Use Our Ratings to Buy a Quality Supplement

woman taking supplementWith all the companies out there bombarding you with advertising, trying to sell you their brain supplement, you’ll probably be surprised to hear that we think most people actually don’t need a “brain” supplement! Scientific evidence has shown over and over again that the best brain support regime begins with the core basics of good multivitamin, omega-3 EFA, and antioxidant supplementation. You can read more about that here.

The supplements we’ve included in this guide are either designed, or most likely marketed, specifically for your memory or your brain. As you’ll see as you scan through the list of supplements we’ve rated, there are loads of truly scammy supplements being foisted on an unwary public. Over half of them we specifically recommend you should avoid.

However, there is a time and place to use “brain” or “memory” supplements – along with, or after you’ve started, the core regimen above. So we want to guide you away from the junk to the handful of truly excellent products, ones that are manufactured by reputable companies that base their formulas on scientific evidence, and that meet high quality assurance standards. These are the supplements to buy.

In our guide, we’ve rated 30+ products with our own 5-point rating system to help you find a quality supplement, simply and easily. Now that’s smart.

“Be Smart” Brain Supplement Guide

Products rated by BeBrainFit.com (how we rate products)

Search for products by name

SUPER BRAIN BOOSTER
Wellness Resources
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Super Brain Booster contains herbs and amino acids designed to help with focus, memory, learning, and general cognitive health. Wellness Resources, has been owned and operated since 1985 by renowned nutrition expert and author Byron Richards. He has helped tens of thousands of people improve their health naturally at his practice. He continues to perfect his supplements to get real results for his patients. The company has a BBB rating of A+. Products are manufactured in the US at a GMP facility. Since they don't pay for advertising, this company can keep costs down. Surprisingly, this is one of the most affordable brain supplements we found.
Wellness Resources Super Brain Booster

Our advice: RECOMMENDED

Read our Super Brain Booster review
Buy
Super Brain Booster

FOCUS FORMULA
Native Remedies
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
You should have every confidence in Native Remedies, a company specializing in herbal and homeopathic remedies. They have an A+ BBB rating. They have been mentioned favorably in major print and broadcast media. They offer an unheard of one year guarantee on all their products, and a customer base of over 500,000. Focus Formula is a liquid extract based on a traditional herbal formula designed to improve concentration, attention span, motivation, and memory. It's safe for kids too.
Native Remedies Focus Formula

Our advice: RECOMMENDED

Read our Focus Formula review
Buy Focus Formula

ADVANCED BRAIN PERFORMANCE
Wellformative
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Advanced Brain Performance was developed by Dr. Alan Pressman, author and host of the highly-acclaimed radio program Healthline. It contains the right ingredients to back its claim of improving concentration, mental clarity, and mood. I like that it's a fast-acting powder for people who don't like pills. This supplement relies too heavily on Dr. Pressman's association for credibility, and makes no mention of quality assurance standards. But for his fans, that probably won't be necessary.
Wellformative Advanced Brain Performance

Our advice: RECOMMENDED

Buy Advanced Brain Performance

BRAIN VITALITY GPC
Purity Products
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Purity Products goes out of its way to gain your trust. It has a GMP facility, Certificates of Analysis (published for you to see), and several products that are NSF certified, providing another layer of quality assurance. Purity has a BBB rating of A+ and an advisory board that includes three notable nutrition experts. There are two versions of brain boosting formula Brain Vitality GPC - capsules and powder. This amino acid supplement builds neurotransmitters, counteract brain cell degeneration, and prevent free radical damage.
Purity Products Brain Vitality GPC

Our advice: RECOMMENDED

Buy Brain Vitality GPC

MEMORISE
Native Remedies
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Native Remedies (see Focus Formula to learn about the company) understands that everyone is different, and offers a total of 6 formulations to address specific sets of brain health, memory, or focus symptoms. MemoRise is their herbal supplement designed with seniors and middle-aged folks in mind to help with age-related forgetfulness. It contains herbs traditionally used for improving cognitive issues. While a very good product, I've downgraded this for being expensive. One bottle, when taken as directed, lasts only two weeks. However, the company frequently offers sales and promo codes.
Native Remedies MemoRise

