Posted by VNDL Project
For years, the pins-and-needles feeling after a scoop of pre-workout has been sold as proof it's "kicking in". It isn't. It's a side effect, and plenty of lifters would rather skip it.
What causes the tingle?
The main cause is beta-alanine. It triggers a harmless tingling in the skin called paresthesia, usually on the face, neck and hands, and it's stronger with larger single doses.1 Some formulas also add niacin, which can cause flushing and warmth.
The myth
Beta-alanine's benefit doesn't come from one scoop. It builds up in your muscles over weeks of daily use.1 So the tingle you feel 15 minutes after drinking it tells you nothing about how your workout will go. Brands lean on it because it's something you can feel right away.
Who wants tingle-free?
- People who find the itch distracting or uncomfortable
- Early-morning lifters who want to feel ready, not prickly
- Anyone sensitive to it, or who just doesn't like it
What VANDAL uses instead
VANDAL Pre-Workout has no beta-alanine and no niacin. It's built on ingredients you'll feel in your training instead of on your skin:
- Pumps: 3 g pure L-citrulline per scoop (6 g full dose), agmatine and grape seed extract.
- Focus: L-tyrosine, choline, lemon balm and rhodiola.
- Energy: fast-acting caffeine plus Infinergy™ di-caffeine malate for smoother, longer energy.
How to spot a tingle-free label
Check the ingredient list for beta-alanine (sometimes branded as CarnoSyn®) and niacin. If neither is there, you're tingle-free.
Want to know more about the pump side? Read L-Citrulline vs Citrulline Malate.
This article is for education only and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition, talk to your doctor before starting any supplement.
References
- Trexler ET, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: beta-alanine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015;12:30.
