Neuriva vs Prevagen: Two WEAK Nootropics

Neuriva and Prevagen are two of the most popular supplements on the market advertised as being effective for helping with cognitive impairment. Both of these nootropics claim to help with mild memory loss and to enhance cognitive function more generally. Both are used every single day by thousands of people looking to maintain healthy brain function into old age.

However, there are differences between these two dietary supplements.

For starters, Prevagen is marketed exclusively as a nootropic for memory loss in older people, whereas Neuriva is billed as a more general daily nootropic for overall cognitive function support.

So how does Neuriva compare to Prevagen? Is Prevagen better than Neuriva? Is one safer than the other?

In this article, we’re going to compare Neuriva and Prevagen to see if one is better than the other for helping with cognitive impairment. We will then tell you our pick for the best nootropic for 2023. To learn more about these nootropics in detail we recommend reading our Neuriva review and our review of Prevagen.

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Neuriva VS Prevagen Ingredients

Neuriva and Prevagen have completely different ingredients, but they both only contain two ingredients. While the manufacturers are at pains to stress that both ingredients have been shown to work by clinical studies, this is still a very bad sign rigth of the bat.

We feel that a nootropic stack with only two ingredients is not enough to deliver the kind of improvements in mental functions we’re used to from nootropics. Despite what claims might make, there isn’t enough here to provide full-spectrum cognitive boosting.

Many ingredients can only boost a small number of things. You will rarely reach your destination with just 2 ingredients.

Let’s not do that! Let’s examine the individual ingredients.

Neuriva has:

• Coffee Cherry Extract / Coffee Fruit – 100mg
• 100 mg of phosphatidylserine

And Prevagen has:

• Vitamin D 50 mg (2000 IU).
• Apoaequorin – 10 mg

Let’s take a closer look at these two ingredient profiles.

Neuriva Ingredients: Quick Overview

Neuriva’s Coffee Fruit extract is believed to aid Brain Derived Neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which can be helpful in a number of ways.

It has been shown to work in this manner in one study. It was also Whole Fruit Coffee Concentrate, which technically is not Coffee Fruit Extract. However, it may contain different active components than whole fruit coffee concentrate.

This is a poor start. The Phosphatidylserine, however, is more appealing. Phosphatidylserine has an FDA-qualified claim of cognitive decline prevention and clinical trials that show it can increase glucose metabolism, which can improve brain cell energy.

It is believed to improve brain function, memory, mood, as well as removing toxic brain cells from your system.

Neuriva has a far superior ingredient than the Coffee Fruit. We just wish that the dosage was higher. The 100 mg of Phosphatidylserine, which is much more effective than the 150 mg found in most nootropic stacks, is less efficient. This brain supplement might have a greater effect if the quality was better.

Learn more: Neuriva ingredients analysis.

Prevagen Ingredients: Quick Overview

Prevagen, on the other hand, contains Vitamin D and Apoaequorin.

Vitamin D is important for many essential functions of your body but it won’t make a significant difference to your cognitive abilities. Vitamin D is not something that many people consume enough of, so it’s a great support option. However, this option will not make any significant changes in your cognition.

What about Apoaequorin, then? Another potential problem is that, unlike the Coffee Fruit extracts, only one study has proven the effectiveness of Apoaequorin.

Apoaequorin is derived from jellyfish and is thought to remove calcium from the brain to improve its performance. Apoaequorin is believed to improve memory, but it is not clear if this is true. However, one study did show Apoaequorin was effective in improving memory performance. This was only for individuals who had no memory problems. This is reminiscent of the placebo effect.

We believe that there is more research needed to support Prevagen’s Apoaequorin, as this one study is only the beginning.

Prevagen VS Neuriva Ingredients Summary

Each of the mainstream brain supplements has its downsides. However, we would choose Neuriva if we had any choice.

It’s not high in Phosphatidylserine, but there are plenty of studies that have been done on Phosphatidylserine for cognition and brain health.

Prevagen’s Apoaequorin only has one study. Similar to Neuriva’s Coffee Fruit extract.

Prevagen’s Vitamin D is an excellent addition, but not for brain health, but for general health. Prevagen is not intended to be a Vitamin D supplement.

We’d say Neuriva wins the ingredient race.

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Neuriva VS Prevagen Side Effects

There have never been any side effects reported with either Neuriva or Prevagen’s brain supplements.

However, every person responds differently to these nootropics and we are not doctors. Before you start using any of these nootropics, it is important to consult your doctor.

In terms of Neuriva’s side effects, we don’t think there’s a lot ot worry about here. Coffee Fruit extract has not been shown to cause side effects. Neuriva’s Phosphatidylserine should also not cause problems, especially at a low dose of 100mg.

Prevagen has 2000 IU Vitamin D. This is, again, within safe daily limits. Apoaequorin is unlikely to cause allergic reactions if taken in large doses.

These two seem simple and straightforward to follow without any problems.

Prevagen VS Neuriva Side Effects Summary

It’s a draw. Both supplements are clean and have no repeated side effects if taken regularly.

You should always consult your doctor if you are concerned about Neuriva and Prevagen. However, most people will be fine using these nootropics.

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Neuriva VS Prevagen Price

Neuriva can be purchased monthly for between $35.00 and $39.99 in most cases. This price is comparable to most nootropics.

Prevagen, on the other hand, is priced anywhere from $65.00 to $79.95 depending where you shop. For the same number of capsules, Prevagen is much more expensive than Neuriva.

Read more about Prevagen: Prevagen vs Alpha Brain.

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Prevagen VS Neuriva Price Summary

In Prevagen vs Neuriva, who wins?

The answer is clear: Neuriva is a better nootropic than Prevagen.

We have to agree that Neuriva is the best priced because it has a better ingredient profile and yet is still cheaper than Prevagen.

The ingredients in Neuriva also have much better scientific backing than Prevagen. While the formula has severe limitations, Neuriva’s ingredients at least deliver proven brain benefits in terms of brain fog and memory function.

Prevagen, by contrast, has absolutely no scientific backing whatsoever. Despite the claims madeby Quincy Bioscience about the efficacy of apoaequorin, there is no proof that it helps with memory issues at all.

But if you’re looking for something that is serously going to improve your cognitive performance, we think neither Prevagen nor Neuriva is right for you. Both dietary supplements are weak and overpriced.

Neither can really deliver any signifciant cognitive enhancements, and we certainly don’t think either Prevagen or Neuriva can help with cognitive impairment. But some nootropics can.