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2024's 5 Supplements for Enhancing Focus & Memory and Combatting Brain Fog

Your Guide to Choosing an Effective Supplement to Improve Cognitive Performance. 

  • Written by: Brilliant Staff
  • Fact Checked by: Melissa Mitri, MS, RD
conceptual image of brain working
As we get older, our mind’s ability to keep up with the pace of life diminishes. Moments like forgetting your keys or making obvious mistakes can leave people feeling uneasy, overwhelmed, and even lost.

Thankfully, scientists have been studying a number of promising ingredients for the past few decadesAnd as a result, there are now more than 80,000 “brain boosting” supplements on the market today. But only a few have been recognized to improve your cognitive function. 

That’s why we created this guide to show you exactly what to look for and what to avoid in a cognitive supplement. We also reveal our 5 product recommendations for 2024. 

Benefits of a Quality Brain Health Supplement

Short & Long-Term Memory

A high-quality brain health supplement can help maintain cognitive function and promote short-term & long-term memory, attention, and processing speed. These brain nutrients also help increase memory and learning.

Focus, Sharpness & Alertness

If you've ever wondered how people in their 70s and 80s are still sharp as a tack with laser-like focus, it's probably because they've invested in brain-healthy nutrients.

Learning & Accuracy

Once you meet the nutrient demands of your brain, learning can feel easier. Afterall, quality brain health supplements can help promote attention, memory, and retention.

Better Mood & Mental Clarity

A highly rated brain health supplement can help balance “neurotransmitters” which can lead you to feel more stable, focused, mentally clear, and full of "brain power.”

Brain Defense & Confidence

Effective brain ingredients can reduce age-related oxidative stress and promote the growth of new brain cells.
While there are dozens of ingredients that can support your brain health, the list below shows cutting-edge and time-tested ingredients found in quality brain-health supplements with stellar customer results.

These powerful nutrients can help you with everything from memory and focus to overall cognitive enhancement that includes lifting some of that fogginess.

Step 1

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Step 2

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Step 3

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Key Ingredients in a High-Quality Brain Supplement

Phosphatidylserine — Focus & Attentiveness

Sometimes referred to as "the messenger," this phospholipid is a fatty substance produced in the body that helps transmit messages between nerve cells in the brain.

Bacopa Monnieri — Memory & Learning Acuity

Bacopa monnieri has been described as a calming cognitive enhancer. Clinical studies demonstrate the role of this important nutrient in supporting verbal learning, word recall, memory retrieval, and stress reduction.

Folate — Mood Support

A growing body of evidence suggests that folate is critical for proper brain function and plays an important role in mental and emotional health. That’s because it plays a key role in aiding the production of neurotransmitters.

B-Vitamins — Overall Brain Health

B-vitamins perform essential roles in cellular functioning and promote numerous aspects of brain function, including the synthesis of neurochemicals and signaling molecules.

Watch Out For

“Other” Ingredients

Even when a brain supplement contains great ingredients, it’s also important to check the “other ingredients” within a formula. These add-ons can include sweeteners, colors, preservatives, and other unnecessary additives that provide zero nutritional value.

Unapproved Drugs

We wish it wasn’t true, but many brain supplements contain unapproved drugs — and sometimes they’re not even listed on the label! So make sure to research the ingredients and the company behind any brain health formula you are considering.
Now that you know what to look for and avoid in your brain health supplement, it’s time to shop. Check out our Brilliant recommendations below, including our own 1MD Nutrition MindMD™.

2024’s Highly-Rated Brain Health Supplements

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What is lorum ipsum?

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What We Like:

    • Phosphatidylserine 
    • Bacopa monnieri extract
    • Folate (vitamin B9)
    • Clinically studied ingredients
    • Vegan
    • Endorsed by a Neurologist
    • Non-GMO
    • Good Manufacturing Practices 
    • 90-day returns

Room To Improve:

    • Only available online

Final Thoughts

1MD Nutrition’s MindMD contains significant amounts of folic acid, COGNIGRAPE red grape extract, phosphatidylserine, bacopa monnieri, vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine HCl), green tea leaf extract for better focus, attention, alertness, clarity, short and long term memory, sharp thinking, and cognitive function support

Our product, MindMD, is recommended by board-certified neurologist Dr. Alexander Zubkov as a broad-spectrum brain health supplement designed to support attentiveness, energy, concentration, accuracy, and learning and reduce age-related cognitive decline.

All 1MD Nutrition products are backed by a 90-day money-back guarantee in case you don’t love them.

Product Specs

  • 60 capsules per bottle (30 servings) 
  • Phosphatidylserine (100 mg) 
  • Folate (120 mcg folic acid), COGNIGRAPE™ (250 mg), Bacognize® bacopa monnieri (600 mg), vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine HCl 1.7 mg), and green tea leaf extract (50 mg)
  • Vegetable cellulose capsule
  • Gluten Free, Shellfish Free, Dairy Free, Peanut Free, Fish Free, Wheat Free, Non-GMO, Vegan
  • Allergen warning: soy
  • Price: $$ 

What We Like:

    • Phosphatidylserine
    • Bacopa monnieri extract
    • Vitamin B6
    • Clinically studied ingredients
    • Non-GMO
    • Good Manufacturing Practices 
    • 90-day returns

Room To Improve:

    • Formula potency

Final Thoughts

Onnit’s Alpha Brain Daily Cognitive Support contains 3 different blends of nutrients inside one formula, including three proprietary blends: Onnit Flow Blend, Onnit Focus Blend, and Onnit Fuel Blend.

