Neuro (gum)

Neuro
Product typeChewing gum
Mints
OwnerNeuro Inc.
CountryUnited States
Introduced2015 (2015)
MarketsConfectionary
Caffeinated products
Nootropics
Websiteneurogum.com

Neuro is an American chewing gum and mints brand that produces functional chewing gum and mints infused with caffeine, l-theanine, and vitamins. The infused ingredients make the product enhance focus, energy, and mental performance of the consumer. It is targeted at young adults as an alternative to energy drinks.

The chewing gum appeared on the 11th season of the television show Shark Tank, which aired in 2020. The company has recently expanded its product offering to include gums and mints that have different benefits than just energy, including relaxation and sleep aids. As of 2025, it is one of the largest brands in the nootropic edibles industry.

Background

Chewing gum that contained stimulants was first introduced to the United States from R&D products produced by the military at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Products aimed at keeping soldiers both alert and awake were tested in the 1990s, with each piece of "Stay Alert gum" containing 100mg of caffeine.[1] Shortly after this, Jolt Cola released an energy gum, with Wrigley's Alert another getting released in 2013.[2]

Kent Yoshimura and Ryan Chen co-founded Neuro after meeting while studying at University of California, San Diego.[3] Yoshimura was studying neuroscience with Chen studying chemistry, and both are multi-disciplined athletes. They stated in interviews that as college athletes they were dissatisfied with energy drinks and other products marketed as enhancing concentration or performance, but often saw crashes or sugar spikes from products they were using.[4] As a result, Yoshimura and Chen spent time at college creating their own supplements in pill-form, which eventually led to the creation of Neuro.[5] Chen suffered a spinal-cord injury in 2009 after UC San Diego,[6] and went viral in 2013 when he crowd surfed in his wheelchair to a Young the Giant's song, My Body.[7][8]

Foundation

Yoshimura and Chen launched Neuro in 2015 after years of refining the product.[9] During the same year, Chen and Yoshimura came up with the concept of developing a caffeinated gum.[10]

In 2015, the co-founders conducted a seed round on Indiegogo with a goal of $10,000. The campaign reached this target within three days and raised a total of $21,000. They then focused on two sales models for the gum, direct to consumer and traditional retail.[9] Over the next four years, the company grew modestly and by 2018 had a turnover of $1.5 million.[11] The turnover grew further to $3.5 million in 2019, with Chen recognised as part of the Forbes 30 Under 30 that year.[12][13]

Neuro on Shark Tank

In 2019, Neuro was pitched to the investors on Shark Tank in its 11th season, airing in 2020 on episode 19.[14] In the episode, the co-founders received two offers. The first was from Kevin O’Leary who offered $750,000 for 5% equity, but with a 50 cent royalty on every unit sold until he recouped $1 million. Robert Herjavec offered $1 million for 20% equity initially, then reduced his offer to $1 million for 14% equity after negotiation. The offers were rejected by the co-founders, stating that they couldn't "go that low" for the valuation figure due to existing investors.[15] During the Covid-19 pandemic, the founders setup online training videos to continue its marketing within the wellness industry.[16][17]

Neuro was headquartered in Los Angeles from its foundation,[18][19] but relocated its head office to Las Vegas in 2024.[20] In 2025, Neuro made the news after it was frequently mentioned by Joe Rogan on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast across a number of episodes,[21][22] and also others such as Lex Fridman. It was said to be one of the reasons that made Neuro the fastest-growing brand on TikTok Shop the year prior.[23] The chewing gum brand continued to grow rapidly in 2025, as the second fastest growing company in Las Vegas to feature on the Inc. 5000 for 2025.[24] The co-founders were also recognised with Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Pacific Southwest Award.[25]

Neuro returned to Shark Tank in Season 17, Episode 13, which aired on March 11, 2026, as part of an update segment, becoming the first company in Shark Tank history to return after rejecting a deal and secure investment on a second appearance. By that point the company was available in more than 20,000 stores nationwide, including CVS, Walmart, and Whole Foods Market. The co-founders also revealed that in the years following their first appearance they had faced a significant lawsuit, and reached out to Daniel Lubetzky, founder of Kind Bar and a former Shark Tank guest, who helped them reach a settlement. In 2026, Lubetzky formally became a partner in Neuro.[26]

