cognitive performance claims related to the covered products, including the defendants’ Excel, EVO, Geniux, and Ion-Z products, unless they have competent and scientific evidence to support the claims when they are made. The cognitive performance claims include that any dietary supplement, food, or drug: 1) improves short- or long-term memory or increases users’ focus or concentration; 2) prevents memory loss; 3) increases brain power; 4) increases users’ IQ; and 5) improves the speed at which users can process information.

Next, the proposed orders bar the defendants from other misleading and unsubstantiated advertising claims about the health benefits, performance, or efficacy of any covered product. They also prohibit the defendants from misrepresenting clinical evidence, including that any covered product is clinically proven to increase focus; improve concentration; increase brain power; enhance memory recall; or increase users’ IQ.

The proposed orders also prohibit specific misrepresentations related to endorsements, including that: 1) any person is an objective news reporter regarding the endorsement message provided; 2) purported consumers or celebrities who appear in their advertising achieved a reported result by using any of the covered products; and 3) anyone depicted in advertisements, including experts, consumers, and celebrities, is providing objective and independent opinions about the products.

Finally, the proposed orders prohibit other misleading representations related to sham news and other marketing claims about material aspects of their goods and services, and require the defendants to monitor their affiliate networks and advertisers to ensure that their advertising complies with the terms of the orders.

The orders require the defendants to clearly and conspicuously disclose the total cost, billing information, and refund terms and conditions before asking for consumers’ billing information. The orders also bar the defendants from failing to honor refund requests and from refusing to allow returns or order cancellations.

The first order imposes a $14,564,891 judgment, which will be partially suspended after the defendants pay $523,000, including $243,000, $100,000, and $180,000, paid by Guerra, Gray, and Abbas, respectively. The second order imposes an $11,587,117 judgment, which will be partially suspended once defendant Salaheddine pays $100,000. Each judgment will immediately become due if it is later found that the defendants misrepresented their financial condition.

The Commission vote approving the proposed court order was 5-0. The FTC filed the complaint and proposed orders in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

NOTE: Stipulated final orders or injunctions have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources. Find data and trends about fraud such as imposter scams in your state by going to our Tableau Public website and clicking on your state.

However, the label does not show the exact concentration of each ingredient separately, so it’s hard to tell whether the ingredients that are effective individually will even work.

The label mentions the following ingredients:

  • Laminariales
  • Caffeine
  • Eleuthero Root Extract
  • Ginkgo Biloba
  • Gelatin

Laminariales

Laminariales are algae that usually inhabit seas and oceans.

A trial on lab rats published on the Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology states that laminariales can protect against oxidative stress to the brain.

It indicates that laminariales have a neuroprotective role.

Caffeine

Caffeine is present in large quantities in coffee. Colas and some energy drinks also contain a significantly large concentration of caffeine.

In the beverages mentioned above, caffeine plays a role in stimulating the central nervous system activity for an increase in the levels of overall mental alertness.

However, a research found that higher consumption of coffee may lead to anxiety and a rapid heartbeat.

A study published in Karger indicates a change in behavior in otherwise healthy individuals.

Eleuthero Root Extract

Eleuthero root extract comes from a shrub native to Siberia. It has been used for ages as an essential part of herbal medicine by the locals for treating various disorders.

We could not find any evidence regarding the role of the eleuthero root extract in improving mental faculties.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo is a plant that is mostly used to prepare herbal remedies.

A study indicated the possible role of ginkgo in promoting learning. It does so by increasing the levels of neurotrophin in the brain.

But, ginkgo as an ingredient can have some potentially harmful effects.

Department of Dermatology , University of California, indicated a possible association of ginkgo biloba with contact dermatitis and Steven-Johnson syndrome.

Both are skin disorders. Steven-Johnson can be potentially fatal in the long run.

Gelatin

Gelatin is a compound obtained from animal tissues.

It is used mostly for the manufacture of bakery items.

However, no study supports any role of this ingredient in the promotion of mental capabilities.

The product can be purchased from the manufacturer’s website and other online sites and seems to be the only product that they produce. There are many positive reviews from those which have ordered this product, but there is very little known about the manufacturer making their reputation somewhat unclear. The reviews are made to speak for themselves. Due to the claims regarding memory, mood and focus Geniux is recommended for anyone who would like better mental focus and clarity, studious students, busy parents, business professionals and athletes.