Our advice: RECOMMENDED

Buy MemoRise

TRIPLE COMPLEX BRAIN TONIC
Native Remedies
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Triple Complex Brain Tonic is a homeopathic brain formula designed by Native Remedies (see Focus Formula above) to relieve mental fatigue, increase alertness, and improve concentration and memory. If you like the philosophy and safety of homeopathic remedies, you won't do better than a formula from this top-notch company. Feel confident giving it a try - all Native Remedies products come with an unheard of one year guarantee.
Native Remedies Triple Complex Brain Tonic

Our advice: RECOMMENDED

Buy Triple Complex Brain Tonic

Top of Guide / How we rate products

MIND MATRIX
Healthy Choice Naturals
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Mind Matrix is a blend of brain enhancing herbs and amino acids by Healthy Choice Naturals. This small nutrition company is doing a lot right. They are BBB A+ rated. Their products are manufactured in the US in a GMP quality facility. They clearly show you their product labels. They offer a generous 90 day guarantee. I like that the recommended dose is only one pill per day. Mind Matrix ingredients are typical of those used in memory supplements but are much more affordable. It is one of the least expensive memory supplements we've found that hasn't sacrificed quality to offer genuine savings.
Healthy Choice Naturals Mind Matrix

Our advice: POSSIBLY HELPFUL

Buy Mind Matrix

BACOPA GOLD
Nutrigold
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Bacopa is a traditional Indian herbal remedy for depression, anxiety, and mental illness. There is now interest in this herb from the medical community to use for Alzheimer's, memory loss, and mental decline. Bacopa Gold contains a standardized extract and is manufactured in a GMP facility, which is all good. The website talks about 'purity, potency and perfection' but I don't see much to back this up. A lot of customers gave it favorable reviews on Amazon, and bacopa does have the benefit of having been used traditionally for many centuries.
Nutrigold Bacopa Gold

Our advice: POSSIBLY HELPFUL

Buy Bacopa Gold

MIND POWER RX
Advance Physician Formulas
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Mind Power Rx is one of the 300 or so products sold by Advance Physician Formulas. This particular supplement was formulated by Dr. Ray Sahelian. If his name sounds familiar it's because he's a prominent holistic doctor who has sold over 1 million books including 'Mind Boosters'. He has over 90,000 likes on Facebook where he's modestly referred to as the worlds #1 supplement expert. I have no doubt this is a reputable company. They have a BBB A- rating and do all the right things as far as quality assurance goes. But I had a 'malicious url' warning appear as I browsed the site, so I'd recommend you buy it from Amazon, where it's the same price, just in case.
Advance Physician Formulas Mind Power Rx

Our advice: POSSIBLY HELPFUL

Buy Mind Power Rx

FOCUS FORMULA
Windmill Health Products
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Focus Formula by Windmill Health Products contains a lot of ingredients, but no studies are cited to support why they were chosen. This company also carries two weight loss products that get my scam-o-meter going - Sensa and Quicktrim - both of which have a lot of complaints against them. At $10 a month, Focus Formula is definitely a bargain memory supplement, I'll give it that.
Windmill Health Products Focus Formula

Our advice: POSSIBLY HELPFUL

Buy Focus Formula

SYNAPTOL
HelloLife
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Synaptol is a homeopathic remedy for memory loss due to attention deficit. I get mixed signals about the company, HelloLife. It is a GMP facility and has an enthusiastic customer base. However, there is virtually no information about the company available on its website or anywhere else. It offers no studies to prove the efficacy of its products or ingredients. Perhaps believers in homeopathic remedies aren't concerned about the science behind a product and don't need convincing.
HelloLife Synaptol

Our advice: POSSIBLY HELPFUL

Read our Synaptol review
Buy Synaptol

PROTAZEN
Life Herbal
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Protazen is promoted as a remedy for depression, anxiety, stress, and mental aging, not specifically a memory supplement. So keep that in mind when deciding whether this sounds like a good fit for you. The company has a BBB A+ rating, and a lot of positive user feedback in Yahoo merchant reviews. These are very good signs. However, I don't like that they lump all the ingredients into a proprietary formula so you don't know exactly what you're getting. Or that their guarantee has a weasel clause – they only give you half your money back on opened products.
Life Herbal Protazen

