Condition
Neurological Health
Neurological health is about keeping the brain and nervous system working well; the brain uses about 20% of the body's energy, which leaves it vulnerable to oxidative stress and inflammation. Omega-3s, vitamin D and B vitamins have the strongest evidence overall, and after traumatic brain injury, Cerebrolysin trials found improved recovery scores. Much of the brain-protection research, such as on humanin, comes from lab work, and BPC-157 findings are mostly from animals.
Sources: PMID 33620612
- Supplements studied
- 5
- Medicines and peptides
- 6
- Graded outcomes
- 16
- Trials
- 3
- People studied
- 55
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms Open-label pilot study (n=50, 26 weeks): Luteolin formulation (100mg luteolin + 70mg quercetin + 30mg rutin) significantly improved VABS scores: communication (+8.43 months), daily living skills (+7.17 months), social domain (+8 months). 26.6-34.8% reduction in Aberrant Behavior Checklist subscales. No major adverse effects (NCT01847521). | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | ||||
| Neuroprotection (Preclinical) Multiple preclinical studies demonstrate neuroprotective effects in models of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, and stroke. Mechanisms include reduced Aβ plaque formation, microglial suppression, and enhanced neuronal survival. Clinical translation pending. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect |
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appetite Small Increase | Worsens (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 1 study | 10 people | ||
| Heart Rate | Improves (the measure goes down) | 4 studies | 20 people | |||
| Blood Pressure | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1 study | 20 people | |||
Studies that measured blood pressure | ||||||
| Cerebral Blood Flow | Improves (the measure goes up) | 20 people | ||||
| Satiety | Improves (the measure goes up) | 10 people | ||||
| Stress Signs and Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 20 people | ||||
Wild Yam
- Hematocrit
- Liver Enzymes: changes; see studies
- Pain: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hematocrit Mixed effect | 25 people | |||||
| Liver Enzymes | Changes; see studies | 1 study | 25 people | |||
| Pain | Improves (the measure goes down) | 25 people | ||||
| Red Blood Cell Count | Improves (the measure goes up) | 25 people | ||||
| Urinary Albumin | Improves (the measure goes up) | 25 people | ||||
| White Blood Cell Count | Improves (the measure goes up) | 25 people | ||||
Cistanche (Cistanche tubulosa/deserticola)
- Neuroprotection (Preclinical): improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroprotection (Preclinical) Systematic review (20 studies, n=1696 animals): Significant neuroprotective effects in AD models. Mechanisms include reduced Aβ deposition, tau inhibition, antioxidant effects, and synapse protection. Candidate for clinical trials. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Large effect |
Magnolia Bark (Magnolia officinalis)
- Neuroprotection (Preclinical): improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroprotection (Preclinical) Preclinical studies: Honokiol and magnolol prevented age-related memory deficits in senescence-accelerated mice. Decreased β-amyloid induced neuronal death through reduced ROS, calcium, and caspase-3 inhibition. Preserved cholinergic neurons via Akt pathway activation. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect |
Prescription medicines and peptides studied, for context
Humanin
- Neuroprotection: improves
- Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers: improves
- Amyloid-Beta Toxicity: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroprotection Humanin protects neurons from amyloid-beta toxicity, oxidative stress, and other Alzheimer's-associated insults by preserving mitochondrial function and inhibiting apoptotic pathways. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Large effect | 4 studies | |||
| Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers Humanin levels are decreased in CSF of Alzheimer's patients. The variant P3S is enriched in APOE4 carriers who maintain cognitive resilience, suggesting protective effects. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 6 studies | |||
| Amyloid-Beta Toxicity Humanin and its analogs prevent neuronal cell death induced by amyloid-beta peptides through multiple protective mechanisms including mitochondrial preservation. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Large effect | 2 studies |
Cerebrolysin
- Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery: improves
- Stroke Recovery (Early Neurological Function): improves
- Stroke Recovery (Long-term Functional Outcome): improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery Significant improvement in GCS and GOS scores | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 6 studies | 8,749 people | ||
| Stroke Recovery (Early Neurological Function) Notable Improvement in NIHSS scores at Day 30 | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 5 studies | 2,884 people | ||
| Stroke Recovery (Long-term Functional Outcome) Inconsistent results at Day 90 on modified Rankin Scale | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 6 studies | 1,649 people |
GHRP-6
- Brain IGF-1 Expression: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brain IGF-1 Expression Moderate Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 15 studies | 75 people |
Semax
- Stroke Recovery: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stroke Recovery Moderate Improvement | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 8 studies | 220 people |
BPC-157
- Neuroprotection: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroprotection Moderate Protection (mostly animal data) | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 7 studies | 75 people |
Pinealon
- Neuroprotection: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroprotection Minor Effect | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 47 studies | 40 people |
Key findings
- Autism Spectrum Disorder SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)
- AppetiteWorsens (the measure goes up)
- Hematocrit
Safety notes in the studies
- No major adverse effects (NCT01847521).
