Popular Brain Boosters
Popular “Brain Boosters”: Buyer Beware-What the Evidence Really Shows
NOTE: The supplements below are often marketed as memory or brain enhancers. While the claims may sound compelling, current scientific evidence does not support their routine use for brain health or Alzheimer’s disease.
Message from our Founder:
“Products like Prevagen are widely advertised, but scientific studies have not shown that they prevent Alzheimer’s, or meaningfully improve memory. If supplements are used at all, it’s best to focus on correcting real deficiencies or supporting overall nutrition—rather than relying on heavily marketed ‘memory boosters’.”
-Rosemary Laird, MD, Chief Medical Officer, NAN Navigator
What to know about over-the counter memory supplements
Mass Marketed Supplements: Prevagen, Cognitive Max, Memorall, Neuriva, Redimind, Membrin, CogniAid, Ceriva, Stonehenge Health Dynamic Brain, Qualia Mind, Genious Consciousness, Noobru, Neuro Fuel, Alpha Brain, Focus Factor
Common claims
Improves memory, focus, and brain function
What the evidence shows
These products are heavily marketed, but not supported by high-quality evidence
No reliable trials show that they:
Prevent Alzheimer’s disease
Slow disease progression
Produce meaningful, consistent memory improvement
Prevagen
Active ingredient:Apoaequorin, a protein originally derived from jellyfish.
Claimed mechanism: Helps support brain function by regulating calcium in brain cells.
What the evidence shows:
1. Biologic plausibility is weak
Apoaequorin is a protein.
When taken by mouth, proteins are broken down during digestion into amino acids.
There is no credible evidence that intact apoaequorin reaches the brain or affects neuronal calcium signaling.
2. Clinical trial evidence is poor
The primary study used to market Prevagen was:
Company-sponsored
Showed no consistent benefit on primary cognitive outcomes
There are no high-quality, independent randomized controlled trials showing that Prevagen:
Prevents Alzheimer’s disease
Slows progression of Alzheimer’s disease
Produces meaningful, reproducible memory improvement
3. Regulatory action
In 2017, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the New York Attorney General challenged the company behind Prevagen for false and misleading advertising.
The court found that the claims were not supported by reliable scientific evidence
As a result, Quincy Bioscience (the manufacturer) was prohibited from claiming that Prevagen improves memory or brain function without competent scientific proof. However, they can still sell the product.
Ginkgo biloba
Common claims
Improves memory and brain circulation
What the evidence shows
A large, well-designed randomized trial found that ginkgo (120 mg twice daily) did not reduce the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease in older adults with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) concludes there is no conclusive evidence that ginkgo prevents or slows cognitive decline.
Risks
Can increase bleeding risk and interact with blood thinners
Bottom line
Insufficient evidence to recommend for brain health or dementia
Curcumin / turmeric extracts
Common claims
Anti-inflammatory and anti-amyloid effects
What the evidence shows
Human studies are small, inconsistent, and inconclusive
No high-quality trials demonstrate clear cognitive or disease-modifying benefit
Bottom line
Insufficient evidence to recommend for brain health or dementia
“Medical food” or multi-nutrient blends for Alzheimer’s
(e.g., Fortasyn Connect / Souvenaid)
Common claims
Targeted nutrients to support synapse and brain membrane function
What the evidence shows
In early or mild Alzheimer’s disease, trials show no consistent benefit to memory and thinking.
In mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease, at least one trial found no slowing of overall cognitive decline.
Generally well tolerated, but often expensive.
Bottom line
Interesting but not definitive
Might help some early-stage outcomes in some people, but there is no substantial proof.
Here are two related articles in our supplement series:
Intro to Brain Health Supplements
Please talk with your own/loved one’s healthcare provider before using any of this information.
