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The 6 Best Supplements For Memory & Brain Health

Brain health supplements are gaining popularity as people look to protect their memory from aging, enhance mental energy (to excel at work), and balance mood (so many hormones that influence how we feel are located in the brain.

The thing is: some of these products work, while others hold gimmicky false promises, ineffective ingredients, and insufficient doses. Here’s what you need to know about brain health supplements, the best ingredients to look for, and a list of our expert-vetted picks.

Do memory supplements actually work?

They can if they include science-backed ingredients at clinically relevant doses. No, they won’t magically restore your memories or provide superhuman cognitive abilities, but both human and animal studies that some supplements can help with multiple aspects of memory:^1,2

Episodic Memory

This is your ability to remember certain experiences you’ve had, like what you did to celebrate your birthday last year.

Composite Memory

This is your ability to combine multiple senses into the same memory, like how you felt at your last birthday and what your cake smelled like.

Working Memory

This is your ability to remember something while it’s happening, like the name of a new acquaintance in the middle of a conversation with them.

Consolidation

This is your ability to file away memories to long-term storage, like remember that name for years to come.

What to look for

Focus
Attention
Mental Clarity
Brain Fog
Mood Balance
Mental Fatigue
Brain Energy
Brain Blood Flow

The ingredients that deliver these benefits

Some supplement ingredients have more research than others. And these six are the ones you want to focus on.

Citicoline

Citicoline is a naturally occurring compound in the brain, and its supplemental form is also beneficial for brain health. This is the ingredient to look for if you want to focus on memory, and it also supports neurotransmitter levels and energy production.*³

L-Tyrosine

This amino acid is a precursor to important neurotransmitters like dopamine and epinephrine. Research shows it can help balance stress, enhance focus, and support working memory.*⁴

Resveratrol

This antioxidant has long been touted for its longevity benefits—including cognitive longevity. It has neuroprotective properties and supports healthy blood flow to the brain (ensuring this vital organ gets the oxygen and nutrients it needs).*⁵

Huperzine A

This nootropic compound helps regulate healthy neurotransmitter levels; bolster memory, learning, and cognition; and protect nerve cells.*⁷

B Vitamins

This nootropic compound helps regulate healthy neurotransmitter levels; bolster memory, learning, and cognition; and protect nerve cells.*⁷

Bacoba Monnieri

This herb is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. And research shows it can help with memory retention while promoting overall mental well-being.*⁶

Kanna

This nootropic compound helps regulate healthy neurotransmitter levels; bolster memory, learning, and cognition; and protect nerve cells.*⁷

How we picked

Science-backed ingredients: We looked for brands with nootropic ingredients (like the ones listed above) that deliver cognitive benefits proven by science.
Efficacious dosing & form: Those ingredients may not do much though if they aren’t supplied at the right dose and in the right form. You can trust that the products included here are in an amount and the form needed to make a difference in your health.
Clean formulas: We prioritize brands with a clear emphasis on quality testing, high-quality ingredients, and a short list of “other ingredients” (like fillers).

best overall