NutriCog®: The Science Behind a Novel Botanical Blend for Memory, Learning & Cognitive Performance

From Ancient Botanicals to Modern Clinical Research

For decades, scientists have searched for ways to support healthy brain function through nutrition and botanical compounds. While ingredients such as bacopa, phosphatidylserine, omega-3 fatty acids, and B vitamins remain well-established components of many cognitive health formulas, researchers continue exploring new approaches that may support multiple aspects of cognitive performance simultaneously.

Among the newer clinically studied botanical ingredients to emerge from this research is NutriCog®, a patented combination of Terminalia chebula (haritaki) fruit extract and Boswellia serrata gum resin extract.

Unlike many traditional botanical ingredients that have been studied individually, NutriCog® was specifically formulated to evaluate whether two well-known Ayurvedic botanicals could work together to support learning, memory, attention, executive function, and overall cognitive performance.

What makes NutriCog® particularly interesting is not simply its botanical origin, but the quality of the research supporting it. Rather than relying only on laboratory studies or historical use, NutriCog® has been published in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial using internationally recognized cognitive assessment tools and biological markers associated with brain function.

As interest in healthy cognitive aging continues to grow, NutriCog® represents an example of how traditional botanical knowledge and modern neuroscience are increasingly intersecting.

What Is NutriCog®?

NutriCog® is a patented botanical ingredient developed specifically to support cognitive performance and healthy brain aging. It combines standardized extracts of two plants that have been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine:

• Terminalia chebula (Haritaki) fruit extract
• Boswellia serrata gum resin extract

Rather than simply blending two herbs together, NutriCog® standardizes these botanical extracts to naturally occurring compounds including gallic acid, ellagic acid, and amyrins. Standardization helps provide consistency between batches and allows researchers to evaluate the ingredient under controlled clinical conditions.

Unlike many botanical ingredients that are marketed based primarily on traditional use, NutriCog® has undergone human clinical research specifically designed to evaluate cognitive performance.

This distinction is important because cognitive health is complex. Memory, attention, learning, executive function, and processing speed involve multiple interconnected brain networks rather than a single biological pathway. Researchers increasingly recognize that supporting overall cognitive function may require ingredients capable of influencing several mechanisms simultaneously.

Why Haritaki and Boswellia?

One of the most interesting aspects of NutriCog® is the combination of two botanicals with long histories of traditional use but different biological characteristics.

Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)

Often referred to as the "King of Medicines" in Ayurvedic tradition, haritaki has been used for centuries to support overall health and healthy aging. The fruit naturally contains numerous polyphenols, including gallic acid and ellagic acid, compounds that have attracted scientific interest because of their antioxidant properties.

More recently, researchers have begun exploring haritaki's potential role in supporting healthy cognitive aging, although this remains an emerging area of investigation.

Boswellia (Boswellia serrata)

Boswellia, sometimes known as Indian frankincense, has also been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Modern research has primarily focused on boswellia because of its ability to support healthy inflammatory balance.

Since chronic inflammation is increasingly recognized as one factor associated with healthy brain aging, researchers have become interested in understanding whether boswellia may contribute to supporting cognitive health as part of a broader healthy aging strategy.

Why Combine Them?

Rather than evaluating each botanical separately, researchers developed NutriCog® to investigate whether combining standardized haritaki and boswellia extracts could provide broader cognitive support than either ingredient alone.

This reflects an important principle in modern nutritional science: carefully designed combinations may influence multiple biological pathways simultaneously, potentially supporting complex systems such as learning and memory more effectively than a single ingredient.

The Clinical Study Behind NutriCog®

One reason NutriCog® has generated interest within the brain health community is the quality of its clinical research.

Researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 100 healthy adults between 40 and 65 years of age who consumed either NutriCog® or a placebo daily for 120 days.

To evaluate cognitive performance, investigators used two internationally recognized assessment systems:

• The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), commonly used to assess verbal learning and memory.
• The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), a computerized collection of cognitive assessments widely used in neuroscience research.

Researchers also measured Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein involved in neuroplasticity and learning, along with sleep quality using the Athens Insomnia Scale.

Using validated cognitive testing helps provide greater confidence that observed changes reflect measurable aspects of cognitive performance rather than subjective impressions alone.

Understanding the Cognitive Tests

One of the strengths of the NutriCog® clinical trial is that researchers did not rely solely on participants' personal impressions of memory or focus. Instead, they used internationally recognized cognitive assessments that have been employed in neuroscience research for decades. These validated tests allow investigators to measure specific aspects of cognitive performance in a standardized and objective way.

Understanding what these assessments measure helps place the study findings into context and makes the results easier to relate to everyday life.

The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT)

The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) is one of the most widely used clinical tools for evaluating verbal learning and memory. It has been used for decades in neuroscience research and clinical neuropsychology to assess how efficiently the brain acquires, stores, and retrieves new information.