Our advice: POSSIBLY HELPFUL

Buy Protazen

FOCUS FACTOR
Factor Nutrition Labs
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Focus Factor is heavily marketed and is sold just about everywhere. Can a truly high quality memory supplement be sold at Walmart? I have my doubts. This supplement takes the 'kitchen sink' approach – it has a little bit of just about everything in it. While it seems to have fairly happy customers, it also has had a class action suit against it for making bogus claims. The low price tag of $15 per bottle can be misleading because a bottle lasts only 1-2 weeks when taken as directed.
Factor Nutrition Labs Focus Factor

Our advice: AVOID

Read our Focus Factor review
Focus Factor

BRAINALERT
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
BrainAlert contains 24 herbs and vitamins. The company claims this is a patent-pending formula that works synergistically to improve brain function. It does a very good job explaining what each ingredient can do for your brain health and memory, and cites over 130 studies to back up its product rationale. However, there is no quality assurance mentioned, little information on this company, and virtually no user feedback anywhere online – not on Amazon nor on the company's Facebook page. I'd wait on this one until it gets its patent and real user feedback.
BrainAlert

Our advice: AVOID

BrainAlert

PROCERA AVH
Brain Research Labs
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Procera AVH contains proven ingredients with clinical studies to back it up. One of the product developers, Josh Reynolds, is a research scientist considered to be a pioneer in the field of brain and cognitive performance. However, there have been customer service issues and claims of false advertising on the part of the company. This brings down the ratings of what would otherwise be a decent memory supplement.
Brain Research Labs Procera AVH

Our advice: AVOID

Read our Procera AVH review
Buy Procera AVH

Top of Guide / How we rate products

BRAIN SUPPORT
Jigsaw Health
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Jigsaw Health is a small family-run business. I feel like this company has good intentions. It offers a generous 90 day guarantee. I tried their 'live chat' to ask a question and was pleased it was answered promptly. There is nothing wrong with this company or with its Brain Support supplement, but there is nothing exceptional about it either.
Jigsaw Health Brain Support

Our advice: AVOID

Brain Support

ALPHA BRAIN
Onnit Labs
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Alpha Brain is designed for an audience that is young, slightly crazy and male, who want to boost their brains, increase creativity, and encourage lucid dreaming. This is not designed for middle-aged memory loss. There is nothing about this product that gives me confidence. Its facility is not GMP rated, there is no quality assurance mentioned, and no scientific studies cited for this product rationale. It is popular among its niche following, which includes guys like Bode Miller and the host of Fear Factor. Unless this is your scene, this supplement probably is not right for you.
Onnit Labs Alpha Brain

Our advice: AVOID

Read our Alpha Brain review
Alpha Brain

CERAPLEX
Brain Research Labs
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Ceraplex is sold by Brain Research Labs, the same company that makes Procera AVH. A bottle comes as free bonus when you buy three bottles of Procera AVH. This supplement is a blend of of antioxidant herbs and amino acids but mostly it contains a lot of B12 – 16,000 times the RDA! I consider this basically an extremely expensive B12 supplement that happens to have brain boosting herbs on the side. Unless you are a vegetarian or have other reasons to take a lot of extra B12, this product doesn't make sense for you.
Brain Research Labs Ceraplex

Our advice: AVOID

Ceraplex

LUCIDAL
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Lucidal was developed by a neurosurgeon, but besides knowing that, there is virtually no information about the company and very little is done to build your trust. There is a reference to a clinical study done on the product, which is always welcome, but no mention of any quality assurance on the product or ingredients. At $75 for a month's supply, this is by far the most expensive supplement we've reviewed, and there's nothing I can see to justify this cost.
Lucidal

Our advice: AVOID

Lucidal

PREVAGEN
Quincy BioScience
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The theory behind Prevagen is that it's calcium binding protein helps brain function. This product never adequately addresses whether binding calcium reduces the amount available for bones. You shouldn't risk trading bone health for brain health. We've recently downgraded this supplement significantly for coming under fire from the FDA for numerous infractions that you can read about elsewhere on our site.
Quincy BioScience Prevagen

Our advice: AVOID

Read our Prevagen review
Prevagen

CONSTANT FOCUS
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Constant Focus is mainly ginkgo, so if that is what you are looking for I'd recommend you find a ginkgo supplement from a reputable company. There is little information on its site – no mention of quality assurance, no product label, no studies, and no information about the company. It does offer a 30 day guarantee, but it is rather sneaky in that they start counting down the day you place your order, not receive it. At $50 a bottle, it's on the high end for an herbal product.
Constant Focus