Neuro products

Neuro produces a range of functional chewing gums and mints, each formulated with specific nootropic and wellness ingredients targeting different aspects of cognitive health. All products are sugar-free, gluten-free, vegan, and aspartame-free. They are manufactured using a patented cold-compression process, which the company states preserves the potency and bioavailability of active ingredients. Each product line is available in multiple flavors, with periodic limited-edition releases. In 2025, Neuro launched Strawberry Cake flavor in partnership with DJ Steve Aoki.[27]

Energy & Focus

Neuro's original and flagship product, Energy & Focus gum, was launched in 2015 as the company's first commercial product. It is formulated to provide sustained mental energy and focus without the jitteriness or energy crash associated with energy drinks or coffee, and is frequently cited as a coffee alternative.[28]

Active ingredients:

  • Natural caffeine (from green coffee beans): 40mg
  • L-theanine: 60mg
  • Vitamin B6: 41% daily value
  • Vitamin B12: 100% daily value[29]

Available formats:

  • Gum: peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, wintergreen, or variety pack
  • Mints: peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, or variety pack
    • Pack sizes: 72-piece 6-pack and 90-piece bulk bag

Extra Strength Energy & Focus

Extra Strength Energy & Focus is a higher-potency variant of Neuro's flagship product, designed for more demanding energy and cognitive tasks. It shares the same base formula as Energy & Focus but delivers 100mg of natural caffeine per piece — more than double the standard formula.[30]

Active ingredients:[31]

  • Natural caffeine (from green coffee beans): 100mg
  • L-theanine: 60mg
  • Vitamin B6: 41% daily value
  • Vitamin B12: 100% daily value

Available formats:

  • Gum: peppermint, spearmint
  • Mints: peppermint, spearmint
  • Pack sizes: 54-piece 6-pack and 90-piece bulk bag

Memory & Focus

Memory & Focus is a caffeine-free nootropic gum formulated with Cereboost® American Ginseng, a patented, clinically studied extract of American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). It contains no stimulants, making it suitable for use at any time of day. It is positioned for consumers seeking cognitive support for memory retention, mental clarity, mood, and reduction of brain fog.[32]

Active ingredients:[33]

  • Cereboost® American Ginseng extract: 50mg
  • L-theanine: 60mg
  • Vitamin B6: 41% daily value
  • Vitamin B12: 100% daily value

Available formats:

  • Gum: peppermint
  • Pack sizes: 90-piece bulk bag and the new 54-piece 6-pack format, launched in May 2026

Calm & Clarity

Calm & Clarity is a mint formulated with GABA, L-theanine, and vitamin D3 to support relaxation, stress reduction, and mental clarity without drowsiness.[34]

Active ingredients:[35]

  • GABA: 65mg
  • L-theanine: 65mg
  • Vitamin D3: 13mcg (33% daily value)

Available formats:

  • Mints: honey lemon
  • Pack sizes: 6-pack (72 pieces) and 90-piece bulk bag

Sleep & Recharge

Sleep & Recharge is a meltaway mint designed to support healthy sleep cycles and nighttime relaxation.[36]

Active ingredients:[37]

  • Melatonin: 1mg (regular strength) or 5mg (extra strength)
  • Proprietary herbal blend (25mg): chamomile extract, lemon balm extract, organic passion flower extract, elderberry extract

Available formats:

  • Mints: mixed berry
  • Pack sizes: 6-pack (72 pieces) and 12-pack (144 pieces)

