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We’ve researched and taken clean supplements for years — these are our picks for supporting brain health that are backed by experts and are third-party tested for safety.
Whether you’re dealing with post-pregnancy brain fog, struggling with stress or anxiety, or just looking to age as healthily as possible, a supplement for brain health might be the most worthy investment you make all year.
Our brains change according to our different life stages. Studies have shown gray matter reduction during pregnancy, which can affect memory and information processing. And our brains start to slow down processing, focus, and memory as we get older — a normal and healthy part of aging that begins in our 30s.
And, oftentimes, stress and anxiety are due to factors beyond your control — we get it, life happens — and so managing those symptoms as best you can helps you show up for yourself and for others in your life.
Below, you’ll find supplements to support cognition and brain health, emphasizing natural ingredients like vitamins and adaptogens.
What should you look for in a brain health supplement?
You’ll find plenty of different ingredients in cognitive health supplements — some targeting short-term focus, others long-term health and protection. From vitamins and minerals to adaptogens and nootropics, below are some of the most common, well-researched ingredients to look out for in brain health supplements.
- L-theanine: Found naturally in matcha, L-theanine is an amino acid that has a calming and relaxing effect — it helps to counteract caffeine jitters.
- B vitamins: Vitamins B6 and B12 are essential for healthy nervous system functioning — when you don’t have enough B12, which helps your body make DNA, you can experience fatigue, weakness, or memory loss.
- Lion’s mane: One of the most well-studied adaptogens in western medicine, lion’s mane has been shown to improve cognition and mood.
- Phospholipids & Choline: Phospholipids like phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine are essential building blocks for all cells in your body, and for neurotransmission. Choline is a precursor for making some phospholipids.
- CognatiQ®: Found in several of the below supplements, CognatiQ® is a patented version of coffee fruit extract — a decaf compound that can improve cognitive performance by boosting your levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
- Rhodiola: An adaptogenic herb, rhodiola can help decrease stress, anxiety, and fatigue.
- Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic root that has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels and promote sleep.
- Ginkgo: Rich in antioxidants and terpenoids, ginkgo can be used to support cognition and reduce dementia symptoms.
- Saffron: A powerful antioxidant, saffron has shown neuroprotective effects and can alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms.
Why are clean, third-party tested supplements important?
When shopping for supplements, we only go for products that have been third-party tested. This ensures quality products that actually do what they say they will — you’re not being sold snake oil! — and that don’t include any fillers or potentially dangerous impurities like heavy metals. Many of the below brands even show their third-party testing certificates on their websites.
Our criteria:
Our editors have tested, researched, and corresponded with leading supplement brands to select our favorite clean supplements for comprehensively supporting cognitive function and longevity. The options on this list are all thoughtfully made and triple-checked for efficacy and safety. We regularly update this guide with new favorites that meet the following criteria:
- CLEAN INGREDIENTS | We’ve chosen brands that are free of unnecessary fillers or artificial additives and are third-party tested so you can be sure you’re getting the most effective form of support.
- CLINICALLY BACKED | These brands on this list use ingredients that are supported by clinical studies and/or partner with experts to develop their formulas.
- EASY TO INCORPORATE | Part of what makes an effective supplement is one that you’ll continually take. The options on this list are designed for convenience and taste, making them simple to add to your daily routine. Below, we’ve noted the daily dosage so you can decide what works best for you.
Looking for more natural supplements to support overall well-being? Check out our guides to longevity supplements, omega-3 supplements, and mushroom supplements.
1. Thorne
Best For | Cognitive support at the cellular level
Active Ingredients | CognatiQ®, nicotinamide riboside
Daily Dose | 1 capsule daily
Prices starting at | $51; $1.70/day
One of the leaders in the science-backed supplements space, Thorne makes rigorously tested supplements designed to help you “live healthier for longer.” All their products are made in the US, undergo four rounds of testing, and use only the most absorbable forms of nutrients. And they partner with research organizations like the Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins University for their third-party testing. While Thorne makes a handful of different supplements that can support cognition, their Brain Factors capsules are our favorite. It uses CognatiQ®, a (decaf) coffee fruit extract that supports the brain’s natural production of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), and essential protein for cognitive health, along with nicotinamide riboside, which supports the body’s production of coenzyme NAD+ that maintains health at a cellular level.
