The Best Vitamins for Brain Fog in 2024, Ranked by Our Experts

Brain fog can severely interfere with your everyday life. We’ve rounded up our picks for the best supplements for brain fog that can make a big difference.

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Brain fog—often characterized by poor memory, inability to focus and mental exhaustion—can really take a toll on your mental health, cognitive health, productivity and quality of life.

Fortunately, there are several modifiable lifestyle factors that may play a role—like sleep, diet, stress and exercise. Additionally, dietary supplements can also provide huge benefits for people struggling with brain fog and mental fatigue.

We’ve gathered up some of our favorite, evidence-based brain fog supplements here. Additionally, we spoke with Maggie Moon, MS, RD, brain health nutrition expert and author of The MIND Diet, for her insights on brain fog, the best nutrients and phytochemicals for it and other lifestyle changes she recommends.

Here are our pick for the best brain fog supplements of 2024.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Our Picks for Best Supplements for Brain Fog:

• Magnesium: Lifeforce Magnesium
• Omega-3s: Lifeforce Omega
• B-Complex: Transparent Labs Multivitamin
• L-Theanine: Transparent Labs Nootropic
• Vitamin C: Kaged Mindset
• Vitamin D: Ritual Essential
• Vitamin E: Ritual Essential
• Ginseng: Kaged Mindset
• Ginkgo Biloba: care/of Focus

Magnesium: Lifeforce Magnesium

Lifeforce

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value: 75 percent
• Magnesium per serving: 315 milligrams
• Certifications: N/A
• Subscription: Monthly, 20% savings
• Best for: People who want to support their stress response, people who don’t eat a lot of magnesium-rich foods
• Price per serving: $2.00

Magnesium is a powerful mineral with over 300 unique roles in the body, including regulation of the stress response, supporting bone health and optimizing muscle and heart function. Researchers have also found that magnesium is key for helping to alleviate mental fatigue.

This formula from Lifeforce features several different forms of magnesium that are very easily absorbed by the body.

Although there are no reviews available and the product is fairly expensive compared to other magnesium supplements, the quality and bioavailability of the ingredients make it a great choice if you want a high-quality magnesium supplement.

You should take two to three tablets each evening with or without food.

What we like:

• Provides 75 percent of the daily value for magnesium
• Contains highly bioavailable ingredients
• Cost-saving subscription option

What to consider:

• No customer reviews available
• More expensive than other magnesium supplements

Omega-3s: Lifeforce Omega

Lifeforce

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value: N/A
• Omega-3 per serving: 1,000 milligrams
• Certifications: N/A
• Subscription: Monthly, 20% savings
• Best for: People who don’t eat a lot of fish, people who want to support heart and brain health
• Price per serving: $2.50

Omega-3 fatty acids support heart health, help reduce inflammation and also play an important role in supporting cognitive function. According to some research, supplementation with omega-3 can help to minimize the brain fog caused by chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer.

If you don’t regularly consume fatty fish like salmon, an omega-3 supplement such as this one is a great choice to ensure you’re getting the amount of omega-3 you need to support optimal health.

This product is more expensive than other omega-3 supplements, and there are no product reviews available. However, it contains a high quality, easy-to-absorb fish oil called MaxSimil.

According to Lifeforce, you should take one or two softgels daily with food for two or three days, then increase to three softgels daily.

What we like:

• Contains easy-to-absorb MaxSimil fish oil
• Provides 1,000 milligrams of omega-3 from fish oil per serving
• Cost-saving subscription option

What to consider:

• No customer reviews available
• More expensive than other omega-3 supplements

B-Complex: Transparent Labs Multivitamin

Transparent Labs

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value: 1,667 percent thiamin, 1,471 percent vitamin B6, 8,333 percent vitamin B12, 667 percent biotin, 1,000 percent vitamin B5
• B-vitamins per serving: 20 milligrams thiamin, 25 milligrams vitamin B6, 200 micrograms vitamin B12, 200 micrograms biotin, 50 milligrams vitamin B5
• Certifications: Informed Choice
• Subscription: Multiple shipment frequencies available, 10% savings and free shipping
• Best for: People who are trying to lose weight, people who don’t eat a varied diet
• Price per serving: $0.99

B vitamins help transform food into energy that the body can use, making them essential for metabolism and energy. With inadequate B-vitamin consumption, you may feel brain fog and fatigue. If you’re eating a calorie-restricted diet or your diet doesn’t have a lot of variety, including B vitamins in a supplement can be extremely helpful. We like that this multivitamin specifically includes vitamin B12. Health experts say vitamin b12 supplementation is important if you’re over 50 because low levels may cause dementia.

