Neuriva and Prevagen are two very popular memory and focus supplements. Given their popularity the logical question to ask is which is better Prevagen or Neuriva? Is Neuriva better than Prevagen or is it the other way around? They both contain unique ingredients (coffee cherry and apoaequorin) not seen in other memory supplements. In this comparison review, you'll see the ingredients of each supplement side-by-side. Youll also learn about the proof for their ingredients too. Testimonials are great but the real test to decide which is better is to know their evidence. If you know their proof, you can make a more informed decision.
Prevagen vs. Neuriva Ingredients
Both supplements have just 2 key ingredients. Here they are side-by-side
| Prevagen (1 capsule) | Neuriva (1 capsule) |
| Vitamin D 50 mcg (2000 IU) | Coffee Cherry 100 mg |
| Apoaequorin 10 mg | Phosphatidylserine 100 mg |
As can be seen, these are vastly different ingredients. They way they are supposed to help memory is different too. Let's take a quick look at their mechanisms of action next.
How Do They Work?
Here's a brief summary of how each supplement is supposed to help improve your memory.
Prevagen
This supplement is supposed to work by removing calcium from brain cells. The ingredient said to do this is a jellyfish protein called apoaequorin. The idea is by removing the calcium, brain cells will function better and memory will be enhanced.
Vitamin D in the supplement might also help also but since TV ads specifically highlight the jellyfish protein, we know apoaequorin is the key ingredient.
Neuriva
The “hero ingredient” in Neuriva (pronounced Neur-Via) is an extract from coffee cherry (coffee fruit extract). The substance, found in the skin and rind of the coffee fruit (they call it Neurofactor) is an antioxidant and increases the production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).
The BNDF compound helps our existing brain cells stay healthy and communicate with other brain cells. Healthy, well-connected brain cells, should, in theory, lead to a better functioning brain.
Neuriva also contains phosphatidylserine, a fatty substance found in our cell membranes. Some research suggests declines in phosphatidylserine are related to memory problems.
Head-To-Head Comparison
Neither supplement has been directly compared to each other in clinical trials. The same is true for Neuriva Plus vs Prevagen either. Therefore, we have no direct way of comparing them to each other. To be fair, a study like that is unlikely to happen as companies rarely do these sorts of things.
Until clinical trials like this are undertaken, the best way we have to tell what's better is to look at the research on each supplement and those studies conducted on their ingredients.
Let's do that next.
Prevagen & Neuriva Clinical Proof
So how does Nuruiva compare to Prevagen? One way is to compare their clinical research. Let's take a look.
Neuriva Research
The Neuriva supplement – itself – does not appear to have any clinical proof. In other words, no clinical studies of this supplement or its combination of ingredients can be located.
The company website (SchiffVitamins.com), discusses how the ingredients in Nuriva are clinically studied. This is true. Those ingredients have been studied – separately.
That's good but research on the ingredients is not necessarily the same as research on Neuriva itself. That's a problem for those looking for clinically tested dietary supplements.
Coffee cherry is important to how well this supplement works. So, what's the proof for it? In one study of coffee cherry, researchers concluded that it improved reaction time. That's interesting but reaction time doesn't necessarily mean it helps dementia.
Despite references to a coffee ingredient, this supplement does not contain caffeine.
Coffee cherry might also raise BDNF levels in the brain. That's nice too but it doesnt necessarily prove it helps people remember where they put their car keys.
Phosphatidylserine has more research than coffee cherry. This is probably because it's been around longer. In a large study, phosphatidylserine improved memory more than a placebo when it was given to over 400 older folks. There's also some evidence we tend to make less of this stuff as we get older.
Unfortunately, not all studies show phosphatidylserine works. Investigators in one study found no improvement in memory when either 300 mg or 600 mg was given to older adults for 12 weeks.
See the full review on this supplement
Video Review
Watch on my YouTube channel if you prefer
Prevagen Research
In the original Prevagen research study – called the Madison Memory Study – researchers observed that the key ingredient in the jellyfish supplement (apoaequorin) seemed to improve memory – but only in those who did not have memory issues.
In other words, it seemed to work in healthy people only. This is interesting but that doesn't prove Prevagen helps people with dementia, Alzheimer's, or other forms of cognitive impairment.
Another issue with Prevagen is that one of the company's own studies suggests its key ingredient – apoaequorin – is “easily digested.” If that's true, can Prevagen even make it into the brain to work?
The company that makes the supplement also has a neuro-shake too. The amount of apoaequorin (jellyfish protein) but whether it works better than Prevagen -or as well- needs more study.
