The Most Effective Cognitive Support Supplements in 2024 – A Buyer’s Guide
Discover which cognitive support supplements are worth buying, and which ones to watch out for.
Many of us spend a lot of time focusing on our physical health, but what about our brain health and function? Cognitive health can oftentimes be overlooked, but it should be top of mind. It is especially important to keep it in check as we age.
A healthy diet and lifestyle are essential for brain health, but research suggests that certain supplements may also be beneficial, especially for older adults, those with restricted diets, and those with certain medical conditions. Brain-boosting supplements may be ideal for those looking to improve or preserve memory, improve mood, sharpen focus, and more.
Below we will explore which natural supplements you should take to help support your brain health.
Key Ingredients to Look for in a Cognitive Support Supplement
Your diet is essential to your overall health, and that includes your brain, as well. Certain herbs and nutrients have been shown to be essential for optimal cognitive function, however, sometimes it can be difficult to make sure you’re getting everything you need. That’s where supplements come in. They can aid in filling in those gaps you may be experiencing.
Numerous studies have been conducted to determine which ingredients are the most effective at aiding psychological and cognitive function. Here are a few:
Ginkgo Biloba - Touted as the “brain herb.” Studies have shown that ginkgo may help improve memory and mental performance in healthy adults.[1,2]
Lion’s Mane - Lion’s mane mushrooms have been found to contain two special compounds—hericenones and erinacines. These compounds can help stimulate the growth of brain cells and, therefore, can aid with improving cognitive function, as well as psychological function.[3,4,5]
L-Theanine - L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, has been shown to have a number of beneficial effects on brain function, including reducing stress, improving mood, and promoting normal sleep.[6]
Bacopa Monnieri - Bacopa Monnieri was found to be effective in improving speed of visual information processing, learning rate, memory consolidation, and reducing anxiety.[7]
Vitamin E - Oxidative stress is thought to contribute to cognitive decline. Antioxidants, like Vitamin E, have been used for its prevention and to combat these stressors.[8]
B Vitamins - B Vitamins are involved in many important brain functions, such as energy production, memory, and mood.[9]
What should I avoid?
Sceptical Potency
Be sure to read the label on cognitive support supplements so you know exactly what you’re getting. Try to avoid cognitive supplements with dosing in excess, as high doses of certain ingredients can be harmful.
Beware of online reviews (especially on Amazon)
Before purchasing any product, one of the first things we do when researching is to check its online reviews. Unfortunately, these are not always a trustworthy way to measure the quality and effectiveness of a product. Companies often pay for reviews on popular online retailers, like Amazon, to try to trick their way to a five-star rating. While you should definitely consult these reviews before purchasing, do your own research as well.
Generic ingredients
Many companies opt for generic ingredients that aren’t backed by data, meaning the supplement is “watered down” and less effective. Look for ingredients that are clinically proven to provide helpful results.
Your Final Checklist
Now that you know what ingredients to look for and what to avoid, it’s also important to keep the following criteria in mind when purchasing your cognitive support supplement.
Quality Ingredients Recommended by Professionals
One of the most important things to look out for when choosing a supplement is that it’s recommended by healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals are more likely to align themselves with products that are made with high-quality ingredients that truly work.
Money-Back Guarantee
Make sure that the product you buy has a clear money-back guarantee on all product purchases. This is a tell-tale sign that a company knows they’re selling you a great product, so they aren’t afraid to offer you a sort of “insurance” on it.
How we evaluated the top 5
There are so many brands producing different variations of supplements, and while this means you have an abundance of choices, it also makes it challenging to differentiate between good supplements and poor-quality ones that won’t provide you with the benefits you’re looking for. So, we’ve made it easy for you.
We searched the internet for the most popular cognitive support supplements available on the market today and ranked them for you in our top 5 list.
Here are Our Top 5 Cognitive Support Supplement Picks for 2024
1. Cognitive Complex
Total Ranking
830 votes
9.7/10
A+
Overall GradePROS
- 16 Science-Backed Nutrients
- Helps provide cognitive and psychological benefits
- Does not have any synthetic or unnecessary additives
- Money-back guarantee
- Recommended by healthcare professionals
- Product is reasonably priced
- Made in the UK
CONS
- Only available online
- Express delivery is only available in the UK and European countries
The Bottom Line
Of every cognitive support supplement that we tested, Hey Nutrition’s Cognitive Complex is by far the highest quality product that delivered the best results.
Their product contains 16 essential ingredients—including Ginkgo Biloba, Lion's Mane, Bacopa Monnieri, and Guarana Seed—to help support normal psychological, memory, and nervous system functioning.
The capsules are made of Hypromellose, which makes them suitable for vegans and vegetarians, and are completely dairy-free. Also, there are absolutely no unnecessary ingredients in their supplements. You know you’re getting simple, all-natural ingredients, which is what you want in your supplement.
Hey Nutrition also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee on all purchases, which makes us believe that customer satisfaction ranks high on their list of priorities as a brand.
All in all, Hey Nutrition seems to have the highest quality ingredients list of all the supplements we came across in our research. The fewer unnecessary ingredients, the better.
*Results are based on the HeyLiving Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn About Our Top Pick2. Memory
Total Ranking
312 votes
8.6/10
B
Overall GradePROS
- Natural Ingredients
- Chlorophyll Capsules
- 100% Vegan & Non-GMO
- Made in the UK
- Satisfaction Guarantee
CONS
- Missing a Few Beneficial Ingredients
The Bottom Line
N2’s Memory is a cognitive support supplement containing several key ingredients formulated to contribute to improving concentration, strengthens memory, and boosts energy and mental agility. The product is reasonably priced and it’s free of lactose, gluten, GMOs, and artificial preservatives.
