Top 5 — Ranked by Evidence
Very Strong
Caffeine
Alertness and reduced mental fatigue
100–400 mg/day; performance: 3–6 mg/kg body weight 60 minutes pre-exercise; upper safe
Very Strong
Creatine Monohydrate
Memory, with clearer effects in older adults
Standard daily: 3-5 g/day (no loading needed). Optional loading: 20 g/day × 5-7 days,
Moderate
Bacopa Monnieri
Memory consolidation and recall of new information
300–450 mg/day of 55% bacoside-standardized extract; effects require 8–12 weeks of
Strong
Ashwagandha
Cognitive Function
KSM-66® root extract: 300-600 mg/day (most stress/sleep trials). Shoden®: 120-240
Strong
EssentiOmega® (Fish Oil Omega-3 Concentrate — Naturmega)
Normal brain function (DHA)
Commonly 1 to 3 g of combined EPA and DHA per day.
📈 Fastest Growing Cognitive Ingredients
Branded ingredients seeing rapid growth in formulator adoption and clinical research in 2024–2026.
Trending
Strong
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Brain & nervous system support (DHA)
At least 250 mg/day EPA+DHA for the general population; about 1 g/day EPA in EPA-rich mood…
Trending
Very Strong
Creatine Monohydrate
Memory, with clearer effects in older adults
3 to 5 g a day (about 0.1 g per kg). Optional loading: about 20 g a day in four 5 g doses for…
Trending
Moderate
Lutemax® 2020 (Lutein + Both Zeaxanthins — OmniActive)
Supports memory, attention and processing speed
Adults: 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthins or 20 mg + 4 mg daily (about 12 to 27 mg total…
🔬 Future Cognitive Ingredients to Watch
Lower current evidence but active research underway — these may become top picks within 2–3 years.
Watch
Moderate
Lion's Mane Mushroom
Brain Health and Cognitive Support
500–3,000 mg/day dried mushroom powder; extract: 250–500 mg/day (standardized to >30%…
Watch
Moderate
EGb 761® (Standardized Ginkgo biloba Extract — Dr. Willmar Schwabe)
Cognition and daily function
240 mg/day in the dementia and prevention trials, taken once daily or as 120 mg twice daily;…
Watch
Moderate
Neumentix® (Spearmint Extract — Kemin)
Working memory in older adults
900 mg/day, taken as two capsules once daily, matching the Neumentix cognitive trials…
Watch
Limited
SaraPEPP™ Nu (Timut / Nepalese Pepper)
Caffeine-free cognitive/energy support
In the published trial: 4 soft-gel capsules per day (2 morning, 2 evening, with food)…
Recommended Cognitive Products
Heads up: NutraSmarts may earn a commission from purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you. We curate these picks based on the same evidence we cite throughout the page. Full disclosure.
Real products featuring the best-evidenced cognitive ingredients ranked above - chosen for clinically-studied forms and doses, third-party testing, and value. Match the supplement to your specific need.
Best for brain & overall omega-3 support
Amazon →
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega
1,280 mg omega-3/serving (EPA/DHA), 120 softgels
High-potency triglyceride-form fish oil with substantial EPA/DHA; lemon-flavored, non-GMO, third-party purity tested.
Best for focus & memory support
Amazon →
Jarrow Formulas Citicoline (CDP Choline)
250 mg capsules, 120 ct
Citicoline supports brain energy metabolism and attention; non-GMO, vegan, up to a 120-day supply.
Best for focus & nervous-system support
Amazon →
Host Defense Lion's Mane Capsules
Organic mycelium capsules, 120 ct
Certified-organic lion's mane from mycologist-founded Host Defense, U.S.-grown and vegan.
Best for calm, focused alertness
Amazon →
NOW Foods L-Theanine Double Strength 200 mg
200 mg + 100 mg inositol veg capsules, 120 ct
L-theanine, the amino acid from green tea, promotes relaxation without drowsiness; vegetarian, non-GMO, pairs with caffeine.
All Cognitive Ingredients (158)
Very Strong
Caffeine
Alertness and reduced mental fatigue
100–400 mg/day; performance: 3–6 mg/kg body weight 60 minutes pre-exercise; upper safe
Very Strong
Creatine Monohydrate
Memory, with clearer effects in older adults
Standard daily: 3-5 g/day (no loading needed). Optional loading: 20 g/day × 5-7 days,
Moderate
Bacopa Monnieri
Memory consolidation and recall of new information
300–450 mg/day of 55% bacoside-standardized extract; effects require 8–12 weeks of
Strong
Ashwagandha
Cognitive Function
KSM-66® root extract: 300-600 mg/day (most stress/sleep trials). Shoden®: 120-240
Strong
EssentiOmega® (Fish Oil Omega-3 Concentrate — Naturmega)
Normal brain function (DHA)
Commonly 1 to 3 g of combined EPA and DHA per day.