Customer Review | “I’d highly recommend this product to anyone experiencing what almost everyone in our culture experiences. Overwork/burnout loads of mental and physical work. This helps keep me sharp without the jitters, and my memory seems better, and brain fog is gone!” – Celeste R. (Read more reviews.)
2. Needed
Best For | Post-partum cognitive support
Active Ingredients | CognatiQ®, alpha-GPC, lutein, zeaxanthin, ashwagandha, reishi, lion’s mane
Daily Dose | 2 capsules once daily
Prices starting at | $65.99; $2.20/day
Formulated by women’s health experts, Needed’s Cognitive Support supplement is designed to help specifically with the brain fog that can come during perinatal and/or perimenopause phases. Safe for breastfeeding, it utilizes a blend of clinically studied ingredients — adaptogens, nootropics, and supplements — each vetted by experts and third-party testing. In a study of 90 women, 92% saw an improvement in overall cognitive function. The supplement’s powerhouse ingredients are CognatiQ®, alpha-GPC, a natural compound found in the brain (and breast milk!) that supports brain health, and phosphatidylserine, a type of phospholipid. It also has ashwagandha, reishi, and lion’s mane mushrooms, along with lutein and zeaxanthin that support vision. Needed is a fave here at TGT — we love how they have products designed for women in all stages of fertility, and they’re even B Corp and Climate Neutral certified.
Customer Review | “I’m newly postpartum, for the second time. My first postpartum experience was filled with the normal complaints of brain fog, irritability, etc. I have taken this cognitive support supplement since having my baby and I can tell a big difference in my overall cognitive status and mood this go around. Definitely recommend!” – Hope T. (Read more reviews.)
3. Cymbiotika
Best For | A liquid supplement
Active Ingredients | L-theanine, green tea extract, phosphatidylcholine, rhodiola, lion’s mane, gotu cola extract
Daily Dose | 1 pouch daily alone or in a beverage
Prices starting at | $62; $2.07/day
Cymbiotika’s Golden Mind supplement promotes mental clarity by boosting your focus, calming your nervous system, and supporting brain function. The liquid supplement comes in individual packages that you can either take alone or mixed into water, tea, coffee, a smoothie, or any morningtime beverage — their vanilla chai flavor makes them pretty versatile. They lean on a proprietary blend of botanically derived ingredients like L-theanine, which boosts calmness and clarity (it’s naturally occurring in matcha, helping cancel out caffeine jitters), rhodiola, which helps reduce fatigue, gotu cola extract, shown to enhance memory, phosphatidylcholine, a type of phospholipid, and green tea extract. We love how all of Cymbiotika’s products are made in the US with no fillers or preservatives, and all have a third-party verified certificate.
Customer Review | “Love this product. My head feels more clear, I’m not constantly forgetting why I walked into a room, my mind doesn’t feel as foggy/chaotic all the time. Wonderful supplement!” – Jade S. (Read more reviews.)
4. Elysium
Best For | Healthy aging
Active Ingredients | Folate, vitamins B12 and B6, calcium, omega 3s, billberry extract
Daily Dose | 2 tablets each morning
Prices starting at | $60; $2/day
Our brains shrink as we age — which is totally normal — but this shrinking gray matter can make everyday functions like coordination, memory, and balance more difficult. Research shows that having lots of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood is correlated with brain atrophy, which B vitamins help slow this atrophy. That’s why Elysium’s Matter supplement has a tri-vitamin complex, developed with Oxford and comprising folate, calcium, and vitamins B6 and B12, that’s clinically proven to slow brain volume loss. It also has omega 3s that help vitamin B absorption, plus antioxidant billberry extract. Matter is highly doctor-recommended, and, like all Elysium products, is NSF (National Sport Foundation) certified — Elysium, founded by a scientist, is all about using science to optimize human health.
Customer Review | “As a post-menopausal woman I’ve struggled with cognitive issues like brain fog, memory lapses, and trouble finding the right words in a conversation. Since starting Matter, I’ve noticed a significant improvement. My mind feels clearer, and I’m able to participate in conversations more smoothly.” – Yamileth (Read more reviews.)