Alpha Brain is made with phosphatidylserine and vitamin B6 — a critical nutrient for communication between nerve cells in the brain. It also includes L-theanine, L-tyrosine, and Cat’s Claw extract to support everyday cognitive function.

 

Despite its impressive catalog of ingredients, they don’t disclose how much of those ingredients you’re actually getting, as they are listed as part of a proprietary blend.

Onnit offers a 90-Day money-back guarantee, however, opened items must be at least half full to qualify for a full refund.

Product Specs

  • 90 capsules per bottle (45 servings) 
  • Onnit Flow Blend™ (650 mg) L-Tyrosine, L-Theanine, Oat (Straw) Extract, Phosphatidylserine
  • Onnit Focus Blend™ (240 mg) L-alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine (Alpha GPC), Bacopa monnieri extract, Toothed Clubmoss Extract    
  • Onnit Fuel Blend™ (60 mg) L-Leucine, Pterostilbene
  • 10 mg Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine HCI), 350 mg Cat’s Claw Extract
  • Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Caffeine Free
  • Price: $

*We earn a commission if you click on this link to make a purchase of Alpha Brain

What We Like:

    • Apoaequorin 
    • Vitamin D
    • Clinically studied ingredients
    • Non-GMO
    • Good Manufacturing Practices

Room To Improve:

    • Only 45-day returns

Final Thoughts

Prevagen’s claim to fame is 20 mg of Apoaequorin, the unique ingredient contained in its formula.

Apoaequorin is a protein found in glow-in-the-dark jellyfish called Aequorea victoria. The lab-made version found in Prevagen may improve memory concerns linked to aging and has undergone extensive safety testing for allergenicity and toxicity.

Prevagen also contains 50 mcg of vitamin D, known for its role in regulating and protecting the nervous system. It also has antioxidant properties.

While Prevagen does not contain many of the healthy brain function ingredients cited throughout this buying guide, the formula is so exceptional that we simply had to include it on our list.

Prevagen gets positive reviews from their customers and comes recommended by a survey of pharmacists.

At over $100 for a 2-month supply, Prevagen is moderately priced. If you’re not satisfied with your results, returns are accepted up to 45-days after purchase.

Product Specs

  • 30 capsules / bottle (30 servings)
  • Apoaequorin (20 mg) 
  • Vitamin D (50 mcg)
  • Microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable capsule (cellulose, water)
  • Contains milk and soy
  • Price: $$

*We earn a commission if you click on this link to make a purchase of Prevagen®

What We Like:

    • Phosphatidylserine
    • Bacopa monnieri extract
    • Ashwagandha extract 
    • Acetyl-L-Carnitine
    • Lutein
    • Clinically studied ingredients
    • Non-GMO
    • Good Manufacturing Practices 
    • 60-day returns

Room To Improve:

    • Lacks some key ingredients like B-vitamins

Final Thoughts

Thornes’ Memoractiv is a well-known nootropic brain supplement that has been clinically studied for memory effectiveness, processes, and speed.

An interesting perk of Memoractiv is that in addition to its cognitive function benefits, it contains properties meant to spur creativity and motivation.

The ingredients behind this brain health solution include Ashwagandha extract, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Ginkgo phytosome, Bacopa monnieri, PURENERGY (caffeine pterostilbene complex), Lutein, and Zeaxanthin Isomers.

The Memoractiv formula may enhance reaction times for mental tasks, fight brain fog, help manage the effects of stress, and moderate balanced cortisol levels to promote positive moods.

Memoractiv is backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Product Specs

  • 60 capsules per bottle (30 servings) 
  • Ashwagandha extract (300mg)
  • Acetyl-L-Carnitine (250mg)    
  • Ginkgo phytosome (Ginkgo biloba leaf/Phosphatidylserine complex) (240mg)
  • Bacopa extract (leaf) (Bacopa monnieri) (100mg)
  • PURENERGY™ (caffeine pterostilbene complex (116mg) (Pterostilbene 66mg) (caffeine 50mg)
  • Lutein from Lutemax 2020 (Tagetes erecta) (10mg)
  • Zeaxanthin Isomers from Lutemax 2020 (Tagetes erecta) (2mg)
  • Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Non-GMO 
  • Price: $$

*We earn a commission if you click on this link to make a purchase of Thorne Memoractiv™

What We Like:

    • Phosphatidylserine
    • Folate (vitamin B9)
    • Vitamins B3, B6 and B12
    • Bacopa monnieri extract
    • Clinically studied ingredients
    • Vegan
    • Non-GMO 
    • Good Manufacturing Practices

Room To Improve:

    • 4-8 tablets per serving
    • No money-back guarantee

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the market for a clinically tested brain health supplement with a multi-year track record, you may have found what you’ve been looking for with Synergy’s Focus Factor.

