Guarana (Paullinia cupana), a member of the soapberry family, is native to the Amazon Rainforest. It gets its name from a local word which means 'secret eyes'. Guarana has been used for centuries by the indigenous tribes of the Amazon to ward off fatigue and stimulate clear thinking - and is now well known in other parts of the world as a general tonic and an effective nerve-soother. It is a common misconception that guarana's benefits are attributable to the caffeine content alone. The level of caffeine in 1000mg guarana (2 tablets) is less than 1/2 a cup of coffee! Guarana is composed of various phytochemicals including xanthines, catechins, EFAs and saponins. Its compound structure slows the rate at which caffeine is released and doesn't cause any of the immediate highs and lows normally associated with it.