We were impressed to see so many great natural ingredients in their formula. However, a few of our top ingredients, like lion's mane and vitamin E, appear to have been left off the ingredients list.
*Results are based on the HeyLiving Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More3. Mushroom Complex 6
Total Ranking
269 votes
8.5/10
B
Overall GradePROS
- All Natural Formula
- Zero Additives & 100% Vegan
- 3rd Party Lab Tested
- Made in the UK
CONS
- No Vitamins & Minerals
- Low Dosages
- 30-Day Return Policy
The Bottom Line
Time Health’s formula contains various beneficial types of mushrooms. This is a simple all-natural mushroom complex that is said to support immunity, energy, cognitive function, and overall wellbeing.
Our biggest upset is we were missing the full-spectrum blend like the previous two products. We believe that a full-spectrum complex just further enhances the supplements and provide various more benefits. However, this is still a great cognitive support supplement.
*Results are based on the HeyLiving Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More4. Brain Boost
Total Ranking
301 votes
8.4/10
B-
Overall GradePROS
- 15 Beneficial Ingredients
- Gluten-Free & Vegan-Friendly
- Non-GMO
- Made in the UK
CONS
- Slow Effects
- Large Capsules
- 30-Day Return Policy
The Bottom Line
VitaVerve’s Brain Boost nootropic is a great cognitive complex that contains numerous beneficial ingredients. We were missing vitamin E, but outside of that, we loved the ingredient list.
While overall this nootropic meets all of our standards, we noticed consumers have reported slow results. Additionally, this supplement comes in the form of a large capsule, which may make it difficult to take for some.
*Results are based on the HeyLiving Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More5. Cognitive Complex Pro
Total Ranking
207 votes
7.9/10
C
Overall GradePROS
- 6 Key Ingredients
- No Synthetic Fillers or Binders
- Vegan-Friendly
- Made in the UK
CONS
- No Beneficial Herbs
- Large Tablets
- 30-Day Return Policy
The Bottom Line
We love this Cognitive Complex from Nutravita in terms of features. These fast absorbing tablets are formulated with sustainably sourced ingredients. It’s free of GMOs, gluten, nuts, and soya. Meaning you only get beneficial ingredients and nothing you don’t need.
While we were impressed to see so some great ingredients, we were missing the addition of beneficial herbs like the others products had. Consumers have also noted that results are slow to appear. Luckily their bottles come with a three-month supply.
*Results are based on the HeyLiving Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn MoreFinal Thoughts
The Bottom Line
When it comes to choosing the right cognitive support supplements, it is essential to choose a product that is made with high-quality ingredients delivered in optimal doses from a brand you can trust.
After searching the internet to find the best prenatal products and evaluating them based on their customer service, ingredients and pricing, we believe Hey Nutrition Cognitive Complex is the best on the market.
Hey Nutrition provides a 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back.
Take advantage of this Offer while supplies last.
CITATIONS
- Gestuvo, M., & Hung, W. (2012). Common dietary supplements for cognitive health. Aging health, 8(1), 89–97. https://doi.org/10.2217/AHE.11.92
- Amieva H, Meillon C, Helmer C, Barberger-Gateau P, Dartigues JF. Ginkgo biloba extract and long-term cognitive decline: a 20-year follow-up population-based study. PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e52755. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052755. Epub 2013 Jan 11.
- Ryu, S., Kim, H. G., Kim, J. Y., Kim, S. Y., & Cho, K. O. (2018). Hericium erinaceus Extract Reduces Anxiety and Depressive Behaviors by Promoting Hippocampal Neurogenesis in the Adult Mouse Brain. Journal of medicinal food, 21(2), 174–180. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2017.4006
- Kushairi, N., Phan, C. W., Sabaratnam, V., David, P., & Naidu, M. (2019). Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. Suppresses H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage and LPS-Induced Inflammation in HT22 Hippocampal Neurons and BV2 Microglia. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 8(8), 261. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8080261
- Tsai-Teng, T., Chin-Chu, C., Li-Ya, L., Wan-Ping, C., Chung-Kuang, L., Chien-Chang, S., Chi-Ying, H. F., Chien-Chih, C., & Shiao, Y. J. (2016). Erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus mycelium ameliorates Alzheimer's disease-related pathologies in APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mice. Journal of biomedical science, 23(1), 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12929-016-0266-z
- Baba, Y., Inagaki, S., Nakagawa, S., Kaneko, T., Kobayashi, M., & Takihara, T. (2021). Effects of l-Theanine on Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Subjects: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study. Journal of medicinal food, 24(4), 333–341. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2020.4803
- Kumar, N., Abichandani, L. G., Thawani, V., Gharpure, K. J., Naidu, M. U., & Venkat Ramana, G. (2016). Efficacy of Standardized Extract of Bacopa monnieri (Bacognize®) on Cognitive Functions of Medical Students: A Six-Week, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2016, 4103423. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/4103423
- Gestuvo, M., & Hung, W. (2012). Common dietary supplements for cognitive health. Aging health, 8(1), 89–97. https://doi.org/10.2217/AHE.11.92
- Kennedy D. O. (2016). B Vitamins and the Brain: Mechanisms, Dose and Efficacy--A Review. Nutrients, 8(2), 68. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8020068
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* The information contained within this site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have, expect to have, or suspect you may have any medical condition, you are urged to consult with a healthcare provider. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or the European Food Safety Authority. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or medical conditions. Results are based on the opinion of the author and their own rankings and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Trademarks used on our website belong to their respective owners and no implied or expressed endorsement of our website or services is intended. Rankings can be affected by the relationship or ownership interest we have in various products featured.
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