During the test, participants hear a list of words read aloud and are asked to recall as many words as possible immediately afterward. The same list is presented several times, allowing researchers to evaluate how quickly new information is learned across repeated trials. After a delay, participants are again asked to remember the words without hearing the list again, providing a measure of delayed recall. Finally, participants complete a recognition task to determine whether they can correctly identify previously presented words from a larger list.

Figure 1.

The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) is one of the most widely used neuropsychological assessments for evaluating verbal learning and memory in both clinical practice and research.

Why This Matters

Although remembering a list of words may seem simple, the test reflects many of the same cognitive abilities we use every day. Remembering someone's name after an introduction, recalling details from a conversation later that afternoon, remembering where you parked after shopping, or bringing to mind information you read yesterday all depend on similar learning and memory processes.

Because RAVLT evaluates immediate recall, learning rate, delayed recall, and recognition memory, it provides researchers with a comprehensive picture of several important aspects of memory rather than a single measurement.

The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB)

To complement the verbal memory testing, researchers also used the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), a computerized collection of cognitive assessments developed at the University of Cambridge and used extensively in neuroscience research worldwide.

Unlike traditional paper-and-pencil testing, CANTAB evaluates several different cognitive domains through interactive computer-based tasks designed to measure attention, visual memory, executive function, multitasking, reaction time, and decision-making.

Rather than relying on subjective questionnaires, CANTAB records precise response times and accuracy, allowing researchers to detect subtle changes in cognitive performance that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Why This Matters

Everyday life rarely requires only memory. Successfully navigating a busy grocery store while remembering your shopping list, following GPS directions while driving, organizing multiple tasks at work, or quickly shifting attention between conversations all require the brain to coordinate several cognitive systems simultaneously.

By including CANTAB alongside RAVLT, researchers were able to evaluate a broader range of cognitive functions beyond memory alone, providing a more complete understanding of NutriCog's potential effects on overall cognitive performance.

Figure 2.

Together, these validated measures provide researchers with a comprehensive picture of learning, memory, attention, executive function, and neuroplasticity rather than relying on a single cognitive outcome.

What Improvements Were Observed?

Following 120 days of supplementation, researchers reported improvements across multiple areas of cognitive performance. Rather than affecting only one aspect of cognition, NutriCog® demonstrated statistically significant improvements in several interconnected domains involved in learning, memory, attention, and executive function.

This broad pattern of findings is one reason the ingredient has attracted attention within the cognitive health community. The improvements extended beyond simple memory recall and included measures related to how efficiently new information was learned, retained, and later retrieved.

The reported findings included:

• Approximately 2.7× faster learning rate
• Approximately 1.6× greater overall learning
• Approximately 1.4× improvement in immediate recall
• Approximately 2.3× improvement in delayed recall
• Approximately 2.1× improvement in recognition memory
• Approximately 2× increase in BDNF
• Improvements in sustained attention beginning as early as 15 days
• Improved performance on measures of executive function and processing efficiency

While these findings are encouraging, they should be interpreted within the context of a single well-designed clinical study. Additional research will continue to clarify how these findings translate across broader populations and different clinical settings.

 Figure 3. 

The improvements shown above were reported in the published clinical trial and should be interpreted within the context of that individual study.

Why These Results Are Interesting

One aspect of the study that stands out is not simply that improvements were observed, but how many different areas of cognition appeared to improve together.

Learning, attention, memory, executive function, and processing speed are highly interconnected. In everyday life, these abilities rarely operate independently. Learning new information depends on maintaining attention. Remembering information later depends on how effectively it was encoded during learning. Executive function helps organize, prioritize, and retrieve that information when it is needed.

Because the study evaluated several of these domains simultaneously, it provides a broader perspective than studies focusing on only a single cognitive outcome.

Learning vs. Memory: Why the Difference Matters

Learning and memory are often discussed as though they are the same process, but they represent different stages of how the brain handles information.

Learning refers to the brain's ability to acquire new information efficiently. Memory refers to the ability to store that information and retrieve it later.

Imagine attending a lecture. Learning determines how effectively you absorb the material while the instructor is speaking. Memory determines whether you can recall that information several hours, or even days, later.

Because NutriCog® demonstrated improvements in both learning and memory-related outcomes, researchers became interested in its potential to support several interconnected cognitive processes rather than a single cognitive domain.

For healthy adults, these functions influence many everyday activities, from remembering appointments and following conversations to learning new skills, staying organized, and solving problems efficiently.

Why BDNF Matters

One of the more interesting aspects of the NutriCog clinical study was the measurement of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).

Figure 4.

Although blood BDNF is not a direct measure of brain BDNF, it is widely used in human clinical research as a practical biomarker associated with neuroplasticity.

BDNF is a naturally occurring protein that helps support the growth, maintenance, and adaptability of neurons. It plays an important role in neuroplasticity, the brain's remarkable ability to strengthen existing neural connections and form new ones throughout life.

Researchers often study BDNF because it is closely associated with learning and memory. Higher BDNF activity has been linked with improved synaptic communication, making it easier for neurons to exchange information during the learning process.