Moderate
Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum and V. angustifolium)
Memory and executive function in older adults
About 22 to 26 g/day of freeze-dried whole-berry powder (roughly 1 cup, or 150 to 180
Moderate
EGb 761® (Standardized Ginkgo biloba Extract — Dr. Willmar Schwabe)
Cognition and daily function
120–240 mg/day; dementia and anxiety trials predominantly used 240 mg/day, given once
Moderate
L-Theanine
Attention and reaction time
200 mg/day in the 4-week healthy-adult trial; 400 mg/day in the stress and sleep trials; 450 to 900 mg/day in the anxiety trial, which was negative. No cited trial combined l-theanine with caffeine.
Moderate
Hericium erinaceus (Mycelium vs Fruiting Body — Strain Specifics)
Mild Cognitive Impairment 16-week trial
Fruiting body powder: 3 g/day × 16 weeks (the mild cognitive impairment trial
Moderate
Lion's Mane Mushroom
Brain Health and Cognitive Support
500–3,000 mg/day dried mushroom powder; extract: 250–500 mg/day (standardized to >30%
Moderate
Phosphatidylserine
Memory in older adults with memory complaints
100-300 mg/day for cognition, with cited trials using 300 mg/day; athletic doses of 600-800 mg/day are widely quoted but not tested in any study cited here.
Moderate
Sage Extract / Cognivia® (Salvia officinalis)
Memory and cognitive performance
COGNIVIA®: 600 mg/day (400 mg S. officinalis aqueous + 50 µL S. lavandulaefolia oil).
Moderate
TeaCrine® (Theacrine)
Clean energy & sustained focus
STANDARD: 100-300 mg/day (safety to 300 mg × 8 wk continuous). STACK: 125-150 mg
Moderate
Veri-te™ Resveratrol (Evolva)
Cognitive performance in aging women
RESHAW PIVOTAL: 75 mg trans-resveratrol BID = 150 mg/day × 12-24 months in
Limited
Aniracetam (Ro 13-5057)
Studied as an unapproved drug in mild Alzheimer's dementia (a medical research use, not a…
AD RCT: 1500 mg/day × 6 mo. STANDARD: 750-1500 mg/day in 2-3 doses with meals.
Limited
Cerebrolysin (FPF-1070)
Vascular dementia — strongest indication
VASCULAR DEMENTIA: 20 mL IV/day × two 4-wk courses. STROKE (CARS-1/2): 30 mL/day IV ×
Limited
Piracetam (2-Oxo-1-pyrrolidine-acetamide)
Cognitive impairment in elderly — evidence is mixed and conflicted
DEMENTIA: 2.4-9.6 g/day. UCB MCI: 4.8-9.6 g/day × 12 mo. STROKE: 4.8-9.6 g/day. AD: 8
Moderate
Citicoline
Memory in age-associated memory impairment
250–500 mg/day (as Cognizin®); cognitive: 500 mg/day; stroke recovery studies use
Moderate
Coffee Fruit Extract (CoffeeFruit Pure™)
BDNF elevation — the brain growth factor
100–200 mg/day whole coffee fruit concentrate; NeuroFactor™ clinical dose: 100 mg/day
Moderate
enXtra® (Standardized Alpinia galanga Extract — OmniActive)
Sustained 5-hour alertness
300 mg/day is the dose used in the single-dose trials; the 12-week trial used a higher dose, reported as 600 mg a day.
Moderate
GeniusPure® (High-Purity Alpha-GPC)
Memory, learning, and cognitive enhancement
Healthy adults: 315 mg or 630 mg as a single dose in the GeniusPure trial, or 600 mg/day for six days. Alzheimer's trials used 1,200 mg/day, a medical rather than general supplement dose.
Moderate
Ginkgo 24/6 (Standardized Ginkgo biloba Extract)
Cognition and memory
240 mg a day of EGb761 (standardized to 24% flavone glycosides, 6% terpene lactones) for 22 to 26 weeks; lower intakes such as 120 mg a day are not what the meta-analysis tested.
Moderate
KSM-66®
Memory and Focus
600 mg/day of root extract, usually 300 mg twice daily, in most trials; a 250 mg/day arm was also tested, and 675 mg/day in the oligospermia trial.
