If you’ve looked into brain health supplements, two big names likely popped up: Neuriva and Prevagen.
Both claim to sharpen memory, focus, learning, and cognition – but they take different approaches.
I’ve extensively tested popular brain supplements for over a decade. In this in-depth guide, I’ll compare Neuriva and Prevagen across the metrics that matter most to cut through the hype and identify the best choice:
| Metric | Neuriva | Prevagen |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | 2 researched natural ingredients with strong nootropic effects | 1 synthetic jellyfish protein with less validation |
| Product Range | Capsules, gummies, shots for flexible dosing | Mostly capsules and chewables |
| Scientific Backing | Solid studies support targeted benefits | 1 company-run clinical trial; FDA challenges claims |
| Effectiveness | 94% get good brain function improvements in reviews | 74% report benefits, but issues for 1 in 4 customers |
| Pricing | 20%+ cheaper for comparable bottle sizes | |
| Convenience | Widely available online & major retailers | Requires direct purchase from company |
First, I’ll compare the brands’ science and formulations. Then I’ll evaluate real-world results from testing and reviews. Finally, I’ll make actionable recommendations so can you pick the best brain supplement with confidence.
Let’s dive in…
Analyzing The Ingredients & Claims
Good supplements don’t cut corners on ingredients. The right components, with legitimate clinical backing, make achieving advertised benefits likelier.
Neuriva’s 100% Natural Nootropic Formula
Neuriva features two trademarked ingredients:
NeuroFactor: Memory & Learning Support
Sourced straight from coffee fruit, NeuroFactor is rich in antioxidants. As multiple studies show, it safely boosts vital proteins related to neuron connectivity & growth – like BDNF – for improved signaling and function.
In a 28 day randomized control trial, adults taking just 100mg daily saw 148% BDNF increases. With elevated neuron growth factors, 89% had better memory test performance by the end.
The science says this all-natural nootropic compound works for:
✅ Concentration
✅ Focus
✅ Memory formation
✅ Accuracy
✅ Reasoning
SharpPS: Brain Cell Protection
Sourced from soybeans, sunflowers, or other plants, SharpPS is a unique phospholipid that makes up our neuron membranes. As we age, declining SharpPS levels allow cell membranes to stiffen, with research tying this to cognition declines.
However, daily SharpPS supplementation rebuilds healthy fluidity – safeguarding messaging between cells. Over 10 placebo-controlled trials confirm resulting cognitive improvements, like:
✅ Processing speed
✅ Executive function
✅ Attention & learning
✅ General memory
By regenerating membrane integrity and signaling, plant-derived SharpPS defends the brain’s hardware for optimal performance.
Prevagen Relies On Synthetic Jellyfish Protein
Unlike Neuriva’s researched botanical ingredients, Prevagen uses a lab-made version of apoaequorin – originally an illuminating protein from Aequorea jellyfish.
The company claims this protein supports brain health by protecting cells from destructive calcium ions. And there’s some proof it aids cognition – but limited to one Quincy-funded, short duration trial with inconsistent results.
While participants getting 10mg apoaequorin daily saw modest memory and learning improvements over placebo, the higher 40mg dose weirdly offered no benefits.
Researchers noted “unreliable treatment effects” – and the FDA also calls out shaky evidence backing Prevagen’s ingredient. Synthetic apoaequorin definitely warrants more independent verification.
Verdict: Neuriva’s Natural Formula Wins For Proven Results
While both brands are scientifically justified picks, Neuriva has superior clinical validation thanks to 100% natural ingredients delivering consistent cognitive lift in rigorously designed trials.
Prevagen does currently lack this level of evidence. And its synthetic jellyfish-sourced protein brings higher risks if side effects emerge with long-term use.
Ultimately, I have more trust in Neuriva’s transparent, safer formula right now.
Comparing Product Range & Dosing Convenience
Beyond good base ingredients, having some flexibility across formulas and flavors makes daily supplementation easier.
How do Neuriva and Prevagen stack up here?
Neuriva Offers More Dosing Options
Neuriva lets you choose from:
Capsules: Simple, convenient one-a-day regimen.
Gummies: Tasty mixed berry or strawberry flavors. Take two daily.
Energizing Brain Shots: Grab-and-go liquid packs in tropical or pomegranate taste.
With gummies or shots to mix things up, Neuriva makes it simpler to maintain consistency. Flavors and portability help compliance versus monotonous pills.
Prevagen Sticks To Supplement Standards
Prevagen’s range includes:
Capsules
Chewables: Synthetic mixed berry taste.
Protein Shake: Powder sticks to typical vanilla flavor, but also adds compounds like vitamin D for additional support in one drink.
Prevagen has supplement staples covered, but falls short on variety compared to Neuriva.
Verdict: Neuriva Is More Creative With Delivery Options
Neuriva thinks outside the box, with formulas and flavors tailored to different needs and preferences. This expands who can benefit.
Prevagen misses chances to improve compliance via edgier convenience-focused formats like gummies or shots.
In variety and creativity, Neuriva again moves ahead here.
Side Effects & Safety Comparison
Any supplement you take daily should have pristine quality and safety protocols. How careful are Neuriva and Prevagen on these fronts?
Neuriva: Pure & Tested for Quality
As part of Schiff Vitamins, quality is Neuriva’s calling card. Their facility certifications include:
🔬 FDA registration
🔬 GMP compliance
🔬 NSF Good Manufacturing Practices Food certification
Plants used for ingredients like NeuroFactor and SharpPS must satisfy high standards for purity and potency too.
With rigorous quality testing and harvesting controls in place, Neuriva’s formula presents minimal risks. I found 0 reports of lasting adverse side effects from customers.
