If you are noticing more frequent brain fog, memory lapses, and "senior moments" lately, the underlying cause may be more than just the distractions of a busy schedule or a few nights of poor-quality sleep. Age-related cognitive decline may be to blame.
A gradual decline in cognitive ability is a natural consequence of getting older, and new studies have indicated this begins to occur in the early to mid 40s. To store and retrieve new information, the brain relies on acetylcholine, which plays an essential role in forming neural connections. Unfortunately, as we age, production of this key neurotransmitter decreases, limiting the brain's ability to create new short-term memories. This is why you might be able to easily recall people or events from decades ago, but it can be a struggle to remember where you parked your car or where you left your keys.
No one can stop the progression of time. However, a combination of a healthy lifestyle and a well-rounded cognitive health supplement can keep your mind sharp and help recapture the focus, concentration, and mental clarity you had years ago.
How Can You Tell a Good Memory Supplement from a Bad One?
Recent studies have indicated that approximately 40% of people will struggle with age-related memory lapses at some point during their lifetime, especially over age 65. In addition, our reliance on electronic devices rather than our brains to remember names, dates, and numbers is only making the situation worse. Perhaps it is no surprise, then, that public demand for cognitive enhancement products is growing rapidly.
And yet, not all supplements are created equal. The fast-growing market for brain-boosting supplements has lured many companies to release ineffective supplements containing questionable ingredients with little or no proof of efficacy. That's why our staff decided to review all the most popular mind and memory formulas today and evaluate them for safety and effectiveness. We will show you what to look for, what to avoid, and which products we determined to be the best.
In our analysis, we noticed a number of companies making exaggerated claims about the cognitive improvements you can realize by using their products, not all of which are likely. What kind of results can you realistically expect from a brain supplement?
When Will You See Results?
The ingredients in most cognitive health products can provide some noticeable improvements within 30 days. However, it may take additional time to restore optimal acetylcholine production and maximize your brain's ability to forge new neural pathways.
Research suggests that 3 months of daily use helps significantly increase the likelihood of lasting improvement. Here is a reasonable timeline to expect:
- Month 1: You may feel less forgetful and more focused as you experience less frequent "senior moments."
- Month 2: You may notice that your short-term memory feels considerably sharper with greater capacity and faster recall.
- Month 3: Peak cognitive potential is reached. You may experience long-lasting improvement in memory retention, greater concentration and alertness, and a renewed confidence in your mind.
Tip: For best results, focus on consistency. Adding an effective memory supplement to your daily routine for at least 3 months promotes exponential improvement, as each dose builds on the benefits of the last.
So, what characteristics distinguish top-tier mind and memory products from the rest of the pack?
The 5 Must-Have Ingredients for a Good Memory Supplement
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Alpha GPC
Alpha GPC naturally occurs in the body as a precursor to acetylcholine, one of the key neurotransmitters in the brain's neural network. As a supplement, this compound rapidly crosses the blood-brain barrier and helps promote the synthesis of acetylcholine. In addition, alpha GPC encourages the development of cell membranes in the cerebral cortex, or "gray matter," for improved mental processing.
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Huperzine A
Huperzine A has been shown to increase bioavailable levels of acetylcholine by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks it down, acetylcholinesterase. This fosters an ideal environment to form new neural connections and improve memory retention. Note that while huperzine A is extracted from huperzia serrata, they are not the same ingredient. Look for supplements that specifically contain huperzine A.
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Hericium Erinaceus
Used for thousands of years by Buddhist monks to increase focus during meditation, hericium erinaceus helps improve cognition by enhancing activity of choline acetyltransferase, which is responsible for the synthesis of acetylcholine in the body. This brain-boosting mushroom also helps promote production of nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein that plays a crucial role in maintaining and regenerating neurons.
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Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa monnieri is an herb commonly used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for its positive influence on memory and focus. Studies indicate the bacoside compounds contained in this potent plant cross the blood-brain barrier and, like huperzine A, help boost levels of acetylcholine by limiting its breakdown by acetylcholinesterase. In this way, bacopa monnieri helps generate new neural pathways.
