Supplements for focus
Creatine, lion's mane, citicoline, alpha-GPC — the cognitive-enhancing literature.
The Xu 2024 meta-analysis (16 RCTs) confirms creatine improves memory (SMD 0.31), attention time, and processing speed in adults — strongest in women, ages 18–60, and disease states. Citicoline has stroke-recovery evidence stronger than its healthy-brain effects. Bacopa monnieri, alpha-GPC, and lion's mane have promising but smaller bases. Most caffeine + L-theanine work is acute. Avoid: most nootropic blends with proprietary formulas — labelled doses are usually subtherapeutic.
Evidence summary
The numbers on the cards are the same composite as the supplement pages: efficacy, safety, research, onset, cost, and drug-interaction ratings, from 20 to 100. The strongest records on this page are Creatine monohydrate, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and L-Theanine + caffeine (cognitive stack). A higher score is a stronger record in the database, not a personal recommendation.
Who should be careful
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, and anyone taking a prescription drug should talk with a clinician before using this list.
- Do not stack products from this list that sedate, thin the blood, or lower blood sugar with medicines that do the same thing.
Comparisons and topic guides
96
Creatine monohydrate
86
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
86
L-Theanine + caffeine (cognitive stack)
82
Magnesium
80
Vitamin B12
74
Methylcobalamin (high-dose neurological)
80
L-Carnitine
79
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
72
Bifidobacterium infantis 35624
72
Inositol (high-dose, psychiatric)
78
Folate (5-MTHF)
76
Tyrosine (L-tyrosine)
75
DHA (standalone, algal)
75
Algal DHA (vegan omega-3)
74
L-Theanine
72
Benfotiamine
72
Saffron (Crocus sativus)
72
MCT oil (medium chain triglycerides)
72
Cacao flavanols
72
Lactobacillus helveticus/B. longum R0052/R0175
70
Bifidobacterium longum
70
Choline bitartrate
69
Caprylic acid (C8 MCT)
69
Saffron Affron (standardised extract)
Educational reference, not medical advice. Discuss any supplement change with a qualified clinician before acting on this list.