Prevagen Review: Promising, But You Might Be Better Off With Other Options (2024)

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  • Key Insights (TL;DR)
  • A Quick Look at Prevagen
  • The Ingredients
  • Safety Considerations
  • Comparing to Alternatives
  • Additional Tips
  • Customer Experiences

Key Insights (TL;DR)

  • Prevagen is a straightforward brain support supplement that uses only two active ingredients: apoaequorin and vitamin D.
  • Apoaequorinin has not been well studied and only has one small promising study (funded by the manufacturers) that shows benefits in improving cognitive function related to aging. In addition, the long-term safety of apoaequorin has not been studied.
  • Vitamin D, on the other hand, is well-researched and has been shown to support brain function during aging. But you can buy a stand-alone vitamin D supplement for a significantly lower price than Prevagen.
  • Prevagen has been on the market for a long time. However, its claim of being the “#1 Pharmacist Recommended Brand” may be based more on pharmacists’ familiarity with the product due to the brand’s marketing techniques rather than on the merits of Prevagen’s effectiveness.(1)
  • Its two formulations (regular and extra strength) have collected over 15k reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.2 stars. Thousand of consumers reported benefits from using this product.
  • Still, because the main ingredient of Prevagen has not been widely studied for effectiveness and safety, we recommend looking into other brands that use well-studied ingredients.

What Prevagen Gets Right

  • Contains vitamin D, which has proven benefits for supporting brain function during aging.
  • The manufacturing facility and ingredients are NSF certified for purity and safety.
  • Easy to take, requiring only one capsule or chewable in the morning.
  • Provides a 45-day return policy that covers purchases from authorized sellers.

Important Considerations

  • Its main ingredient, apoaequorin, has not been widely studied. However, it does have one small human study showing its benefits for improving cognitive function related to aging.
  • Buying a stand-alone vitamin D supplement will be significantly cheaper. (Vitamin D is the other active ingredient in Prevagen that has documented benefits for cognitive health.)
  • The Extra Strength version of Prevagne is expensive compared to other supplements. However, no documented benefit shows taking a larger dose is more beneficial.
  • In 2017, the makers of Prevagen were sued by the FTC for making false advertising claims about the proven effectiveness of its product. The lawsuit is still ongoing.

A Quick Look at Prevagen

Prevagen from Quincy Bioscience is a dietary supplement designed to support the brain function of aging adults.

Prevagen is the only brain support supplement we have encountered using apoaequorin as its main active ingredient. Apoaequorin is a protein found in jellyfish. The manufacturers claim that the apoaequorin in Prevagen supports cognitive function and improves age-associated memory loss.

There are several formulations of this product, regular, extra strength, and professional strength. All versions use the same two active ingredients, apoaequorin and vitamin D, with the only difference being in the amount of apoaequorin they contain.

Because apoaequorin hasn’t been widely studied in humans, there are no recommended dosages, so there is no way to know which Prevagen formula is right for you. The makers of Prevagen leave it up to consumers to decide the right amount through trial and error based on the effects they will experience. However, because there is no recommended dosage, we advise not to automatically assume that “more must be better.”

How to Take It

Prevagen comes in three formulations (regular, extra strength, and professional strength) and in two forms (capsules and chewables).

The serving size for any Prevagen formula is 1 capsule or chewable tablet per day. It’s recommended to take Prevagen in the morning with or without breakfast.

Prevagen Review: Promising, But You Might Be Better Off With Other Options (1)

Pricing and Buying Options

When purchased from the brand’s website, the cost for Prevagen’s formulations is:

30-count60-count
Regular Strength$39.95$74.95
Extra Strength$59.95$109.95
Professional Strength$89.95N/A

Prevagen also offers a chewable form in several flavors at the same price. Shipping is free on orders over $50. Otherwise, it’s a flat rate of $4.95 within the US. If you subscribe to a recurring shipment (monthly or bi-monthly), you can save a few dollars per order.

The brand offers a full refund for the product within 45 days after your purchase date. The policy applies to products purchased through Prevagen’s website or third-party authorized dealers.

