Are you searching for the best supplements for brain function because you ever feel like your brain is slow or just not working as well as it used to?
You’re not alone.
As we age, our brains naturally start to slow down. This can cause all sorts of problems, from difficulty concentrating to memory loss.
If you’re looking for a way to improve your brain health, consider taking a supplement.
Of course if you aren’t getting sunshine, walking, eating a healthy diet and sleeping well, then those come first!
There are many different supplements on the market that claim to improve brain function, but which one is best?
In this blog post, we will discuss the best brain health supplements and how they work.
If you want more helpful info on supplements – including risks and general FDA guidelines – please see our “Supplements and Vitamins – Ultimate Beginner’s Guide”.
How We Rank and Review – 8 Criteria
1 – Price: What’s the price of the supplement? What’s the cost per serving?
- At Eating Enlightenment we value quality over price. However, all else being equal, then price comes into consideration.
2 – Reviews: How many reviews for each product? What’s the average rating? How many third party reviews?
- We strongly believe in third party reviews. Many supplement companies list positive reviews on their website, but third party reviews include negative comments. We always go with third party reviews.
3 – Reputation: How reputable is the brand behind the supplement? How long has the brand been around? What’s their mission?
- We believe that a company’s intention is highly important and should be one of your top purchasing decision factors.
4 – Taste / Absorption = What’s the taste? How quickly does your body absorb the supplement? Do reviews mention any negative side effects like an upset stomach?
5 – Perceived Therapeutic Effect = What beneficial effects or feelings does this supplement promote?
6 – Food Allergens = Does the company provide allergen info?
7 – Science / Certifications: Does the company list transparent scientific studies on their website? Do third party certifications test the company’s supplement for quality control? How many certifications does the company have?
8 – Pros/Cons: What are the pros and cons of each supplement? How is the supplement unique? For what situations is this supplement best?
1 – Best Overall – Botanic Choice
- Price = $26.99
- # of Servings = 30
- Price per Serving = $0.89
- Product Reviews = 4.8/5 with 28 verified reviews
- Taste / Absorption = 2 gelatin capsules
- Labeled Effect = promotes cognitive function
- Food Allergens = safe
- Pro’s = good variety of vitamins, aminos, herbs and minerals, some science for Ginkgo Bilboa helping to treat dementia
- Con’s =
About “Super Ginkgo Plus”:
Ginkgo biloba is a centuries-old herb used commonly as a memory booster and rejuvenator. Some science has shown it helps with dementia.
This supplement also contains cayenne and ginger which have been used for centuries as well.
The supplement uses other ingredients which some science backs too, like CoQ-10.
In fact, it’s this diverse blend of ingredients which makes it our best overall.
Many brain supplements will give one ingredient, which is great if you’ve done your research or have a strong recommendation.
However, if you’re a beginner to dietary supplements then going for more diversity of ingredients is recommended.
Made by “Botanic Choice”:
About “Botanic Choice”: Botanic Choice started in 1910, over 100 years ago. The company is family owned and has millions of customers worldwide. They are one of the oldest supplement companies still around today. According to MetaCritic, Botanic Choice has a 3.8/5 rating with 1,496 reviews.
- Start = 112 years old, founded in 1910
- Revenue = $18 million
- Employees = 107
- Mission = dedicated to making effective natural health solutions available to all
- Third Party Certifications = GMP
- Third Party Reviews = 3.8/5 with 1,496 reviews
2 – Most Natural – Real Mushrooms
- Price = $29.95
- # of Servings = 60
- Price per Serving = $0.99
- Product Reviews = 4.9/5 with 450 verified reviews
- Taste / Absorption = 2 vegetarian capsules per serving
- Labeled Effect = cognition
- Food Allergens = very safe
- Pro’s = contains more than 25% Beta Glucans
- Con’s = no vitamins or minerals
About “Organic Lions Mane Extract Capsules”:
This is a high quality supplement that contains Lions Mane mushrooms.
Lions Mane has been shown to improve healthy brain function, reduce stress, and promote relaxation.
Cultures around the world have used mushrooms as medicine for thousands of years.
There is a growing body of research supporting the idea that mushrooms can reduce inflammation and improve cognitive function.
If you know that mushrooms are what you’re looking for, this supplement will be great for you.
Made by “Real Mushrooms”:
About Real Mushrooms: Since its inception in 1989, Nammex has been at the forefront of mushroom extracts’ development and production for the health and wellness sector. Over 1500 practitioners are prescribing Real Mushrooms. Real Mushrooms contain >10% Beta-glucans without added starch, mycelium, or grain of any kind. ReviewMeta.com gives an average adjusted rating of 4.6/5 with 361 reviews.
Author Affiliate Note: I have interviewed Jeff Chilton, founder of Real Mushrooms, take their supplements myself, and am a huge fan.
- Start = 1989
- Revenue = less than $5 million
- Employees = less than 25
- Mission = deliver the best possible medicinal mushrooms extracts in their purest form, without any carriers or grain fillers
- Third Party Certifications = Certificates of Analysis available upon request
- Third Party Reviews = average adjusted rating 4.6/5 from 361 reviews
3 – Best Price – Doctor’s Best
- Price = $8.99
- # of Servings = 120
- Price per Serving = $0.07
- Product Reviews = 4.8/5 with 47 verified reviews
- Taste / Absorption = 1 vegetable capsule per serving
- Labeled Effect = helps enhance memory and brain capacity, supports healthy mitochondrial and nerve function
- Food Allergens = very safe
- Pro’s = very low price
- Con’s = only ginkgo biloba
About ” Extra Strength Ginkgo”:
If you are looking for a pure ginkgo supplement without the extra ingredients then this is a good supplement to try.
