Home Top Picks Cognitive
Cognitive

Best cognitive
supplements.

Ingredients proven to support memory, focus, mental clarity, and long-term brain health — from clinically-validated nootropics to neuroprotective antioxidants.

61
Ingredients
264
Clinical trials
3
Trending now
🏆 Evidence Ranked
Top Cognitive Supplements
Ranked by evidence level, then number of clinical trials.
#1 Pick
Cognitive
Melatonin
Melatonin, a hormone naturally produced by the pineal gland, is a common supplement ingredient used to regulat…
Very Strong
10 trials
#2 Pick
Cardiovascular
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids, primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic ac…
Very Strong
10 trials
#3 Pick
Cognitive
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin commonly supplemented as cyanocobalamin or me…
Very Strong
10 trials
#4 Pick
Muscle & Recovery
Magnesium
Magnesium supplements, typically containing magnesium in forms like magnesium citrate, oxide, glycinate, or ma…
Very Strong
9 trials
#5 Pick
Energy
Caffeine
Caffeine, a natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, and other plants, is commonly supplemented in forms like c…
Very Strong
8 trials
📈 Trending Now
Fastest Growing Cognitive Ingredients
Ingredients seeing rapid growth in research interest and formulator adoption in 2024–2025.
Trending
Energy
NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)
NMN is a direct precursor to NAD+, a coenzyme essential for cellular energy production, DNA repair, and sirtui…
Moderate
2 trials
Trending
Cognitive
PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone)
Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a redox-active coenzyme and potent antioxidant naturally present in human br…
Moderate
2 trials
Trending
Antioxidant
Ergothioneine (ErgoActive®)
Ergothioneine (EGT) is a naturally occurring amino acid and potent antioxidant synthesized exclusively by cert…
Moderate
3 trials
🔬 Emerging Research
Future Cognitive Ingredients to Watch
Lower evidence now but active research underway — these may become top picks within 2–3 years.
Emerging
Cognitive
Saffron Extract (Saffretine®)
Saffron is the dried stigma of Crocus sativus, the most expensive spice in the world by weight, with a rich hi…
Strong
3 trials
Emerging
Antioxidant
Ergothioneine (ErgoActive®)
Ergothioneine (EGT) is a naturally occurring amino acid and potent antioxidant synthesized exclusively by cert…
Moderate
3 trials
Emerging
Cognitive
Zembrin® (Sceletium tortuosum)
Zembrin® (PLT Health Solutions) is a patented, standardized extract of Sceletium tortuosum — a South African s…
Moderate
2 trials
Emerging
Cognitive
Sage Extract / Cognivia® (Salvia officinalis)
Sage (Salvia officinalis) has a centuries-long reputation as a memory herb — its Latin name derives from 'salv…
Moderate
2 trials
All Ingredients
All 61 Cognitive Supplements
Complete list, sorted by evidence strength.
Cognitive
Melatonin
Melatonin, a hormone naturally produced by the pineal gland, is a common supplement ingredient used to regulat…
Very Strong
10 trials
Cardiovascular
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids, primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic ac…
Very Strong
10 trials
Cognitive
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin commonly supplemented as cyanocobalamin or me…
Very Strong
10 trials
Muscle & Recovery
Magnesium
Magnesium supplements, typically containing magnesium in forms like magnesium citrate, oxide, glycinate, or ma…
Very Strong
9 trials
Energy
Caffeine
Caffeine, a natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, and other plants, is commonly supplemented in forms like c…
Very Strong
8 trials
Metabolic Health
Folate
Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is a water-soluble vitamin commonly supplemented as folic acid or its bioact…
Very Strong
8 trials
Cardiovascular
Pycnogenol® (French Maritime Pine Bark)
Pycnogenol® (Horphag Research) is a standardized extract from the bark of French maritime pine trees grown alo…
Very Strong
4 trials
Cognitive
Citicoline
Citicoline, a naturally occurring compound, enhances cognitive function and memory by increasing acetylcholine…
Strong
10 trials
Cognitive
Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine, a phospholipid found in cell membranes, supports cognitive function and memory by enhancin…
Strong
10 trials
Cognitive
Alpha-GPC