Prevagen is sold at most major retailers, grocery stores, and drug stores, including Amazon, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS.

The Ingredients in Prevagen Have Varying Degrees of Evidence for Their Benefits

Prevagen contains just two active ingredients – apoaequorin and vitamin D.

Other than small initial research conducted by the makers of Prevagen, there is no other evidence to support the safety, dosage, or benefit of taking apoaequorin for brain health and memory.

On the other hand, vitamin D has been shown to support brain health and function during aging.

Below are additional details from scientific research on the two main ingredients of Prevagen:

Apoaequorin

Apoaequorin is a protein found in jellyfish from the Pacific Ocean. Regular strength Prevagen contains 10 mg of apoaequorin, and the extra strength and professional strength formulations contain 20 mg and 40 mg, respectively.

Prevagen conducted a company-sponsored study called Madison Memory Study. People showed improved cognitive function (related to aging), such as memory and learning ability, after taking 10 mg of apoaequorin daily for 90 days.(2)

Although the study seems promising, apoaequorin has not been studied much beyond this clinical trial. That’s not to say that this ingredient doesn’t have potential, nor were there studies to prove the ineffectiveness of apoaequorin, but more long-term research is needed.

Vitamin D3

All formulations of Prevagen contain 50 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D3 per serving as cholecalciferol. Vitamin D3 is an essential nutrient with many roles, including supporting brain health.

Specifically, studies showed that proper Vitamin D intake can help improve cognitive function in adults with mild cognitive impairment and support overall brain function during aging.(3, 4)

Prevagen Review: Promising, But You Might Be Better Off With Other Options (2)

Safety Considerations

Long-term side effects from taking Prevagen are unknown due to a lack of research on apoaequorin. The makers of Prevagen conducted the only scientific study involving human consumption. The study reported that Prevagen was well tolerated with no significant side effects after 90 days of use. Still, some users report experiencing side effects such as nausea, headache, and dizziness.(5)

It’s worth noting that you could be taking too much vitamin D if you pair Prevagen with another supplement that contains vitamin D. Prevagen includes 50 mcg of vitamin D per dose. The upper daily limit for vitamin D is set at 100 mcg, which is the maximum daily amount unlikely to cause adverse effects.(6)

Tip: The Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin D is 15 mcg per day for adults aged 19–70 years and 20 mcg per day for adults 71 years and up.

In addition, some prescription medications, including cholesterol-lowering statins, may be less potent when supplementing with too much vitamin D. If you are on any prescription medication or have any underlying condition, discuss Prevagen with your physician before taking it.

How Prevagen Compares to Alternatives

Prevagen is unique because it is the only brain health supplement that contains apoaequorin. It has been on the market for a long time, with thousands of positive reviews, so it could be worth considering.

However, as shown in this review, apoaequorin is not widely studied, and we think that products that use well-researched ingredients are a better option.

For example, one of the often recommended ingredients for brain support is omega-3 fatty acid. You can find our recommendations for the top fish oil brands here.

Another popular supplement that is usually available at major retailers alongside Prevagen is Neurivia. Its active ingredients are cherry coffee extract and phosphatidylserine, both of which have been studied more than apoaequorin, with strong evidence that they support brain performance in the areas of focus, memory, learning, accuracy, and concentration. Neuriva is available in several product forms, and a one-month supply is a little cheaper than Prevagen. You can find our detailed review of Neurivia here.

Before Taking Supplements, Here Are Some Additional Tips

Many lifestyle factors play a role in supporting brain function as you get older. Your diet, sleep, physical activity, and stress levels can all contribute to brain health. Focusing on improving these lifestyle factors that can contribute to healthy brain functioning.

We recommend making the following part of your daily routine:

  • Being physically active regularly.
  • Getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
  • Enhancing mindfulness through breathwork and meditative practices.
  • Avoiding mind-altering substances like alcohol and drugs.
  • A healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and wild-caught fish limits sugar, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats.
  • Engaging in brain-healthy activities, like puzzles, reading, or learning a new language.
  • Supplementing with vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids to help counteract inflammation that contributes to disease and brain decline. (Speak with your physician before taking any new supplement.)
Prevagen Review: Promising, But You Might Be Better Off With Other Options (2024)

FAQs

Is there anything better than Prevagen? ›

Quick Verdict. Noocube is a much better nootropic than Prevagen. Its 12-component formula is designed to enhance cognitive abilities in all areas. Prevagen uses only one ingredient, with the main purpose of improving memory in older adults.

