Home Ingredients Cognivia™ (Garden + Spanish Sage Cognitive)
Cognitive

Cognivia™ (Garden + Spanish Sage Cognitive)

Evidence Level
Moderate
2 Clinical Trials
4 Documented Benefits
3/5 Evidence Score

Cognivia™ is a sage-based cognitive ingredient from Nexira (France) combining garden sage (Salvia officinalis) leaf extract with encapsulated Spanish sage (Salvia lavandulifolia) essential oil. Two RCTs support working memory, reaction time, and reduced perceived exertion benefits at the standard 600 mg/day dose.

Studied Dose 600 mg/day (400 mg garden sage aqueous extract + 50 microliters Spanish sage essential oil).
Active Compound Standardized Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis) + encapsulated Spanish Sage (Salvia lavandulifolia) essential oil.

Benefits

Working memory in healthy adults

In healthy adults aged 30-60, 600 mg Cognivia™ vs placebo daily, the most consistent benefit appeared on accuracy and working memory tasks, with chronic effects stronger than acute. Effects assessed via the COMPASS cognitive battery.

Supported by Trial 1

Reaction time and perceived exertion during physical activity

A crossover trial during fatiguing cycling exercise reported a +9% increase in numeric working memory, consistent reductions in reaction time across multiple test points, and reduced rate of perceived exertion vs placebo. Effects were observed both acutely and after two weeks of supplementation, before, during, and after exercise.

Supported by Trial 2

Acute and chronic effects from a single dose

Both clinical studies report measurable benefits from a single intake plus continued or strengthening effects with daily use. This contrasts with many cognitive ingredients that require 4-12 weeks before any signal — useful for both event-driven (exam, presentation, gaming session) and ongoing daily cognitive support.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Synergy from combined sage species

Garden sage is rich in polyphenols (rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid); Spanish sage is rich in monoterpenes (1,8-cineole, camphor, alpha-pinene). A preclinical in vivo study reported the combination outperformed either sage alone on long-term memory, supporting the rationale for the dual-extract format.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Mechanism of action

1

Acetylcholinesterase inhibition (modest)

Both sage species contain compounds with documented acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, which would slow acetylcholine breakdown at synapses and support memory and attention. The effect is modest — not comparable to pharmaceutical AChE inhibitors used for Alzheimer's disease.

2

CamKII pathway activation

Nexira's in vivo mechanism study identified activation of the CamKII (Calcium/Calmodulin-dependent protein Kinase II) pathway, which is central to memory consolidation and synaptic plasticity. This is a preclinical mechanistic finding consistent with the cognitive endpoints seen in human trials.

3

Encapsulated essential oil delivery

The Spanish sage essential oil is encapsulated to protect volatile monoterpenes (1,8-cineole, camphor, α-pinene) from oxidation and to allow incorporation into capsule, tablet, stick pack, or powder formats.

4

Polyphenol antioxidant activity

Rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid in garden sage have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in cellular models, which may contribute to the broader neuroprotective rationale though they are not the primary tested endpoint.

Clinical trials

1
Northumbria University Working Memory Clinical Trial

Wightman EL et al., 13(1):218.

94 healthy adults aged 30-60

Wightman EL et al., 13(1):218. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study, n=94 healthy adults aged 30-60, 600 mg Cognivia™ (400 mg garden sage extract + 50 µL Spanish sage essential oil) or placebo daily for 29 days. Working memory and accuracy task outcomes improved most strongly on day 29, with chronic effects more pronounced than single-dose. Industry-funded by Nexira.

2
INSERM Sports Performance Clinical Trial — Salvia During Fatiguing Exercise

Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté + Nexira, Frontiers in.

Clinical population described in trial publication.

Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté + Nexira, Frontiers in. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial during fatiguing cycling exercise. Reported +9% improvement on numeric working memory, consistent reaction-time reductions across test points, and lower rate of perceived exertion. Effects independent of exercise timing (before, during, after). Industry-funded by Nexira.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated.
Mild GI distress (rare).
Allergic reactions to Lamiaceae family (mint family) rare.
Sage essential oil concentrated forms (not Cognivia at typical doses) can be neurotoxic — encapsulation technology and dose ensure safety in Cognivia™.
Headache rare.
Drowsiness rare.