This multivitamin supplement from Transparent Labs contains five important B vitamins in high doses to help support energy metabolism. Additionally, it’s Informed Choice certified—meaning that it’s tested to be free of potentially unsafe substances.

Reviewers are also very satisfied with this multivitamin, but some dislike that it requires four capsules per day. According to Transparent Labs, you should take the full dose with your first meal of the day.

What we like:

• Informed Choice certified
• Contains five B vitamins
• Subscription provides a discount and free shipping

What to consider:

• A full dose is four capsules

L-Theanine: Transparent Labs Nootropic

Transparent Labs

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value: 76 percent vitamin B6, 100 percent folate, 100 percent vitamin B12
• L-Theanine serving: 200 milligrams
• Certifications: Informed Choice
• Subscription: Multiple shipment frequencies available, 10% savings and free shipping
• Best for: Those looking to reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality
• Price per serving: $1.66

An amino acid found in green tea leaves, L-theanine has several health benefits. Experts say L-theanine may help boost mental clarity and fight brain fog. During a 2019 study adults who were administered L-theanine over four weeks reported feeling less stressed, depressed or anxious and reported improvements in their cognitive function and sleep quality. The same study found that L-theanine may help lessen anxiety by increasing levels of GABA, dopamine and serotonin in the body.

Transparent Labs Nootropic is our pick as one of the best supplements for brain fog because it contains L-theanine as well as essential B vitamins such as B9 or folate. Research found that older adults who received 400 micrograms of folate through supplements of food each day were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Transparent Labs Nootropic contains 400 micrograms of folate per serving, which is 100 percent of the recommended daily value.

It is suggested that healthy adults do not take more than 500 milligrams of L-theanine each day. Each serving (two capsules) of this supplement contains 200 milligrams of L-theanine, and Tranparents labs says you should now take more than four capsules in a 24-hour period.

What we like:

• Informed Choice certified
• Contains folate
• Subscription provides a discount and free shipping

What to consider:

• A full dose is four capsules

Vitamin C: Kaged Mindset

Kaged

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value: 83 percent
• Vitamin C per serving: 75 milligrams
• Certifications: Informed Sport
• Subscription: Multiple shipment frequencies available, 10% savings
• Best for: People who want to take a supplement specifically for brain function, people who tolerate caffeine well
• Price per serving: $1.50

Vitamin C is an antioxidant vitamin that can help to optimize cell function, including cell function in the brain and nervous system. Research shows that it may act as a mood enhancer and help reduce stress levels.

In addition to vitamin C, Kaged Mindset contains a number of powerful nootropic (brain function-enhancing) ingredients like ginseng, alpha-glyceryl phosphoryl choline (alpha-GPC) and caffeine. It’s also Informed Sport-certified, so it’s free of substances that are banned in competitive athletics.

Reviewers rate this product very highly. However, note that it contains 150 milligrams of caffeine per scoop. It’s important to be mindful of caffeine consumption when using this product—many people may start to experience negative side effects when they consume over 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. There is a caffeine-free Kaged Mindset available as well.

To take this product, mix one scoop with eight to 10 ounces of water. Don’t take more than two scoops per day.

What we like:

• Informed Sport-certified
• Contains several nootropic ingredients
• Highly rated by reviewers
• Caffeine-free version available

What to consider:

• Contains 150 milligrams of caffeine per serving

Vitamin D: Ritual Essential

Amazon

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value: 250 percent
• Vitamin D per serving: 50 micrograms (2,000 International Units, or IU)
• Certifications: Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Carbon-Free
• Subscription: Monthly, provides free shipping plus cost-savings when bundled with multiple products
• Best for: People who don’t spend a lot of time outdoors, people who aren’t currently taking a multivitamin
• Price per serving: $1.30

Vitamin D is a powerful nutrient that many of us don’t get enough of that is necessary for bone health, immune system support and more. The body can synthesize it from sunlight exposure, but taking a vitamin D supplement can help fill that gap for people who don’t spend a lot of time outdoors.