Is there a cheaper version of Prevagen? ›

About SingleCare Pricing

Currently, there are no generic versions of Prevagen. The average cost of Prevagen is about $46.85 for 1, 30 Capsules Bottle but you can save on this price with SingleCare.

Do pharmacists really recommend Prevagen? ›

Prevagen was named the #1 Pharmacist Recommended Memory Support Brand in 2024. Pharmacy Times, the leading publication for pharmacists in the nation conducted a survey to determine the top recommended brands across several different OTC health categories.

What are the downsides of Prevagen? ›

Prevagen side effects are possible and may include headache, dizziness, and nausea.

What is the #1 brain supplement? ›

Of all the supplements recommended by experts for brain health, omega-3 fatty acids top the list.

What does Mayo Clinic recommend for memory? ›

Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet is good for your brain. Eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Choose low-fat protein sources, such as fish, beans and skinless poultry.

What does AARP say about Prevagen? ›

The makers of Prevagen are “deceiving millions of aging Americans” with claims that the supplement can treat age-related memory loss, AARP says in a new brief supporting a federal false advertising lawsuit.

What are the complaints about Prevagen? ›

And thousands of Americans have reported experiencing “adverse events” while taking Prevagen, including seizures, strokes, heart arrhythmias, chest pain, and dizziness.

What is the best tablet to take for memory loss? ›

Treats cognitive symptoms (memory and thinking)
Name (Generic/Brand)Indicated For
Galantamine Razadyne®Mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's
Rivastigmine Exelon®Mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's or Parkinson's
Memantine Namenda®Moderate to severe dementia due to Alzheimer's
2 more rows

What do neurologists say about Prevagen? ›

The U.S. FDA has not evaluated Prevagen for safety and effectiveness and has tried to curb claims that it may help memory. It has taken the stance that "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is." Many experts advise against taking supplements that claim to improve your memory.

What do consumer reports say about Prevagen? ›

Our experts also recommend avoiding the many supplements, such as FocusFactor and Prevagen, whose labels may claim they can boost brainpower. Furthermore, as with all dietary supplements, these are only loosely regulated, so you can't know for sure what's in any given pill.

Does Prevagen affect your kidneys? ›

This medication may cause serious (rarely fatal) kidney problems.

What is the best memory supplement for seniors? ›

Proven Supplements for Memory for Seniors
  • Ashwagandha is both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative. ...
  • Caffeine might improve both short-term and long-term memory, and small studies have supported this. ...
  • Choline helps improve and regulate memory. ...
  • Ginger may improve working memory, making it a potential cognitive enhancer.
Feb 20, 2024

Is Neuriva better than Prevagen? ›

Despite its unique ingredient, Prevagen resulted in very little perceivable cognitive enhancement during our trial. Neuriva performed marginally better but doesn't compare to more comprehensively formulated nootropics. Basic Ingredient Profiles Don't Include Key Ingredients.

What is the number one medicine for memory loss? ›

Donepezil and rivastigmine

Donepezil tablets are by far the most common medication used to treat dementia. Rivastigmine tends only to be used when donepezil causes side effects, or if the person can't take it for medical reasons.

What is the most effective supplement for memory? ›

3 essential nutrients for brain health
  • Omega-3 fatty acids. For big-time benefits to your brain health, start with omega-3 fatty acids. ...
  • Vitamin D. Vitamin D is notable for supporting strong bones and helping to prevent osteoporosis. ...
  • Vitamin B12. Like vitamin D, vitamin B12 has many mental benefits.

What is the best drug to improve memory? ›

Cholinesterase inhibitors are the first choice of treatment for memory loss. The doctor may also prescribe the single-dose drug combination Namzeric to treat moderate to severe memory loss.

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