Our advice: AVOID

Constant Focus

Top of Guide / How we rate products

PROFIDERALL
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Profiderall tries to make you think it’s a drug (which it isn't) and not an herbal product. The website exactly mimics a site for a prescription drug. It says it's a 'cognitive energy enhancer' and compares itself favorably to Adderall, an attention deficit disorder drug. For a product that wants to take itself seriously, there are no studies mentioned on its ingredients, no quality assurance mentioned, no phone or address listed, and no customer service other than email. I find the marketing of this product misleading.
Profiderall

Our advice: AVOID

Profiderall

EXCELEROL
Accelerated Intelligence
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
When I first read the Excelerol label, I couldn't believe my eyes. The first ingredient, guarana, contains twice the caffeine of coffee. This alone should have you buzzing. It also contains green tea, white tea, black tea, and kola nut extract, which also has more caffeine than coffee. There is no mention of any quality assurance. Its website does reference numerous studies, but makes no effort to interpret them for you. While some people like this product, I think this is an expensive way to get a serious caffeine buzz.
Accelerated Intelligence Excelerol

Our advice: AVOID

Excelerol

BRAINSMART MEMORY
Cognitive BioScience
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
BrainSmart Memory is made by Cognitive BioScience, a London-based company. Its website claims its products to be the 'world's favourite natural brain supplements' but gives no statistics to back this up. Nor does it show a copy of any product label or offer any quality assurance. They ship anywhere in the world and have a prominently displayed currency converter on their site. A huge red flag is that they warn you that most countries will charge an import duty or tax but they can't let you know in advance how much that might be. So you really don't know what you'll be paying. They also warn that it's possible your shipment won't clear customs! Unless you live in the UK, there is nothing so special about this product that warrants these risks.
Cognitive BioScience BrainSmart Memory

Our advice: AVOID

BrainSmart Memory

BRAINALIN
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Brainalin is another one of the many products that claims to be the #1 brain supplement. I see nothing to support this. There is no quality assurance mentioned and there's no contact information for the company. The user comments on Amazon look fake. Brainalin is misspelled 'Branalin' on its Amazon listing and one comment was made by MSharp (seriously!) who misspelled it the same way. This product contains ingredients that could support the brain but there is worse than lack of credibility here - I think they are manipulating Amazon reviews. Tsk, tsk.
brainalin

Our advice: AVOID

Brainalin

Top of Guide / How we rate products

PIRACETAM
Nutrivene
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Piracetam is considered a 'smart drug'. It's available in Europe with a prescription. It can't be sold in stores in the US, but mail order companies have gotten around this. There's not much scientific evidence to support the claims made for it. The FDA issued a warning to stop selling it as a dietary supplement. I've read of orders getting caught in customs. Frankly, I'm surprised to see it's offered on Amazon, but that could change at any time. This product has become popular with the college crowd to help them study. Until it has legitimate status, and has been proven safe and effective, this is one supplement I'd stay away from.
Nutrivene Piracetam

Our advice: AVOID

Piracetam

CEREBRAL SUCCESS
Company and Product Reputationwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Product Valuewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Truth in Labelingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Quality of Ingredientswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Research Qualitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Cerebral Success claims to be 'university tested, doctor recommended', but there is no documentation to back this up. There is no 'about us' information on their website. There's no copy of the product label or quality assurance. It was, but no longer is, carried on Amazon. The high price tag of $70 does nothing to make me feel any better about this product. My favorite thing on its website is the ironic statement 'Don't try and cheat us' on their guarantee page. Seriously.
cerebral success

Our advice: AVOID

Cerebral Success

Top of Guide

Our 5-Point Rating System

We give you more value by giving you the benefits of both our research AND our opinions. But we think it’s important to be as transparent as possible in how we come to our opinions.

So, here are the 5 criteria we use to grade each product we evaluate. For each criterion, there are a number of questions we try to answer. These questions are based on our 7-point supplement evaluation checklist.

Our answers are subjective (as yours will be if you do your own research), but that’s the fun and frustration of rating! However, to make our research and analysis useful, we still use the familiar star rating format and a brief summary of important points.

