If you’re an avid user of pre-workout and beta alanine (maybe you’re part of the lovely community that use The Energy Booster to fuel your exercise), you may have experienced what can only be described as an tingle.
Now, don’t be alarmed. This is normal. More than normal. To be expected, in fact. And it’s all to do with a sensation caused by one of the main ingredients contained in pre-workout supplementations, including The Energy Booster.
And we know what you’re thinking. It’s all well and good saying that it’s normal… that’s fine. But why? What is it, and what causes the sensation? Is the pre-workout tingle something that we’re all just going to have to deal with?
It’s time to get to the bottom of that pre-workout tingle. But first, we’ve spoken a lot about this tingle-inducing ingredient, and as we’ve said, include it in The Energy Booster. So it’s only fair that we first give you the low down on this ingredient that packs a (great) punch.
What is beta alanine?
Beta alanine is one of the non-essential amino acids that can be made by the body. For this reason, we don’t necessarily need to integrate foods into our diet that supplement our beta alanine levels, but many people choose to do so using supplementations like The Energy Booster to improve athletic performance, and even physical performance in elderly adults.
Why is beta alanine used to enhance performance?
Beta alanine (and therefore, supplementations that contain this non-essential amino acid) are effective in promoting increased physical performance due to the nature of beta alanine and its basis in carnosine, the amino acid plays a big role in muscle size and subsequent muscle and strength performance.
Why does beta alanine cause pre-workout tingling, then?
There’s a pretty simple explanation, really. As the body naturally produces beta alanine, ingesting extra quantities through supplementation increases the elicitation of certain neurons in the brain that are responsible for the sensation of tingling.
That tingling sensation actually has a name, too. It’s parathesia.
Here are all the details on parathesia
Whilst now we know that parathesia generally refers to the general tingling sensation, but here are some more details on the sensation:
- Parathesia is most commonly felt in the hands, arms, legs and feet
- The sensation is painless, and extremely common
- Parathesia has also been described as a numbing sensation
Is beta alanine dangerous?
As a result of this tingling from pre-workout, many people have questioned the use and safety of beta alanine. The good news is there is nothing to worry about. If taken in recommended doses, beta alanine is completely safe, and a really effective way to naturally boost performance and physical condition, too!
One study published in the journal of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care reflects a direct correlation between the supplementation of beta alanine and improved physical performance, particularly in elderly adults. Quoted to ‘play a critical role in skeletal muscle physiology’, the findings of the study provide pretty strong evidence to support the idea that this amino acid is a great way to enhance physical performance and subsequently improve a person’s ability in sports.
Summary
So, there you have it. That pre-workout tingling is normal, it’s caused by a natural and effective ingredient that is found in our award-winning supplementation The Energy Booster, and it’s definitely nothing to worry about. As always, every ingredient we place into our products is backed by science, and science never lies.
References
- Blancquaert, L., Everaert, I., & Derave, W. (2015). Beta-alanine supplementation, muscle carnosine and exercise performance. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care, 18(1), 63-70. Click here.