Moderate
Longvida® Optimized Curcumin (Verdure Sciences)
Cognitive Function (400 mg/day)
400 mg/day Longvida (cognitive applications); 800 mg/day (joint health, exercise
Moderate
Lutemax® 2020 (Lutein + Both Zeaxanthins — OmniActive)
Supports memory, attention and processing speed
Adults: 10mg lutein+2mg zeaxanthin (low) or 20mg+4mg (high) daily. Children: 10mg+2mg
Moderate
Neumentix® (Spearmint Extract — Kemin)
Working memory in older adults
Standard cognitive protocol: 900 mg/day Neumentix® (typically 600 mg morning + 300 mg
Moderate
Neuravena® (Wild Green Oat Extract — Frutarom)
Cognitive Function and Attention
800-1,600 mg/day Neuravena (research-validated)
Moderate
nooLVL® (Inositol-Enhanced Arginine for Gaming & Cognition)
Gaming performance — accuracy and reaction time
1,600 mg/day nooLVL® (clinically tested dose); cognitive benefits within 15 minutes;
Moderate
Pine Bark Extract
Cognitive function support
Standard dose: 100-300 mg/day standardized pine bark extract (≥85% proanthocyanidins).
Limited
Huperzine A
Cognitive Support (Most Human Data Come From Alzheimer's Trials)
50-200 mcg twice daily (100-400 mcg/day total); China research uses up to 400 mcg/day
Limited
Nutricog® (Haritaki + Boswellia Cognitive Performance Complex — PLT Health)
Multi-domain cognitive improvement
Per Nutricog clinical trial protocol — daily dosing for 120 days. Effects on memory
Moderate
Algal Oil DHA (Vegan Omega-3)
Cognitive support in older adults
General health: 200-500 mg DHA/day. Pregnancy: 200-300 mg DHA/day minimum (matches
Moderate
Alpinia galanga (Greater Galangal)
Caffeine-free alertness and attention
300 mg/day standardized Alpinia galanga rhizome extract — the dose used in published
Moderate
Cereboost™ (American Ginseng for Cognition — Givaudan)
Cognitive Performance
200 mg/day Cereboost (research-validated)
Moderate
Choline
Pregnancy intake and infant brain development
425 mg/day (women AI); 550 mg/day (men AI); 930 mg/day (pregnant); up to 3,500 mg/day
Moderate
Ginseng
Mental performance
200–400 mg/day standardized extract (ginsenosides ≥4–7%); American ginseng: 100–200
Moderate
MCT Oil (Medium-Chain Triglycerides)
Ketones reach the brain; the cognition trials are mixed
18 to 24 g/day in the weight-loss trial, up to 30 g/day in others; start near 5 g and build up, since higher doses commonly cause diarrhea.
Moderate
Multivitamin / Multimineral
Cognitive aging slowed by about 2 years (COSMOS-Mind)
STANDARD: 1 tablet/day MVMM ~100% DV most vitamins, 25-100% DV minerals. PHS II +
Moderate
Nitrosigine® (Arginine Silicate)
Cognitive performance and focus
1,500 mg/day; most studies use 1,500 mg taken 30–60 minutes pre-exercise
Moderate
Rhodiola Rosea
Cognitive performance
200–600 mg/day standardized extract; taken before meals
Moderate
Sharp-PS® (Soy-Free Sunflower Phosphatidylserine)
Memory and cognitive support in older adults with complaints
Most cognition and stress trials use 100–400 mg/day PS (typically 100 mg three times
Moderate
Zembrin® (Sceletium tortuosum)
Cognitive performance under stress
8–25 mg/day Zembrin®; anxiety/mood: 8–25 mg/day; cognitive studies use 25 mg/day;
Limited
BaCognize® (Standardized Bacopa monnieri — Verdure Sciences)
Working memory and story recall in healthy students
300 mg/day BaCognize, typically 150 mg twice daily (Kumar 2016 dosing schedule). Some
Limited
Bluenesse® (Lemon Balm Extract — Vital Solutions)
Calm, focused cognition
Around 300 mg per day.
Moderate
BioPS® (Soy Phosphatidylserine — ECA Healthcare)
Memory and cognition
Commonly 100 to 300 mg per day.
Moderate
Dry N-3® (Powdered Omega-3)
Brain and mood support
Commonly 1 to 3 g of combined EPA and DHA per day.
Moderate
Elantria® Algal DHA (Vegan Omega-3 DHA)
Brain and mood support
Commonly 1 to 3 g of combined EPA and DHA per day.
