Unboxed: 10 supplements that entertain the brain
Brain health supplements support healthy cognition, can improve specific measures of memory and take away the blues. Here’s the latest brain-boosters to stock.
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40 vegan liquid phyto-caps 20 servings SRP: $18.99 We were wondering if “nootropic” has really caught on with the general public, or whether it’s just a hip biohacker term. But if it’s good enough for Gaia, it’s good enough for us. We’re just wild about saffron—one human study found it appears to help with depression for older people. Another human clinical found 28 mg per day of saffron decreased bad moods related to stress anxiety. Gaia uses 32 mg here. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an old favorite, shown to be useful in improving memory performance and increased calmness. Gaia always produces thoughtful formulations.
30 softgels 30 servings SRP: $29.9 Pregnant women looking to pass on some of their good dietary habits to the seed within can support cognitive development with this simple formulation of tuna oil, which includes 500 mg DHA, 100 mg EPA plus 55 mg DPA—an emerging, intermediate omega-3 species between DHA and EPA. Combined, these dosage levels qualify for a structure/function claim that it “helps to support the development of the brain, eyes and nerves in children up to 12 years of age.”
31 capsules 31 servings SRP: $42.00 In various stress models, the dynamic duo probiotic combination used here facilitated better coping and outcomes via the maintenance of intestinal wall barrier function and suppressing inflammation. Human clinicals using the two have found a significant reduction in diarrhea, reduced side effects of antibiotics, positive outcomes in irritable bowel syndrome, and effective for those with lactose intolerance problems. It also contains the Bacillus subtilis DE111 probiotic strain. Finally, there’s the efficacious dose of chill-out L-theanine.
45 vegetarian capsules 15 servings SRP: $29.95 Artichoke leaf extract contains a compound called luteolin, which inhibits the activity of phosphodiesterase, an enzyme that degrades neural signaling inside bran cells. This degradation otherwise depresses learning, memory and mood. Luteolin has been shown to quell this activity as well as stimulate the growth of new neurons in the brain. The inclusion of phenylalanine is important because it helps synthesize dopamine—a chemical that mediates pleasure and is also important in cognitive flexibility, specifically a type of long-term memory known as episodic. The product is also third-party tested with ingredient traceability for every batch.
90 softgels 90 servings SRP: $49.99 Go big or go home, right? A full gram’s worth of DHA per day has clear benefits on the noggin—studies show 1,000 mg per day leads to more words remembered, episodic and working memory and improved learning and memory function in age-related cognitive decline.
60 softgels 30 servings SRP: $39.95 The alpha and the omega—the first and the last letters in the Greek alphabet. Here, the alpha is alpha-GPC, where the “C” in alpha-GPC stands for choline, which is an important neurotransmitter that is vital for pretty much every cognitive function. The omega-3 is a healthy 800 mg DHA along with 200 mg EPA—cognitive health studies show positive results with DHA start at around the 800 mg level.
90 vegetarian capsules 20 servings SRP: $28.99 Om does mushrooms right, growing these non-GMO, gluten-free ’shrooms indoors on organic oat substrate that do not require much water, nor do they emit much of the climate-unfriendly methane greenhouse gas. All of the mushrooms are used, plus the mycelial biomass—the oats plus the wispy mushroom “roots.” Lion’s mane has been shown to stimulate the production of nerve growth factor, a protein that promotes the growth and normal function of neurons in the brain. This neuroprotective property may support the use in memory improvement.
30 packets 30 servings SRP: $59.95 Single-serving powder packets in yummy flavors deliver a raft of nootropic ingredients designed to support memory, promote focus and aid in mental processing. A combination of “flow state” ingredients—you know, like go with the flow—includes the neurotransmitters L-tyrosine (a precursor to feel-good dopamine) and phosphatidylserine, along with L-theanine (the green tea amino that makes you feel relaxed but not drowsy). Of note, two human clinicals using this finished-product formulation showed improvements in memory and task-based focus.
60 capsules 30 servings SRP: $57.98 Biohacking company RS Labs formulates with eight different brain-friendly ingredients—alpha-GPC and phosphatidylserine to 5-HTP, vinpocetine, ginkgo and more. It’s a pretty broad-range cognitive booster designed to support focus, memory and motivation.
60 tablets 20 servings SRP: $24.50 Who doesn’t just love this name? It contains an impressive 10 brain-boosting ingredients—from the adaptogen rhodiola to the chill-worthy L-theanine, mild antidepressant St. John’s wort to "walking meditation in a bottle" holy basil. There’s also three B vitamins to keep you up and going. Will it be effective? We’re, well, optimistic.
60 tablets 20 servings SRP: $24.50 Who doesn’t just love this name? It contains an impressive 10 brain-boosting ingredients—from the adaptogen rhodiola to the chill-worthy L-theanine, mild antidepressant St. John’s wort to "walking meditation in a bottle" holy basil. There’s also three B vitamins to keep you up and going. Will it be effective? We’re, well, optimistic.
The brain and cognitive health market is up 50% over the last five years, according to data from Nutrition Business Journal. To be clear, this does not include sleep. Various elements of cognitive health are rising in concern—everyone from young workers looking to hack their office performance to middle-aged consumers concerned about slowing down to elderly people worried about age-related cognitive decline. And luckily, a lot of supplement ingredients can support the brain in these areas.
Here’s a look at 10 of the newest entrants to this red-hot category.
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