Research shows that elderly people who experience vitamin D deficiency are more likely to have mood disorders, and they are likely to have greater levels of cognitive decline than those whose vitamin D levels are normal.

Ritual Essential for Women is one of our picks for the best vitamins for brain fog because it also contains Omega-3 DHA. Health experts say DHA is essential for a healthy brain, and we must get DHA from food or supplements because our bodies only make small amounts.

This multivitamin for women over 18 from Ritual provides 250 percent of the daily value for vitamin D. Ritual also provides multivitamins for women over 50, men from 18 to 50, pregnant women, teens and children.

Reviewers are happy for the most part with their Ritual multivitamins, but many say that they have a strong briny aftertaste from the algae-based omega-3 they contain.

You should take two capsules daily.

Related Post: Ritual Vitamins Review: Cost, Ingredients and More

What we like:

• Non-GMO
• Highly rated by customers
• Provides 250 percent of the Daily Value for vitamin D
• Multivitamin options for all ages

What to consider:

• Some reviewers report a strong briny aftertaste

Vitamin E: Ritual Essential

Amazon

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value: 45 percent
• Vitamin E per serving: 6.7 milligrams
• Certifications: Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Carbon-Free
• Subscription: Monthly, provides free shipping plus cost-savings when bundled with multiple products
• Best for: People who aren’t already taking a multivitamin, people who don’t consume a lot of vitamin E-rich foods
• Price per serving: $1.30

Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin found mostly in nuts, seeds, grains and oils. It can also help to protect brain cells and cells in the central nervous system from free radical damage, which protects and preserves brain and nervous system function to maintain cognitive performance.

Ritual’s Essential Multivitamin for Women 18+ provides 45 percent of the daily value for vitamin E, so it can help many people who may not consume vitamin E-rich foods on a regular basis to meet their vitamin E needs. Additionally, it’s non-GMO and vegetarian, and Ritual provides multivitamin options for people of all ages.

Reviewers really love the mint essence that makes Ritual multivitamins easier to take, although they do say there can be a strong aftertaste from the algae-based omega-3 added to these multivitamins.

According to Ritual, you should take two capsules per day.

What we like:

• Provides 45 percent of the Daily Value for vitamin E
• Non-GMO and vegetarian
• Multivitamin options available for all ages
• Mint essenced

What to consider:

• Some reviewers report a strong aftertaste

Ginseng: Kaged Mindset

Kaged

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value: N/A
• Ginseng per serving: 100 milligrams
• Certifications: Informed Sport
• Subscription: Multiple shipment frequencies available, 10% savings
• Best for: People who want to take a supplement specifically for brain function, people who tolerate caffeine well
• Price per serving: $1.50

The roots of the ginseng plant have several potential benefits for brain health. Several small studies have shown that ginseng may help with memory and attention.

This supplement from Kaged provides ginseng in addition to other nootropic (brain function-enhancing) ingredients like caffeine and alpha-GPC. It’s also Informed Sport certified, so it’s safe for competitive athletes and free of banned substances.

It’s received very high reviews from customers, but it contains 150 milligrams of caffeine per scoop. This is important to make note of, since caffeine in excess of 400 milligrams per day may cause unpleasant side effects like anxiety, jitters or diarrhea. There is a caffeine-free version available.

According to Kaged, you should take one scoop in eight to 10 ounces of cold water—but you shouldn’t take more than two scoops per day.

What we like:

• Informed Sport certified
• Contains several nootropic ingredients
• Caffeine-free version available

What to consider:

• Contains 150 milligrams of caffeine per scoop

Ginkgo Biloba: care/of Focus

care_of

Key features & specs

• Percent of daily value: N/A
• Ginkgo biloba per serving: 100 milligrams
• Certifications: Certified CLEAN
• Subscription: Monthly, subscription required
• Best for: People who want to take a supplement designed for focus, people who prefer subscription vitamin services
• Price per serving: $0.50

Ginkgo biloba is a tree native to China. Its leaves are used to make herbal preparations to support brain health, mood and memory.