Moderate
Mucuna Pruriens (Velvet Bean / Kapikacchu)
Mood and Cognitive Support
Standardized to L-DOPA content: 250-500 mg L-DOPA per dose for Parkinson-related uses
Moderate
V-Krill Omega® (Krill Omega-3)
Brain and mood support
Commonly 1 to 3 g of combined EPA and DHA per day.
Limited
Alpha-GPC
Cholinergic support for cognition
AD/MCI: 400 mg × 3/day = 1200 mg/day. COGNITIVE: 300-600 mg/day. ATHLETIC: 250-600 mg
Limited
Rosemary Extract (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Memory and mental performance
500 mg dried rosemary or extract twice daily for 1 to 2 months; an extract giving 5 mg
Limited
Anserine (β-alanyl-3-methyl-L-histidine)
Verbal memory preservation in older adults
1.0 g/day of an anserine plus carnosine combination (about 750 mg anserine, 250 mg carnosine); no established dose for anserine alone.
Very Strong
Creapure® (Creatine Monohydrate — AlzChem)
Memory and cognitive performance
Loading: 0.3 g/kg/day for 5–7 days (typically 20 g/day split in 4 doses). Maintenance:
Strong
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Brain & nervous system support (DHA)
1–3 g/day combined EPA+DHA for general health; 2–4 g/day for triglyceride reduction
Limited
Brainberry® (Aronia melanocarpa Extract)
Long-term cognitive performance in middle-aged adults
: 90 mg or 150 mg AME daily × 24 wk middle-aged adults. CROSSOVER: 160 mg/day older
Limited
Centrophenoxine (Meclofenoxate)
DMAE/cholinergic precursor effect
DEMENTIA: 1560-2000 mg/day (Pek 1989: 2 g/day × 8 wk). HEALTHY ELDERLY: ~1200 mg/day.
Limited
enfinity® Paraxanthine
Supports Cognitive Performance
100-200 mg per serving; 50, 100, and 200 mg evaluated in published dose-response trials.
Limited
GinPure® (Ginkgo biloba Extract)
Cognition and memory
Commonly 120 to 240 mg of standardized extract per day.
Limited
Magtein® (Magnesium L-Threonate — Threotech)
Cognitive performance and working memory in adults
2g/day Magtein® (145 mg elemental magnesium); taken as 1g morning + 1g evening; 6-week
Limited
Oxiracetam (4-Hydroxy Piracetam)
Mild-moderate dementia cognitive support
800 mg twice daily (1,600 mg/day) in the dementia trials; it is an unapproved drug, and the 800 to 2,400 mg/day nootropic range is off-label use.
Limited
Paraxanthine
Acute Cognitive Performance
50-200 mg as a single dose, with 100-200 mg used in the cognitive trials; every published trial tested a single dose, so there is no evidence on daily or long-term use.
Limited
Plasmalogen (Scallop-Derived Ether Phospholipid)
May support verbal memory in healthy middle-aged and older adults
1 mg/day scallop plasmalogen (as a jelly or two 0.5 mg capsules) for 12-24 weeks; 2
Limited
Polygala (Yuan Zhi)
Memory enhancement in healthy adults (BT-11 RCT)
BT-11 STANDARDIZED EXTRACT (Korean RCTs): 200-300 mg 3×/day = 600-900 mg/day × 4-12
Limited
Silk Amino Acids / Silk Fibroin Hydrolysate
Cognitive function support — memory, attention, mental focus
Cognitive: 200-600 mg/day of silk fibroin enzyme hydrolysate; the one stamina trial used far more, 500 mg per kilogram of body mass a day (about 35 g for a 70 kg athlete).
Limited
VitaBlue® (concentrated American blueberry extract — FutureCeuticals)
Cognition and memory in aging
Supplier suggests about 250 to 500 mg/day; no human trial has tested VitaBlue, so there is no established effective dose.
Limited
Alpha-Lactalbumin
Next-morning alertness after evening intake
EVENING: 20 g 60-90 min pre-bed. DAYTIME: 20 g stress-vulnerable. EXERCISE: 20-30 g
Limited
Bacopin® (Bacopa monnieri Extract — Sabinsa)
Memory and learning (Bacopa class evidence)
100-300 mg/day Bacopin standardized extract, typically split into 1-2 daily doses with
Limited
CardaMind™ (Black Cardamom Cognitive Performance — Akay Bioactives)
Improved some attention and processing-speed test scores after a single dose
250 mg/day CardaMind (MA2-24) — the dose used in the pivotal clinical trial. Effects
Limited
Cognigrape® (Vitis vinifera Grape Extract — Bionap)
Cognitive function in older adults
PIVOTAL: 250 mg/day Cognigrape® × 12 wk single daily dose. 2024 FOLLOW-UP: 250 mg/day
Limited
Cognivia™ (Garden + Spanish Sage Cognitive)
Working memory in healthy adults
PIVOTAL: 600 mg/day Cognivia™ × 29 days (Northumbria University n=94). DOSE
Limited
D-Serine
NMDA co-agonist (cognitive research)
SCHIZOPHRENIA: 30 mg/kg/day (~2-2.5 g/day adult) up to 120 mg/kg/day dose-escalation.