- Humanin protects neurons from amyloid-beta toxicity, oxidative stress, and other Alzheimer's-associated insults by preserving mitochondrial function and inhibiting apoptotic pathways.
The Neurological Health & Brain Protection protocol
2 primary supplements · 7 supporting supplements
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids2–3 g EPA+DHA daily (balanced or higher DHA for brain focus)
- Vitamin D2,000–4,000 IU daily (target 40–60 ng/mL)
Shop the evidence-backed picks
Fullscript collectionFocus and memory: evidence-graded picksOpen on Fullscript
The collection holds the supplements we grade A or B for its theme, in third-party tested products where the catalog has them. It opens in our Fullscript store. You can look through it without signing in; Fullscript asks for a free account to order.
Or shop one supplement
The supplement graded A or B for Neurological Health. Each opens third-party tested products for that supplement.
- Grade B
We earn from purchases made in our Fullscript store, and links to Fullscript, iHerb or Thorne carry our referral, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come from the research and never change based on what we earn. Full disclosure
Studies cited
100 studies from PubMed
- Growth hormone releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) ameliorates acute lung injury and its subsequent evolvement to interstitial fibrosis.
- BPC 157 Therapy: Targeting Angiogenesis and Nitric Oxide's Cytotoxic and Damaging Actions, but Maintaining, Promoting, or Recovering Their Essential Protective Functions. Comment on Józwiak et al. Multifunctionality and Possible Medical Application of the BPC 157 Peptide-Literature and Patent Review. Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18, 185.
- Protective Effects of BPC 157 on Liver, Kidney, and Lung Distant Organ Damage in Rats with Experimental Lower-Extremity Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.
- Acute Compartment Syndrome and Intra-Abdominal Hypertension, Decompression, Current Pharmacotherapy, and Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 Solution.
- Safety of Intravenous Infusion of BPC157 in Humans: A Pilot Study.
- Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 as a Therapy and Safety Key: A Special Beneficial Pleiotropic Effect Controlling and Modulating Angiogenesis and the NO-System.
- Concerning BPC-157, a natural pentadecapeptide, that acts as a cytoprotectant and is believed to protect the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT).
- Injectable Therapeutic Peptides-An Adjunct to Regenerative Medicine and Sports Performance?
- Regeneration or Risk? A Narrative Review of BPC-157 for Musculoskeletal Healing.
- Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 as Therapy After Surgical Detachment of the Quadriceps Muscle from Its Attachments for Muscle-to-Bone Reattachment in Rats.
- Multifunctionality and Possible Medical Application of the BPC 157 Peptide-Literature and Patent Review.
- Emerging Use of BPC-157 in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: A Systematic Review.
- The possible role of cerebrolysin in the management of vascular dementia: Leveraging concepts.
- Effects of Cistanche deserticola Y.C. Ma Supplementation on Muscle Strength and Recovery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- Intranasal Delivery of a Ghrelin Mimetic Engages the Brain Ghrelin Signaling System in Mice.
- The Ghrelin Analog GHRP-6, Delivered Through Aquafeeds, Modulates the Endocrine and Immune Responses of Sparus aurata Following IFA Treatment.
- Plasma Humanin and Non-Coding RNAs as Biomarkers of Endothelial Dysfunction in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Pilot Study.
- Humanin attenuates metabolic, toxic, and traumatic neuropathic pain in mice by protecting against oxidative stress and increasing inflammatory cytokine.
- HUMANIN produced by human efferocytic macrophages promotes the resolution of inflammation.
- Genes That Associated with Action of ACTH-like Peptides with Neuroprotective Potential in Rat Brain Regions with Different Degrees of Ischemic Damage.
- The Potential of the Peptide Drug Semax and Its Derivative for Correcting Pathological Impairments in the Animal Model of Alzheimer's Disease.
