Skip to content

Doctor Reviews: Ark Drops and Hustle Drops

Share this article

Listen to this article on Spotify, or watch it on YouTube.

Are Ark Drops and Hustle Drops the real deal when it comes to boosting performance? Let’s dig in and find out. But first, what exactly are these drops made of?

What are in these drops?

Both Ark Drops and Hustle Drops are blends of different essential oils. While the specific oils used may vary slightly between the two, they share a common flavor profile: a potent minty taste mainly derived from peppermint oil, mixed with coconut oil and sweeteners to improve the taste.

When people give these drops a try, they’re often taken aback by the intense minty flavor, which can be quite surprising. Think of it like this: imagine putting pure peppermint oil on your tongue and trying not to react. It burns, and it’s a bit like getting a sudden wake-up call, similar to having a bucket of ice water poured over your head.

Can it enhance performance?

So, here’s the scoop on these drops: they’re essentially peppermint or mint oils that give you a quick hit of minty freshness when you put them on your tongue. It’s like a sudden wake-up call for your senses. But, does this sensation translate into actual athletic improvement like the manufacturers claim?

Some studies have dabbled in this area. One had healthy guys take a drop of peppermint oil mixed into water daily. They saw some minor upticks in lung function and exercise performance. But here’s the catch: no control group was used for comparison.

Another study, also from the same researcher, found that dabbing peppermint oil on the tongue boosted grip strength and improved a few breathing measures. However, the “placebo group” just sipped flavorless water, which isn’t the best placebo choice against peppermint oil.

The kicker? These effects didn’t stick around much longer than the drops’ use. It’s kind of like how athletes sometimes sniff ammonia salts to amp up. The strong ammonia smell can jolt your nervous system, making you feel briefly sharper and more focused.

But here’s the thing: ammonia salts also trigger a reflex that makes you gulp in more air, upping your oxygen intake. This reflex can trick you into thinking you’re performing better, even if it’s just a mind game.

So, do Ark Drops or Hustle Drops truly supercharge your game? Nope, not really. They might give you a fleeting sense of improvement, but when it comes down to it, they don’t actually make you perform better on the field or in the gym.

Side effects

Now, when it comes to safety, using concentrated peppermint and mint oils can have some downsides. You might experience heartburn, and there’s a chance you’ll feel a bit of a burning sensation on the way out, especially if you’re popping more than just a few drops a day.

But here’s the kicker: peppermint oil naturally contains something called pulegone. This little guy can be tough on your liver and nervous system, and there’s even some concern it might be linked to cancer. While there are methods to reduce pulegone levels in peppermint oil, not all manufacturers may be using them. See, it’s not really a standard practice in the essential oil biz.

Are Ark and Hustle Drops worth it?

To be frank, Ark Drops and Hustle Drops aren’t much different from your standard concentrated peppermint oils. It’s essentially like popping regular peppermint or mint oil on your tongue – just a quick sensory kick. You could achieve a similar effect by taking a cold shower or plunging into cold water.

If you want to mimic the experience of Ark Drops or Hustle Drops, all you need is some 100% pure peppermint essential oil labeled for internal use. Just ensure it’s safe for ingestion; some oils labeled for external use might contain additives not meant to be swallowed and could have higher levels of pulegone. Also, note that some peppermint oils are diluted to reduce mouth irritation, so if you crave the full burn, opt for a pure oil.

Now, let’s talk money. Ark Drops top the charts in terms of cost, fetching around $80 or more for 60 servings, while Hustle Drops come in at about half that price, approximately $40 for 60 servings. On the flip side, generic peppermint oil drops are way more budget-friendly, typically costing less than $5 to $10 for 60 servings.

But if you’re simply seeking a quick, temporary energy boost for alertness or exercise, your best bet is sticking to good ol’ coffee or black tea. They’ll pack a punch for much longer and likely be gentler on your stomach too.

Top alternatives to Ark Drops

If you’re looking to achieve similar effects:

Learn more about

Citations

Bartolomei S, Nigro F, Gubellini L, et al. Acute Effects of Ammonia Inhalants on Strength and Power Performance in Trained Men. J Strength Cond Res. 2018;32(1):244-247. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000002171

Campbell AK, Williamson CE, Macgregor LJ, Hamilton DL. Elevated arousal following acute ammonia inhalation is not associated with increased neuromuscular performance. Eur J Sport Sci. 2022;22(9):1391-1400. doi:10.1080/17461391.2021.1953150

Jabba SV, Jordt SE. Risk Analysis for the Carcinogen Pulegone in Mint- and Menthol-Flavored e-Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco Products. JAMA Intern Med. 2019 Dec 1;179(12):1721-1723. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.3649. PMID: 31524930; PMCID: PMC6749541.

McCrory P. Smelling salts. Br J Sports Med. 2006 Aug;40(8):659-60. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2006.029710. PMID: 16864561; PMCID: PMC2579444.

Meamarbashi A. Instant effects of peppermint essential oil on the physiological parameters and exercise performance. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2014 Jan;4(1):72-8. PMID: 25050303; PMCID: PMC4103722.

Meamarbashi A, Rajabi A. The effects of peppermint on exercise performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013;10(1):15. Published 2013 Mar 21. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-10-15

Nair B. Final report on the safety assessment of Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf, and Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Water. Int J Toxicol. 2001;20 Suppl 3:61-73.

National Center for Biotechnology Information (2024). PubChem Compound Summary for , Peppermint Oil. Retrieved March 7, 2024 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Peppermint-Oil.

National Toxicology Program. Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of pulegone (CAS No. 89-82-7) in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice (gavage studies). Natl Toxicol Program Tech Rep Ser. 2011;(563):1-201.

Rogers RR, Beardsley KG, Cumbie PE, Ballmann CG. Ammonia Inhalants Enhance Psychophysiological Responses and Performance During Repeated High Intensity Exercise. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2023;94(4):1035-1041. doi:10.1080/02701367.2022.2104447

Sartori Tamburlin I, Roux E, Feuillée M, et al. Toxicological safety assessment of essential oils used as food supplements to establish safe oral recommended doses. Food Chem Toxicol. 2021;157:112603. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2021.112603

Attributions

First aid ammonia inhalant capsules By Killerlimpet – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48469813


See also

  • Doctor Reviews: Lemme Curb
    Lemme Curb is basically just a high-dose chromium supplement, which hasn’t been proven to help with weight loss or cravings in healthy people.
  • Doctor Reviews: Nello Supercalm
    Nello Supercalm is a drink mix with ingredients that may help manage stress and anxiety, though it might not work for everyone.
  • A Doctor Reviews: Bio Complete 3
    Bio Complete 3 is essentially a pricey version of a generic standard probiotic, offering some basic benefits for digestive health.
  • Doctor Reviews: Lemme GLP-1 Daily Capsules
    Lemme GLP-1’s lemon extract, Eriomin, may boost GLP-1 levels slightly, but research shows this won’t cause weight loss or appetite suppression.
  • Doctor Reviews: Baby Mama Haircoming Queen
    Hair growth supplements, like Baby Mama, don’t work for post-pregnancy hair loss because it’s caused by hormones, not nutrient deficiencies.

Share this article

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *