Prevagen and Alpha Brain are two highly popular, top-selling so-called brain supplements. So how do they measure up against each other? Is one better than the other? What about Prevagen side effects vs. potential Alpha Brain side effects? We discuss the two in terms of comparison below.
What is Alpha Brain?
Alpha Brain is a nootropic supplement from the Onnit company. According to Onnit, Alpha Brain can support memory, mental speed, and focus. The supplement is caffeine-free and is meant to help people achieve a so-called flow state.
A flow state is when you’re in a state of concentration. It’s described as the optimal level of consciousness where you can perform and work at your best. To get to the flow state, your brain produces more alpha waves. Alpha waves in the brain are associated with productivity and creativity.
According to Alpha Brain’s makers, this supplement’s ingredients help you get to that mental flow state where you can accomplish tasks and think clearly.
Alpha Brain was created in 2011, and you’re supposed to take it twice a day.
There are four proprietary blends of herbs, vitamins, and amino acids in Alpha Brain.
Some studies are looking at the effectiveness of the nootropic supplement. For example, there was a 2016 study that found after six weeks, people between the ages of 18 and 35 who took Alpha Brain performed significantly better on tests measuring executive functioning and verbal memory than peers who didn’t.
At the same time, another study from 2018 found alpha Brain didn’t have any noticeable effects on mood or cognitive function, so the research is mixed.
The Onnit Focus Blend includes nootropic ingredients like alpha GPC and bacopa, as well as huperzine A. The Onnit Fuel Blend includes L-leucine and pterostilbene. The Flow Blend includes l-tyrosine, l-theanine, and phosphatidylserine.
Although Alpha Brain is considered generally safe, some potential mild side effects might occur. Side effects reported with Alpha Brain include headaches, stomach problems, nausea, and insomnia.
What is Prevagen?
Prevagen is a supplement meant to work very differently than Alpha Brain, even though they’re both considered brain supplements. Prevagen isn’t considered a nootropic, for example. Nootropics are so-called smart drugs. Prevagen is supposed to help with mild memory loss associated with aging.
Unlike Alpha Brain, with a long list of ingredients, Prevagen has just two.
The first is vitamin D, and the second is apoaequorin. Apoaequorin was initially discovered in glowing jellyfish. It’s a protein, and it can bind to calcium.
This is important for memory because researchers think at least part of the reason for memory declines in older people is high and dysregulated calcium levels in the brain. The idea of Prevagen is that since the protein binds to calcium, it can bring down brain levels and regulate calcium levels in neurons. That could, in theory, improve memory.
There’s just not enough research to say whether this theory holds up. The major study the makers of Prevagen use to market the product as “clinically proven” is one they conducted themselves. There are also big issues with the study. One is that only around 200 people were included, which isn’t a large enough size of participants. The study also only ran for 90 days, so we don’t know for sure about long-term safety.
The other problem with the study is that the tests researchers used to measure memory and mental function aren’t standard tests that would typically be used for that study.
There’s some evidence that Prevagen might not cross the blood-brain barrier. Proteins are digested in the GI system. If the apoaequorin can’t make it to their brain, it will not be effective and reduce calcium levels.
How Do Prevagen and Alpha Brain Compare?
Prevagen and Alpha Brain are actually very different supplements from one another. Prevagen is marketed as a memory supplement, primarily for older people. Alpha Brain is geared more toward younger people who want to be more productive and work for longer periods.
Alpha Brain is likely to work more quickly than Prevagen, whereas to see the benefits of Prevagen, you’d probably have to take it for several months.
Alpha Brain has more potent ingredients, and there is a lot more third-party research to back up most of these effects.
Regarding customer reviews, Prevagen and Alpha Brain have mixed reviews. Some people love the products, and others feel they aren’t effective.
Both Prevagen and Alpha Brain also have a similar potential for side effects.
We’d say, between the two, Alpha Brain is probably the stronger option. Before trying any new supplement, you should always speak to your health care provider.