Limited
Fasoracetam (NS-105 / NFC-1)
Experimental nootropic (mGluR modulator)
HAKONARSON 2017 (ADHD adolescents): 50-800 mg/day, escalation up to 400 mg BID × 4 wk.
Limited
L-Tyrosine
Cognitive performance under stress and sleep deprivation
500 to 2,000 mg a day in typical supplements; military stress and cognition trials used far more, 100 to 150 mg per kilogram of body weight, roughly 8 to 12 grams, under supervision.
Limited
Ligusticum Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong)
Promotes Cerebrovascular Wellness
Traditional decoctions use 3-9 g/day of dried rhizome; modern standardized extracts
Limited
Memophenol™ (Grape and Wild Blueberry Polyphenol Extract — Activ'Inside)
Episodic memory in older adults
Healthy elderly: 600 mg/day Memophenol™ (containing 258 mg flavonoids) × 6 months. MCI
Limited
Mexidol (Ethylmethylhydroxypyridine Succinate)
Stroke rehabilitation cognitive recovery
MIR 2024 STROKE PROTOCOL: 500 mg IV 2×/day × 10 days, then Mexidol FORTE 250 mg PO
Limited
PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone)
Cognitive function and memory
10–20 mg/day; 20 mg most studied for cognitive effects; often combined with 200–300 mg
Limited
Semax (ACTH 4-7 PGP)
Cognitive enhancement / nootropic effects
STROKE (Russian approved): 12-18 mg/day intranasal in 3-6 doses × 10-14 days.
Limited
Spearmint Extract
Cognitive function in older adults
900 mg/day standardized extract (Neumentix®) for cognition; doses of 250-500 mg/day extract have no cited trial here.
Limited
Suntheanine®
Attention and reaction time after a single dose
50–200 mg/day; 100–200 mg for relaxation/focus; 50 mg for caffeine stacking
Strong
FloraGLO® Lutein (Kemin)
Cognitive function in older adults
AREDS2 standard: 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin/day. Cognitive: 12 mg/day.
Limited
AlphaSize® (Alpha-GPC — Chemi Nutra)
Memory and cognition
300 to 600 mg per day for cognition; about 600 mg pre-exercise in sports studies.
Limited
AlphaWave® L-Theanine (NutriScience)
Focus and attention
400 mg per day for 28 days in the single published AlphaWave trial. Labels and the generic L-theanine literature more commonly use 100 to 200 mg per day, below the dose tested here.
Limited
BacoMind® (Bacopa monnieri Extract — Natural Remedies)
Memory and learning
About 300 mg a day for 12 weeks, the dose used in the 2010 BacoMind trial; a different branded extract at the same dose did not improve the cognitive measures it set out to test.
Limited
BioPQQ® (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone — Mitsubishi)
Attention and cognition
About 20 mg per day.
Limited
Cera-Q® (Silk Fibroin Peptides)
Memory support
About 400 to 600 mg of fibroin hydrolysate per day, in divided doses.
Limited
Cognizin® (Citicoline — Kyowa Hakko)
Attention and focus
250 to 500 mg per day.
Limited
CurQfen® (Curcumin-Fenugreek FenuMat — Akay Bioactives)
Curcumin with enhanced brain delivery
400-500 mg/day CurQfen (research-validated; some applications use higher)
Limited
DailyZz™ (Spearmint + Green Tea Sleep Nootropic — Kemin)
Mental speed and decision-making support
485 mg DailyZz once daily — taken 30 minutes before bedtime per the published clinical
Limited
FastBliss® (Paraxanthine)
Cognitive enhancement without caffeine anxiety
50–200 mg/day paraxanthine; cognitive benefits at doses as low as 50 mg; full effect
Limited
Ginkgolden® (Ginkgo biloba Extract)
Cognition and memory
Commonly 120 to 240 mg of standardized extract per day.
Limited
GinSelect® (Ginkgo biloba Extract)
Cognition and memory
Commonly 120 to 240 mg of standardized extract per day.