The Focus Blend from care/of features ginkgo biloba in addition to ginseng and vitamin B12, which may help to support concentration, memory and energy levels.

It’s also Certified CLEAN, meaning it is made from safe and minimally-processed ingredients that are 100 percent non-GMO and known to be healthy and beneficial.

There are no reviews available specifically for the Focus Blend. However, it is one of the least expensive brain fog supplements on this list.

Check out our in-depth care/of review for more information.

What we like:

• Certified CLEAN
• Contains ginkgo, ginseng and vitamin B12
• Less expensive than other brain fog supplements

What to consider:

• No reviews available specifically for this product

What Are Brain Fog Supplements?

Brain fog supplements are dietary supplements that may help with brain fog, a group of complaints related to poor memory and focus.

While some supplements are specifically marketed for brain health, others simply contain ingredients that research shows may be helpful for brain fog.

These supplements may have a single ingredient (like a specific vitamin, mineral or botanical), or they may contain blends of various ingredients.

Benefits of Brain Fog Supplements

Brain fog supplements may help with a variety of cognitive complaints, including memory, concentration, mental fatigue and neuroinflammation (inflammation of the brain).

For example, B vitamins may help with mental fatigue because of their importance in cellular metabolism and energy production.

Additionally, herbal ingredients like ginseng and ginkgo biloba could be helpful for memory and concentration.

Finally, omega-3 fish oil has been shown to help counteract neuroinflammation—which helps to improve brain health at a cellular level and prevent cognitive decline.

Precautions

Supplements that are helpful for—or marketed as helpful for—brain fog could potentially contain hundreds of different ingredients. It’s important to read through these ingredients to ensure that you’re not allergic or sensitive to any of them.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to stick to reputable brands that have pursued third-party testing or certifications for their supplements. This is an indicator that a product is safe and free of contaminants and potentially harmful ingredients.

If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, or if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should speak to your healthcare provider before adding any new dietary supplements to your routine.

How to Choose the Best Brain Fog Supplement for You

Choosing the best brain fog supplement for you can be difficult since there are so many different ingredients and formulations that may be helpful.

However, some things to consider when shopping include:

• Price: Most supplement bottles contain a one-month supply, so the supplement you chose should be able to fit comfortably within your budget each month for the foreseeable future.
• Form: Brain fog supplements are available in several different forms, including capsules, gummies and powders. Gummies generally contain smaller amounts of active ingredients, but may be the easiest and most convenient. Capsules are the most common, but some people prefer powders that can be easily mixed into water or other beverages.
• Type of ingredients: Brain fog supplements may contain vitamins, minerals, herbal ingredients or combinations of these. Vitamins and minerals typically have the most scientific evidence to support their use, but there are many herbal supplements that may also be helpful.
• Diet and quality concerns: Finally, you’ll want to consider your personal dietary needs and preferences. This includes diet choices like vegan, gluten-free or paleo, as well as quality preferences such as non-GMO and organic.

What to Avoid in a Brain Fog Supplement

In brain fog supplements, you’ll want to avoid high-dose ingredients—especially vitamins and minerals. The major exception to this is B vitamins. They are water-soluble, so what your body doesn’t use is excreted in your urine. Additionally, there is some evidence that high-dose B vitamins can help preserve brain function in people who don’t consume enough B vitamins through diet alone.

Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Brain Fog Supplements

We chose these supplements based on research into some of the best vitamins, minerals and other ingredients for brain fog. Additionally, we chose highly rated products at a variety of price points.

Additionally, we consulted Maggie Moon, MS, RD, brain health nutrition expert, for further understanding of what to look for in brain fog supplements.

What Is Brain Fog?

“Brain fog” isn’t a medically accepted term, but it is used to describe memory problems, difficulty focusing and forgetfulness.

