If you’re considering purchasing Neuriva as your next nootropic then its ingredients list may boggle your decision – there’s not a lot to go by. Thankfully, our nootropic and nutrition expert James Dixon answers your questions in our honest Neuriva review.
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Today’s fast-paced world can be quite intense. It’s draining, yet we’re always having to keep up, match its pace, perform and perform. This in mind, it’s probably then not too surprising that many of us are always on the lookout for anything that can offer improved cognitive function whilst supporting brain health.
We are, of course, talking about nootropics. Nootropic supplements have gained popularity as a means to sharpen focus, improve memory, and boost overall cognitive abilities, among other benefits. However, not all nootropic supplements are created equal. Some are superb… some are not.
Neuriva is the latter. Though it’s made a bit of a splash in the industry, its efficacy and overall performance leave much to be desired. With a minimalist formula and limited scientific evidence supporting its ingredients, Neuriva is looking a little iffy. I thought it high time, then, to check it out for myself.
Perhaps (we can hope) there is something in it that I’m missing.
TLDR: Neuriva Verdict
Neuriva is not very good. Its minimalist formula incorporates Neurofactor™ and phosphatidylserine, two ingredients whose potential cognitive benefits are limited by the lack of scientific evidence supporting them.
Many users report mixed results and a lack of noticeable improvements, which is concerning. There also isn’t much else in the formula to write home about.
This is a shame, especially in an industry well-stocked with fantastic options.
What is Neuriva?
Neuriva is on the face of it a fairly standard-looking nootropic – a dietary supplement that claims to boost brain health and cognitive function.
I am a big fan and avid user of nootropics and supplements that support brain function. I am not impressed by Neuriva. It leaves far, far too much to be desired to be worth anybody’s time.
Neuriva is made by Schiff Vitamins, a company that produces a range of dietary supplements to support various aspects of health and wellness.
Schiff Vitamins has been in the supplement business for more than 80 years and has built a reputation for creating high-quality products that uphold rigorous standards.
Since it was founded in 1936, the company has expanded its product portfolio significantly. They offer a broad range of supplements to support different health concerns, such as digestive health, joint support, and heart health.
With the rise in popularity in brain health supplements, Schiff Vitamins recognized an opportunity to create a product geared towards this market segment, leading to the development of Neuriva. They claim to use cutting-edge research and a range of ingredients all backed by clinical evidence.
You would imagine so – Schiff Vitamins are known for quality, and they take their ingredient selection seriously. They claim to only use high-quality, natural ingredients that have been tested and proven effective. They also claim to take product safety seriously, adhering to strict manufacturing and testing practices to ensure that their products are safe and of high quality.
It’s as much a surprise as a disappointment then, how they have handled their foray into the nootropic world.
Neuriva is not good quality. It does not represent good ingredient selection (far from it). Nor does it rely on anything that even resembles scientific rigour. All this, and it’s also just a bit stingy. As we’ll see below, Neuriva’s formula is incredibly minimal, in the worst possible way.
The marketing for Neuriva promises improved memory, enhanced learning ability, and overall brain performance. However, the effectiveness of Neuriva’s ingredients is questionable to say the least. There is limited scientific evidence to back up the claims that its two main ingredients, Neurofactor™ and Phosphatidylserine, have any kind of positive effect on the brain.
This sucks. As a fan of nootropics, I believe that it is essential to prioritize evidence-based solutions backed by rigorous scientific research. Actually, I know it is essential. While Neuriva may seem appealing with its claims, there are better alternatives available that have stronger scientific support and a more transparent approach (and come across a lot more generous in the process).
If you are interested in improving brain health, I would recommend exploring other nootropics that have a more established reputation and a track record of positive user experiences. See below – there are some great options out there.
How does Neuriva work?
Well, it doesn’t really. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s at least try to break it down a bit (which won’t take long – did I mention how stingy the ingredients list is?).
Neuriva claims to enhance brain health and cognitive function, but take a closer look and you’ll see that its working mechanism and efficacy are highly, highly questionable.