Like our previous recommendations, this formula contains critical brain health nutrients like folate (400 mcg folic acid), calcium (50mg), vitamin B6 (15 mg), and more.

However, Focus Factor includes so many components (a total of 24 ingredients plus an additional proprietary blend!) that the minimum amount per serving is 4 tablets. Depending on your body weight, activity level and stress level, they recommend that you may need up to 8 tablets per day!

In addition to being free of fillers, preservatives, gluten, wheat, Synergy’s Focus Factor formula is non-GMO, and contains no yeast, egg, sweeteners, or starches.

Please note that there are no returns or refunds unless the product is considered faulty or tampered with. Return shipping is the responsibility of the customer.

Product Specs

  • 180 tablets / bottle (45 servings) 
  • Folate (vitamin B9) (400 mcg folic acid) 
  • Calcium (50 mg) 
  • Vitamin B6 (15 mg)
  • Choline (30 mg as choline bitartrate) 
  • Gluten Free, Soy Free, Non-GMO, Vegan
  • Price: $

*We earn a commission if you click on this link to make a purchase of Focus Factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of folate?

Folate (vitamin B9) helps us make new cells every day, including neurons. This key nutrient is important for the synthesis of DNA, which is essential for the growth and maintenance of the brain. Adequate folate intake is critical for a healthy, aging brain.

What is phosphatidylserine?

Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid produced by your body. This fatty substance helps better transmit messages between nerve cells in the brain to help your memory and cognitive function.

Can green tea leaf extract help focus my attention?

Green tea leaf extract helps improve your capacity for attention while also supporting whole-brain wellness, including concentration, accuracy, learning, memory, energy, and more.

A high quality green tea leaf extract will include 75% catechin by HPLC and 30% EGCG by HPLC., a measure of the level of catechins present. 

Catechin are naturally occurring plant compounds called flavonols that are well-demonstrated antioxidants.

EGCG is the major type of catechin found in green tea. 

Studies on EGCG show their potential to promote healthy aging by improving alterations that can occur in a natural aging brain, their ability to increase the learning ability and fight against oxidative stress in the brain.

The Brilliant Process

How We Choose Products

Like you, we’re picky about products — and serious about quality

Whether we’re featuring an award-winning product from one of our five beauty and wellness brands — or somebody else’s — a Brilliant recommendation doesn’t see the light of day until it has been medically reviewed for accuracy and has fulfilled our Brilliant Criteria.

At Brilliant, although we often feature products that we sell, we’re not afraid to highlight and celebrate other brands who are doing things right.

Brilliant Criteria

We take great care in handpicking high-quality products to feature on Brilliant. Here’s how we choose them:
  • Research-Based Ingredients: We dig deep into the latest research and look for products that contain science-based ingredients for optimal impact.
  • Pure, Holistic Formulas: We prioritize products that contain clean, wholesome ingredients shown to be effective. A product should only contain what it needs and nothing else — period.
  • Brand Credibility: Each product on our list is produced by a company with trusted credibility. We've also verified that each brand adheres to labeling requirements set forth under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
  • Value: We evaluate products based on industry averages and price per serving or application. We also consider quantity and return policy.

Why Trust Us?

As veteran leaders in the wellness space with an award-winning brand portfolio of 100+ health and beauty products, we are committed to honesty and transparency, providing unbiased insights into the benefits and limitations of the information and products we evaluate — including our own. Every Brilliant Buying Guide is thoroughly vetted for medical accuracy prior to publication.

With our discerning selection process, you can feel confident that the products we recommend meet the highest benchmarks of quality, transparency, and efficacy. If we wouldn’t use a product ourselves, it’s not Brilliant.

Citations

1. Kim, Hee-Yong, et al. Progress in Lipid Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 2014. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4258547
2. Baba, Yoshitake, et al. Journal of Medicinal Food, vol. 24, no. 4, 1 Apr. 2021, pp. 333–341, https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2020.4803
3. Attipoe, Selasi, et al. Military Medicine, vol. 180, no. 7, July 2015, pp. 754–765, https://doi.org/10.7205/milmed-d-14-00594.. 
4. Liwinski, Timur, and Undine E. Lang. Nutrients, vol. 15, no. 17, 1 Jan. 2023, p. 3859, www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/17/3859, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173859.
5. Kato-Kataoka, Akito, et al. Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Nov. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2966935/
7. Kennedy, David O. Nutrients, vol. 8, no. 2 Feb. 2016, p. 68, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4772032/ 
8. Walker, Eric A., and Mark V. Pellegrini. “Bacopa Monnieri.” PubMed, StatPearls Publishing, 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589635/
11. Pervin, Monira, et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 20, no. 15, 25 July 2019, p. 3630, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20153630.. 
12. Singh, Neha Atulkumar, et al. Nutrition Journal, vol. 15, no. 1, Dec. 2015, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-016-0179-4.
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