Prevagen and Alpha Brain are two of the best-selling nootropics on the market today. Both supplements are sold online, as well as in stores like Walmart and CVS.
Alpha Brain and Prevagen have a lot in common. Both nootropics promise to significantly improve cognitive performance in numerous ways. Specifically, both stacks promise to improve memory function and overall brain health when taken consistently for prolonged periods.
However, Prevagen and Alpha Brain also have their differences. Prevagen is very much aimed at older people suffering with mild cognitive impairment and memory loss caused by old age. The manufacturer has actually been in a lot of trouble over the last few years for claiming – falsely – that Prevagen works for age-related cognitive decline! Alpha Brain, on the other hand, is a daily nootropic stack aimed at people who want full-spectrum brain performance support. The marketing and the formula are more aimed at younger people looking for a mental edge than older people.
So how do Alpha brain and Prevagen compare to one another? If we do a head to head comparison, Prevagen vs Alpha Brain, who wins as the overall best nootropic.
In ths article, we’re going to do a side by side comparison of Alpha Brain vs Prevagen to see which is the better brain supplement overall. We will examine benefits, side effects, price, and more.
Prevagen Overview
Prevagen, a memory enhancement by Quincy Bioscience. There are two types: regular strength (10mg) and extra strength (20mg) capsules.
Quincy Bioscience is a Wisconsin-based company that makes Prevagen. It is well-known for its controversial marketing strategies.
The Federal Trade Commission sued them for misleading jellyfish commercials that promoted Prevagen.
The Federal Court in New York also ordered another trial in the Prevagen lawsuit in 2022. It’s safe to say that this is quite suspicious!
You might still be able see some of these controversial ads involving jellyfish if you visit Prevagen’s site.
Prevagen’s main ingredient, Prevagen, is apparently sourced from this jellyfish. It is said to provide the following benefits:
- Increased clarity
- Enhanced memory
- Healthy brain function
After giving you the Alpha Brain lowdown, we’ll verify that Prevagen’s ingredients back up its claims and if there is any reason to suspect.
Alpha Brain Overview
Alpha Brain a brain booster that uses natural ingredients to improve your mood, focus, and cognitive sharpness is an old-school product. Alpha Brain was first promoted by Joe Rogan and other celebrities.
Alpha Brain is available in black bottles with orange graphics. Each bottle contains 60 capsules.
The manufacturer recommends that you take 2 capsules per day to maximize your concentration and productivity.
Alpha Brain was made By Onnit. Onnit is more trusted than Quincy Bioscience and has a better reputation.
Onnit’s owner is well-known in the “biohacking” community for his helpful tips and advice on optimizing your performance as well as your daily life.
Alpha Brain has its own pitfalls. The label lacks transparency, which is one of the biggest problems with this supplement.
Because the proprietary blends hide the individual ingredient dosages, the label only shows the total amount. It is difficult to assess Alpha Brain’s safety or effectiveness.
The Ingredients
Prevagen and Alpha Brain both fail to choose as their ingredient choice.
Prevagen’s Ingredients
Here is Prevagen’s ingredients:
- Vitamin D (50mcg)
- Apoaequorin (10mg or 20mg in the “Extra Strength” version)
That’s it – two ingredients, one of them being Vitamin D.
Again, Prevagen’s label only lists 2 ingredients – vitamin D (and Apoaequorin). Vitamin D is a fundamental health ingredient, which supports bone strength and other functions of the brain and body.
Vitamin D is not likely to provide any benefit unless you are severely deficient.
Apoaequorin is, however, the famous jellyfish protein that Prevagen’s commercials feature. It is claimed to help remove calcium plaques from the brain and improve neuron signaling.
In theory, this should help your brain stay more youthful. The Quincy Bioscience links were conducted by a scientist who was banned from PubMed! Apoaequorin has not been approved by FDA.
You’ll see that Apoaequorin is capable of doing everything for your mind if you look at the most reputable studies.
Prevagen has one ingredient that works. It’s not enough to make a significant difference.
Alpha Brain Ingredients
Alpha Brain uses proprietary blends, as we have already stated. To be exact, 3
These blends are made up of multiple ingredients, which are combined as one dose on the label. We’re left guessing at their respective doses.
These are the ingredients of Alpha Brain:
- Vitamin B6 (10mg)
- Onnit Blend (650mg),- L.Tyrosine and L.Theanine, Oat Straw Extracts, Phosphatidylserine. Cat’s Claw Bark.