- Semax, a Copper Chelator Peptide, Decreases the Cu(II)-Catalyzed ROS Production and Cytotoxicity of aβ by Metal Ion Stripping and Redox Silencing.
- Protective effect of resveratrol on nickel-refining fumes-induced inflammatory damage.
- Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and Intestinal Anastomoses Therapy in Rats-A Review.
- Efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness analysis of Cerebrolysin in acute ischemic stroke: A rapid health technology assessment.
- [Cerebrolysin in the preventive therapy of dementia in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment: a three-year prospective comparative study].
- Cerebrolysin potentiates the antidepressant effect of lithium in a rat model of depression.
- Treatment with Cerebrolysin Prolongs Lifespan in a Mouse Model of Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy.
- Growth hormone releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) prevents doxorubicin-induced myocardial and extra-myocardial damages by activating prosurvival mechanisms
- [Gly14]-Humanin ameliorates high glucose-induced endothelial senescence via SIRT6.
- Impaired Expression of Humanin during Adrenocortical Carcinoma.
- Humanin ameliorates TBI-related cognitive impairment by attenuating mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation.
- Humanin variant P3S is associated with longevity in APOE4 carriers and resists APOE4-induced brain pathology.
- Humanin-G Ameliorates Hemorrhage-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice Through AMPKα1-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms.
- Humanin's impact on pain markers and neuronal viability in diabetic neuropathy model.
- Luteolin Is More Potent than Cromolyn in Their Ability to Inhibit Mediator Release from Cultured Human Mast Cells
- Luteolin: A promising multifunctional natural flavonoid for human diseases
- Luteolin for neurodegenerative diseases: a review
- Antidepressant-like and antistress effects of the ACTH(4-10) synthetic analogs Semax and Melanotan II on male rats in a model of chronic unpredictable stress.
- Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 Therapy: Effect on Reperfusion Following Maintained Intra-Abdominal Hypertension (Grade III and IV) in Rats.
- Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 May Recover Brain-Gut Axis and Gut-Brain Axis Function.
- Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157-Possible Novel Therapy of Glaucoma and Other Ocular Conditions.
- Antiarrhythmic Sotalol, Occlusion/Occlusion-like Syndrome in Rats, and Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 Therapy.
- Modulation of neurotrophic factors in the treatment of dementia, stroke and TBI: Effects of Cerebrolysin
- Cerebrolysin reduces excitotoxicity by modulation of cell-death proteins in delayed hours of ischemic reperfusion injury.
- Cerebrolysin Attenuates Exacerbation of Neuropathic Pain, Blood-spinal Cord Barrier Breakdown and Cord Pathology Following Chronic Intoxication of Engineered Ag, Cu or Al (50-60 nm) Nanoparticles.
- Nanowired Delivery of Cerebrolysin Together with Antibodies to Amyloid Beta Peptide, Phosphorylated Tau, and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Induces Superior Neuroprotection in Alzheimer's Disease Brain Pathology Exacerbated by Sleep Deprivation.
- Neuroprotective Effects of Nanowired Delivery of Cerebrolysin with Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Monoclonal Antibodies to Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase in Brain Pathology Following Alzheimer's Disease Exacerbated by Concussive Head Injury.
- TiO(2)-Nanowired Delivery of Chinese Extract of Ginkgo biloba EGb-761 and Bilobalide BN-52021 Enhanced Neuroprotective Effects of Cerebrolysin Following Spinal Cord Injury at Cold Environment.
- Nanowired delivery of antibodies to tau and neuronal nitric oxide synthase together with cerebrolysin attenuates traumatic brain injury induced exacerbation of brain pathology in Parkinson's disease.
- [Cerebrolysin in the treatment of cognitive impairment].
- Cerebrolysin provides effective protection on high glucose-induced neuropathy in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurons.
- Cerebrolysin Amelioration of Spinal Cord Ischemia/ Reperfusion Injury in Rabbit Model.
- [Effects of simultaneous use of Cerebrolysin and alteplase on hemorrhagic transformation of brain infarction and functional outcome in stroke patients: CEREHETIS, a randomized, multicenter pilot trial].
- Inhibition of ghrelin activity by the receptor antagonist [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 enhances hepatic fatty acid oxidation and gluconeogenesis in a growing pig model.