5. Thesis
Best For | Science-backed nootropics
Active Ingredients | B vitamins, L-theanine, magnesium, ashwagandha, ginseng, lion’s mane, choline
Daily Dose | 2 capsules once daily — adjust to 1-3 if needed
Prices starting at | $129; $3.16/day
Thesis is a supplement brand that’s all about cognitive health, specifically. And they’re all about rigorous clinical testing, too — they decided that nootropics needed pharmaceutical grade testing, so they went for it — so they’re one of our no-brainers (no pun intended) for cognitive health support. Their Clarity supplement uses ginseng, lion’s mane, vitamin B6, and choline to sharpen focus and boost processing, and it comes in both caffeinated and uncaffeinated versions. Motivation helps support focus and energy with B vitamins, L-theanine, methylliberine, and N-acetyl-L-tyrosine, and 84% of users were more likely to start or complete a task. And Stress Reset promotes relaxation with magnesium, ashwagandha, saffron, and fermented salidrosides — around 90% of users noticed an improvement in mood and motivation. Thesis guarantees results or your money back, and they also do rigorous third-party testing for substances like heavy metals and pesticides.
Customer Review | “I have been taking Thesis for over 2 years almost daily. Motivation and creativity blends have allowed me to have the most productive years of my career. I feel great and never strung out like I used to years ago when I took Adderal. Thanks!” – Katie W. (Read more reviews.)
6. Moon Juice
Best For | A powder form supplement
Active Ingredients | Lion’s mane, ginkgo, rhodiola, ashwagandha, astragalus, maca
Daily Dose | Blend 1 tsp into your morning beverage
Prices starting at | $38; $2.71/day
One of the most iconic brands in the wellness space, Moon Juice continues to be a TGT favorite for their potent, easy-to-use formulations and responsible sourcing. Their Brain Dust is an adaptogenic blend that targets focus, alertness, and concentration. It uses ingredients like rhodiola and ashwagandha for clarity, maca for energy and memory, and lion’s mane to generally support cognitive function. The powder formula has a malty, bitter flavor that blends easily into your morning coffee (or milk, water, or tea), helping boost your focus for the day. Each jar has bout 14 servings. Moon Juice is rigorous in their ingredient sourcing, only partnering with farmers committed to regenerative practices or sustainable wild harvesting, and putting everything through third-party testing. And when formulating, they use high concentrations of clinically proven ingredients, working alongside scientists for formulations that really work.
Customer Review | “So yummy! I was hesitant at first to try this because of the flavor and I’m so happy I took the leap. I have it every morning mixed into my coffee. Not only does it add a creamy, chocolatey flavor, I feel my brain fog clear within the hour. I noticed more alertness and cognitive function at my job just two days into using it! I’m obsessed and am about to order my next jar <3” – Spenser K. (Read more reviews.)
7. Magic Mind
Best For | A shot form supplement
Active Ingredients | L-theanine, caffeine, lion’s mane, rhodiola, ashwagandha, vitamins B6, B12, and D
Daily Dose | One 2-ounce bottle once daily
Prices starting at | $89.25; $5.95/day; subscriptions starting at $2.38/day
This supplement couldn’t be easier to use — just two ounces of liquid and you’re promoting less stress and more energy. Magic Mind makes four different versions of the same product: a liquid mental performance shot that’s designed to combat the stressors of modern life. The shot has 12 research-backed ingredients that help give you calm energy and a sharper mind. It uses adaptogens proven to help with cognition like lion’s mane, rhodiola, and ashwagandha, along with brain-boosting vitamins like B6, B12, D, C, and choline. It has matcha which gives it its subtle caffeine boost — 55 milligrams per serving, about half as much as a cup of coffee — and L-theanine which reduces jitters. They also make versions with extra caffeine and no caffeine, and their products have been rigorously tested by a third party. According to a study, 82% of participants experienced lower anxiety and fatigue, and 70% reported lower stress.
Customer Review | “Have tried many alternative energy focus supplements and these are great. Calm clean focus. I’m getting older and caffeine side effects are more noticeable so this has been a great try. Will keep my subscription for a while. Life is busy and I need all the mental clarity and focus I can get.” – Adam M. (Read more reviews.)