Alpha-GPC (L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine) is a natural compound and dietary supplement that serves as a pr…
Strong
9 trials
Cognitive
L-Theanine
L-Theanine, an amino acid primarily found in green tea (Camellia sinensis), is commonly supplemented in doses…
Strong
8 trials
Cognitive
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that may reduce stress, enhance mood, and support overall vitality by modul…
Strong
7 trials
Cognitive
KSM-66®
KSM-66 Ashwagandha, a standardized root extract, promotes stress relief and cognitive clarity by balancing cor…
Strong
7 trials
Antioxidant
Green Tea
Green tea extract, derived from Camellia sinensis leaves, is rich in antioxidants like catechins, particularly…
Strong
6 trials
Energy
Thiamine
Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for converting carbohydrates into ene…
Strong
5 trials
Cognitive
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is a water-soluble vitamin essential for amino acid metabolism, neurotransmitter synth…
Strong
5 trials
Energy
Nicotinamide Riboside (Niagen®)
Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) is a form of vitamin B3 and a direct precursor to NAD+, the coenzyme central to cel…
Strong
4 trials
Cognitive
Saffron Extract (Saffretine®)
Saffron is the dried stigma of Crocus sativus, the most expensive spice in the world by weight, with a rich hi…
Strong
3 trials
Cognitive
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) is the acetylated form of L-carnitine — a naturally occurring amino acid derivative…
Strong
2 trials
Antioxidant
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring organosulfur compound and universal antioxidant active in bot…
Strong
2 trials
Cognitive
Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) is a cornerstone herb in Ayurvedic medicine with over 3,000 years of use for cognitiv…
Strong
2 trials
Cognitive
Choline
Choline is an essential nutrient and precursor to acetylcholine (the primary learning and memory neurotransmit…
Strong
2 trials
Metabolic Health
Inositol (Myo-Inositol)
Inositol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol acting as a secondary messenger in insulin signaling and criti…
Strong
2 trials
Cognitive
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is an aromatic Mediterranean herb whose flowers and essential oil have been used for millennia for th…
Strong
2 trials
Athletic Performance
Nitrosigine® (Arginine Silicate)
Nitrosigine® (Nutrition 21) is a patented, inositol-stabilized arginine silicate complex specifically engineer…
Strong
2 trials
Cognitive
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogenic herb from arctic and mountainous regions of Europe and Asia, used for centuri…
Strong
2 trials
Cognitive
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
St. John's Wort is a flowering plant with over 2,000 years of medicinal use and one of the most extensively st…
Strong
2 trials
Cognitive
Suntheanine®
Suntheanine® is a patented, 100% pure L-isomer theanine produced via an enzymatic process that mimics biosynth…
Strong
2 trials
Cognitive
PhosphatidylCholine
Phosphatidylcholine, a vital phospholipid in cell membranes, supports brain health, liver function, and cognit…
Moderate
9 trials
Muscle & Recovery
Glycine
Glycine is a non-essential amino acid found in protein-rich foods and synthesized by the body, playing a key r…
Moderate
7 trials
Cardiovascular
Taurine
Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid found in high concentrations in the heart, brain, and muscles, suppo…
Moderate
7 trials
Cognitive
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan)
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is a naturally occurring compound derived from L-tryptophan, serving as a direct p…
Moderate
6 trials
Energy
Ginseng
Ginseng, derived from the roots of plants like Panax ginseng, contains ginsenosides, active compounds known fo…
Moderate
6 trials
Cognitive
Lion's Mane Mushroom
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a medicinal and edible mushroom with long, white, cascading spines resembl…
Moderate
6 trials
Cognitive
CBD (Cannabidiol)
CBD oil is a natural extract derived from the cannabis plant, rich in cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive compound…
Moderate
5 trials
Cognitive
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is a popular herbal supplement derived from the leaves of the Ginkgo tree, one of the oldest liv…