Limited
goBHB® (Beta-Hydroxybutyrate Ketone Salts)
Rapid ketosis and alternative brain fuel
6-12 g of BHB salts per day raises blood ketones by about 0.5 to 1.0 mmol/L, a modest ketosis; as a racemic salt only about half is the usable D-BHB.
Limited
Grape Polyphenols (Whole Grape Extract)
Memory and attention in older adults
Freeze-dried whole grape powder 36 to 60 g/day for 4 weeks (46 g is about 252 g of
Limited
Holy Basil (Tulsi)
Cognitive function
300–600 mg/day dried leaf extract; 1–2 g/day whole leaf powder
Limited
i-Sabi® (Wasabi Extract — 6-MSITC)
Memory in older adults
About 0.8 mg of 6-MSITC (around 100 mg of wasabi extract) per day.
Limited
Mangiferin
One Dose of Mango Leaf Extract Improved Attention and Memory Accuracy
Isolated mangiferin: 150 mg/day for 12 weeks in the hyperlipidemia trial; mango stem bark extract used 900 mg/day and mango leaf extract (Zynamite) one 300 mg dose.
Limited
Nefiracetam (DM-9384)
Alzheimer's disease (NIH-sponsored Phase 2)
ROBINSON 2009 (poststroke apathy): 600-900 mg/day × 12 wk. NOOTROPIC: 150-450 mg/day
Limited
Oxaloacetate (Anhydrous Enol)
Cognitive test scores (reaction time and attention)
Standard dose: 100-300 mg/day anhydrous enol oxaloacetate (benaGene™). Cognitive
Limited
SaraPEPP™ Nu
Caffeine-free cognitive/energy support
In the published trial: 4 soft-gel capsules per day (2 morning, 2 evening, with food) delivering 2.8 g of the MCT-oil extract, 80 mg Zanthoxylum armatum extract and 7.8 mg hydroxy-alpha-sanshool.
Limited
Schisandra Chinensis (Five-Flavor Berry)
Cognitive Performance and Mental Stamina
1,000 mg/day of extract in both muscle-strength trials, within a common commercial range of 500-2,000 mg/day; berry powder 1-6 g/day.
Limited
Synapsa® (Bacopa monnieri Extract — KeyView)
Memory and learning
About 320 mg per day of standardized extract (CDRI 08); a separate 12-week trial of the same extract used 300 mg per day and reported learning and memory gains that built over the weeks.
Limited
Vinpocetine
Prescription Cerebrovascular Use Outside the US (Historical Context)
5-10 mg three times daily (15-30 mg/day total); some research uses up to 60 mg/day
Strong
Green Tea
Cognitive Function
250–500 mg/day EGCG standardized extract; whole green tea: 3–5 cups/day (≈240–320 mg
Strong
Saffron Extract (Crocus sativus)
Cognitive scores in one placebo-controlled patient trial
Depression (most-studied): 30 mg/day standardized stigma extract × 6-8 weeks. PMS:
Limited
GS15-4® (Enzyme-Fermented Ginseng — Ilhwa)
Cognitive support
Around 165 mg of fermented ginseng extract per day.
Limited
PANMOL® NADH Micro
Mental Clarity and Focus
5-10 mg/day taken sublingually or on an empty stomach in morning; CFS trial used 10
Limited
Pregnenolone
Neurosteroid (cognitive research)
Labels typically list 10 to 50 mg/day; no established dose for general use. Published trials used up to 500 mg/day, 10 to 100 times that, in diagnosed illness under specialist supervision.
Limited
Zenroot® (Low-Dose Bioavailable Ashwagandha Root Extract — OmniActive)
Low-dose ashwagandha — stress & cognition
125 mg/day is the manufacturer's dose; cited studies used plain ashwagandha at higher doses, commonly 500 to 600 mg a day.
Limited
Bifidobacterium longum 1714 (Zenflore™ / 1714-Serenitas™)
Visual and spatial memory in healthy men
Standard dose: 1 billion CFU (1×10⁹) once daily as Zenflore™ or 1714-Serenitas™. Trial
Limited
Ginkgo Biloba
Cognitive Function and Memory
120-240 mg/day standardized leaf extract, 1-2 divided doses; EGb 761 is the most studied form, though 240 mg/day is the dose used in large prevention trials that found no benefit.
Moderate
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
Memory and thinking in older adults
COGNITIVE/AGING: 1500-3000 mg/day divided. DIABETIC NEUROPATHY: 1000 mg × 3/day = 3000
Moderate
CognatiQ® (whole coffee fruit extract for BDNF & cognition — FutureCeuticals)
Raised BDNF, a brain-signaling protein, in one small study
100 mg in the acute BDNF and cognition studies; commonly marketed at 100–200 mg/day
Limited
CoffeeBerry® Cascara
Acute Plasma BDNF Signal (Single Small Pilot)
100 mg single acute dose (BDNF study); 100-300 mg/day in subsequent cognitive trials.