References

  1. ↑ Carpenter, Murray (March 14, 2014). "Inside the Crazy Lab Where the Army Spikes Its Rations With Caffeine". Wired (magazine).
  2. ↑ Hamblin, James. "Caffeinated Gum: A Dream Deferred". The Atlantic.
  3. ↑ "Triton 5: Ryan Chen and Kent Yoshimura". University of California, San Diego. October 1, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Episode 772 - Athletes Create "Chewable Energy" Gum". SideHustle School.
  5. ↑ "Wrap-up: Tech Talk with NeuroGum's Ryan Chen and Kent Yoshimura". STRV. July 15, 2018.
  6. ↑ Mosbergen, Dominique (December 7, 2017). "This Guy Crowd Surfing In A Wheelchair Is Exactly What Happiness Looks Like". Huffington Post.
  7. ↑ "Viral Glastonbury picture actually taken at US concert two years ago". BBC. June 29, 2015.
  8. ↑ Eleftheriou-Smith, Loulla-Mae (July 1, 2015). "Glastonbury 2015: The picture of a man crowd surfing in a wheelchair is brilliant, but it wasn't taken at Glastonbury". The Independent.
  9. 1 2 Sifferlin, Alexandra (September 22, 2015). "'NeuroGum' is Now a Thing". TIME (magazine).
  10. ↑ Elkins, Kathleen. "2 college friends created energy gum and mints that got the attention of Kevin O'Leary and Robert Herjavec on 'Shark Tank.' They turned down the offers and still built an 8-figure business while working day jobs at Hulu and as a muralist". Business Insider.
  11. ↑ "Pourquoi le cannabis pourrait sauver le chewing-gum" (in French). L'Opinion (French newspaper). December 4, 2019.
  12. ↑ Stoller, Kristin (November 13, 2018). "2019 30 Under 30: Food & Drink". Forbes.
  13. ↑ McGrath, Maggie (November 13, 2018). "30 Under 30 2019: Introducing Food And Drink's Rising Stars". Forbes.
  14. ↑ "Neuro Gum on 'Shark Tank': 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy (website).
  15. ↑ Thompson, Avery (April 10, 2020). "'Shark Tank' Clip: Young Entrepreneur Opens Up About The Injury That Left Him Unable To Walk". Hollywood Life.
  16. ↑ Kern, Merilee (July 8, 2020). "This one thing is holding you back from becoming a leader". Fast Company.
  17. ↑ Feifer, Jason (July 7, 2020). "Why We Put 137 People on Our Cover". Entrepreneur (magazine).
  18. ↑ Chaudhuri, Saabira (December 3, 2019). "Chew on This: Gum That Promises to Help You Sleep and Make You Skinny". Wall Street Journal.
  19. ↑ Marikar, Sheila Yasmin (September 17, 2018). "WeWork Does Bodegas". The New Yorker.
  20. ↑ Blennerhassett, Patrick (October 3, 2024). "Why are California's tech millionaires and billionaires flocking to Las Vegas?". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  21. ↑ Gagne, Yasmine (December 14, 2020). "Feeling Stressed? The relaxation experts from Calm share favorite products". Fast Company.
  22. ↑ Dua, Tanya (October 30, 2020). "Some of Joe Rogan's advertisers are sticking with the popular podcaster's Spotify show despite the Alex Jones controversy". Business Insider.
  23. ↑ Burba, Annabel (April 17, 2025). "Neuro was the Fastest-Growing brand on TikTok Shop last year, it has Joe Rogan to thank". Inc. (magazine).
  24. ↑ "Neuro Gum Uses science-backed formulas to help customers feel energized, focused, or calm". Inc. 5000.
  25. ↑ "Kent and Ryan with EY's Entrepreneur of the Year SOPAC". Ernst & Young.
  26. ↑ "Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 13". Shark Tank Blog. 2026-03-16. Retrieved 2026-04-06.
  27. ↑ Zevin, Leo (September 12, 2025). "Steve Aoki's Secret Weapon for 1,000% Energy Isn't Drinks — It's Chewable". Entrepreneur (magazine).
  28. ↑ "Neuro Energy & Focus™ Gum | L-Theanine + Caffeine Gum". Neuro. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  29. ↑ "Neuro Energy & Focus™ Gum | L-Theanine + Caffeine Gum". Neuro. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  30. ↑ "Neuro Extra Strength Energy & Focus™ Gum | 100mg Caffeine". Neuro. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  31. ↑ "Neuro Extra Strength Energy & Focus™ Gum | 100mg Caffeine". Neuro. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  32. ↑ "Neuro Memory & Focus™ Gum | Caffeine Free". Neuro. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  33. ↑ "Neuro Memory & Focus™ Gum | Caffeine Free". Neuro. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  34. ↑ "Neuro Calm & Clarity™ Mints | Gaba & L-theanine Mints". Neuro. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  35. ↑ "Neuro Calm & Clarity™ Mints | Gaba & L-theanine Mints". Neuro. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  36. ↑ "Neuro Sleep & Recharge™ Meltaway Mints | Melatonin & more". Neuro. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  37. ↑ "Neuro Sleep & Recharge™ Meltaway Mints | Melatonin & more". Neuro. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
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