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Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba, one of the world's oldest tree species, has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine for its neuroprotective effects. Its root bark and leaves are rich in ginkgolide compounds, which help promote higher concentrations of acetylcholine in key regions of the brain responsible for decision-making and short-term memory recall. They are also beneficial for cerebral blood circulation.
Perhaps even more important, there are certain red flags to be wary of when evaluating a cognitive enhancement supplement.
Warning Signs of Potential Scams
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Lack of Clinical Studies
Be wary of companies that cite the clinical efficacy of individual ingredients within a product rather than the effectiveness of the product as a whole. The highest indicator of quality in a supplement is the commission of a placebo-controlled clinical study for safety and effectiveness by an independent third party. This is of particular importance when assessing the claims of a brain supplement, as participants can be evaluated for quantifiable performance improvements on a standardized cognitive test. You expect the same high standard of research and testing before trusting a medication, so why would you not do the same before trusting a supplement?
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Unproven Ingredients
There are very few natural ingredients for cognitive enhancement that are both potent and safe for consumption. Other herbs and compounds billed as nootropics have little clinical evidence to back their effectiveness. Watch out for supplements that include an extensive list of ingredients to create the illusion of comprehensive support. More is not necessarily better when it comes to your health. Some of the supplements we reviewed contained more than 10 unique ingredients!
Top 5 Cognitive Enhancers of 2024
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the top brain-boosting supplements available today, which provides a summary of our research and analysis:
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| Key Ingredients | |||||
| Alpha GPC | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Huperzine A | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hericium Erinaceus | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Bacopa Monnieri | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Ginkgo Biloba | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Proof of Efficacy | |||||
| Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| No Unproven Ingredients | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Other Considerations | |||||
| No Artificial Additives | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Non-GMO | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gluten-Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Made in a GMP-Certified Laboratory | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Made in the USA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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Below, we break down our rankings and feature detailed reviews of the 5 best cognitive health products we analyzed, beginning with our top pick.
Pros
- Clinically tested against placebo by independent third party
- After 30 days of daily use, study participants scored 51% higher* on a standardized cognitive test
- Contains all 5 must-have ingredients
- No fillers or artificial additives
- Vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Available online, but not currently sold in retail stores
The Bottom Line
We gave RediMind by Nutreance our #1 ranking because it is the only cognitive supplement that meets every one of our strict criteria.
RediMind was clinically tested for safety and effectiveness over the course of 30 days in a placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted by Princeton Consumer Research. Participants were evaluated for their performance on a standardized short-term memory test at 3 separate stages of the study. The researchers found that those taking RediMind for 30 days scored an average of 51% higher than their baseline, significantly better than the placebo group. (Click here for the complete study results).
RediMind contains all 5 of the ingredients we consider essential for optimal memory support, including alpha GPC, huperzine A, hericium erinaceus, bacopa monnieri, and ginkgo biloba. It is also produced in a GMP-certified laboratory in New York.
It is available on Amazon.com, but we found significantly better discounts on Nutreance's website. The company also offers other products for mental health, including a stress relief supplement and a natural sleep aid.
Overall, RediMind is our top pick for cognitive enhancement in 2024.
Click here to visit the product website.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.
Pros
- Contains 3 out of 5 must-have ingredients
- No artificial additives
- Vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free
- Made in the USA
Cons
- No clinical study
- Does not contain alpha GPC or hericium erinaceus
- Contains some ingredients with questionable efficacy
The Bottom Line
MemorAll by Xymogen provides effective cognitive support that includes 3 of the primary ingredients that we look for in a quality brain supplement: huperzine A, bacopa monnieri, and ginkgo biloba.
Acetyl L-carnitine, another ingredient in the formula, has been shown to promote the production of acetylcholine. However, it can be easily obtained through a well-rounded diet, and it must be paired with alpha GPC for maximum bioavailability. Unfortunately, the supplement does not include alpha GPC or hericium erinaceus, both of which are essential for optimal acetylcholine levels and the formation of new neural connections.