Limited
Theracurmin® (Colloidal Nanoparticle Curcumin — Theravalues)
Memory and attention in older adults over 18 months
150 mg a day for 12 weeks in the cold trial; 180 mg of curcumin a day for 8 weeks and
Preliminary
Noopept (Omberacetam / GVS-111)
Cognition after stroke: small Russian studies only
Russian label: 10 mg twice daily (20 mg/day), up to 30 mg/day, in 1.5 to 3 month
Preliminary
Phenylpiracetam (Phenotropil / Carphedon)
Cognitive problems after stroke: a supervised medical use, not a consumer one
No dose has been established for healthy people; the cited studies were in stroke patients under supervision, and the 100 to 200 mg a day figures online come from user communities, not trials.
Preliminary
Picamilon (N-Nicotinoyl-GABA)
Cerebrovascular disease and cerebral circulation
50 mg 3×/day (150 mg/day), with wider ranges of 100 to 300 mg/day from Russian prescribing practice. No dose of picamilon has been tested against placebo for anxiety.
Preliminary
Pramiracetam (Pramistar)
Senile cognitive disorders (Italian approval — limited evidence)
STANDARD: 600 mg BID (1200 mg/day) with meals. AD TRIALS: 400-1500 mg/day. POST-TBI /
Moderate
Choline Bitartrate
Supports Acetylcholine Synthesis
AI: 425-550 mg/day adults; 450 mg pregnancy, 550 mg lactation. Bitartrate supplements
Moderate
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Mild Cognitive Performance
300-600 mg/day standardized extract; tea 1.5-4.5 g dried herb per cup; tincture 2-3 mL
Moderate
Zynamite® S (Non-Stim Mental Energy — Water Soluble)
Better on some timed tasks, no memory improvement
100–150 mg Zynamite® S (single dose, acute cognitive benefits within 30 minutes); 150
Limited
Enzogenol® (Pinus radiata Bark Extract)
Speed on memory tasks in older men, tested alongside vitamin C
Cognitive: 480 mg/day × 5 weeks. Mild TBI: 1,000 mg/day × 6-12 weeks. Take with food.
Limited
Ergothioneine (ErgoActive®)
Memory and learning in older adults
5–30 mg/day; most human studies use 5–20 mg/day; dietary intake from mushrooms
Limited
Guayusa (AMATEA® Organic Guayusa)
Cognitive performance and alertness
Single doses only: trials used 600 mg and 1200 mg AMATEA Max (120 mg and 240 mg caffeine); no trial has tested 300 mg or daily use beyond a single day.
Limited
Methylene Blue (Methylthioninium Chloride)
Cognitive Function (Limited Human Evidence)
Pharmaceutical (methemoglobinemia): 1-2 mg/kg IV; 'biohacking' use: 0.5-4 mg/day oral
Limited
Sulbutiamine (Arcalion)
Memory and attention: mouse data and one add-on trial
ASTHENIA (Arcalion approved): 200-600 mg/day divided. Shipelowitz 1984 best at 600 mg.
Preliminary
Apoaequorin Protein
Marketed for memory support
Manufacturer trials have typically used 10 mg of apoaequorin per day; the commercial
Preliminary
DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol / Deanol)
ADHD/learning disabilities in children (1970s historical RCTs)
ADHD HISTORICAL: 500 mg/day in 1970s pediatric trials. NOOTROPIC: 100-200 mg/day.
Preliminary
Ginkgoselect® Phytosome (Ginkgo Phytosome — Indena)
Cognition: Class Evidence for Ginkgo, Not for This Product
240 mg/day (120 mg twice daily) for 6 months in the Ginkgoselect Plus safety trial; no efficacy trial has established a dose.
Preliminary
Lithium Orotate
Cognitive Function (Theoretical)
5-20 mg elemental lithium/day (lithium orotate 130-520 mg providing ~4.6%-20%
Preliminary
Lysoveta® (LPC-Bound EPA/DHA from Krill — Aker BioMarine)
Raised brain EPA, but not DHA, in mice
NDI-approved up to 1.5 g/day for general adult population (US). Preclinical brain
Preliminary
Magnesium Acetyl-Taurate
Cognitive and brain interest
Human dosing is not well established; animal studies used weight-based doses. Products
Preliminary
Pyritinol (Pyrithioxine / Encephabol)
What the dementia trial actually tested
Dementia 200 mg 3×/day (600 mg/day); these are prescription doses under medical supervision, with no established dose for self-directed use.