Strangely, the list of ingredients is not presented on the bottle’s label or on the website. The manufacturer states that the supplement consists of 20 natural ingredients with no fillers. Not listing the ingredients is attributed to the fear that the formula will be duplicated and may not be blended correctly or use lower quality ingredients. Through strenuous and time consuming research by others the list of ingredients has been discovered. Some researchers claim to have discovered a page prepared by the manufacturer which contained the full list of the twenty ingredients, the uncovered list includes:

1) Alpha GPC 2) Acetyl-L-Carnitine 3) Acacia Rigidula 4) Theanine 5) Ginko Biloba 6) Phosphatidylserine Complex 7) St. John’s Wort 8) Glutamine 9) DMAE Bitartrate 10) Bacopin 11) Vinpocetine 12) Bee Pollen 13) Caffeine (Guarana) 14) Eleuthero Root 15) Gelatin 16) Tyrosine 17) Vitamin B6 18) Vitamin B12 19) Cognizin 20) Gluconolactone

Geniux is a nootropic, brain supplement which is said to increase cerebral functions. This product is recommend for use by students, business professionals, busy parents and other adults seeking a mental edge. One of the key ingredients is thought to be Tyrosine which is one of the amino acids already found in the body which helps synthesize proteins. Tyrosine is found in meat, fish, dairy, eggs and other foods. Studies have shown that Tyrosine has the ability to help cases of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), depression, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and narcolepsy. It is thought that this product may contain caffeine.

The product’s specific blend has not had studies which back the product’s claims. The label does not specifically list the ingredients on the label. Recommended dosage is one capsule with a full glass of water, taken in the morning. Side effects are reported to me mild and include slight headache and nausea. The product is intended for use by adults 18 years and older. Those discourage to use the product include, children, pregnant or breast feeding women and anyone with a serious health condition. It is always recommended to check with a healthcare provider before using any supplements.

The formula uses a blend of all-natural extracts, that unlike some products of this type, doesn’t rely on chemical-based stimulants or potentially addictive ingredients to produce results. Numerous clinical studies attest to the multiple benefits of this doctor-developed supplement, and it has been proven effective in quickly and safely improving the memory, eliminating brain fog, and increasing focus, concentration, and the attention span when used as directed on a regular basis. Indeed, in consumer trials, the results of Provasil have been incredible, with over 99% of users stating that they experienced drastic improvements in their cognitive function within just a short period of time. Many users also mentioned the fact that they had greater peace of mind knowing that Provasil was giving them the complete nutritional support they needed to keep their brain healthy and protected as they aged, thus reducing the risk of cognitive decline and severe impairment.

What Are The Ingredients In Geniux?

The website and label on the product do not bear any indication of the ingredients in the formula. There is, however, a declaration that the product was made from a blend of 20 natural elements.

The following are some of the compounds in the product:

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database [2] cites that Bee Pollen supports immunity, digestion, respiration, and fertility. Additionally, it may be used to treat asthma, allergies, and addiction.

The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads “Your Ticket Reservation Details”. Just below that it reads “Ticket Confirmation#:” followed by a 10-digit number. This 10-digit number is your confirmation number.

They won’t be able to see your review if you only submit your rating.

The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads “Your Ticket Reservation Details”. Just below that it reads “Ticket Confirmation#:” followed by a 10-digit number. This 10-digit number is your confirmation number.

Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email.

So, here we are at our “Geniux review.”

Geniux Ingredients: geniux review

The main website and many of the other Geniux websites stated that the Geniux formula is a hidden secret in order to “protect the formula.” Again, we still weren’t 100% positive that this was even the main website.

However, we found one website that claims to have discovered some of the Geniux ingredients.

Unfortunately, we were unable to find out how much of each ingredient is in one dose. There was quite a bit of grey area regarding exactly what can be found inside Geniux, making our Geniux review that much more difficult…but not really and you will find out why. There was quite a large difference between a product like Geniux and our top recommendation called, Nitrovit.

Some of the Geniux ingredients that we were able to find included the following.

Keep in mind that we could not actually find any of the ingredients listed directly on their website so we are utilizing some of their subsidiary websites to try and determine the “secret” Geniux ingredients that they seem to guard so closely:

Acacia Rigidula :

This is not a very common ingredient that you will find in many nootropic stacks. Probably because it is more known as being a natural weight-loss supplement. Geniux claims that it can also help increase dopamine levels and therefore symptoms of depression.

Bee pollen:

Bee pollen is considered a nutritional food that contains various vitamins and minerals. It is often used to treat the symptoms of alcoholism, asthma, allergies, and general inflammation. Geniux claims it provides a slow release of energy. It is possible for various levels of high-quality bee pollen to provide some benefits but there is no way of knowing how much bee pollen can be found within the Geniux supplement.

ALPHA GPC

Gluconolactone:

kyaApparently, this is some sort of naturally occurring substance derived from corn. Most resources we found were that it serves some benefits to the skin. But nothing substantial in terms of cognitive benefits.