At the core of Neuriva’s marketing is the inclusion of Neurofactor™ and Phosphatidylserine as key ingredients:
- Neurofactor™ is derived from coffee cherry extract and is claimed to promote the production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein that supports the growth and maintenance of brain cells.
- Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid that is naturally found in high concentrations in the brain and is believed to support cognitive function.
While these ingredients sound promising, please do bear in mind that Neuriva’s formula lacks an extensive list of clinically-proven nootropic substances. Nootropics, by my definition, are compounds that have been extensively studied and shown to enhance cognitive function. This definition does not cover Neurofactor™ nor Phosphatidylserine. Neuriva falls short in this regard.
As above, Neuriva’s ingredient list is quite minimal. This stands in stark contrast to many reputable nootropic supplements available on the market (again, see below.)
The reliance on only two main ingredients raises concerns about the overall potency and efficacy of the supplement. It leaves a lot to be desired, especially when compared to other well-established nootropic formulations that contain a broader range of proven compounds.
As I’ve mentioned, the scientific backing for Neurofactor™ and Phosphatidylserine is limited. While studies do exist on these ingredients, the evidence supporting their effectiveness as nootropics is still in its infancy. There is a lack of comprehensive and robust clinical trials specifically focused on their cognitive benefits, and nothing much at all on Neuriva’s formula as a whole.
Another concern with Neuriva is the lack of transparency regarding the dosage of its active ingredients. They use the old ‘proprietary blend’ method to protect their product (why they think it needs protecting is beyond me – I hope that nobody would think to copy it).
In short, the precise amounts of Neurofactor™ and Phosphatidylserine in each serving are not explicitly disclosed on the product’s label or website. Without this information, we cannot know the formula’s efficacy or safety. I always struggle to recommend products that use proprietary blend – this opacity is too much to get over.
Additionally, in relying so heavily on two ingredients and bringing nothing else in, Neuriva neglects the broad swathe of well-researched and proven nootropic compounds available – ingredients that actually work as nootropics.
Many good quality nootropic supplements use ingredients like bacopa monnieri, Lion’s Mane mushroom, caffeine, l-tyrosine, l-theanine, green tea, rhodiola rosea, and alpha-GPC, among others. These ingredients have been extensively studied for their cognitive benefits and are so easy to include, that it boggles the mind how Neuriva could overlook them.
Neuriva claims to enhance brain health and cognitive function, but it doesn’t. Its lack of active ingredients and limited scientific evidence raise concerns about its efficacy. As a nootropic fan, I can off the top of my head rattle off a list of a dozen better options available on the market that offer more comprehensive formulations with proven nootropic compounds – see below for a couple of these.
There is no reason at all to spend your money on Neuriva.
Neuriva ingredients
This is a short list. Apparently the good folks over at Schiff Vitamins didn’t think it worth going with any kind of substance when they created Neuriva.
I actually often don’t mind minimalist approaches – simple, elegant, effective supplements that avoid bloat and get straight to the point can be refreshing. But this isn’t what you get here. You just get a lot of nothing.
Neuriva includes two main ingredients, as we’ve seen: Neurofactor™ and Phosphatidylserine. These couple and combine with the dearth of additional ingredients to give you something really quite impressive in the extent to which it disappoints.
Neurofactor™ is derived from coffee cherry extract. It is claimed to promote the production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein that supports the growth and maintenance of brain cells.
While the concept of utilizing coffee cherry extract to enhance brain health sounds intriguing, the scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited. There have been some preliminary studies suggesting a potential link between coffee cherry extract and brain health, but more robust clinical trials are needed to establish a stronger scientific foundation.
The second ingredient, Phosphatidylserine, is a phospholipid that is naturally found in high concentrations in the brain. It is believed to support cognitive function. However, the dosage of Phosphatidylserine in Neuriva is not explicitly disclosed, making it difficult to determine its effecacy.