Preliminary
Sepibright™ (Strawberry Leaf Extract — Seppic)
Studied for episodic memory in older adults
300 mg/day (two 150 mg capsules) for 12 weeks, supplying about 20 mg polyphenols and 4
Preliminary
Virtiva® (Ginkgo biloba Phytosome)
Mental Performance Interest
No established dose for Virtiva itself; trials pooled in the Cochrane review used standard ginkgo extract at roughly 120 to 240 mg a day.
Moderate
Astaxanthin
Cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults
4 to 12 mg/day of astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis; take with a fat-containing meal.
Moderate
B-Complex (Combined B Vitamins)
Cognitive function in older adults (folate, B12 and B6)
Varies by product, from about 1x the RDA of each B vitamin to high-potency products at
Moderate
Levagen+® (PEA — Palmitoylethanolamide — Gencor)
Cognitive function support
Standard dose: 300-600 mg/day Levagen+® — substantially lower than typical PEA
Moderate
Methylcobalamin (Active B12)
Neurological Function
500-2,000 µg/day sublingual or oral for general supplementation; 1,000-2,500 µg/day
Moderate
PhosphatidylCholine
Memory and thinking: the choline pathway
NAFLD/MASLD: 1.5-2.1 g/day standardized PC × 6 months. General choline/cognitive:
Moderate
Pycnogenol® (French Maritime Pine Bark)
Attention & focus support
50–200 mg/day; cardiovascular: 100–200 mg/day; cognitive: 100 mg/day; athletic
Moderate
Sensoril® (Ashwagandha Extract — Kerry/Natreon)
Working memory and reaction time in an adjunctive trial
125-500 mg/day Sensoril (research-validated; stress applications often 250 mg/day)
Moderate
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Memory in older adults
1.3–1.7 mg/day (RDA); therapeutic: 25–100 mg/day; upper limit 100 mg/day long-term
Limited
Centellory® (Gotu Kola Extract)
Cognition and memory
Commonly 250 to 750 mg of standardized extract per day.
Limited
Hōlistiq™ (Adaptogen + Mushroom Wellness Blend)
Cognitive clarity and mental performance
Per product label; typical adaptogen blend 300–800mg/day; mushroom component
Preliminary
SerinAid® (Phosphatidylserine — Chemi Nutra)
Memory and cognition
100 to 300 mg per day; 300 mg/day is common in cognition studies.
Preliminary
Uridine
Possible Cognitive Support
Uridine 500 mg twice daily up to 2 g twice daily in bipolar trials; UMP has not been tested on its own at the 150 to 250 mg/day found on supplement labels.
Preliminary
Zensera™ (Stress-Cognitive Ingredient by Givaudan)
Same-day performance on the hardest cognitive tasks (secondary finding)
Per Zensera™ clinical dosing from Givaudan; single-dose acute benefits confirmed in
Moderate
Benfotiamine
Cognitive function in early Alzheimer's (preliminary)
DIABETIC NEUROPATHY (BENDIP): 600 mg/day × 6 wk then 300 mg/day. BOND: 300 mg BID × 12
Moderate
FerroChel® (Ferrous Bisglycinate Chelate)
Attention and concentration support when iron is low
Typical FerroChel® doses provide 14–28 mg elemental iron once daily for routine
Moderate
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
Anxiety and Cognitive Support
60-120 mg/day standardized extract (containing total triterpenes ~30%); whole herb 1-2
Moderate
Pomegranate Extract
Cognitive aging support (preliminary)
Standard cardiovascular dose: 500-1,500 mg/day pomegranate extract standardized to
Limited
Pterostilbene
Cognitive Function Support
50-250 mg/day; trial used 125 mg twice daily (250 mg/day total)
Limited
Shagandha® (Ashwagandha Root Extract)
Memory test scores: class evidence from other ashwagandha extracts
No published trial has tested Shagandha itself; the cited stress trial used a
Preliminary
Alcolec® (Phosphatidylcholine / Lecithin — American Lecithin)
Choline and brain support
Commonly a few hundred milligrams to grams per day.
Preliminary
Bemethyl (Bemitil / Metaprot)
Cognitive performance under stress
Labelling describes 250 to 500 mg once or twice daily in courses of three to five days; no dose or schedule for athletic use has been established in any published study.
Preliminary
Decursinol-50® (Angelica gigas Extract)
Cognitive interest
Commonly around 100 to 200 mg per day.