Meet Dr. Hadjikhani

A Life Dedicated to Brain Science

With over 20 years at the forefront of neuroscience, Dr. Nouchine Hadjikhani has built an extraordinary career exploring how the brain works in both health and disease. Her work spans Harvard Medical School, the University of Gothenburg, and over 150 published studies on autism, perception, and emotion.

She was among the first to challenge conventional theories about the autistic brain, showing, for example, that empathy is not absent in autism, but expressed differently. Today, her insights help shape new approaches to mental fatigue, neurodiversity, and brain-based well-being.

Her scientific legacy powers the research behind Taenka.

“Understanding autism is not about fixing people. It’s about understanding how their brains truly work.”
— Dr. Nouchine Hadjikhani

About Dr. Hadjikhani

Dr. Hadjikhani is a world-leading neuroscientist with over 150 published studies, focusing primarily on autism, sensory perception, and the emotional brain. She holds research positions at both Harvard Medical School and Karolinska Institutet.

The Development of taenka: Addressing Modern Cognitive Challenges

Background and Motivation

In our increasingly demanding world, mental fatigue has emerged as a pervasive challenge affecting cognitive performance and quality of life. Research indicates that up to 1 in 4 people experience regular mental fatigue, with even higher rates among those dealing with stress and burnout. This growing epidemic of cognitive exhaustion, characterized by brain fog, poor focus, memory lapses, and mental sluggishness, inspired the development of Taenka.

Recognizing the limitations of traditional stimulant-based solutions, which often provide temporary energy followed by crashes, our team sought to create a fundamentally different approach. Taenka was developed with the goal of addressing the root causes of mental fatigue rather than merely masking symptoms.

Scientific Principles Behind the Formulation

Mitochondrial Energy Optimization

At the core of Taenka's formulation is the understanding that mental fatigue often stems from compromised cellular energy production in the brain. The brain consumes approximately 20% of the body's total energy, making mitochondrial function critical for optimal cognitive performance.

Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ) serves as the cornerstone ingredient, selected for its proven ability to support mitochondrial biogenesis, the creation of new mitochondria, and protect existing mitochondria from oxidative damage. Clinical studies demonstrate PQQ's capacity to enhance cellular energy production while reducing the biochemical markers associated with mental fatigue.

Neurotransmitter Support and Cognitive Enhancement

Choline was incorporated as a precursor to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for memory formation, attention, and cognitive processing. By supporting optimal neurotransmitter synthesis, choline helps maintain the neurochemical balance necessary for sustained mental clarity and enhanced memory function.

Calm Focus Without Stimulation

L-Theanine completes the core formulation by promoting a state of relaxed alertness. This amino acid, naturally found in tea leaves, has been shown to increase alpha brain wave activity, associated with calm focus and reduced mental stress. Importantly, L-Theanine achieves this without the jittery side effects or energy crashes associated with caffeine-based stimulants.

The Synergistic Approach

Rather than relying on a single mechanism of action, taenka's formulation employs a synergistic strategy targeting multiple pathways:

1. Cellular Energy – PQQ optimizes mitochondrial function for sustained brain energy.

2. Neurochemical Balance – Choline supports neurotransmitter production for enhanced cognitive function.

3. Stress Modulation – L-Theanine promotes calm, focused attention without overstimulation.

This multi-target approach addresses the complex nature of cognitive performance, recognizing that optimal brain function requires both adequate energy production and proper neurochemical balance, all while maintaining a calm, focused mental state.

Clinical Foundation

Every ingredient in Taenka has been selected based on previous published clinical research demonstrating efficacy in supporting cognitive function. This evidence-based approach ensures that each component contributes meaningfully to the supplement’s overall effectiveness, moving beyond the realm of anecdotal evidence to scientifically validated cognitive enhancement.

The result is a premium nootropic supplement that supports memory, mental clarity, and long-lasting energy while maintaining the brain’s natural rhythms, providing cognitive enhancement that works with, rather than against, the body’s inherent neurological processes.