#1 Company and Product Reputation

  • Is this a good company with a solid reputation?
  • Is the manufacturer and its products well-regarded by others in the industry?
  • Are customers happy with this company and its products?
  • Are customers treated with respect, do they get their problems resolved quickly and have their questions answered by a real person?
  • Does this company engage in deceptive billing practices?
  • Is there a solid guarantee or are there weasel clauses?
  • Does this company have an active research and development program and strive to make its products even better?

#2 Product Value

  • Is the product a good value for the price paid vs benefits expected?
  • How does the cost compare to other similar products?

#3 Truth in Labeling

  • Does the company make it easy to find the list of ingredients on its website?
  • Does it hype its product or make unsubstantiated claims?
  • Does it include therapeutic dosages of active ingredients, or is it guilty of “fairy dusting”?
  • Does it list all ingredients and warn about possible contraindications or allergic reactions?

#4 Quality of Ingredients

  • What is the quality of the raw materials and do they have a Certificate of Analysis?
  • Are the supplements manufactured in a Good Manufacturing Practices facility?

#5 Research Quality

  • What kind of studies have been done on the individual active ingredients in this product?
  • How have the ingredients been shown to support memory improvement and brain function?
  • Have clinical studies been done to prove the effectiveness of this product’s formula?

Find your product in the Guide:

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For our most valuable product recommendations, see our MVP Store.
For more hand-picked products, see our BeBrainFit.com Amazon Store.
Note: We may be compensated for your purchase of these products. See our Disclosure Policy. Products are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. See our Terms of Use.
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6 Responses to “Brain Supplement Guide”

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  1. weston says:

    In their defense, they have really good customer support. Fast and friendly. Cerebral Success got a lot of good reviews on amazon and has a huge fan base at my college. I am thinking about buying but your review is my only concern. Seems like its all on the company and not on the product.

    • Deane Alban says:

      Hi Weston, Welcome back!

      I think it’s great that you are doing your own due diligence! I get that college students have a different mind set than us older folks who are more interested in true therapeutic results. When I was in college most of my dorm mates lived on qualudes…

      Cerebral Success is no longer carried on Amazon but I don’t know why.

      When buying supplements it really is all about trusting the company. You trust that what is supposed to be in a supplement is in it. If you can’t trust the company, how do you know what is in that pill you are taking? It claims to be ‘university tested, doctor recommended’, but there is no documentation to back this up, so I would assume that is bull. There is no ‘about us’ information on their website, which is highly suspicious. There are too many scams on the internet so I wouldn’t order anything online from a company that doesn’t give at least that minimal information.

      I hope you can find a product that is more trustworthy that meets your needs on this list.

  2. Weston says:

    Hmm don’t think these reviews are accurate. Similar ingredients between the first and the last – yet opposite reviews…

    • Deane Alban says:

      Hi Weston, There are only so many ingredients used in brain supplements so almost all will have some ingredients in common with other brain supplements. While the first and last products you mention do contain a few of the same ingredients, there is a lot more to consider than what a website says about a product! Please read the criteria we look for in How to Choose a Good Brain Supplement.

      Many brain supplements do not have a reputable company behind them! This is very important. This year a few big name supplements have had class action suits against them – Procera AVH and Prevagen. Neurobiologix creates supplements to use in their brain disorder clinics. They use them and get success on real patients.

      Cerebral Success, on the other hand, has all the signs of being a shady operation. They give you no information about the company or the people behind it – not even an address! I would never order ANYTHING online from a company that isn’t transparent about who and where they are! There’s no copy of the product label or mention of quality assurance. And it’s one of the most expensive brain supplements, too. These are some of the reasons these two products are rated so differently, in spite of having a few of the same ingredients.

  3. Don Wilden says:

    I see that there was a class action suit settled in May against Brain Research Labs regarding Procera AVH, yet they are a company and product that you are highly recommending. Please explain.

    Thanks

    • Deane Alban says:

      Hi Don, You are right about that. I see that according to TopClassActions.com a federal court has preliminarily approved a class action lawsuit settlement that will provide a $20 cash payment or 50%-off savings voucher to consumers who purchased Procera AVH due to the company’s making overzealous claims about the product. My opinion about the product itself stands but I’ll review my ratings to see if I should adjust it accordingly. I wouldn’t say I recommend it highly – I think there are much better products which is why it’s currently ranked 10th down the list. Thanks for being so observant. I appreciate having smart shoppers like you helping me keep an eye on the store!

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