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Brain Essentials

Swanson
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(1698 ratings)
Vitamin B6 25 mg
Deanol 25 mg
Tyrosine 100 mg
Vitamin B5 25 mg
Ginkgo
Vitamin B12 250 mcg
DHA 30 mg
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Score61
An inexpensive and clearly labeled brain blend with impressive breadth on paper, but token specialty doses keep its real cognitive contribution modest.
How scoring works
Quantity:60 Capsule(s) • (60 servings)
Goals:
Energy
Cognitive Support

Score 61

An inexpensive and clearly labeled brain blend with impressive breadth on paper, but token specialty doses keep its real cognitive contribution modest.
How scoring works
$11.99($0.19 per serving)
iHerb
$ 15.99
iHerb
$ 15.99
Walmart
$ 11.99
Amazon
$ 14.37
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Analysis

Gotu kola, ginkgo, tyrosine, DMAE, DHA, phospholipids, and B vitamins create broad cognitive intent. The amounts are individually disclosed, which is more useful than hiding the stack inside a proprietary blend.

Practical depth is weak because tyrosine is only 100 mg, DHA is 30 mg, and phosphatidylserine is 1 mg. Ginkgo is modest and lacks marker percentages, while cyanocobalamin and pyridoxine hydrochloride are functional but basic vitamin forms.

The one-capsule serving may suit someone who wants inexpensive, gentle nutritional coverage rather than a strong nootropic effect. It is poorly matched to dedicated DHA, mood, vision, cardiovascular, or hair goals because the relevant ingredients are either missing or far below focused amounts.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking a low-intensity, one-capsule cognitive blend
  • Budget-minded users who value ingredient breadth over high doses
  • People who want B vitamins alongside small amounts of several nootropic ingredients
Best for
  • Basic daily cognitive-nutrition support
  • A low-cost introduction to multi-ingredient brain formulas
  • Users who prefer modest stimulation-free support

Pros

  • Discloses individual active amounts instead of using a proprietary blend
  • Combines B vitamins with several cognitive ingredient classes
  • Uses the preferred L-tyrosine form
  • Simple one-capsule serving is easy to maintain

Cons

  • DHA and phosphatidylserine are present at token amounts
  • Ginkgo marker percentages are not supplied
  • Tyrosine, alpha-lipoic acid, and DMAE are too lightly dosed for focused use
  • Uses cyanocobalamin and pyridoxine hydrochloride rather than active coenzyme forms
  • The broad formula is scattered across many weak pathways

Warnings

  • Ginkgo may increase bleeding tendency when combined with anticoagulants such as warfarin or antiplatelet medicines such as clopidogrel.
  • The 25 mg vitamin B6 amount is high for long-term daily use and may add to neuropathy risk when stacked with other B6 supplements.
  • Soy lecithin makes the formula unsuitable for people with a soy allergy unless the specific product labeling confirms otherwise.

Nutrient quality

51 Moderate impact

Pyridoxine hydrochloride, cyanocobalamin, and standard pantothenate are usable but not the most metabolically direct forms. DHA, phosphatidylserine, amino acids, alpha-lipoic acid, and DMAE are too small for focused cognitive support.

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Ingredient transparency

66 High impact

Most principal ingredients have amounts, but several marker and form entries show no usable quantity. A complete excipient list is not available in the supplied data.

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Customer satisfaction

75 High impact

The average rating is strong. The large rating volume provides a reliable satisfaction signal.

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Value for money

53 Moderate impact

Each serving is inexpensive but weak as an effective cognitive dose. Numerous lightly dosed additions provide limited practical value.

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Goals

Energy
Impact
Moderate effect
C+ Goal FitD Strength of SupportC- CoverageD+ Formula Quality
Vitamin B5 · 25 mgVitamin B12 · 250 mcg

Vitamin B12, B6, pantothenic acid, and tyrosine support metabolic and neurotransmitter pathways linked to mental energy. The 250 mcg vitamin B12 amount meets the rubric’s higher threshold.

Most botanical, amino-acid, DHA, and phosphatidylserine amounts are low, leaving the broad brain stack diluted. Ginkgo may increase bleeding risk with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines.

Study evidence
Vitamin B12 Disputed 14 studies
Cognitive Support
Impact
Moderate effect
C+ Goal FitD- Strength of SupportC CoverageC- Formula Quality
Vitamin B6 · 25 mgVitamin B12 · 250 mcg

Gotu kola, tyrosine, ginkgo, DHA, DMAE, and phosphatidylserine target several cognitive mechanisms. The ingredient list is impressively broad, but most doses are well below established standalone ranges.

Ginkgo is modest, DHA is only 30 mg, and phosphatidylserine is present at a token 1 mg. Ginkgo may increase bleeding risk when combined with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines.

