Best Supplements for Improved Cognitive Function
Ranked by research evidence. Compare 108 supplements across 163 papers from the biomedical literature, with effect direction, evidence strength, and dose range for each.
Top picks by evidence
- Moderate evidence7 studies
Across 7 studies, 5 reported beneficial effects of Ginkgo on cognitive function, with effect sizes predominantly small, though some moderate effects were observed in clinical populations. The strongest evidence comes from a 2025 systematic review of 599 patients with vascular cognitive impairment, showing a small but significant improvement in MoCA scores (MD=1.29, 95% CI: 1.24, 1.35). Median study duration was 70 days, suggesting effects typically require several weeks of use.
Dose: 240 mg daily (based on one systematic review reporting this dose) - Moderate evidence4 studies
Across all 4 studies, all reported beneficial effects on cognitive function, with effect sizes predominantly moderate. The most studied dose was 1.8 g per day, and effects were observed in both healthy adults and clinical populations. Median study duration was 56 days, suggesting that benefits can be seen within 4-12 weeks of supplementation.
- Low evidence7 studies
Across 7 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium plantarum on cognitive function, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. Two studies found statistically significant improvements, including a meta-analysis showing small improvements on the MMSE and MoCA (low certainty evidence). The evidence is predominantly from general adult populations, with no consistent dose or duration reported.
- LowBifidobacterium plantarumAcross 7 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium plantarum on cognitive function, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. Two studies found statistically significant improvements, including a meta-analysis showing small improvements on the MMSE and MoCA (low certainty evidence). The evidence is predominantly from general adult populations, with no consistent dose or duration reported.7 beneficial7 studies
- ModerateGinkgoAcross 7 studies, 5 reported beneficial effects of Ginkgo on cognitive function, with effect sizes predominantly small, though some moderate effects were observed in clinical populations. The strongest evidence comes from a 2025 systematic review of 599 patients with vascular cognitive impairment, showing a small but significant improvement in MoCA scores (MD=1.29, 95% CI: 1.24, 1.35). Median study duration was 70 days, suggesting effects typically require several weeks of use. · Dose: 240 mg daily (based on one systematic review reporting this dose)5 beneficial2 neutral7 studies
- ModerateLion's ManeAcross all 4 studies, all reported beneficial effects on cognitive function, with effect sizes predominantly moderate. The most studied dose was 1.8 g per day, and effects were observed in both healthy adults and clinical populations. Median study duration was 56 days, suggesting that benefits can be seen within 4-12 weeks of supplementation.4 beneficial4 studies
- LowBifidobacterium breve MAK40B22BAcross 3 randomized controlled trials, all reported statistically significant beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium breve MAK40B22B on cognitive function in older adults with suspected mild cognitive impairment or memory complaints. Effect sizes were mixed (small to large), with the largest benefit observed on immediate and delayed memory subscales. Evidence is limited to a single clinical population and small number of studies.4 beneficial4 studies
- LowLactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects on cognitive function, with one meta-analysis showing a large significant effect (SMD=-0.90, p=0.01). The predominant effect size is small to moderate overall, and the evidence comes primarily from a 2025 meta-analysis of 7 RCTs in patients with depression. No consistent dose or study duration was reported.3 beneficial3 studies
- Very lowBifidobacterium bifidum Rosell-71Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium bifidum Rosell-71 on cognitive function, with effect sizes ranging from small to large. The most robust evidence comes from a 2025 meta-analysis showing a large, statistically significant effect (p = 0.01; SMD, -0.90; 95% CI, -1.59 to -0.21) in patients with depression, but the evidence base is small and limited by the lack of dose and duration reporting.3 beneficial3 studies
- LowTurmericAcross 3 studies, 2 reported small beneficial effects on cognitive function, while 1 found neutral results. Both beneficial studies reported statistically significant findings. Median study duration was 56 days, observed in the neutral systematic review of 3,582 elderly participants (aged 50–90). No clear dose range or supplement form was consistently reported across studies.2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- LowN-Acetyl CysteineAcross 3 review studies, 2 reported beneficial effects (small to moderate effect sizes) on cognitive function, while 1 found neutral effects. Only 1 study reached statistical significance. No consistent dose range or population was identified across studies.2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- Very lowLactobacillus plantarum HEAL9Across 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial small-sized effects and 1 reported a neutral small-sized effect. The only statistically significant finding came from a meta-analysis with low certainty of evidence. Effects were predominantly small, and the evidence base is too limited to establish a clear dose range or most-studied population.2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies
- LowSeleniumAcross 3 studies, 1 observational study found a small beneficial association between selenium levels and cognitive function in elderly adults, while 2 systematic reviews reported neutral findings. The predominant effect direction is neutral with small effect sizes. Evidence is preliminary and limited by small sample sizes and lack of interventional data.1 beneficial2 neutral3 studies
- LowVitamin DAcross 3 studies, all reported neutral small-sized effects of vitamin D on cognitive function. No studies found statistically significant benefits. The evidence base includes systematic reviews and meta-analyses primarily in clinical populations (adults with mild cognitive impairment and stroke survivors), but dose ranges and study durations were not consistently reported. Overall, the aggregate finding shows no clear cognitive benefit from vitamin D supplementation in the populations studied.3 neutral3 studies