Dust V2 by BlackStone Labs Review Pre-Workout

Dust V2 by Blackstone Labs Review Pre-Workout

If the name sounds familiar, it should. Remember Angel Dust? No no no, Blackstone’s older pre workout! Well long story short, it’s the new version of that pre-workout, but there were some changes to it. So now we have Version 2, Dust V2! And that’s not all! For a while we had Dust Extreme too, but was also changed and renamed to Dust X . So what have we learned? Pre workouts come and go, have formula revisions, and, often paired up against a newer stronger version, which is what we have here with Dust V2 vs Dust X. Dust X (formally Angel Dust), likely the stronger version of Dust V2, but how do they actually compare? We’re going over this and more!

What Are They?

Both Dust X and Dust V2 are pre workouts, while Dust X is often prompted to be the heavy-stim version of Dust V2, neither pre workout is necessarily a “beginner” pre workout. So if you’re sensitive to stimulants, keep in mind you may want to start light on the scoop. 

The Breakdown: What’s the same?

• • Citrulline Malate
  • Beta Alanine
  • Agmatine Sulfate
  • Caffeine Anhydrous

Stimulants

The only shared stimulant shared between these pre workouts is caffeine! Caffeine being one of the most well-known and consumed stimulants there is. It’s a central nervous stimulant (CNS) meaning when it reaches the brain it binds to receptors that speed up the cells. This can result in you feeling the things we look for in caffeine like the energy and focus. (1) But, for individuals who may be a little more sensitive to stimulants, you may get the less desirable effects like jitters and anxiousness. (2)

So it’s important to understand where you fall in line on the tolerance scale. A good way to help measure this is by looking at other caffeinated products you may consume in a day, whether that be a cup of coffee (around 90-100 mg of caffeine) or a can of soda ( around 30 mg in a can of Coke). However, keep in mind caffeine is very rarely the only stimulant in a pre workout, and that is not the case in Dust X or Dust V2. 

Endurance/Pump

The last three bulleted ingredients are going to aid in the boosting the endurance and pump factor for both Dust pre workouts. Citrulline Malate and Agmatine Sulfate work in a similar way, both these ingredients  promote nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. This is going to encourage the pump and vascularity that we love at the gym. But, it does more for us than just boost our confidence in our appearance, these ingredients are vasodilators. Meaning they help promote the dilation or widening of veins for better blood. More blood flow means more transportation of nutrients, oxygenated blood, and removal of waste. (3, 4)

Lastly, we have Beta Alanine, which is likely the first ingredient you feel in a pre workout. Its commonly associated with the pins and needles/tingling sensation some pre workouts can promote called paraesthesia. Beta alanine acts as a buffer for lactic acid build up in our muscles. Where the lactic lactic acid build up is associated with muscle fatigue, however it may aid in boosting muscle growth. (5,6)

The Breakdown: What’s different?

Now that we know what they share, let’s discuss what makes them different and ultimately why you should pick either!

 

Stimulants

• Di-Caffeine Malate
• Hordenine
• N-Methyl Tyramine
• MaxxEndureXT (Stearoyl Vanillylamide)

Starting off with Dust V2 and specifically Dust V2 stimulants, you can see we have 4 additional stimulants to the caffeine, including a second version of caffeine. Unlike the original version of caffeine previously gone over, we have here Di-Caffeine Malate. This has the same benefits of caffeine, but is sustained released. So those benefits last longer with less of spike in energy/focus but is less likely to have a crash. † Next, we have Hordenine, which is chemically similar to a popular fat burning ingredients bitter orange. This stimulant may act as a mood booster and stimulant.† Lastly, we have N-Methyl Tyramine and MaxxEndureXT (Stearoyl Vanillylamide). N-Methyl Tyramine has been compared to the stimulatory strength of synephrine and ephedrine by it chemical shape, however, it’s may stimulate appetite instead of suppress it. So this ingredient may not be as beneficial in a weight loss aid. (7,8) Finally, we have Stearoyl Vanillylamide which is an analog to Capsaicin. This ingredient may aid in boosting metabolism and adrenaline.†

Endurance/Pump

• Betaine Anhydrous
• L-Norvaline

There are two additional ingredients in Dust V2 that contribute to the endurance and pump factor, Betaine and Norvaline. Betaine is similar to Citrulline in that it can boost endurance through improving blood flow. (9) While Norvaline is actually a form of the amino acid L-Valine that can improve circulation and nitric oxide levels. (10)