The product also contains phosphatidylserine, a naturally occurring compound with neuroprotective potential. However, the most promising clinical trials involved phosphatidylserine derived from bovine brain tissue, while the ingredient in this vegan formula has been extracted from sunflower oil.
Most importantly, it has not been evaluated for safety and effectiveness in a placebo-controlled clinical study, which could justify the inclusion of some ingredients with less certain efficacy.
Click here to visit the product website.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.
Pros
- Contains 2 out of 5 must-have ingredients
- No fillers or artificial additives
- Vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free
- Made in the USA
Cons
- No clinical study
- Does not contain alpha GPC, hericium erinaceus, or bacopa monnieri
- Focuses more on cerebral blood flow than acetylcholine production
The Bottom Line
Membrin by Ortho Molecular Products includes 2 core brain-boosting ingredients, huperzine A (listed as huperzine alkaloids) and ginkgo biloba, along with another cognitive-enhancing compound clinically shown to boost cerebral circulation.
The formula is free from fillers and additives and is made in the USA.
Membrin does not contain alpha GPC, hericium erinaceus, or bacopa monnieri, each of which are critical to help promote optimal production of acetylcholine for better focus, faster recall, and improved neuroplasticity. This appears to be by design, as Ortho Molecular Products indicates that the product is geared toward improved blood flow in the brain. While this approach to cognitive enhancement has its merits, it does not address age-related decline of acetylcholine production and its impact on memory.
They have not tested the product for efficacy in a clinical study. One final note: this supplement has been contraindicated for women of childbearing age, as it may negatively impact fertility.
Click here to visit the product website.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.
4. CogniAid by Designs for Health
Pros
- Contains 2 out of 5 must-have ingredients
- No artificial additives
- Vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free
- Made in the USA
Cons
- No clinical study
- Does not contain alpha GPC, hericium erinaceus, or ginkgo biloba
- Contains some ingredients with limited proof of efficacy
The Bottom Line
CogniAid by Designs for Health features 2 of the most essential ingredients for effective cognitive enhancement, huperzine A and bacopa monnieri, plus 3 other compounds for mind and memory support.
The formula prominently contains Memophenol, a proprietary extract of grape and wild blueberry, and NooGandha, a trademarked derivation of ashwagandha. Both of these ingredients have been tested individually for safety and effectiveness in clinical studies. However, the results were mixed.
In the case of Memophenol, one study of college students indicated better cognitive performance by 36%, but a larger study of elderly subjects found no significant effect on overall cognitive test scores. Meanwhile, the 2 studies available for NooGandha demonstrated improvement in short-term memory, but the statistical increases were small.
The product does not contain alpha GPC, hericium erinaceus, or ginkgo biloba, each of which promotes faster decision-making and better memory retention by supporting acetylcholine levels. More importantly, the product as a whole has not been tested by an independent, third-party clinical study.
Click here to visit the product website.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.
5. Ceriva by Metagenics
Pros
- Contains huperzine A
- No fillers or artificial additives
- Non-GMO and gluten-free
- Made in the USA
Cons
- No clinical study
- Does not contain 4 out of 5 must-have ingredients
- Not vegan
The Bottom Line
Ceriva by Metagenics contains huperzine A, one of the most powerful natural compounds available to boost acetylcholine and sharpen your mind. This ingredient is paired with a polypeptide complex derived from colostrum, which has shown neuroprotective effects for individuals with age-related memory lapses in several studies. However, no consensus has been reached regarding the mechanism of action behind these cognitive benefits.
While the product's stated goal is to aid the body's natural modulation of acetylcholine, the formula is missing 4 out of our 5 must-have ingredients for optimal acetylcholine production. While the colostrum-derived polypeptide complex shows promise and huperzine A alone can help boost short-term memory, a stronger supporting cast of ingredients would be preferred. A clinical study would go a long way to validate the formula's efficacy.
Lastly, if you are allergic to dairy or lactose-intolerant, take note that this supplement's polypeptide complex is derived from milk.
Click here to visit the product website.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.