Neuriva Review

Neuriva, a brain supplement claiming to improve focus, memory, learning, and overall cognitive function. This review aims to critically analyze Neuriva's effectiveness as a brain supplement and the clinical robustness of its claimed benefits.

Best Alternative To Neuriva

September 5th 2023

In-Depth Analysis: Neuriva

Neuriva is produced by Schiff Vitamins, a company that has been in the health and wellness industry for over 80 years. Schiff Vitamins is known for its range of products, including vitamins, minerals, and supplements, catering to various health needs (1).

While the company's experience and reputation in the market are noteworthy, the ingredients in Neuriva and their clinical effectiveness are questionable.

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Do We Recommend Neuriva?

Neuriva is an average nootropic supplement. It's not bad, but it doesn't measure up to the best nootropics on the market.

Our research and testing leads us to recommend NooCube as the best nootropic currently available. NooCube's formula is based on the latest brain research and includes natural ingredients that work well together to help your brain perform at its best. Unlike Neuriva, NooCube is good at boosting memory and focus, and it also helps increase creativity and mental sharpness.

If you're looking for a nootropic supplement to improve your cognitive ability alongside a well-rounded range of additional brain health and mental performance benefits, NooCube outshines Neuriva on all fronts.

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Neuriva's Claimed Benefits

Neuriva claims to support five key brain performance indicators: focus, memory, learning, accuracy, and concentration (2). The company asserts that the supplement's effectiveness is mainly due to its two primary ingredients: Coffee Cherry extract (NeuroFactor™) and phosphatidylserine (Sharp PS®) (3).

Neuriva Claims

"Helps you focus in"
"Helps you filter out distractions"
"Helps you react with greater speed and precision"
"Helps you record and recall stored information"
"Helps you retain new information"
"Helps you keep concentrating on tasks for longer"

Does Neuriva Work?

Does Neuriva live up to the claims?

A Comprehensive Examination of Benefits

Focus, Memory, and Learning

A study conducted by Reyes-Izquierdo et al. (4) examined the effects of NeuroFactor™ on cognitive function. The results showed that subjects who consumed the supplement experienced an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, a protein that promotes neuronal growth and survival (5). However, this study had a small sample size (n=25), and it was funded by the company that produces NeuroFactor™.

Another study by Moshfegh et al. (6) explored the impact of Coffee Cherry extract on cognitive performance. They found that participants who consumed the supplement demonstrated improved cognitive function in tasks related to memory and attention. Nevertheless, the study was also funded by the company that produces Coffee Cherry extract and involved a small sample size (n=29).

The available evidence on the effects of phosphatidylserine on cognitive function is also mixed. A review by Kim et al. (7) concluded that phosphatidylserine may help improve memory function, but the study highlighted the need for more rigorous research. In contrast, a review by Jäger et al. (8) found no significant effects of phosphatidylserine on cognitive performance.

Accuracy and Concentration

When it comes to accuracy and concentration, the evidence supporting Neuriva's claims is even scarcer. One study by Stough et al. (9) found that phosphatidylserine improved attention and reaction time in a small sample of young adults, but these findings have not been replicated in larger, more diverse populations. Moreover, no studies have specifically investigated the effects of NeuroFactor™ or Coffee Cherry extract on these cognitive performance indicators.

Questionable Research Methodologies

Although Neuriva boasts about improving cognitive function, the evidence supporting these claims is limited or missing. As highlighted above, most of the studies cited by the company are either sponsored by the company itself or involve a small sample size.

Many of these studies have not been peer-reviewed or published in reputable scientific journals, raising questions about their validity and generalizability.

Limited Evidence of Neuriva Ingredient Effectiveness

Neuriva Ingredients (click to reveal)

Coffee Fruit Extract (100mg)
Phosphatidylserine (100mg)

Neuriva contains two primary ingredients: Coffee Cherry extract (NeuroFactor™) and phosphatidylserine (Sharp PS®).

Coffee Cherry extract (NeuroFactor™) is derived from the fruit of the Coffea arabica plant and has been suggested to increase BDNF levels (4). BDNF is a crucial protein for neuronal growth, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive function (5). Although some studies have reported improved cognitive performance following Coffee Cherry extract consumption, the sample sizes were small, and the studies were funded by the company that produces the extract (4, 6). Consequently, the evidence supporting the efficacy of NeuroFactor™ in enhancing cognitive function is limited.

Phosphatidylserine (Sharp PS®) is a phospholipid found in high concentrations in the brain, where it plays a vital role in cellular function and communication (10). Some studies have suggested that phosphatidylserine supplementation may improve memory and cognitive performance, particularly in older adults (7, 11). However, other research has found no significant effects (8), indicating that the evidence supporting phosphatidylserine's effectiveness in enhancing cognitive function is inconsistent.

It's also worth noting that Neuriva contains other ingredients, such as decaffeinated coffee powder and rice bran. While these ingredients may not be harmful, their contribution to the supplement's claimed benefits is unclear. Moreover, Neuriva lacks other well-researched nootropics, such as Bacopa monnieri and L-theanine, which have demonstrated more consistent cognitive benefits in the scientific literature (12, 13).

Potential Side Effects of Neuriva

Although the Neuriva contains a limited number of ingredients, mainly Coffee Cherry extract (NeuroFactor™) and phosphatidylserine (Sharp PS®), some side effects have been reported by users in our testing.

Main problems experienced with Neuriva

Gastrointestinal issues: Some individuals may experience gastrointestinal discomfort or diarrhea when taking phosphatidylserine supplements (14).
Insomnia: While not directly linked to Neuriva, some studies have reported that high doses of phosphatidylserine could potentially cause insomnia (15).
Allergic reactions: Individuals with a soy allergy should be cautious, as many phosphatidylserine supplements are derived from soy (16).
Interaction with medications: Phosphatidylserine could potentially interact with anticholinergic and cholinergic medications, which may impact their effectiveness (17).
Lack of safety data: Limited safety data exists for long-term use of Coffee Cherry extract (NeuroFactor™), and its potential side effects are not well-established (18).

Responsive Table

Test	Result
Attention	6/10
Cognition	5/10
Memory	6/10
Mood	6/10
Stress	4/10
Brain Health	5/10
Learning	6/10
Overall	5/10

Pros and Cons

Pros

Contains phosphatidylserine
NeuroFactor™ may boost BDNF
Easy-to-consume capsules

Cons

Limited scientific evidence
Small sample sizes in studies
Company-funded research
Inconsistent cognitive benefits
Potential gastrointestinal issues
Possible insomnia risk
Allergic reactions (soy-derived)
Medication interactions

Conclusion

Neuriva has several significant shortcomings that hinder its effectiveness as a nootropic supplement. Firstly, there is limited scientific evidence to support its claims (4, 6, 8), with some studies showing little or no cognitive performance improvements (7, 8). Secondly, Neuriva's side effects include gastrointestinal issues (14) and insomnia (15). Finally, Neuriva's research is largely company-funded (4, 6), which may raise questions about potential bias in the study results that underpin the claims the company makes about the products effectiveness as a nootropic.

Given these drawbacks, we recommend NooCube as a superior alternative for those seeking an effective and reliable nootropic supplement. NooCube has a comprehensive, clinically researched ingredient profile (19, 20) and is proven to consistently improve cognitive function. NooCube's effectiveness has been demonstrated in studies conducted by independent researchers (19, 20), lending far more credibility to its claims.

NooCube not only addresses the shortcomings of Neuriva, but it also delivers additional benefits, including reduced stress and improved mood (21).