Vitamin B150–150 mg · morning
Your brain needs thiamine to make its messenger chemicals and to burn glucose for fuel.
Solid · 1 study, positiveResearch →
brain cognitive · symptom
Brain Fog
Thinking feels slow and effortful, like wading.
Top proven supplements
Studied in people, at a dose you can actually buy.5Studied in people, at a dose you can actually buy.
Bacopa300–600 mg · any
Encourages brain cells to grow more connections in the area that handles memory.
Solid · 2 of 2 studies agreeResearch →
PQQ10–20 mg · any
Prompts your cells to build new mitochondria — the parts that make energy.
Solid · 1 study, positiveResearch →
Creatine5 g · any
Builds an energy reserve in your brain — useful when you are short on sleep.
Solid · 1 study, positiveResearch →
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl)25–50 mg · any
Your brain needs B6 to make serotonin, dopamine and its other messengers.
Solid · 1 study, positiveResearch →
Might help
Real research, but thin or split. Worth knowing, not worth counting on.5Real research, but thin or split. Worth knowing, not worth counting on.
Alpha-GPC (Choline Alfoscerate)315–630 mg · any
A single dose is thought to briefly raise the raw material your brain uses for focus.
Mixed · 1 of 2 studies positiveResearch →
Omega-31000–2000 mg · with_food
DHA makes up a large share of the fat in your brain, and supports blood flow and signalling.
Evidence · 1 study, positiveResearch →
Magnesium L-Threonate1000–2000 mg · evening
The one form of magnesium that reaches the brain, where it strengthens cell connections.
Mixed · 2 of 3 studies positiveResearch →
MCT Oil10–20 g · any
Turns quickly into ketones, a fuel your brain can use instead of glucose.
Evidence · 3 of 3 studies agreeResearch →
Lions Mane500–3000 mg · any
Its compounds prompt the brain to make more of a growth factor nerve cells depend on.
Evidence · 2 of 2 studies agreeResearch →
Tested — didn’t work
Measured properly against placebo. Nothing found.4Measured properly against placebo. Nothing found.
ALA300–600 mg · any
Reaches the brain and is meant to cut oxidative stress and improve how neurons use glucose.
No benefit foundResearch →
Citicoline (CDP-Choline)250–500 mg · any
Supplies raw material for the brain’s focus messenger — attention is the most plausible target.
No benefit foundResearch →
Beetroot (Dietary Nitrate)45–140 mg · any
More blood flow to the brain would be expected to sharpen thinking. That is the theory.
No benefit foundResearch →
Cocoa Flavanols500 mg · any
More blood flow to the brain would be expected to support attention. That is the theory.
No benefit foundResearch →
No research yet
People take these for it. We haven’t found trials we would stand behind.3People take these for it. We haven’t found trials we would stand behind.
Vitamin B121000–2000 mcg · morning
B12 keeps nerves insulated and helps make the brain’s messengers, so low levels cloud thinking.
No trials we can vouch forResearch →
Ginkgo120–240 mg · any
Meant to widen blood vessels in the brain and protect nerve cells.
No trials we can vouch forResearch →
Vitamin B625–50 mg · morning
Your brain needs B6 to make serotonin, dopamine and its other messengers.
No trials we can vouch forResearch →