Importantly, NutriCog® is not unique in influencing pathways associated with BDNF. Regular physical exercise, restorative sleep, lifelong learning, and social engagement have all been associated with healthy BDNF activity. Rather than replacing these lifestyle habits, a thoughtfully formulated supplement may complement them as part of a broader brain health strategy.

Dr. Kaplan's Perspective

"One aspect of NutriCog® that I find particularly interesting is the breadth of cognitive domains evaluated in the clinical trial. Everyday cognitive performance depends on learning, attention, executive function, and memory working together, not in isolation. Evaluating several aspects of cognition provides a more meaningful picture of how an ingredient may support healthy brain function than focusing on a single outcome alone."

"As a physician, one aspect I always look for is the quality of the evidence. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human studies remain one of the strongest methods for evaluating nutritional ingredients. While no single study provides all the answers, this level of evidence offers a stronger foundation than laboratory data or anecdotal reports alone."

Is NutriCog® Right for Everyone?

NutriCog was studied in healthy adults between the ages of 40 and 65 years. While the results are encouraging, it is important to recognize that individual responses to dietary supplements can vary based on age, overall health, lifestyle, medications, genetics, and consistency of use.

No supplement should be viewed as a substitute for regular exercise, restorative sleep, balanced nutrition, stress management, or ongoing mental stimulation. Instead, supplements are best viewed as one component of a comprehensive approach to lifelong brain health.

Individuals who are pregnant, nursing, taking prescription medications, or managing a medical condition should consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any new dietary supplement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does NutriCog® take to work?

In the published clinical trial, improvements in certain measures of attention were observed as early as 15 days, while the most comprehensive assessment occurred after 120 days of consistent supplementation. Individual experiences may vary.

Is NutriCog® a stimulant?

No. NutriCog® is a botanical ingredient and is not a stimulant like caffeine. It was developed to support cognitive performance through different biological pathways than traditional stimulants.

Can younger adults take NutriCog®?

Although the published clinical trial enrolled healthy adults between 40 and 65 years of age, the ingredient is not necessarily limited to that age group. Additional research will continue to clarify its role across different populations.

Does NutriCog® improve memory only?

The published research evaluated multiple aspects of cognitive performance, including learning, immediate recall, delayed recall, recognition memory, sustained attention, executive function, and processing efficiency.

Can NutriCog® replace healthy lifestyle habits?

No.

Regular physical activity, quality sleep, balanced nutrition, stress management, and lifelong learning remain the foundation of healthy cognitive aging. Supplements should be viewed as complementary to these habits rather than replacements.

Final Thoughts

NutriCog® represents an interesting example of how traditional botanical medicine and modern clinical research can come together to explore new approaches to cognitive health.

By combining standardized extracts of Terminalia chebula and Boswellia serrata, researchers investigated whether two well-known botanicals could support multiple aspects of cognitive performance within a carefully designed human clinical trial. The improvements reported in the published clinical trial across learning, memory, attention, and executive function have generated interest among clinicians and researchers studying healthy cognitive aging.

Although additional research will continue to expand our understanding of this ingredient, NutriCog® demonstrates the importance of evaluating brain health supplements through rigorous scientific investigation rather than marketing claims alone.

For individuals interested in supporting long-term cognitive health, NutriCog® represents one example of how evidence-based botanical ingredients may complement healthy lifestyle habits—including regular exercise, restorative sleep, balanced nutrition, stress management, and lifelong learning—as part of a comprehensive brain health strategy.

References

1. Salter D, Gupta SVB, Sairam B, Gupta AK, Maurya R. A standardized combination of Boswellia serrata and Terminalia chebula extracts to improve cognition in adults with subjective memory complaints: a randomized controlled proof-of-concept study. Front Nutr. 2025;12:1695341. doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1695341. PMCID: PMC12719083.

2. Almkvist O, Rennie A, Westman E, Wallert J, Ekman U. Methods for assessment of Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test performance in memory clinic patients and healthy adults: at the cross-roads of learning theory and clinical utility. Clin Neuropsychol. 2025;39(2):424-438. doi:10.1080/13854046.2024.2384616. 

3. Lezak MD. Neuropsychological Assessment. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1983.

4. Talebi M, Majdi A, Kamari F, Sadigh-Eteghad S. The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) versus the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis (MACFIMS) for the assessment of cognitive function in patients with multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2020;43:102172. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2020.102172.

5. Khalil MH. The impact of walking on BDNF as a biomarker of neuroplasticity: a systematic review. Brain Sci. 2025;15(3):254. doi:10.3390/brainsci15030254.

6. Gao H, Lu H, Fang N, et al. The potential of Terminalia chebula in alleviating mild cognitive impairment: a review. Front Pharmacol. 2024;15:1484040. doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1484040.

7. Rajabian A, Sadeghnia HR, Fanoudi S, Hosseini A. Genus Boswellia as a new candidate for neurodegenerative disorders. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2020;23(3):277-286. doi:10.22038/IJBMS.2020.35288.8419.

8. Navakkode S, Kennedy BK. Neural ageing and synaptic plasticity: prioritizing brain health in healthy longevity. Front Aging Neurosci. 2024;16:1428244. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2024.1428244.