PlainVitamins

Hard

by Core Nutritionals · capsule · 84 vegetable caps

  • On the market (NIH)
  • UPC 6 72975 31528 3
  • DSLD label 298087
  • Serving 1 capsule; amounts per 3 capsules
  • 28 servings

Hard by Core Nutritionals lists 5 ingredients, 5 with an amount per serving of 3 capsules, such as 600 mg of KSM-66 full-spectrum ashwagandha root extract, 500 mg of phosphatidylserine, 300 mg of L-theanine and 200 mg of 3,3'-diindolylmethane. Its current label entered the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database on October 24, 2023.

What is in Hard?

Each row as the label prints it, per serving of 3 capsules. The capsule beside an amount places it among every product in the NIH database that lists the same ingredient: the bar is the middle half of their amounts, the line in it the median, the whiskers the 10th and 90th percentiles; the green tick is the FDA Daily Value and the red dashed tick the adult upper limit (IOM).

Hard: Supplement Facts rows against the market (DSLD label 298087, January 2026 release)
IngredientAmount% DVAmong products listing it
KSM-66 Full-Spectrum Ashwagandha root extractas Withanolides600 mgAshwagandha in HARD against 1,646 products600 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 125 mg to 500 mg, the median 250 mg.600 mg

Higher than 79% of 1,646 products listing ashwagandha (median 250 mg). Per day at the most servings: 2,400 mg.

Phosphatidylserine50%500 mgPhosphatidylserine in HARD against 641 products500 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 50 mg to 150 mg, the median 100 mg.500 mg

Higher than 93% of 641 products listing phosphatidylserine (median 100 mg). Per day at the most servings: 2,000 mg.

L-Theanine300 mgTheanine in HARD against 1,602 products300 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 90 mg to 200 mg, the median 100 mg.300 mg

Higher than 92% of 1,602 products listing theanine (median 100 mg). Per day at the most servings: 1,200 mg.

3,3'-Diindolylmethane200 mgDiindolylmethane in HARD against 425 products200 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 100 mg to 200 mg, the median 100 mg.200 mg

Higher than 67% of 425 products listing diindolylmethane (median 100 mg). Per day at the most servings: 800 mg.

Cocoabuterolas Cocoa Seed Extractstd. min. 50% cocoa alkaloids100 mgCocoa in HARD against 255 products100 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 50 mg to 450 mg, the median 150 mg.100 mg

52% of 255 products listing cocoa give more (median 150 mg). Per day at the most servings: 400 mg.

Source: NIH ODS Dietary Supplement Label Database, label 298087 (entered October 24, 2023), version 9.4.0. See the label on DSLD or its label image (PDF). Amounts are what the maker printed; DSLD does not test products. Daily Values: the FDA's Daily Value page.

Is that a lot?

The rows in the top or bottom tenth of the products that list the same ingredient, and any above the adult upper limit at the most servings a day the directions give:

  • Its 500 mg of phosphatidylserine is higher than 93% of the 641 phosphatidylserine products that print an amount; 20 list more.
  • Its 300 mg of L-theanine (filed by NIH under theanine) is higher than 92% of the 1,602 theanine products that print an amount; 73 list more.

The NIH database records 3 to 4 servings a day from the label's directions; its % Daily Values are for adults and children 4 or more years of age. The directions as printed are further down this page.

The Tolerable Upper Intake Level is the most of a nutrient per day, from food, water and supplements together, that is likely to pose no risk for almost all adults (Institute of Medicine, 2011). It does not apply under medical supervision. This page compares labels; it is not medical advice.

Sources: amounts from the DSLD label; Daily Values from 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv); adult upper limits from the Institute of Medicine's DRI summary tables (2011). How positions are computed.

Which products have the closest formulas?

The products whose ingredient lists overlap most with Hard's, rare ingredients counting for more.

Source: ingredient lists of every product's current label in DSLD (version 9.4.0); similarity weights each shared ingredient by how rare it is.

What does the label say about taking it?

Quoted from the label as DSLD transcribed it: the maker's words, including any claim about what the product does, which the FDA has not evaluated and PlainVitamins does not endorse.

Directions
Directions: Take 1 capsule 3 times per day. For optimal results, take 1 capsule upon waking, 1 capsule midday, and 1 capsule before bed or take all 3 capsules before bed. Do not exceed 4 capsules in a 24 hour period.
Warnings
Warning: Consuming this product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the state of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Warning: This product is only intended for use in healthy adults 18 years of age or older. Keep out of reach of children.
Pregnant or nursing women should not use this product. Consult your healthcare provider before using this product, especially if you are taking any prescription, over the counter medication, dietary supplement product, or if you have any pre-existing medical condition including but not limited to: high or low blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, stroke, heart, liver, kidney or thyroid disease, seizure disorder, psychiatric disease, diabetes, difficulty urinating due to prostate enlargement or if you are taking a MAOI (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor) or any other medication.
Discontinue use and consult your health care professional if you experience adverse reaction to this product. Discontinue use 2 weeks prior to surgery. Do not exceed recommended serving. Do not use if safety seal is broken or missing.
Allergen Information: Contains ingredient derived from soy.

Source: label statements in DSLD label 298087.

What else is on the label?

Other ingredients: Rice Flour, Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide.

How many labels does Hard have?

4 labels are on file under this name since June 23, 2017: other sizes, label designs and reformulations. The current one leads this page.

  1. Label 298087 (current) Entered October 24, 2023 · on the market · 84 vegetable caps · UPC 6 72975 31528 3
  2. Label 269779 Entered July 21, 2022 · off the market November 16, 2022 · 84 vegetable caps · UPC 6 72975 31528 3
  3. Label 218175 Entered April 23, 2020 · on the market · 84 capsules · UPC 8 50757 00153 5
  4. Label 74101 Entered June 23, 2017 · on the market · 84 capsules · UPC 8 570757 00153 5

Source: DSLD label entry and market events, version 9.4.0 (labels entered through September 25, 2025).

Who makes it?

The label names Core Nutritionals, LLC (distributor), Statesville, NC. All Core Nutritionals products.

Where next?