Important Drug interactions

Anticholinergic medications — opposing mechanism; relevance unclear at modest AChE inhibition.
Sedatives — minimal interaction.
Diabetes medications — modest hypoglycemic effects from sage; minor.
Anticoagulants — theoretical at very high doses; minimal at supplemental doses.
Pregnancy — sage essential oil traditionally cautioned in pregnancy (uterotonic concerns at high doses); avoid Cognivia™ supplementation in pregnancy.
Lactation — sage may reduce lactation; avoid during breastfeeding (especially if establishing/maintaining supply).

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Frequently asked questions about Cognivia™ (Garden + Spanish Sage Cognitive)

What is Cognivia?

Cognivia™ is a sage-based cognitive ingredient from Nexira (France) combining garden sage (Salvia officinalis) leaf extract with encapsulated Spanish sage (Salvia lavandulifolia) essential oil. Two RCTs support working memory, reaction time, and reduced perceived exertion benefits at the standard 600 mg/day dose.

What is Cognivia used for?

Cognivia is researched primarily for Cognitive. In healthy adults aged 30-60, 600 mg Cognivia™ vs placebo daily, the most consistent benefit appeared on accuracy and working memory tasks, with chronic effects stronger than acute. Effects assessed via the Compass cognitive battery.

What is the recommended dosage of Cognivia?

The clinically studied dose is 600 mg/day (400 mg garden sage aqueous extract + 50 microliters Spanish sage essential oil). Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Cognivia safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Cognivia is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well-tolerated. Mild GI distress (rare). It may also interact with some medications. Cognivia is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Cognivia interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Anticholinergic medications — opposing mechanism; relevance unclear at modest AChE inhibition. Sedatives — minimal interaction. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Cognivia?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Cognivia as Moderate (3 out of 5). It is backed by 2 clinical trials and 4 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(4 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Wightman EL, Jackson PA, Spittlehouse B, Heffernan T, Guillemet D, Kennedy DO. The Acute and Chronic Cognitive Effects of a Sage Extract: A Randomized, Placebo Controlled Study in Healthy Humans. Nutrients. 2021;13(1):218. doi: 10.3390/nu13010218.PubMedUsed to support: The pivotal Northumbria University RCT (n=94) on Cognivia™ sage extract demonstrating acute and sustained improvements in working memory and reaction time in healthy adults; directly supports the core cognitive benefit claims listed.
  2. Scholey AB, Tildesley NTJ, Ballard CG, Wesnes KA, Tasker A, Perry EK, Kennedy DO. An extract of Salvia (sage) with anticholinesterase properties improves memory and attention in healthy older volunteers. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2008;198(1):127-139. doi: 10.1007/s00213-008-1101-3.PubMedUsed to support: RCT demonstrating standardized Salvia officinalis extract (same botanical as Cognivia's garden sage component) improved memory and attention in healthy older adults via cholinesterase inhibition; supports working memory claims.
  3. Kennedy DO, Dodd FL, Robertson BC, Okello EJ, Reay JL, Scholey AB, Haskell CF. Monoterpenoid extract of sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia) with cholinesterase inhibiting properties improves cognitive performance and mood in healthy adults. J Psychopharmacol. 2011;25(8):1088-1100. doi: 10.1177/0269881110385594.PubMedUsed to support: Placebo-controlled RCT on Salvia lavandulaefolia essential oil (the Spanish sage component of Cognivia) demonstrating improved cognitive performance and mood in healthy adults; supports synergy from combined sage species claim.
  4. Tildesley NTJ, Kennedy DO, Perry EK, Ballard CG, Wesnes KA, Scholey AB. Positive modulation of mood and cognitive performance following administration of acute doses of Salvia lavandulaefolia essential oil to healthy young volunteers. Physiol Behav. 2005;83(5):699-709. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2004.09.010.PubMedUsed to support: Acute-dose RCT showing Salvia lavandulaefolia essential oil improved memory and mood in young healthy volunteers; supports the acute cognitive effects claim and single-dose benefit of the Spanish sage component in Cognivia.