Additionally, the scientific evidence supporting Phosphatidylserine as a standalone cognitive enhancer is mixed. While there are some studies suggesting its potential benefits, more research is needed to fully understand its role in cognitive function.
There is no research showing the formula as a whole working well.
This is about it. There isn’t much else involved in the formula. Many reputable nootropic supplements on the market incorporate a wide range of well-established ingredients that have been extensively studied for their cognitive benefits, as mentioned above.
Neuriva, on the other hand, relies solely on Neurofactor™ and Phosphatidylserine, neglecting the potential synergistic effects of combining multiple nootropic ingredients.
The lack of transparency regarding the dosage of the active ingredients is another significant drawback of Neuriva’s formula. Without knowing the precise amounts of Neurofactor™ and Phosphatidylserine in each serving, it is near enough impossible to properly gauge the potential effectiveness of the supplement (or, as above, its safety).
Never go with a proprietary blend if you can help it – and you can help it here, as there are plenty of brilliant, open and honest alternatives.
While Neuriva’s formula includes Neurofactor™ and Phosphatidylserine, their limited scientific evidence and the simplicity of the overall formula are cause for concern. The lack of transparency regarding the dosage of these ingredients further undermines the credibility and potential effectiveness of the product.
When looking for a nootropic supplement, it is important to choose a product that offers a more comprehensive blend of well-established ingredients, backed by rigorous scientific research, and provides clear information about dosages.
Using Neuriva
As you can imagine, then, there wasn’t much going on when I tried Neuriva. I had hoped to enhance my cognitive function and overall brain health – as I would hope with any nootropic. Unfortunately, my experience with Neuriva left much to be desired, and I did not notice any significant benefits from using this product.
One of the first things I worried about with Neuriva was its minimalist formula. While Neurofactor™ and Phosphatidylserine may sound promising, I was initially and rightly sceptical about the effectiveness of such a simple formula compared to other nootropic supplements on the market (that tend to offer more comprehensive blends of proven ingredients).
Nevertheless, I went ahead with my trial, hoping that these ingredients would deliver the desired cognitive enhancements. I followed the recommended dosage instructions, giving Neuriva every opportunity to work its magic.
However, even after a few weeks of consistent use, I was left disappointed. In fact, I’d come off NooCube (see below) to trial it, so wasn’t simply unmoved – Neuriva represented a massive step backwards. I did not experience any noticeable improvements in cognitive function, memory, focus, or overall brain health – rather, I noticed them all drop considerably. Neuriva simply did not live up to its claims for me.
It’s also rare that I’m comfortable either using or, therefore, recommending a product that uses a proprietary blend. I’ll always have too many unanswered questions about safety and efficacy. Luckily, Neuriva didn’t seem to do anything for me. It wasn’t effective at all, but it was probably at least safe. Snake oil rather than poison. Is that a silver lining? I’m not sure.
The scientific underpinning involved with Neuriva is pretty poor, as I’ve mentioned. While there are some preliminary studies suggesting possible benefits of Neurofactor™ and Phosphatidylserine, the overall scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness as cognitive enhancers is limited.
This isn’t a surprise, though. How can you scientifically prove that something is effective when anyone in the know can see that it is as ineffective as they come?
While my personal experience with Neuriva was disappointing, it is important to highlight that individual responses to supplements can vary. I’ll say this at least – though I do so half-heartedly. What may not have worked for me may still be effective for others. Possibly. I doubt it, but it may.
However, even with this caveat given in good faith (or something close to it, at least), there is still no overlooking the fact that there are other products on the market that have provided me with more noticeable and consistent cognitive enhancements.
Neuriva alternatives
Ignore Neuriva. It’s no good and there are plenty of fantastic options out there. For my money (literally, these are the two I buy with my own money), I would go with either MindLab Pro or NooCube.
Both supplements boast comprehensive and well-researched ingredient lists that have received positive reviews from users in terms of their effects on cognitive function and overall brain health. They are the real deal against Neuriva’s pretender status.