Moderate
5 trials
Cognitive
SAMe (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine)
S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe) is a naturally occurring compound in the body, synthesized from methionine and…
Moderate
4 trials
Antioxidant
Ergothioneine (ErgoActive®)
Ergothioneine (EGT) is a naturally occurring amino acid and potent antioxidant synthesized exclusively by cert…
Moderate
3 trials
Energy
Shilajit / Fulvic Acid (PrimaVie®)
Shilajit is a mineral-rich resinous exudate formed over millennia from the decomposition of plant matter compr…
Moderate
3 trials
Cognitive
Alpinia Galanga (enXtra®)
enXtra® (OmniActive Health Technologies) is a patented, caffeine-free standardized extract of Alpinia galanga…
Moderate
2 trials
Cognitive
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chamomile is one of the most widely consumed herbal teas globally and among the oldest documented medicinal pl…
Moderate
2 trials
Cognitive
Coffee Fruit Extract (CoffeeFruit Pure™)
Coffee fruit extract (CFE) is derived from the pulp of the coffee cherry — the red fruit surrounding the coffe…
Moderate
2 trials
Cognitive
Holy Basil (Tulsi)
Holy basil (Tulsi) is a sacred plant in Ayurvedic medicine and one of the most revered adaptogens in Indian tr…
Moderate
2 trials
Cognitive
L-Tryptophan
L-Tryptophan is an essential amino acid and the sole dietary precursor to serotonin and melatonin — neurotrans…
Moderate
2 trials
Cognitive
L-Tyrosine
L-Tyrosine is a conditionally essential amino acid and the direct precursor to the catecholamine neurotransmit…
Moderate
2 trials
Energy
MCT Oil (Medium-Chain Triglycerides)
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are saturated fatty acids with 6–12 carbon chains (caprylic C8, capric C10,…
Moderate
2 trials
Energy
NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)
NMN is a direct precursor to NAD+, a coenzyme essential for cellular energy production, DNA repair, and sirtui…
Moderate
2 trials
Cognitive
PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone)
Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a redox-active coenzyme and potent antioxidant naturally present in human br…
Moderate
2 trials
Immune Support
Reishi Mushroom
Reishi mushroom, known as the 'mushroom of immortality' in Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been used for ove…
Moderate
2 trials
Energy
RiaGev® (NR + D-Ribose NAD+ Complex)
RiaGev® (Bioenergy Life Science) is a patented combination of nicotinamide riboside (NR) and D-ribose — two co…
Moderate
2 trials
Cognitive
Sage Extract / Cognivia® (Salvia officinalis)
Sage (Salvia officinalis) has a centuries-long reputation as a memory herb — its Latin name derives from 'salv…
Moderate
2 trials
Cognitive
SalidroPure™ (Pure Salidroside)
SalidroPure™ is NNB Nutrition's precision-fermented pure salidroside — the primary bioactive compound in Rhodi…
Moderate
2 trials
Cognitive
Spearmint Extract (Neumentix®)
Neumentix® (Kemin Industries) is a patented spearmint extract standardized for rosmarinic acid and other polyp…
Moderate
2 trials
Energy
TeaCrine® (Theacrine)
TeaCrine® is Compound Solutions' patented theacrine — a purine alkaloid structurally related to caffeine but w…
Moderate
2 trials
Antioxidant
Terminalia Chebula (Rejuna®)
Terminalia chebula (Haritaki, Black myrobalan) is the most revered herb in Tibetan and Ayurvedic medicine — ca…
Moderate
2 trials
Cognitive
Valerian Root
Valerian root is one of the most widely used herbal sleep aids in Western medicine, with a history of use dati…
Moderate
2 trials
Cognitive
Zembrin® (Sceletium tortuosum)
Zembrin® (PLT Health Solutions) is a patented, standardized extract of Sceletium tortuosum — a South African s…
Moderate
2 trials
Cognitive
Kava (Piper methysticum)
Kava is a plant native to the Pacific Islands whose root has been consumed ceremonially for over 3,000 years a…
Moderate
1 trial
Cognitive
GABA
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, promotes relaxation, reduces…
Limited
10 trials
Energy
Guayusa (AMATEA® Organic Guayusa)
Guayusa (Ilex guayusa) is a caffeinated holly tree native to the upper Amazon basin, traditionally consumed as…
Limited
2 trials
Cognitive
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Feverfew is a daisy-family herb with a long history of use in European folk medicine for fevers, headaches, an…
Limited
1 trial