Focus

• L-Taurine 
• L-Carnitine-L-Tartrate
• N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine

Our last category for Dust V2 is the focus complex, which is comprised of 3 ingredients. Our first ingredient is very common in pre workouts and energy drinks alike, taurine. It’s an amino acid that’s naturally occurring and can aid in focus and recovery. (11) L-Carnitine-L-Tartrate is another ingredient that may aid in recovery, however the benefits of Carnitine in general are more noted to focus. (12,13) Our final ingredient for Dust V2 is N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine. N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine is a common ingredient added to pre workouts boost attention, focus, memory, and even mood. (14)

 

Stimulants

• 2-Aminoisoheptane
• Nelumbo nucifera (Higenamine)

Now we’re going to dive into the stimulants in Dust X. First things first, there’s only 3 additional stimulants in Dust X compared to Dust V2’s 4. However, these stimulants may be a little more intense for some individuals. For starters we have 2-Aminoisoheptane or DMHA. This ingredient is meant to be the replacement stimulant for DMAA in a couple of pre workouts. So right off the bat if you’re looking for a more stim-centered pre workout Dust X may be the one for you. DMHA can promote mood-enhancing effects and feelings of euphoria. Along with boosting your energy, and appetite suppression (15). Next up we have Higenamine, which is similar to N-Methyl Tyramine in that they are both similar to Ephedrine and Synephrine. However, Higenamine shows properties of a vasodilator, which leads to increased blood flow to the muscles. Unlike in most stimulants that are vaso-constricting (16).

Focus

• L-Tyrosine
• Dimethylaminoethanol
• Phenylethylamine
• Huperzine A

Our first focus ingredient from Dust X is L-Tyrosine, which is often added for it’s focus enhancing properties (17). The effects are very similarly to N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, but some studies suggests N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine is more bio-available than L-Tyrosine. Dimethylaminoethanol or DMAE is our next ingredient, which is a cognitive booster. Meaning it can aid in increasing focus, attention, and some mood boosting effects (18). Next is Phenylethylamine or PEA, which sends out important neurotransmitters, giving you that “runner’s high” effect many athletes feel when working out.† Lastly, we have Huperzine A, which is common in both fat burners and pre workouts. It is actually considered a natural anti depressant, but it is also useful in improving focus. (19)

Customer Reviews

Dust V2

• “This powder mixed well and the taste was bearable. After a long (2+ hour) workout session, I was still feeling the effect and pump.” Review By Victoria 
• “This is a all rounder pre workout,have great focus,stamina, and endurance.The pump and strength gain is great too,this pre workout can be used for aerobic and anerobic workout,does not cause your hearbeat to elevate!!.” Review By Dheran

Dust X 

• “You never go back. Love this preworkout.” Review By Kevin
• “Many preworkout products don’t give me the same energy that they did in the past. Must have built up a tolerance. But this one works great. Lots of energy, overall mood improvement too, and it lasts a long time.” Review By N/A

Which Should You Take

So when you put it altogether, what do you get? Dust V2 likely the best option out of the two pre workouts for someone sensitive to stimulants, but remember there’s still 400mg of caffeine in 1 scoop alone. But, if you’re looking for a pre workout with even more of a kick than you’re going to want to opt for Dust X. When it comes to endurance and pump, Dust V2 may win this. Outside of the shared ingredients, Dust X doesn’t have more ingredients going these roles. However, Dust X features a fully disclosed label and Dust V2 does not. So we aren’t able to compare ingredient to ingredient. Lastly, we have the focus complex, we’re we would say based on the ingredients Dust X may have the greater strength here.

Closing

This concludes our post comparing Dust V2 and Dust X. Thank you for reading and if there’s another product you’d like us to review, an ingredient that you think needs further elaboration, or another blog idea you want to see in the future–send us an email here!

†Disclaimer

The intention of the information provided is for reference only and we are in no way providing medical advice or instruction. The information provided in this post is based on anecdotal information and available studies/reviews. While it is our goal to maintain and display accurate information, we can’t guarantee it represents the latest formulation of the product or information. Therefore, if you have any concerns, please visit the manufacturer’s website. Also, the information above is not a representation of our views at Same Day Supplements. Rather, these are the views and information provided by manufacturers and users. Also, the Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated these statements. Finally, the intention of these products is not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.