“It’s a non-clinical term used by patients and the healthcare community,” explains Moon. “It could refer to any combination of difficulty focusing, short-term memory loss, having a hard time switching tasks, slower processing time, slower working memory or challenges with sound decision making.”

Pregnancy brain fog

Many pregnant women complain of “pregnancy brain.” However, explains Moon, “This so-called ‘pregnancy brain’ isn’t well-documented in research, but there is enough to show that working memory takes a hit during pregnancy.”

She explains that this is likely due to hormonal changes in the brain brought on by pregnancy.

COVID brain fog

“Cognitive impairment is one of the most common complaints of post-COVID syndrome,” said Moon, “affecting about a third of patients by some estimates.”

She explains that it can appear after mild or severe cases of COVID, and that it generally affects mental clarity, attention, executive function and memory.

“The causes aren’t yet well understood,” she says, “but researchers hypothesize it could be from a lack of oxygen, damage to the blood vessels or chronic inflammation.”

ADHD brain fog

Moon says that there is a lot of overlap between brain fog and the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

“One published case study,” she explains, “suggests that the symptoms of a post-COVID patient with brain fog were successfully treated as an ADHD-like condition.”

However, she cautions that more research is needed because this case study only investigated one individual.

Menopause brain fog

“Brain fog is a reliably documented symptom of menopause and is described as the cognitive symptoms women experience around menopause,” says Moon, “including memory and attention problems.”

She explains that, for many women, “it may present as difficulty remembering words or names, having a hard time maintaining a train of thought, being easily distracted or forgetting why you came into a specific room.”

The cause is likely multifactorial—declining estrogen levels, sleep disturbances and mood changes. However, Moon says, the causes of menopause memory changes haven’t yet been fully proven.

Brain Fog Symptoms

Since brain fog doesn’t have a standardized definition, complaints can vary from individual to individual. However, as Moon explains, some common symptoms of brain fog for many people are:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Poor short-term and working memory
• Difficulties task-switching
• Slower mental processing time
• Problems with executive function/decision-making

Brain Fog Causes

Brain fog can have many causes. It’s a common complaint with a variety of health conditions and disease states.

Moon explains, “It could be a response to lack of sleep, poor nutrition, medications or chronic neuroinflammation.”

How to Treat Brain Fog

Brain fog has multiple potential causes, so effective treatments may vary.

However, it’s always a good idea to make healthy lifestyle changes to see if these make a difference. Such changes may include choosing healthier meals, exercising regularly, reducing stress levels and prioritizing sleep.

If these changes don’t make a difference, you should speak with your healthcare provider.

Brain Fog Supplement FAQs

Can a lack of protein cause brain fog?

“Several nutrient deficiencies can lead to brain fog, including not getting enough protein and calories, hydration, B vitamins, magnesium and zinc,” according to Moon.

What foods trigger brain fog?

Moon says that certain dietary patterns may contribute to anxiety, depression and cognitive issues—especially those that are high in added sugar, but low in polyphenols (from plant foods) and dietary fiber.

What is the best vitamin for focus?

Several vitamins can support focus and cognition. However, Moon explains, “anti-inflammatory omega-3s in foods such as fatty fish, flaxseed and walnuts support optimal brain function by maintaining the integrity of neuronal cell membranes. The brain is one of the body’s most metabolically active organs, so it has a high need for antioxidants and anti-inflammatory molecules.”

Does brain fog ever go away?

Yes, depending on its cause and severity, brain fog can go away. Speak to your healthcare provider if you are having trouble managing your brain fog.

Does coffee help brain fog?

The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant that can temporarily reduce fatigue and improve focus and attention. However, too much caffeine may lead to anxiety, jitters and gastrointestinal problems.

Takeaway: Are Brain Fog Supplements Worth It?

Brain fog isn’t an official diagnosis, but instead is a cluster of issues centered around memory, focus and mental fatigue. It can be caused by a number of underlying problems, but certain health supplements may help. Additionally, lifestyle changes like prioritizing sleep, a good diet and exercise can make a huge impact.

If supplements and lifestyle changes don’t help your brain fog, though, be sure to speak with your healthcare provider.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.