TL;DR Alpha Brain vs Prevagen Summary
Prevagen offers a unique jellyfish-derived ingredient, which is a good thing, however, we think the limited formula inside is a huge drawback. For comparison, the popular supplement Alpha Brain by Onnit seems to be a better choice due to its richer formula. Still, when compared to some of the best supplements on the market, neither of the two is worth it in the long run. Alpha Brain costs $69.95, and for that money, it should last you for only 45 days, which is quite expensive. Overall, we think Alpha Brain is a slightly better choice than Prevagen, however, neither of the two are the best supplements we’ve seen for their price points.
What do we recommend?
-Click to See The Current Top 3 Highest-Ranked Brain Supplements-
About the Supplements
Prevagen is a supplement intended for those who want to improve their memory. It is made by Quincy Bioscience and is available in two versions (strengths) – regular (10mg) and extra strength (20mg). Prevagen has been on the market for some time. To this day, it is marketed as a solution for memory problems, low mental clarity, and bad brain function.
When it comes to Alpha Brain, it is another supplement for brain health, however, it is specifically designed to improve focus, and mood, and boost cognitive sharpness. Even some celebrities endorse it, Joe Rogan, for example.
Alpha Brain is manufactured by a company called Onnit, which has a better reputation than Quincy Bioscience. This product is available in black bottles, with each bottle having 60 capsules.
So, to see which one of these is better, we’re going to take a look at their formulas.
Ingredients
Prevagen
- Vitamin D – 50 mcg – A crucial ingredient for bone strength, better mood, and various brain and body functions. It’s most beneficial for those who are deficient.
- Apoaequorin (10mg or 20mg in the “Extra Strength” version) – This is the jellyfish protein that can be seen in Prevagen’s commercials. It is believed to help remove calcium plaques from the brain and improve neuron signaling. However, its efficacy is still questionable and under debate, and it has not received FDA approval.
Alpha Brain
- Vitamin B6 – 10mg – an essential nutrient for healthy blood flow and converting food into energy.
- Onnit Blend – 650mg – a proprietary blend of nutrients including L-Tyrosine, L-Theanine, Oat Straw Extract, Phosphatidylserine, and Cat’s Claw Bark. For example, L-Tyrosine helps in the production of Dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter essential for neuromotor functions and overall well-being.
- Onnit Focus Blend – 240mg – this proprietary blend contains Alpha GPC, Bacopa Monnieri, and Toothed Clubmoss (Huperzine A). Alpha GPC is known for its potential to support memory and other cognitive functions.
- Onnit Fuel Blend – 60mg – contains L-Leucine and Pterostilbene. L-Leucine is more commonly found in muscle-building supplements.
There are definitely some beneficial ingredients for brain function in Alpha Brain, however, we’re very disappointed that the manufacturer has put proprietary blends in the formula. Proprietary blends hide specific ingredient dosages, leaving you with absolutely no idea how effective the ingredients inside that same blend are going to be.
Because of that, Alpha Brain is surely far from the best nootropics we’ve seen on the market.
Prevagen, on the other hand, has a much different formula; there are no proprietary blends, and you get two ingredients with straightforward dosages. Don’t get your hopes up yet; we don’t think two ingredients are enough for a substantial brain boost, especially not the two contained in Prevagen. There are many nutrients missing, such as Bacopa Monnieri, Rhodiola Rosea, L-Tyrosine, Phosphatidylserine, L-Theanine, and many more.
All in all, Alpha Brain and Prevagen are different supplements with different formulas. Both have some ability to support brain health to a little degree in the long run and if we had to choose between the two, we’d go for Alpha Brain, since it has more ingredients than Prevagen.
However, due to many drawbacks including proprietary blends and a lack of certain nutrients, we can’t recommend any of the two for brain health long-term. There are much better alternatives on the market.
Read Next: Can Vitamin C Cause Insomnia?
Recommendations for Different People
Prevagen
Prevagen is suitable for people looking for some benefits of Apoaequorin or for those who are deficient in Vitamin D. We don’t think it is worth it if you have huge expectations in terms of brain boost.
Alpha Brain
If you’re specifically looking to choose between Prevagen or Alpha Brain, Alpha Brain is more suitable for people who are seeking a richer ingredient formula with more nutrients. However, we don’t think this is the best you can get since the proprietary blend leaves you with no idea about the individual ingredient doses.
Side Effects – Are There Any?
Prevagen shouldn’t cause any side effects for most people if you follow the recommended doses. However, there is some uncertainty when it comes to Apoaequorin in the formula. Some people have reported minor side effects, but from what we’ve seen, these are very rare. Keep in mind that Apoaequorin has not been approved by the FDA yet.
When it comes to Alpha Brain, there is a possibility of side effects since you have no idea how much of each ingredient from the proprietary blends you’re getting into your system. Some users stated that they had experienced headaches and dizziness while taking this product.
Pricing
A one-month supply of Prevagen costs between $40 and $50, depending on which version you choose. Alpha Brain, on the other hand, costs $69.95 for a 45-day supply, which is a huge price.
Final Thoughts
So, which one of these supplements should you choose, Prevagen or Alpha Brain? As we already mentioned, both products have some drawbacks that shouldn’t be in a quality nootropic. Lack of core ingredients and proprietary blends are the major problems in these two products.
Therefore, neither one is the best on the market. We recommend doing more research because, for the prices that these supplements charge, you can find more effective nootropics out there.
What do we recommend?
-Click to See The Current Top 3 Highest-Ranked Brain Supplements-
Related:
Leave a Reply