- Humanin and Its Pathophysiological Roles in Aging: A Systematic Review
- A novel link between chronic inflammation and humanin regulation in children.
- Mitochondrial stress and mitokines in aging.
- Humanin and Its Pathophysiological Roles in Aging: A Systematic Review.
- S14G-humanin confers cardioprotective effects against chronic adrenergic and pressure overload-induced heart failure in mice.
- S14G-humanin alleviates acute lung injury by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB.
- Potential anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of luteolin in a chronic constriction injury rat model of neuropathic pain: Role of oxidative stress, neurotrophins, and inflammatory factors
- Neuropharmacological potential of honokiol and its derivatives from Chinese herb Magnolia species: understandings from therapeutic viewpoint
- Honokiol-Rich Magnolia officinalis Bark Extract Attenuates Trauma-Induced Neuropathic Pain
- Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and the central nervous system
- Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 May Counteract Myocardial Infarction Induced by Isoprenaline in Rats.
- Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 efficiently reduces radiation-induced liver injury and lipid accumulation through Kruppel-like factor 4 upregulation both in vivo and in vitro.
- Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 as Useful Cytoprotective Peptide Therapy in the Heart Disturbances, Myocardial Infarction, Heart Failure, Pulmonary Hypertension, Arrhythmias, and Thrombosis Presentation.
- Cytoprotective gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 resolves major vessel occlusion disturbances, ischemia-reperfusion injury following Pringle maneuver, and Budd-Chiari syndrome.
- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Reveals Molecular Changes in Blood Vessels of Rats Treated with Pentadecapeptide BPC 157.
- Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and Striated, Smooth, and Heart Muscle.
- The anti-nociceptive effect of BPC-157 on the incisional pain model in rats.
- Cerebrolysin alleviates early brain injury after traumatic brain injury by inhibiting neuroinflammation and apoptosis via TLR signaling pathway.
- Cerebrolysin® and Environmental Enrichment, Alone or in Combination, Ameliorate Anxiety- and Depressive-Like Behaviors in a Post-Ischemic Depression Model in Mice.
- Echinacoside Improves Cognitive Impairment by Inhibiting Aβ Deposition Through the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2/PPARγ Signaling Pathways in APP/PS1 Mice
- Humanin and diabetes mellitus: A review of in vitro and in vivo studies.
- The protective effects of S14G-humanin on gestational diabetes mellitus symptoms.
- Humanin vivoliver and tumor bioimpedance measured with biopsy needle.
- An evidence of Humanin-like peptide and Humanin mediated cryosurvival of spermatozoa in buffalo bulls.
- Effect of Humanin G (HNG) on inflammation in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- [Gly14]-Humanin inhibits an angiotensin II-induced vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switch via ameliorating intracellular oxidative stress.
- Circulating humanin is lower in coronary artery disease and is a prognostic biomarker for major cardiac events in humans.
- Cardio-protective role of Humanin in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion.
- Humanin-induced autophagy plays important roles in skeletal muscle function and lifespan extension.
- Luteolin reduces fear, anxiety, and depression in rats with post-traumatic stress disorder
- Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and Wound Healing
- Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 Therapy for Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats Leads to Prevention and Reversal.
- Over-Dose Lithium Toxicity as an Occlusive-like Syndrome in Rats and Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157.
- BPC 157 as a Therapy for Retinal Ischemia Induced by Retrobulbar Application of L-NAME in Rats.
- Intra-Articular Injection of BPC 157 for Multiple Types of Knee Pain.
- Cerebrolysin for stroke, neurodegeneration, and traumatic brain injury: review of the literature and outcomes
- Cerebrolysin Prevents Brain Injury in a Mouse Model of Liver Damage.
- Cerebrolysin in the therapy of mild cognitive impairment and dementia due to Alzheimer's disease: 30 years of clinical use.
- Cerebrolysin after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury: prospective meta-analysis of the CAPTAIN trial series.
- A Botanical Product Containing Cistanche and Ginkgo Extracts Potentially Improves Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms in Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study
- Humanin and Alzheimer's Disease: The Beginning of a New Field
- Protective Mechanism of Humanin Against Oxidative Stress in Aging-Related Cardiovascular Diseases
- Humanin Alleviates Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Human and Rat Model-Based Study.
- Humanin: A mitochondrial-derived peptide in the treatment of apoptosis-related diseases.
- Humanin regulates oxidative stress in the ovaries of polycystic ovary syndrome patients via the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway.