Only the best brain supplements are proven to help improve memory, mood, and concentration, as well as protect against brain aging and cognitive decline.
Research has shown that taking the right supplements can help boost your brain health and performance.
But picking the right one(s) can be a challenge.
There are hundreds of individual supplement ingredients to choose from — vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, and phytonutrients — and thousands of combinations of those ingredients.
So how do you choose?
Finding the best supplement largely depends on the results you are looking for.
Are you looking to increase your attention and concentration?
Is your biggest concern reversing memory loss or preventing age-related mental decline?
Or are you feeling stressed out, depressed, or anxious?
How to Get the Most From This Guide
In this guide, you’ll find the best, provenbrain supplements — those shown to be safe and effective, and offer a wide variety of benefits.
We’ll examine the important properties of each, and include recommended dosages and potential side effects and interactions, so that you can make an informed decision.
Keep in mind that almost all of these supplements have multiple brain health benefits, not just the one shown in the section titles.
For in-depth information, use the links for the “Related” articles that you’ll find within each section.
Also, once you’ve decided which supplement ingredients sound right for you, you will need to decide which brand to buy.
1. Citicoline: Potent Brain Protector
Citicoline is a naturally occurring compound found in every cell of the body.
Many overlook its potential compared to other brain supplements on this list, yet it remains one of the best brain boosters available.
Citicoline helps build healthy brain cell membranes.
It improves blood flow to the brain and increases brain plasticity, the brain’s ability to change throughout its lifetime.
It boosts brain energy by firing up mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells.
Citicoline reduces the harmful effects of free radical damage and inflammation, two major causes of brain aging.
It raises levels of two important neurotransmitters, acetylcholine and dopamine.
Acetylcholine plays a primary role in memory and learning as the brain’s key chemical.
Low acetylcholine levels are implicated in serious neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, dementia, and multiple sclerosis.
Dopamine positively correlates with motivation, productivity, mood, and our “pleasure-reward” system.
Citicoline supplements can significantly improve memory, concentration, focus, and attention.
Doctors throughout Europe prescribe citicoline for serious neurological disorders, such as age-related memory loss, stroke, brain injury, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s.
While citicoline is occasionally sold as a single-ingredient supplement, it’s more commonly found as an ingredient in nootropic brain supplement formulas.
One study comparing citicoline to several popular nootropics concluded that it improved memory and cognition as well as the study drug piracetam.
Consider citicoline if you take any medications that are anticholinergic, i.e., those that work by blocking the action of acetylcholine.
A surprising number of drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC), fall into this category.
A good rule of thumb is that any medication with a name that starts with “anti” is likely to lower acetylcholine levels.
This includes antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antibiotics, antispasmodics, and antihypertensives.
Suggested Citicoline Dosage
A typical dose of citicoline is 250 to 1,000 mg, twice a day, for a total intake of 500 to 2,000 mg.
A daily dose of 1,000 to 2,000 mg is recommended to support thinking skills.
When looking for a citicoline supplement, you are likely to come across CDP-choline (cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine).
This is simply another name for citicoline.
You may also see the brand name Cognizin®.
This is a patented, highly bioavailable form of citicoline that’s got research to back up its claims as a cognitive enhancer.
Unlike other forms of citicoline, Cognizin has undergone clinical testing in humans.
Citicoline Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings
Most people who take citicoline experience no side effects.
Reported side effects are unusual, but include insomnia, headache, diarrhea, low or high blood pressure, nausea, blurred vision, and chest pains.
Do not mix citicoline with levodopa, a medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease, without talking to your doctor.
Citicoline can amplify this drug’s effectiveness which may require a change in its dosage.
2. Curcumin: Nutritional “Gold” for Your Brain
Curcumin is the main bioactive compound in the Indian spice turmeric (Curcuma longa).
It’s responsible for turmeric’s brilliant gold color and most of its health benefits.
Curcumin protects the brain in a number of ways.
It increases levels of dopamine and serotonin, the “happiness” brain chemical.
In fact, curcumin has been found to be as effective for depression as the popular antidepressant Prozac.
It increases blood flow to the brain as effectively as physical exercise.
Curcumin reduces the compulsiveness and associated memory loss of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Impressively, a single dose of curcumin was found to enhance both memory and attention in healthy older individuals within just an hour.
Additionally, these study participants showed significant improvements in working memory, energy, mood, and stress after taking curcumin for one month.
Curcumin’s potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce brain inflammation and break up brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Older people in India who consume turmeric as a regular part of their diet have some of the lowest rates of Alzheimer’s in the world.
Suggested Curcumin and Turmeric Dosages
You can get curcumin from either curcumin or turmeric supplements.
A typical turmeric dosage is 500 mg, one to three times per day.
The recommended daily dose of curcumin is 500 – 1,000 mg per day, provided that the supplement manufacturer has taken steps to enhance its bioavailability.
Curcumin supplements often face poor absorption, yet strategies exist to address this challenge.
The addition of piperine, a compound found in black pepper, is one of the most common ways to enhance bioavailability.
This combination can increase curcumin absorption by a remarkable 2,000%.
Curcumin and Turmeric Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings
Turmeric consumed as a spice in food is very safe and turmeric supplements have fewer side effects than curcumin supplements.
But either can cause nausea and diarrhea, especially at high doses.
These supplements can interact with medicines like aspirin, NSAID painkillers, statins, diabetes drugs, blood pressure medicines, and blood thinners.
They may also interact with supplements with blood-thinning properties such as ginkgo, ginseng, and garlic.
And be aware that the piperine often added to curcumin supplements can also increase the side effects of a number of drugs.
However, you can increase the bioavailability of curcumin and turmeric supplements by simply taking them with a meal or along with a phosphatidylserine supplement.
If you take any medications, check for possible interactions between them and turmeric or curcumin with a reputable online interaction checker.
3. Acetyl-l-Carnitine: For More Mental Energy
Acetyl-l-carnitine (ALCAR) is an amino acid that increases both mental and physical energy.
It acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting the brain against free radical damage.
ALCAR is a precursor of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter associated with memory and learning.
It also increases the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, both of which play a role in depression.
In fact, acetyl-l-carnitine is a fast-acting antidepressant that usually brings some relief within a week.
It improves mental clarity, focus, mood, processing speed, and memory and has strong anti-aging effects on the brain.
It can be a helpful adjunct treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s.
One study found that acetyl-l-carnitine stabilizes the proteins which produce the protein tangles found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
It increases the insulin sensitivity of cells to help them utilize blood glucose, the brain’s main fuel source.
There’s evidence that it may help prevent brain damage from excessive alcohol intake.
Suggested Acetyl-l-Carnitine Dosage
The generally recommended dose range for acetyl-l-carnitine is 500 to 2,000 mg per day.
When buying a brain supplement, be sure to look for acetyl-l-carnitine rather than l-carnitine.
ALCAR is a form of l-carnitine that more readily crosses into the brain to better support cognitive function.
Acetyl-l-Carnitine Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings
Acetyl-L-carnitine is generally safe, though it may cause digestive upset or a fishy body odor in some individuals.
If you take a blood thinner such as coumadin, avoid taking ALCAR as it can increase the drug’s blood-thinning effects.
There’s some concern that acetyl-l-carnitine may interfere with thyroid hormone, so discuss this with your doctor if you have low thyroid function.
4. Bacopa: For Balanced Brain Chemistry
Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) is a traditional Ayurvedic herbal remedy.
Its use as a nerve and brain tonic for improving memory, learning, and concentration dates back at least 3,000 years.
Legend has it that ancient scholars used bacopa to aid in memorizing lengthy hymns and scriptures.
It increases cerebral blood flow, delivering more oxygen, nutrients, and glucose to the brain.
When tested against two very different kinds of cognitive enhancers — the herbal remedy ginseng and the popular smart drug Modafinil — bacopa came out on top.
Bacopa is one of the few herbs classified as adaptogenic.
Adaptogens have the ability to lower stress and increase energy without being either sedating or stimulating.
In this way, adaptogens act like a thermostat to keep you in an mental comfort zone.
Bacopa works, in part, by balancing the levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and GABA, while reducing the level of the stress hormone cortisol.
It’s this ability to restore balance that makes bacopa an excellent choice if you are looking for a natural cognitive-enhancing supplement that also alleviates stress, anxiety, or depression.
Suggested Bacopa Dosage
To date, about a dozen bioactive compounds have been discovered in bacopa, with bacopaside A and bacopaside B considered the most significant.
Look for a supplement with a standardized content of 55% bacopasides.
A typical dose of bacopa is 300 mg per day.
Standardized brands of bacopa that have clinical studies to support its use as a cognitive enhancer include KeenMind®, BacoMind®, Bacognize®, and Synapsa®.
Bacopa Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings
Bacopa is widely regarded as very safe, even suitable for children.
Side effects of bacopa are rare, but the most common ones are dry mouth and digestive upset.
These side effects can largely be mitigated by taking it with meals.
Traditionally, bacopa is consumed as a food cooked with ghee (clarified butter).
Avoid combining bacopa with antihistamines, antidepressants, glaucoma medications, drugs for Alzheimer’s, or thyroid hormones.
5. American Ginseng: Best-in-Class Brain Booster
While ginseng is a traditional Asian herb, American ginseng is now regarded as the finest globally.
American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) belongs to the same genus as Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), but is a separate species with a distinct ginsenoside profile.
The Chinese now prefer American ginseng for its superior quality and ability to upgrade brain function.
American ginseng is mostly cultivated in Wisconsin and Canada, where growing conditions are ideal for encouraging a higher concentration of ginseng’s active ingredients, ginsenosides.
Cereboost® is a patented extract from American ginseng, supported by clinical studies for its efficacy as a cognitive enhancer.
Study participants given a mental aptitude test performed significantly better after ingesting Cereboost.
It worked quickly to improve memory, mental clarity, and sharpness within just a few hours of taking a single dose.
Cereboost is neuroprotective and increases acetylcholine levels.
Opt for American ginseng over Asian ginseng if you tend towards anxiety, as it’s believed to be less stimulating.
Like bacopa, American ginseng acts as an adaptogen, promoting physical strength and mental energy while mitigating the damaging effects of stress.
It also reduces postprandial hypoglycemia, a common underlying cause of anxiety.
Suggested American Ginseng Dosage
Though standard doses haven’t been established, a typical daily dose of American ginseng ranges from 100 to 200 mg.
American ginseng supplements are available as capsules, tablets, powders, and liquid extracts.
Tea bags, loose bulk tea, and dried roots are available for making tea or adding to cooked foods.
American Ginseng Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings
American ginseng can cause some side effects such as diarrhea, itching, insomnia, headache, and nervousness.
Since its ginsenosides can act like estrogen, do not take American ginseng if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a hormone-sensitive cancer.
Discuss taking American ginseng with your doctor if you take an MAOI antidepressant, diabetic medication, or immune suppressant since it can affect the effectiveness of these drugs.
6. Alpha-GPC: Top Memory Enhancer
Alpha-GPC (alpha-glycerophosphocholine) is a synthetic form of choline.
Choline is an essential nutrient for brain development, healthy brain cells, and neurotransmitter formation.
It is a precursor of acetylcholine, the brain chemical linked to learning and memory.
Unfortunately, choline supplements do not effectively enter the brain.
However, the alpha-GPC form efficiently transports choline into the brain, where it forms brain cell membranes and stimulates the growth of new brain cells.
Alpha-GPC also increases levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), the neurotransmitter associated with relaxation.
Signs of a low GABA level include feeling easily overstimulated, overwhelmed, and stressed out.
Alpha-GPC studies show that it consistently improves memory and attention span in people of all ages, while warding off age-related mental decline.
Alpha-GPC is marketed as a memory supplement in many parts of the world.
Moreover, in Europe, it serves as a prescription medication for Alzheimer’s, aiding in increasing acetylcholine levels.
Alzheimer’s patients have low levels of acetylcholine along with fewer acetylcholine receptors.
Alpha-GPC can also help the brain recover after a stroke or transient ischemic attack.
Suggested Alpha-GPC Dosage
A typical alpha-GPC dose ranges from 300 to 600 mg, though a standardized dose has not been established.
In nearly all studies on mental decline, participants received 400 mg three times a day.
Alpha-GPC Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings
While generally considered safe, possible side effects include headache, insomnia, dizziness, mental confusion, heartburn, and skin rash.
Be mindful of known food allergies when taking Alpha-GPC supplements, as they derive from either soy or eggs, two of the most common food allergens.
The only known drug interaction is with scopolamine, a drug often used for motion sickness and for nausea following surgery.
7. Lion’s Mane: A “Smart” Mushroom
Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), also known as yamabushitake, is an edible mushroom native to parts of Asia, North America, and Europe.
People have used it medicinally and as a culinary delicacy for thousands of years.
Nowadays, companies sell lion’s mane as a brain supplement.
Some claim that lion’s mane can impart “nerves of steel and the memory of a lion.”
World-renowned fungi expert Paul Stamets calls it the “first smart mushroom.”
Lion’s mane is a popular nootropic — a substance that improves mental functions, such as memory, intelligence, motivation, attention, and concentration, while simultaneously improving brain health.
Lion’s mane excels at improving cognitive function and treating neurological disorders.
It contains two unique groups of compounds, hericenones and erinacines, that stimulate the formation of nerve growth factor (NGF).
NGF is a protein that is crucial to the growth and maintenance of certain types of neurons.
Lion’s mane can also be helpful for anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Suggested Lion’s Mane Dosage
Researchers have not yet established optimal dosages, but a typical regimen for lion’s mane extract involves taking 1,000 mg three times a day.
In one study, older people with mild cognitive impairment, which can be a precursor to dementia, experienced significant cognitive improvement taking 3,000 mg of lion’s mane powder daily.
Lion’s mane is available in capsules, powder, liquid tincture, or tea.
You may even find it fresh in Asian or gourmet food stores.
Lion’s Mane Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings
Lion’s mane is extremely safe.
The only known side effect is itchy skin which is believed to be caused by the increase in nerve growth factor it stimulates.
Lion’s mane mushroom may not be safe to mix with supplements that affect blood clotting.
8. Magnesium L-Threonate: Patented Brain Mineral
Magnesium is an essential dietary mineral required for over 600 metabolic functions.
Unfortunately, fewer than half of us get adequate magnesium from the food we eat.
Signs of magnesium deficiency include brain fog, lack of focus, inability to handle stress, insomnia, caffeine addiction, and feeling generally tired, but wired.
Magnesium supplementation has proven beneficial for numerous mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, ADHD, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and substance abuse.
There are many forms of magnesium to choose from, but only magnesium l-threonate readily crosses the blood-brain barrier.
Its unique ability to permeate brain cell membranes and elevate magnesium concentrations in the brain makes it an excellent choice for improving memory, attention, depression, and anxiety.
Look for supplements that contain Magtein®, a patented brand of magnesium l-threonate that’s a proven cognitive enhancer.
Suggested Magnesium Dosage
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for magnesium is generally 420 mg for men and 320 mg for women, but that can vary slightly depending on age.
The manufacturer of Magtein suggests taking 1,000 mg twice a day for optimal cognitive benefits.
This dose isn’t as high as it sounds, since only a fraction of Magtein is elemental magnesium, the amount of pure magnesium available in a supplement.
According to the Original Formula Magtein label, 2,000 mg of magnesium l-threonate yields just 144 mg of elemental magnesium.
Magnesium Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings
Magnesium can cause digestive upset and loose stools, particularly if you take too much or take inexpensive forms of magnesium, such as magnesium oxide or magnesium sulfate.
You should not take these anyway since they are the least bioavailable forms of magnesium.
Magnesium sulfate, the kind found in Epsom salts, can cause dramatic diarrhea, vomiting, mental confusion, and seizures when taken internally.
Drug Informer, a University of Utah project, reports that magnesium sulfate can trigger brain fog, short-term memory loss, amnesia, blackouts, and other kinds of mental distress.
The only reported side effects of magnesium l-threonate are headaches, drowsiness, or a feeling of increased blood flow to the head.
Discuss taking magnesium with your doctor if you take antibiotics, high blood pressure medications, osteoporosis medications, or muscle relaxants.
Magnesium can affect the effectiveness of these drugs.
9. Tryptophan: Proven Mood Booster
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that’s a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin.
Serotonin plays a large role in mood, sleep, learning, and appetite control.
A low serotonin level is widely believed to be a major cause of depression.
The most popular antidepressant medications like Prozac and Zoloft are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); these are thought to work by making more serotonin available in the brain.
You can increase serotonin levels naturally by providing more of its building blocks in the form of tryptophan.
By increasing serotonin levels, tryptophan can improve the quality of life for those with a wide variety of brain-related and mental health issues.
Tryptophan has been found to be as effective for depression as antidepressant drugs in numerous trials.
Tryptophan has been found useful for reducing symptoms of anxiety disorders, panic attacks, insomnia, seasonal affective disorder, and more.
Low levels of tryptophan are associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Children with ADHD have blood levels of tryptophan that are 50% lower than normal.
A tryptophan deficiency has also been linked to memory loss and other measures of cognitive impairment.
Suggested Tryptophan Dosage
There is no official recommended dosage for tryptophan and suggested doses vary widely.
As little as 250 mg has been found to improve the quality of sleep.
On the other hand, Mayo Clinic recommends up to 12 grams per day for depression.
Most supplement manufacturers suggest a daily dose of 1,000 to 1,500 mg.
A reasonable place to start is 500 mg a day, then working up to a higher dosage as needed.
Tryptophan Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings
The most common tryptophan side effects are digestive upset, loss of appetite, headache, and drowsiness.
Tryptophan should NOT be taken with SSRI antidepressants.
When taken together, this combination can cause a potentially serious condition known as serotonin syndrome.
Tryptophan should also not be taken with drugs that have a sedating effect, such as Ambien, Ativan, Valium, and Ultram.
10. Vinpocetine: A Natural “Smart Drug”
Vinpocetine is a relatively new brain booster that blurs the line between brain supplement and smart drug.
It’s based on vincamine, a chemical found in periwinkle (Vinca minor).
This flowering vine has been used traditionally to treat headaches, memory loss, and vertigo.
Vinpocetine supplements are usually taken to improve memory, overcome brain fog, increase mental clarity, protect the brain against aging, and promote overall mental well-being.
Vinpocetine rapidly enters the brain to increase blood flow, decrease brain inflammation, protect against free radical damage, and balance neurotransmitter levels.
Its ability to protect the brain against degeneration makes it a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s.
Vinpocetine increases blood flow to the brain and improves the brain’s ability to use glucose, its main source of energy, after a stroke.
In some parts of the world, vinpocetine is available by prescription only.
Here in the US, it’s available as a brain supplement, at least for now.
Several years ago, the FDA initiated proceedings to take vinpocetine off the shelves, not because there have been any safety issues, but because they believed it should be classified as a drug rather than as a supplement.
But so far it’s still readily available as a supplement.
While studies show that vinpocetine looks like a promising treatment for mental decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s, there’s not much research yet to back up claims that it makes cognitively healthy adults smarter.
Suggested Vinpocetine Dosage
Most clinical studies on vinpocetine have used doses of 5 to 20 mg, three times daily.
A good place to start is to take 5 mg with each meal.
Then work up to as high as 20 mg with each meal for maximum neuroprotective benefits.
Avoid taking vinpocetine on an empty stomach since it’s absorbed significantly better with food.
Vinpocetine Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings
Vinpocetine is generally considered safe for most people.
Potential side effects include digestive upset, insomnia, headache, dizziness, nervousness, skin rash, and flushing.
It’s advised that you avoid vinpocetine if you take a blood thinner like warfarin (Coumadin) or any over-the-counter medications that can interfere with clotting such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Additionally, it’s been deemed unsafe for pregnant women since it can increase the risk of miscarriage.
11. Huperzine A: Powerful Memory Remedy
Chinese club moss (Huperzia serrata) is a small plant native to parts of Asia that’s a traditional Chinese medicine treatment for improving memory and circulation and reducing inflammation.
The main active compound in Chinese club moss is an alkaloid called huperzine A.
Huperzine A works mainly by raising levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved with learning, memory, sleep cycle regulation, and other brain functions.
It operates by the same mechanism as the popular Alzheimer’s drug Aricept.
Both huperzine A and Aricept inhibit an enzyme (acetylcholinesterase) that deactivates acetylcholine.
Huperzine A shows promise for delaying symptoms of Alzheimer’s, especially in the early stages.
It protects the patient’s brain against free radical damage and toxins while promoting new brain cell generation.
Huperzine A is so powerful that it’s been given the status of an approved drug for treating vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s in China.
Suggested Huperzine A Dosage
The general recommended dosage for huperzine A is 50 to 200 mcg daily and it can be taken on an empty stomach.
Huperzine A Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings
Although huperzine A is a naturally occurring compound, it’s not without side effects.
Reported side effects are significant and include insomnia, anxiety, nausea, diarrhea, blurred vision, slurred speech, restlessness, anorexia, muscle twitching, cramps, incontinence, high blood pressure, and slowed heart rate.
Huperzine A does not mix well with antihistamines, antidepressants, the Alzheimer’s drug Aricept, or the motion sickness drug scopolamine.
12. Ginkgo: Timeless Brain Tonic
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) is one of the most widely used natural remedies in the world.
It has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine.
Ginkgo increases circulation to the brain, balances brain chemistry, and protects the brain against free radical damage.
It’s considered so effective that it’s sometimes prescribed as a medication in Europe.
But not all of ginkgo’s reported benefits have held up to scientific scrutiny.
Two major studies concluded that ginkgo does not improve memory or other cognitive functions in healthy adults.
But this does not make ginkgo useless as a brain supplement.
And, of course, you may decide that its long history of use outweighs the latest scientific findings.
Ginkgo has been proven beneficial for treating stress and anxiety by lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
It reliably improves short-term memory in older people.
Ginkgo reduces ADHD symptoms in children and teens, but not as effectively as the ADHD drug Ritalin.
It can increase the turnover of both serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters linked to depression.
And lastly, for those diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s, ginkgo shows promise for improving memory and day-to-day quality of life.
Suggested Ginkgo Dosage
A typical ginkgo dose is 40 to 120 mg, three times a day.
Start with a low dose and take with meals to avoid gastrointestinal distress.
Ginkgo Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings
Known ginkgo side effects include digestive upset, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, and restlessness.
Combining ginkgo with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants like Prozac or Zoloft should be avoided, as it may lead to serotonin syndrome.
Ginkgo reacts badly with a slew of medications.
Drugs.com lists nearly 300 of them.
If you take any medications, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, or visit Drugs.com to check for Ginkgo biloba drug interactions before taking this supplement.
13. DHA: Critical Brain Cell Building Block
Highly recommended for optimal brain performance, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an essential omega-3 fatty acid.
Omega-3 deficiency is widespread, linked to dozens of diseases, and contributes to 96,000 preventable deaths per year.
More than 40,000 studies have published on the health benefits of omega-3 fats, highlighting their importance to health.
And of all the omega-3s, DHA is the most important for your brain.
Omega-3 fats are harder to get from diet alone since few people regularly eat its main dietary sources — wild-caught, cold water, oily fish like salmon, herring, mackerel, and sardines.
DHA is a major building block of the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain where higher level functions occur.
It also plays an important role in brain cell communication.
Low DHA levels have been linked to depression, ADHD, serious psychiatric disorders, and to a measurable decrease in brain volume.
Supplementing with DHA has demonstrated improvements in memory loss, depression, mood swings, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and attention deficit disorder.
Older people with high levels of DHA have a significantly reduced risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Suggested DHA and Fish Oil Dosages
DHA is sometimes sold as a single-ingredient supplement, but most commonly it is included as a major component in fish oil or krill oil supplements.
Experts typically recommend 500 to 900 mg of total omega-3s daily to sustain health and prevent deficiency, with therapeutic doses up to 3 grams being generally safe.
A workshop by the US National Institutes of Health, involving global omega-3 experts, established 220 mg of DHA as the minimum optimal dose for health.
But it’s safe and often beneficial to take more, up to 1,000 mg per day.
DHA and Fish Oil Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings
DHA generally has a safe profile.
It may increase blood sugar in diabetics and lower blood pressure in those with hypertension which can alter the need for medication.
Fish oil can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with aspirin or blood thinners, but DHA alone does not seem to affect blood clotting.
14. Phosphatidylserine: Versatile Brain Enhancer
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid naturally found in high concentrations in the brain.
It is also a popular brain supplement for boosting memory, cognition, concentration, and learning.
Phosphatidylserine is a major component of human brain cell membranes.
By supporting brain cell membrane integrity, PS helps to keep toxins, pathogens, and other unwanted invaders out of the brain.
It normalizes levels of cortisol to reduce the effects of stress.
Phosphatidylserine is safe and effective for brains of all ages.
Clinical trials have found that it can improve ADHD symptoms in children.
Students frequently prefer it as a memory supplement to improve exam performance.
Phosphatidylserine is protective against mental decline, can improve mood, and can help with depression, especially in older people.
Numerous studies conclude that phosphatidylserine may be an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Phosphatidylserine stands out as the only brain supplement endorsed by the FDA for age-related cognitive decline and dementia in older individuals.
Suggested Phosphatidylserine Dosage
The general recommended dose for phosphatidylserine is 100 mg, three times a day.
However, doses of twice that amount, 600 mg per day, are deemed safe.
Phosphatidylserine is one of the few brain supplements with established dosages for children.
A typical dose for children and young teens is 200 mg per day.
Phosphatidylserine Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings
The most common side effects of phosphatidylserine supplements include digestive upset and insomnia, especially with high dosages.
Avoid phosphatidylserine if you take blood thinners or anti-inflammatory drugs.
It can decrease the effectiveness of antihistamines and antidepressants.
Do not take phosphatidylserine with drugs prescribed for Alzheimer’s, such as Aricept, Exelon, and Razadyne, without talking to your doctor.
Phosphatidylserine can alter these drugs’ effectiveness and magnify their side effects.
Supplements of phosphatidylserine almost always derive from soy.
If soy is a food you normally avoid, look for one extracted from sunflower oil instead.
15. L-Theanine: Meditation in a Cup or Capsule
An amino acid, L-theanine, found in black and green teas (Camellia sinensis), delivers a genuinely unique set of brain benefits.
One of the ways it works is by altering brainwave patterns.
L-theanine induces a desirable brainwave state of relaxed attentiveness similar to that achieved during meditation.
It sharpens focus, reduces stress, and imparts a sense of overall well-being.
L-theanine raises levels of several key brain chemicals — serotonin, dopamine, and GABA — to promote recall, learning, motivation, and positive mood.
It makes you more resilient to stress and helps quell anxiety.
It won’t make you drowsy, but can improve your quality of sleep.
Interestingly, l-theanine works synergistically with caffeine.
The combination of caffeine and l-theanine can help you perform mentally demanding tasks better than caffeine alone.
And since l-theanine is relaxing, it won’t leave you feeling edgy.
This unique caffeine-enhancing property makes l-theanine a popular supplement for those seeking optimal mental performance.
Some college students and biohackers use this caffeine-theanine combination in place of smart drugs.
L-theanine improves memory and cognition in older people, even those diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make it neuroprotective as well.
Suggested L-Theanine Dosage
The general recommended dosage for l-theanine is 200 to 400 mg per day.
Some people experience noticeable benefits with as little as 50 mg and almost everyone experiences some degree of relaxation with a 400 mg dose.
A mix of l-theanine and caffeine is a popular nootropic “stack” for boosting mood, focus, concentration, and alertness.
Typical ratios of l-theanine to caffeine range from 1:1 (2oo mg each) to 4:1 (200 mg theanine for every 50 mg of caffeine).
One popular brand of l-theanine is Suntheanine®.
This is a patented brand of pure theanine often used in studies when a standardized formula is required.
L-Theanine Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings
L-theanine supplements are considered very safe.
The few reported adverse reactions include headache, dizziness, and upset stomach.
If you take high blood pressure medication, use l-theanine cautiously, since it can decrease your blood pressure and possibly change your need for medication.
Also read our blog on The 11 Best Natural Xanax Alternatives