MindLab Pro
MindLab Pro offers a sophisticated and scientifically-backed blend of ingredients that work together to optimize brain function. One of its key ingredients is citicoline, a compound that supports the production of neurotransmitters and enhances brain energy. Citicoline has been shown to improve memory, attention, and focus in numerous studies.
Then there is bacopa monnieri, a herb that has been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to enhance memory and cognitive function. Plenty of studies have shown bacopa monnieri’s ability to improve memory formation and reduce anxiety symptoms.
MindLab Pro also includes Lion’s Mane mushroom, which has shown promise in promoting nerve growth and cognitive function. With a carefully selected range of additional ingredients such as phosphatidylserine, l-theanine, and rhodiola rosea, MindLab Pro is everything that Neuriva isn’t – it gives you a comprehensive and well thought-out approach to brain health and cognitive enhancement.
I’ve always experienced overwhelmingly positive effects from MindLab Pro, including focus, enhanced memory, and increased mental clarity (everything you should experience, in short). Many users have also praised the supplement for its ability to enhance overall brain health and support cognitive performance in demanding situations.
The well-rounded blend of ingredients in MindLab Pro, along with the positive user reviews, make it a strong contender if you’re looking for a nootropic supplement that delivers noticeable results.
NooCube
Or there is my favorite (by a whisker) – NooCube. It’s a nootropic supplement that offers an impressive ingredient list targeted towards enhancing cognitive function.
One key ingredient in NooCube is alpha-GPC, a compound that supports the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter crucial for memory and learning. Multiple studies have shown that Alpha-GPC can enhance cognitive function and improve memory.
Then there is huperzine A, an extract derived from a Chinese club moss. Huperzine A acts as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, increasing levels of acetylcholine in the brain and improving memory and cognitive performance.
NooCube also contains Bacopa monnieri, which, as mentioned above, has been extensively studied for its positive effects on memory and cognitive function. Additionally, ingredients like cat’s claw, oat straw extract, and l-theanine provide support for mental clarity, focus, and relaxation.
It’s bliss, truly.
Users of NooCube have reported enhanced cognitive abilities, improved focus, and increased productivity after taking the supplement. You see some really noticeable improvements in memory and learning capacity, making it a brilliant option for students and professionals seeking to boost their cognitive performance.
The joy of using it, backed up by the diversity of well-recognized and well-researched ingredients, reinforce NooCube’s reputation as one of the best nootropic supplements going. It’s great and it’s what you should buy if you have the chance.
Both MindLab Pro and NooCube represent better alternatives to Neuriva, with their extensive selection of scientifically backed ingredients and positive user reviews. Don’t mess around with rubbish like Schiff Vitamins’ offering.
Verdict
Neuriva’s minimalist formula and lack of transparency regarding dosage leave much to be desired. While it incorporates Neurofactor™ and Phosphatidylserine, there is limited scientific evidence supporting their cognitive benefits.
Users also report mixed results, with many not experiencing noticeable improvements in cognitive function. I experienced this myself – it did nothing for me (except to deprive me of the benefits of a good nootropic, what you might call a drastic opportunity cost).
Neuriva falls short compared to the myriad better options out there – supplements like MindLab Pro and NooCube. It cannot compete. Both MindLab Pro and NooCube provide well-rounded formulae with scientifically-backed ingredients that work synergistically to optimize cognitive function.
MindLab Pro’s incorporation of citicoline, bacopa monnieri, Lion’s Mane mushroom, and other key ingredients, aims to support brain energy, memory, attention, and overall brain health.
Similarly, NooCube’s blend of alpha-GPC, huperzine A, Bacopa monnieri, and other ingredients targets memory, learning, and cognitive performance brilliantly. You will very likely see noticeable improvements in memory, focus, and productivity if you take it.
Stop wasting your time and money on supplements like Neuriva. If you’ve yet to try it, don’t. It’s a waste in every way. Go straight for the good stuff – the nootropic market is too rich and filled with too many high-tier products to give Neuriva any floorspace at all.