8. Fatty15
Best For | Supporting all-over longevity
Active Ingredients | C15:0
Daily Dose | 1 or 2 capsules daily, with or without food
Prices starting at | $49.95; $1.67/day
Fatty15 takes a different approach to supplements. They make just one product: a capsule supplement of only pure C15:0 fatty acid. Backed by over 100 peer-reviewed publications and over 10 years of research, this ingredient, also known as pentadecanoic acid, has been shown to support whole-body health at the cellular level, from your metabolism to red blood cell functioning to cognition. Three times as beneficial for your health as omega-3s, pentadecanoic acid has been shown to strengthen cell membranes by 80% to shield against age-related breakdowns. While it’s present in trace amounts in some fish, plants, and dairy, supplementing the nutrient, a la Fatty15, has been proven to increase energy levels, support sleep, and improve overall metabolic and heart health. Plus, we love how the supplement comes in a glass bottle with a bamboo lid, and refills come in paper bags — no plastic needed.
Customer Review | “I’ve been taking Fatty15 for close to a year, possibly slightly longer. During that time, I seem to have more energy, more initiative and a greater sense of well-being. I appreciate the rigorous and very reassuring science back in this supplement, although I do find myself wondering how it is possible one little pill can make so much difference!” – Mishka (Read more reviews.)
9. Mindbodygreen
Best For | Supporting age-related memory decline
Active Ingredients | Citicoline, resveratrol, kanna
Daily Dose | 2 capsules each morning
Prices starting at | $99; $3.30/day; subscriptions starting at $1.63/day
Mindbodygreen’s Brain Guard+ supplement is all about lifting brain fog and improving focus and memory — and it gets the job done with just three science-backed nootropics. Cognizin, a brand of citicoline (a compound of choline and cytidine), has been proven to support age-related memory decline, attention span, and clarity. It also uses resveratrol, a renowned longevity antioxidant that can help increase blood flow to the brain and support processing and memory, along with kanna, a succulent with stress-relieving benefits. And each ingredient is supported by around a dozen clinical studies. While it can take up to three months to see the products, full benefits, expect to see improvement in the first week — according to other users. We love Mindbodygreen’s authority in the wellness space, and trust that they’re always putting the newest science first. And this product has absolutely glowing reviews!
Customer Review | “I’ve been struggling with a really bad brain fog for close to a year now. I started taking these vitamins one month ago and the improvement is tremendous. I can think clearly again. I’m remembering things. It’s honestly amazing. I have focus where I can sit down and work on a project for a couple of hours at a time without getting distracted. This has been like a miracle for me and I’m so thankful that I found them!” – Aimee O. (Read more reviews.)
10. Wild Wholistic
Best For | A natural option
Active Ingredients | Saffron, turmeric, ginkgo, fulvic acid
Daily Dose | 1 capsule daily
Prices starting at | $64; $1.07/day
Founded by two sisters, Wild Wholistic creates small batches of holistic supplement blends — like anti-inflammatory tinctures, adaptogenic drops, and even pearl powder for bone and joint health — all made in the US, with every batch third-party tested. Their Elevated Mind capsules highlight four adaptogenic ingredients to support cognition. Saffron can help reduce anxiety, turmeric can reduce neuroinflammation and stress, ginkgo enhances clarity and memory, and fulvic acid helps your body function on a cellular level — studies have shown that it may promote brain health. The potent capsule has a dosage of just one a day, making it one of the most affordable options on this list.
Customer Review | “This product gives me a huge mood and energy boost. I truly feel like I see the world through rose colored lenses when I’m taking this. It sharpens my thinking and focus. I’m also better able to handle the chaos of my day to day like as a stay at home mom of two young toddlers.” – Carrie J. (Read more reviews.)
Featured image is from Thorne
Natalie Gale is a Boston-based freelance journalist. Since 2022, she has been reviewing the top sustainable home, wellness, fashion, and beauty products, sharing her honest opinion on the best finds. When she’s not writing about art, food, or sustainability, you can find her biking to the farmers’ market, baking, sewing, or planning her next Halloween costume. Say hi on Instagram!