Alpha GPC :

This was the first ingredient that we had read, have heard of before, and are familiar with the cognitive benefits that it can provide. Alpha GPC is a naturally occurring choline source and one of the best choline sources known for improving memory function, learning capacity, and cognitive functioning.

St. Johns Wart:

A very mild natural anti-depressant known for improving mood.

DMAE:

Known for its ability to increase alertness, mental energy, and awareness. But also commonly associated with various side effects which have caused many companies to remove it from existing formulas. The substance is banned in professional and collegiate level sports.

Eleuthero Root :

Also known as Siberian Ginseng and known for helping to increase dopamine and mental energy levels.

Other ingredients:

We were able to find an inordinate amount of additional ingredients that may potentially comprise the Geniux ingredients. Some of them were not all that bad. These included Vinpocetine, Tyrosine, and ALCAR. Other ingredients were rarely associated with significant cognitive enhancement or improvements. The list we found extended to over 20 potential ingredients. That is a lot! Too much, actually.

Essential nutrients and minerals:

Both of these ingredients are very general and there is absolutely no way to know what exactly these are.

We didn’t bother listing out each and every one of the other active ingredients because there were quite a few red flags from the information that we were discovering.

First and foremost, the fact that the ingredients were not clearly listed on the main Geniux website. And presented to the potential consumer as some sort of “super secret” cognitive enhancement supplement.

In our experience, any type of high-quality nootropic supplement will clearly label and share their ingredients with their users. Not just the exact ingredients but the exact amounts as well.

It clearly felt like Geniux had something to hide. And as a company that we didn’t trust too well in the first place. The last thing we were hoping to find were “secrets” or hazy details about the actual formula.

Geniux didn’t seem to make any effort to explain any of the science behind their claims and while the website was not as flagrantly dishonest in the form of false quotes and claims. They were still trying to hide the most important information from us and it left us all with an uneasy feeling.

Also, just as with eVo, there were multiple websites all claiming to represent Geniux. It was far too difficult to ascertain which one was the “official” website. And the sketchy details provided on virtually every one of them didn’t make the process any easier for us.

Finally, and possibly the most amusing discovery was that the majority of Geniux ingredients. That we were able to find out were truly nothing special.

Many of them were virtually irrelevant to overall cognitive functioning. And brain health and hardly the type of formula that should be a well-guarded “secret.”

However, you are still essentially being asked to purchase a brain supplement with mysterious ingredients. That will enhance cognitive functioning because they say it will.

Geniux was quickly becoming more difficult to differentiate from its predecessor, eVo, and seemed to be virtually sent into hiding by changing their name and quietly coming back to the market without any mention of it being related to eVo in any way, previously.

1 bottle of Geniux costs $47. However, even the price was difficult to confirm for our Geniux review.

When you visit the Geniux website it seems like they will send you the product for free to try but it is virtually impossible to cancel. Some other companies have engaged in auto ship policies. But provide a clear cut way to cancel should you not want to continue using the product. Geniux was confusing and untrustworthy. After far more digging around than should be necessary, we finally discovered that Geniux cost $47 per bottle.

If you want to buy Geniux, you may essentially be asked for credit card information without knowing the price.

Therefore, the bottom line is that we found ourselves essentially being asked to provide credit card information for a product. That was secretive and unclear about the product’s ingredients and was also not upfront about their prices.

Pro’s and Con’s about the Geniux Supplement: super brain pills

Pro’s about Geniux :

  • We couldn’t really find anything good about Geniux. We have never come across a product with more red flags and considering their roots. Truly, we can not say anything positive here. The only review as troubling as our Geniux review was our review of eVo. We can’t say we are surprised.

Con’s about Geniux :

  • There appears to be no official website, ingredient list, or price. There are simply too many cons to list. Our entire Geniux review is essentially a con and this goes down as one of our top brain supplements to avoid at all costs. The company’s inception was built on a foundation of another company, eVo, that was an utter scam.

You are far better off taking one of our top recommendations and we highly recommend checking out the latest number 1 recommendation which we made our Editor’s Choice for the best brain supplements.

Nitrovit has virtually everything you want from a nootropic supplement.

Summary of Our Geniux Review:

Products like Geniux really frustrate us. Much like the eVo supplement, Geniux gives the entire industry a bad name. Their entire marketing campaign is built on over exaggerated claims and preying on people’s emotions by setting false expectations. The Geniux ingredients were nearly impossible to find, the price of the product was just as difficult. And even figuring out which of the many websites they seem to have created is the main Geniux website was difficult.

Geniux is a product you want to avoid. Unlike a product like Nitrovit, which stands on the top of our recommendations for brain supplements, Geniux stands on top of another list. This is the list of nootropic brain supplements to avoid.