- Onnit Focus Blend (240mg) – Alpha GPC, Bacopa Monnieri, Toothed Clubmoss (Huperzine A)
- Onnit Fuel Blend (60mg) – L-Leucine, Pterostilbene
Simply having more ingredients is not necessarily a better thing in a nootropic. Quite the opposite a lot of the time. But in this case, Alpha Brain’s broader ingredient list is vastly superior to Prevagen’s ridiculously narrow and under-powered formula.
Onnit made good choices regarding the ingredients. Vitamin B6 is vital for healthy blood flow, and the conversion of food into energy.
L-Tyrosine on the other hand helps your brain make more Dopamine which helps you perform better when under stress.
Dopamine makes everyday life more enjoyable and is essential for many of your neuromotor functions.
L-Theanine, a relaxing amino acid found in green tea, helps to offset the effects of caffeine. This is why the two make a great combination.
The rest of this formula isn’t too impressive. Alpha GPC is the only mention worthy of note. Alpha GPC can be used by your brain to create essential chemicals that regulate memory, and other cognitive functions.
L-Leucine, a muscle building compound, is commonly found in bodybuilder’s supplements and not nootropics.
Although HuperzineA is good for memory, it can also cause side effects if taken in excess. We don’t have any information about the dosage of Huperzine A or any other ingredient in Alpha Brain.
Alpha Brain ingredients may be some of the most effective on the market. However, it’s impossible to know if they are safe or effective.
Alpha Brain vs Prevagen Side Effects: Which one is safer?
Prevagen seems safer than other options, as it only contains 2 ingredients. One is vitamin D, the other is not.
Alpha Brain does not disclose the ingredient’s dosages. Huperzine overdoses could lead to side effects.
- Headaches
- Ironically, memory loss
- Insomnia
if you experience any side effects while taking either Alpha Brain or Prevagen, stop using them immediately and seek medical attention. Do your own research carefully to make sure none of the ingredients in either Prevagen or Alpha Brain negatively interact with any medications you might be taking already.
Alpha Brain vs Prevagen Interactions
Prevagen’s one active ingredient has never actually been independently studied in human clinical trials on a meaningful scale. It is also not an ingredient used in any other nootropic stacks that we know of, or even as a standalone supplement. We therefore cannot say whether or not it is likely to interact with any medications you might be taking. The ingredients in Alpha Brain have been tested in clinical trials and, while some of them are less than effective, negative interactions with medications is unlikely.
Customer Reviews
Prevagen has more than 8000 Amazon reviews when you consider both the Regular Strength as well as the Extra Strength.
The average score for all supplements is 4/5. That’s not bad!
There’s also the possibility that reviews could be edited or fake testimonials written, which could explain why such a high score is possible.
Quincy Bioscience’s great marketing would explain the other possibility. You should not underestimate the power and potential dangers of the placebo effect.
Alpha Brain has 6,400 Amazon ratings and an average score 4.5/5. This is great, but it’s impossible to determine how many of those are genuine.
Although some users complained of headaches caused by Huperzia serrata, , most users said that they feel ‘better’ after using Alpha Brain.
Prevagen vs Alpha Brain: Price Comparison
Prevagen can be purchased in a variety of versions. A month’s supply will run you between $40 and $50, depending on which version you choose.
It is about the same price as top nootropics on the market, but offers far less value with its 2 ingredients (one unproven).
A 90-count pack of Alpha Brain is around $69.95
Although the price is often higher than what you see on their official website, they offer discounts for customers who subscribe to their monthly plan.
The 90-count package will last 45 days if you buy it. This is longer than Prevagen. Their prices are almost identical if you look at the price per pill.
Conclusion: Prevagen vs Alpha Brain Final Verdict
This concludes our comparison.
Prevagen vs Alpha Brain: Which one wins Alpha Brain is our choice because uses more ingredients and has better ingredients.
Prevagen has only 2 ingredients. One of these isn’t tested and the other, vitamin D, is cheaper than other supplements.
Alpha Brain is the winner, but it lacks transparency and key nootropic ingredients like Lion’s Mane Mushroom that would make it more powerful.
You can find cheaper options for the same price.
To see our top 3 recommended brain supplements, click the image below.
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Simply put, Nooceptin is the ideal brain supplement for people who need to mentally perform at 100% capacity for hours on end. At $69.99 per course, we think it's hard to find a more effective and cost-effective nootropic right now.
Brian Johnson is current Editor of Vagarights.com and a long-time writer for VAGA. A former psychologist, Brian is passionate about improving mental health and finding ways to stave off cognitive decline. He is an expert on nootropics, cognitive enhancement and biohacking more broadly. You can see his work on Google scholar.
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