Study evidence
Ginkgo Supportive 87 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin B6
25 mg
Vitamin B12
250 mcg
Pantothenic Acid
25 mg
Gotu Kola extract
150 mg
L-Glutamine
100 mg
L-Tyrosine
100 mg
Soy Lecithin
100 mg
Ginkgo biloba leaf extract
60 mg
Docosahexaenoic Acid
30 mg
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
25 mg
DMAE Bitartrate
25 mg
Phosphatidylserine
1 mg
Adults 18–50
Report overview
Vitamin B6 · 25 mg OverallScore74
D+ Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyB- Value

The B6 dose is well placed for metabolic and neurological support, but pyridoxine hydrochloride requires conversion to its active form. A one-capsule serving and clear form disclosure make the formula easy to understand and use. Its low serving cost is favorable for a synthetic-form B6 product.

Deanol · 25 mg OverallScore58
B- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityD- Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyC Value
The label clearly identifies DMAE bitartrate, but it gives only the salt weight rather than active Deanol yield. After conversion from the salt weight, the active amount is very low. No Deanol-specific safety warning is included, while the one-capsule serving is convenient and the broad stack supports neutral Deanol value.
Tyrosine · 100 mg OverallScore50
B- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityD+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyF Value

The preferred L-Tyrosine form is used, but the 100 mg dose is too small for strong acute cognitive support. The amount is clearly disclosed, while tyrosine-specific purity and sourcing remain undocumented. Low tyrosine output keeps the cost per gram high despite an inexpensive serving.

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Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® in dementia with behavioural and psychological symptoms: A systematic review.
    von Gunten A; Schlaefke S; Überla K · The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry · 2017
    Meta-analysis1,628 participants4 studies pooledCognitive Support forGinkgo
  2. Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 is safe and effective in the treatment of mild dementia - a meta-analysis of patient subgroups in randomised controlled trials.
    Riepe M; Hoerr R; Schlaefke S · The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry · 2025
    Meta-analysis782 participants4 studies pooledCognitive Support forGinkgo
  3. Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia.
    Wieland LS; Ludeman E; Chi Y; Feinberg TM; Chen IH; Chen KH; Zhu Y; Wolverson E; Amri H · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2026
    Meta-analysis10,613 participants82 studies pooledCognitive Support forGinkgo
  4. Ginkgo biloba Extract (EGb761), Cholinesterase Inhibitors, and Memantine for the Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer's Disease: A Network Meta-Analysis.
    Thancharoen O; Limwattananon C; Waleekhachonloet O; Rattanachotphanit T; Limwattananon P; Limpawattana P · Drugs & aging · 2019
    Meta-analysisCognitive Support forGinkgo
  5. Senile dementia: treatment with deanol.
    Ferris SH; Sathananthan G; Gershon S; Clark C · Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · 1977
    Single-arm trial14 participantsCognitive Support forDeanol
  6. Efficacy of ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine on cognitive function in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a predefined exploratory analysis of a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.
    Tian X; Xu Q; Xia X; Zhang Y; Meng X; Wang A · Journal of neurology · 2024
    Randomized trial3,163 participantsCognitive Support forGinkgo
  7. A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial of an extract of Ginkgo biloba for dementia. North American EGb Study Group.
    Le Bars PL; Katz MM; Berman N; Itil TM; Freedman AM; Schatzberg AF · JAMA · 1997
    Randomized trial309 participantsCognitive Support forGinkgo
  8. Alleviating neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia: the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761. Findings from a randomized controlled trial.
    Bachinskaya N; Hoerr R; Ihl R · Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment · 2011
    Randomized trial410 participantsCognitive Support forGinkgo
  9. Efficacy and safety of a once-daily formulation of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 in dementia with neuropsychiatric features: a randomized controlled trial.
    Ihl R; Bachinskaya N; Korczyn AD; Vakhapova V; Tribanek M; Hoerr R; Napryeyenko O; GOTADAY Study Group · International journal of geriatric psychiatry · 2013
    Randomized trial410 participantsCognitive Support forGinkgo
  10. A new perspective on vitamin B12 deficiency in rheumatology: a case-based review.
    Dułak NA; Rytlewska M; Jaskólska M; Chmielewski M · Rheumatology international · 2024
    Case series3 participantsEnergy forVitamin B12
  11. Effects of Vitamin B12 Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Depressive Symptoms, and Fatigue: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression.
    Markun S; Gravestock I; Jäger L; Rosemann T; Pichierri G; Burgstaller JM · Nutrients · 2021
    Meta-analysis6,276 participants16 studies pooledEnergy forVitamin B12
  12. Patients' experiences with methylcobalamin injections in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
    Zubair AS; Saab L; Scharer K; Khokhar B · Brain circulation · 2024
    Qualitative study5 participantsEnergy forVitamin B12
  13. Cobalamin deficiency: clinical picture and radiological findings.
    Briani C; Dalla Torre C; Citton V; Manara R; Pompanin S; Binotto G; Adami F · Nutrients · 2014
    Narrative reviewEnergy forVitamin B12
  14. Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Common Questions and Answers.
    Patel H; McGuirk R · American family physician · 2025
    Narrative reviewEnergy forVitamin B12