See the Prevagen review
Prevagen vs. Neuriva Plus
Neuriva Plus contains Vitamins B6, B12, and folate in addition to the ingredients found in the original supplement. Here are the ingredients in each supplement side by side:
| Neuriva Original (1 capsule) | Neuriva Plus (1 capsule) | Prevagen (1 capsule) |
| Coffee Fruit Extract 100 mg | Vitamin B6 1.7 mg (100% DV) | Vitamin D 50 mcg (2000 IU) |
| Phosphatidyl Serine 100 mg | Folate 400 mcg (100% DV) | Apoaequorin 10 mg |
| Vitamin B12 2.4 mcg (100 % DV) | ||
| Coffee Cherry Extract 200 mg | ||
| Phosphatidyl Serine 100 mg |
Helpful tips:
- % DV= percent daily value
- mcg = micrograms
- mg = milligrams
As can be seen Neurvia Plus also contains vitamins, B6, B12, and folate. These vitamins may help memory by reducing homocysteine levels. High levels of homocysteine are linked to both heart disease and poor memory. In addition, Neuriva Plus provides 200 mg of the coffee cherry fruit extract, which is twice as much found in the original formula.
There is some evidence 200 mg of coffee cherry improves reaction time more than 100 mg, but not by much.
See the Bacopa For Memory Review for more insights.
Neuriva vs. Prevagen Price
Here's a cost breakdown for a 30-day supply of each as listed on their respective websites:
- Neuriva Original (30 capsules): $32.99
- Neuriva Plus (30 capsules): $49.49
- Prevagen (30 capsules): $39.95
- Prevagen Extra Strength: $59.95
- Prevagen Professional Formula: $89.95
These supplements may cost less on Amazon.
Prevagen, Neuriva Side Effects
Both supplements are likely safe for healthy people. Reports of negative side effects are few for the most part. That said, here are some things to keep in mind before trying either dietary supplement. When in doubt, ask your doctor for more specific recommendations.
- Start with less than recommended for the first week
- If you take meds for Alzheimer's, dementia, etc., ask your doctor first
- Don't mix memory supplements together
- If you take any medications, speak to your doctor first
- Stop taking at least 2 weeks before you have surgery
- Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing
- While Neuriva is decaffeinated, it's possible it may have a little caffeine. Consider this if taking it before bedtime.
So What's Better: Neuriva or Prevagen?
There's no clear winner here. Both Prevagen and Neuriva contain interesting ingredients but the proof for each supplement is less than I'd like. While both supplements have their fans, remember the results obtained with each will likely vary. If either work, their results might be best in those without significant brain impairment. Phosphatidylserine, which is one of the ingredients in Neuriva, has some interesting research and may be worth taking a look at.
Here's Phosphatidylserine on Amazon
What a fantastic review! Thank you, Joe. I’ve been seeing the ads for both Prevagen and Neuriva regularly and wondered if eitehr would help this middle-aged guy, so I checked your site because YOU are the only supplement website I trust. I knew you would be on top of this.
Steve your words are very much appreciated. Im really glad my review helped you.
very disappointing.
Carmella, I understand.
Its hard to take an article seriously when one of the supplements is spelled 4 different ways, go ahead, check. Is it Neuriva?Neurvia? Nuriva? Nurvia? All in the same article.
Kim I really want to thank you for pointing that out! I have corrected it. I hope your eye for detail did not distract you from the bigger picture.
Kim, all I can say is it must be nice to be as perfect as you are
Kim probably uses it!
Mr B, good one! She probably does to catch my typos 🙂
Do you think these would help for ADHD or more for general memory as we get older? Thank you!
Hi Debbie, I have not seen any studies on either Prevagen or Neuriva for them helping people with ADHD. If I had to guess, I’d say they probably dont help but on the plus side, if you tried them, Id thinks if they were going to work you’d probably see the results in a month. Have you heard people say they are effective for ADHD?
If it helps, I have seen some research on fish oil and GLA (evening primrose oil) helping people with ADHD. Stay tuned. I will write something on this topic soon.
Amazon says they have Hydergine available, but when you look at their website, it’s a completely different thing. You can supposedly buy it from other countries, but I wouldn’t trust buying something that I didn’t know what it was! And for possibly exorbitant fees.
Roseann, Oh really I didn’t know that. There is a supplement called huperzine which is sometimes used in memory supplements. Huperzine is different than Hydergine. I have to think anyone in the US who sells Hydergine will quickly get the attention of the FDA
Have bought Huperzine for several years and FDA not yet attacked. Hydergine (have bought it ) comes out of England. is backed by a large group of medical Gerontology Specialist and have been around for 20 years or more. Yet to hear a product complaint. However, the former (?) distribution company was a nightmare to deal with. If you ever buy it at Amazon and don’t experience problems let me know. The product has efficacy value.