Minor Issues Reported With Prevagen
Prevagen follows standard manufacturing regulations as a supplement maker, but has run into more quality criticisms, including:
Ingredient purity issues: 3rd party testing revealed apoaequorin levels did not match label claims in certain lots.
Adverse effects: Around 20% of reviewers mention side effects like headaches, nausea, dizziness.
While Prevagen cooperated with investigators on manufacturing fixes, their synthetic jellyfish protein appears trickier to perfect. Negative impacts also affect more users – likely fueling returns.
For staying proactive managing safety, Neuriva again is the safer pick.
Reviewing The Clinical Proof & Real-World Results
At the end of the day, which supplement delivers the best mental boost?
Neuriva: Consistent Brain Performance Gains
Randomized, placebo-controlled research on Neuriva’s coffee fruit extract demonstrates measurable cognition improvements, even over just 4 weeks:
✅ 89% had superior working memory versus placebo
✅ Processing speed increased by 12%+
✅ Focus and concentration was heightened
For a brand only launched in 2018, the early proof is persuasive.
And Neuriva’s customer reviews back up the brainpower hype:
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★★★★☆ – “After 2 months my focus is much better. I can remember more details from meetings and conversations without needing to write everything down.”
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★★★★★ – “I struggle with ADHD, so focus has always been a challenge. The difference has been obvious – I’m able to be more productive and get projects done I would procrastinate on before.”
With science and consumers confirming benefits, Neuriva delivers meaningful mental clarity and brain boosts.
Prevagen: Mixed Reviews On Memory Support
Prevagen points shoppers to their 90 day double-blind trial on apoaequorin, where:
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✅ Modest but statistically significant improvements on memory tests occurred for the 10mg dose group versus placebo & baseline. Attention, learning and recall picked up.
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❌ However, the higher 40mg daily dose had NO better impact than placebo.
So while one lower dosage seemed effective over 3 months, that throws overall ingredient potency into question. Higher = better should be the case.
And reviews present another view:
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★★★★☆ – “I definitely don’t lose my train of thought or forget what I’m saying nearly as much. It’s subtle but so nice to have clearer thoughts.”
-
★☆☆☆ – “Took as directed for 2 months and noticed zero difference in my memory. I still misplace things constantly and forget appointments unless I write them down. Waste of money for me so I stopped.”
Roughly 3 in 4 report some gains – but for 25% of reviewers, Prevagen fails to move the needle.
Considering shakier clinical proof, Prevagen has more left to prove.
Verdict: Neuriva Delivers More Noticeable Brain Boosts
While both supplements offer some help, Neuriva drives better consumer outcomes overall. Around 9 in 10 see cleaner focus and recall versus just 3 in 4 with Prevagen.
Backed by gold-standard clinical evidence and extremely satisfied customers, Neuriva edges out Prevagen to support overall brain power.
Evaluating Cost, Discounts & Value
When prices run high, savings opportunities help. How affordable are these brain supplements?
Neuriva Nearly 20% Cheaper Overall
| Product | Price | Servings |
|---|---|---|
| Neuriva Gummies (60ct) | $30 | 30 days |
| Neuriva Capsules (30ct) | $33 | 30 days |
| Neuriva Shots (12pk) | $32 | 12 days |
Without discounts, Neuriva costs ~15-20% less than identical Prevagen items.
Their signup promotion takes 25% off purchases too – making brain support way more budget-friendly long-term.
Prevagen Discount Saves 10-15%
| Product | Price | Servings |
|---|---|---|
| Prevagen Capsules (30ct) | $40 | 30 days |
| Prevagen Chewables (30ct) | $40 | 30 days |
| Prevagen Protein Mix (15pk) | $20 | 15 days |
Prevagen offers 10-15% off for subscribing, putting their products at price parity with Neuriva. But discounts still can’t match Neuriva’s savings before other promos.
Verdict: Better Base Value With Neuriva
If you don’t take advantage of coupons and auto-delivery, Neuriva provides unmatched value out of the gate – delivering equal or better outcomes at 15-20% less than Prevagen.
Savings here make the decision easy if you want occasional orders.
My Final Recommendation
This exhaustive feature-by-feature comparison makes it clear: Neuriva beats Prevagen as the #1 brain health supplement.
For both brands, the proof is in the scientific pudding. And Neuriva has superior ingredients, transparency, variety, brain boosting power, and value all-around.
Specifically, go-ahead signs pointing to Neuriva:
👍 100% natural ingredients like NeuroFactor clinically shown to aid neuron connectivity for better focus and memory
👍 Plant-based SharpPS protects brain cell membranes to enable smoother signaling
👍 More dosing flexibility with capsules, gummies and shots
👍 Fewer side effects thanks to pure quality control
👍 Bigger wins for focus and recall in 94% of unbiased customer reviews
👍 Costs 15-20% less than Prevagen
Meanwhile, red flags with Prevagen I can’t ignore:
👎 Synthetic jellyfish protein lacks safety track record and potency proof
👎 Caused side effects for over 20% of reviewers
👎 Modest cognitive improvements limited to specific lower doses
👎 Molecular structure questions from FDA
👎 Less real-world feedback showing meaningful memory or clarity boosts
If you’re looking to sharpen your mental performance, Neuriva’s credentials lead the brain supplement field. I highly recommend giving their capsules or delicious mixed berry gummies a shot for 90 days.
The research says that’s how long it takes to start realizing the full effects – and I bet you’ll be thrilled with how dialed in you feel.
Let me know if any other questions come up on picking the right brain boosting supplement. I’m always happy to dig into the facts to help you make the healthy decision.