Plus, you are getting an amazing price per serving at $0.07.
Made by “Doctor’s Best”:
About “Doctor’s Best”: Founded by a physician in 1990 in Orange County, California. High degree of transparency and great science easily accessible on their website. According to ReviewMeta.com, average adjusted ratings are 4.1/5 from 15,019 verified reviews.
- Start = 1990
- Revenue = $25 million
- Employees = 138
- Mission = create a healthier world filled with thriving families, positivity and happiness
- Third Party Certifications = cGMP
- Third Party Reviews = average adjusted ratings are 4.1/5 from 15,019 verified reviews
4 – Best Capsule with Caffeine – Neuriva
- Price = $29.53
- # of Servings = 30
- Price per Serving = $0.98 (with Prime membership)
- Product Reviews = 4.2/5 with 17,749 reviews
- Taste / Absorption =
- Labeled Effect =
- Food Allergens =
- Pro’s = high quality nootropic with some science for each ingredient
- Con’s = higher price per capsule than average supplement
About “Nootropic Brain Support Supplement”:
This is a high quality supplement for overall brain health.
The main ingredient is phosphatidylserine, which does have some limited clinical research showing improved brain function. Another ingredient, their whole food extract, also has some limited research supporting cognitive health.
This supplement contains caffeine too.
Made by “Neuriva”:
About “Neuriva”: Owned by SchiffVitamins, which started in 1936. According to ReviewMeta.com, average adjusted ratings are 4.2/5 from 165 verified reviews.
- Start = 1936
- Revenue = less than $5 million
- Employees = less than 25
- Mission = To help support brain performance
- Third Party Certifications =
- Third Party Reviews = average adjusted ratings are 4.2/5 from 165 reviews
5 – Best for L-Theanine – Superior Labs
- Price = $22.95
- # of Servings = 90
- Price per Serving = $0.26
- Product Reviews = 4.8/5 with 646 reviews
- Taste / Absorption = 1 vegetarian capsule per serving
- Labeled Effect = supports relaxation and maintains mental clarity
- Food Allergens = very safe
- Pro’s = pure L-Theanine
- Con’s = no other vitamins, herbs or minerals, similar other products on market
About “L-Theanine”:
L-Theanine is a very common ingredient in supplements. It’s an amino acid that is found in green tea and can cross the blood-brain barrier.
It has been shown to improve brain function, reduce stress, and promote relaxation.
If you know you are looking for a L-Theanine supplement, this is a high quality one to try.
However, if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for then another supplement with more ingredients is a better idea.
Made by “Superior Labs”:
About Superior Labs: Began in 2007, geared for athletes, and has FDA, GMP certification. Mission statement emphasizes purity, testing, and quality. According to ReviewMeta.com, Superior Labs has an average adjusted rating of 4.3/5 with 3902 verified reviews.
- Start = 2007
- Revenue = $6 million
- Employees = less than 25
- Mission = purity, testing, and quality
- Third Party Certifications = NSF, GMP
- Third Party Reviews = average adjusted rating of 4.3/5 with 3902 reviews
6 – Best for Magnesium – Life Extension
- Price = $30.00
- # of Servings = 30
- Price per Serving = $1.00
- Product Reviews = 4.7/5 with 413 reviews
- Taste / Absorption = 3 vegetarian capsules per serving
- Labeled Effect = supports healthy memory and youthful cognitive function
- Food Allergens = very safe
- Pro’s = active ingredient is most easy to absorb form of magnesium
- Con’s = not much research to back up claims
About “Neuro-Mag Magnesium L-Threonate”:
This is a high quality supplement that contains magnesium in a more absorbable form than normal.
Magnesium plays an important role in your central nervous system and cognitive function.
We know that a magnesium deficiency can contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline.
One idea is to get a quick vitamin and mineral blood deficiency test. If the test results show a magnesium deficiency then this supplement is definitely a reasonable choice.
Overall, if you’re a beginner who doesn’t know precisely what you want then a different supplement with more diverse ingredients is better.
However, if you have done your research and know magnesium is what you need then this is a good supplement to try.
Made by “Life Extension”:
About Life Extension: Life Extension began in 1980 and is still going 40 years later. In 2021 ConsumerLab.com voted Life Extension as #1 Rated Catalog/Internet Merchant. According to ReviewMeta.com, Life Extension’s average adjusted rating of 4.1/5 from 24, 224 verified reviews.
- Start = 1980
- Revenue = $168 million
- Employees = 500
- Mission = Achieve your goals with the best nutritional products that science can offer
- Third Party Certifications = GMP, Non-GMO
- Third Party Reviews = average adjusted rating of 4.1/5 from 24, 224 reviews
Conclusion
Your brain cells, brain function, and mental health are important!
We hope this article helps you make an informed decision regarding any brain health supplements.
We suggest that you do your own research and find the best supplement for brain function according to your specific needs (read here for more info if pregnant and considering supplements).
Did we miss any potent brain booster? If we missed anything, please let us know and we’ll do our best to add that information.
Please remember supplements are part of healthy diet too. Read here to learn about the relationship between brain and food.
Finally, read here for memory boosting foods for brain health.
Thank you for reading!
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning that if you decide to purchase a product after clicking one, we may earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you.
Medical Disclaimer: This information should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before taking any supplements.