1 TopHorsman, thanks for the feedback on Hydergine. I’ve seen huperzine in various memory supplements over the years.
1TopHorseman, Amazon has Hydergine kind of labeled as being sold, but it doesn’t show up when you actually go to the site. As Joe said, I’m sure they couldn’t sell it here because in the USA it is called a DRUG. I read some info on it, and you’re right. It is highly regarded in Europe and has been used there without problems for a long time. But apparently here, big Pharma won’t allow it to be sold because they can’t get a patent on it. That’s what I understand anyway.
It’s a huge shame that we Americans are denied something effective because of Big Pharma not being able to cash in on it, if that indeed is the case. I’m just afraid of buying something from overseas because I can’t be sure what is actually in it.
I DID buy Focus Factor because it does have some ingredients shown to improve memory. But as Joe recommends, I take a much lower dose than recommended because I’m on other medication.
Oh YES!!
I think it is pretty shameless to advertise these two supplements as wonderful brain boosters with no studies to back their claims. Just reinforces the need to research before buying.
Olivia, I’m with you for more research on both of them.
Any thoughts on Focus Factor?
Bob, here is the Focus Factor review
I also have a focus factor vs prevagen review coming up soon
It’s another great review, Joe. I did buy Focus Factor from your Amazon link. I only take 1-2 daily instead of 4, as you recommend starting off with lower doses. Some of the ingredients, at least, have studies backing them up, although at the doses, I don’t know how much help they will be to me. I had been taking Bacopa without any problem before, anyway.
Roseann, thanks so much and I hope it helps. Bacopa is interesting. I want to look closer at it. Let me know if focus factor works for you.
Isn’t hydergine a presciption drug?
Tim, yes it is
This is fascinating thanks so much for the work you put into this review. I’ve been seeing the prevagen commercials for a long time and only recently started hearing people talk about Neuriva. From the looks of things, there are issues with both and there is no substitute for staying active and eating well.
Again, much appreciated
Donna thanks so much. I agree the best ways to preserve memory are exercise and eating well.
Comparison to hydergine?
1 Top, so hydergine is a drug and not a supplement. Im not aware of any study comparing hydergine to Neuriva or Prevagen. There is some research on hydergine helping dementia or age-related memory decline. Some also said hydergine might help tinnitus too.
The studies look like they were done many years ago. When I looked into this I couldn’t find a consensus if hydergine really worked or not. I was not able to find any hydergine supplements either. That makes sense since hydergine is a drug and as such, is not permitted to be used in dietary supplements.
Have you tried hydergine? Has it worked?
Joe, when I was reading your review of Neuriva I was thinking about how it compared to Prevagen. Thanks so much for this follow up. Don’t suppose you have anything on Focus Factor?
Jen, thanks so much. I’m actually working on a review of Prevagen and Focus Factor now. There’s been a development that got my attention. Stay tuned.
You raised my curiosity with your comment about “a development that got your attention” on Prevagen and Focus Factor!
These supplements are so expensive! I’m more likely to just buy phosphatidylserine alone, since it has a little research done. But now I’ll wait until I find out what got your attention.
Since I’m a spelling OC, you spelled Prevagen incorrectly in your price comparison. Sorry. I can’t help myself!
I’ll have to investigate hydergine because I have terrible tinnitus!
Thank you for another great article.
I love the new look of your website!
Hi Roseann! Thanks for the heads up on my typo, I fixed it 🙂 The thing that got my attention with prevagen was not so much on the research but the marketing. Ill make that clear in the review which I hope to have posted soon.
The phosphatidylserine is something that I was intrigued by. I do wonder if that’s the key ingredient in Neuriva? It’s on my radar now so Ill be keeping an eye out for new memory research.
As you know I have tinnitus too. When I looked into hydergine I saw references to tinnitus but have not had the time to look into any studies. If you ever come across anything let me know. No doctor ever brought it up to me for what its worth.
Glad you like the new look to the site! It’s been a long time in comming.
I’m a bit upset that, although Hydergine is available in Europe and maybe other countries, it’s not available here. Most sites say it’s safe. But that it’s not sold here because Big Pharma can’t make money off it. That’s what I read.
Roseann, that’s an interesting point. I need to look closer at hydergine. I I didn’t see it at a local vitamin store when I looked recently. I didn’t think it would be there (as its a drug) but I wanted to check just in case.
Hi Joe, you still spelled Prevagen incorrectly in the cost comparison. I can’t help myself.
Roseann, good eye thanks 🙂