A Pharmacist’s Review of Cognivive

Dr. Suzanne Soliman

The Alpinia galangal extract (AGE), known as Cognivive™ in Neuriva Ultra, is a thoroughly researched and standardized extract derived from the rhizome of Alpinia galanga. Alpinia galanga originates from Southeast Asia and is utilized as both a culinary ingredient and a medicinal herb in that region. It belongs to the ginger family and bears a resemblance to the ginger rhizome. Cognivive™ excels in its capacity to augment alertness, offering benefits that surpass a simple increase in energy without the use of caffeine. Cognivive™ has been substantiated by 5 clinical trials, demonstrating its efficacy in enhancing mental alertness, which refers to the capacity to rapidly perceive a given scenario.

A preclinical investigation examining the interaction between brain components and the phytoconstituents of AGE reveals that they may interact with dopamine and acetylcholine, crucial neurotransmitters involved in promoting alertness and enhancing focus. Cognivive™ is caffeine free and has been formulated using scientific trials that demonstrate its ability to enhance mental vigilance, a state characterized by heightened receptivity to external stimuli.

AGE was studied in 5 distinct randomized controlled trials,^1-4 all conducted in human subjects. AGE has been found to enhance mental alertness,^2-4 improve accuracy,^3,4 and alleviate fatigue.⁴ The majority of participants in these trials had moderate caffeine habituation which makes a change in alertness within these participants even more impressive because they were already desensitized to stimulants.^1,2 Notably, AGE demonstrated sustained positive effects lasting up to five hours^3,4 with minimal reported side effects^1-4 and relieving caffeine withdrawal effects.² Table 1 summarizes the data from these 6 clinical studies.

Table 1. Comparison of all clinical trial data

Ultimately, the clinical investigations indicate that AGE has beneficial impacts on human mental acuity, precision, and fatigue. The data substantiates its significance as a potent substitute for caffeine, catering to those seeking to obtain natural nootropics that enhance cognitive alertness, concentration, and attention without compromising energy levels. Due to its mild yet powerful impact on the brain. It provides long-lasting (up to 5 hours) effects including increased mental alertness decreased fatigue without the drawbacks associated with conventional stimulants.

SUZANNE SOLIMAN, PHARMD, BCMAS earned her PharmD from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She then completed a residency in primary care with an emphasis on education at Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy and a teaching fellowship at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine. Soliman worked as a clinical pharmacist, a medical science liaison and a national field team educator prior to becoming an assistant dean of Academic Affairs at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy. She most recently was an associate dean at Touro College of Pharmacy New York and an independent pharmacy owner, and currently serves as the chief medical officer for the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs. Soliman has over 100 publications and presents nationally on pharmacy, parenting and women's issues. In 2017, inspired by her desire for better work/life balance, Soliman founded the Pharmacist Moms Group—a network of over 45,000 pharmacists and the largest network of pharmacists in the country. The mission of the group is to provide important resources, a supportive network, and most importantly a community of fellow pharmacist moms who understand the challenges and rewards of balancing work and family life.

To learn more about Neuriva, click here.

References

1. Sirvastava S, Pimple S. BAOJ (2017). Effect of alpinia galanga on mental alertness and sustained attention with or without caffeine: A randomized placebo-controlled study. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28910196/
2. Srivastava S, Menneimeier M, Pimple S, (2017). Effect of Alpinia galanga on Mental Alertness and Sustained Attention With or Without Caffeine: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2017.1342576
3. Sirvastava S, Mennemeier M, Chaudhary J. (2020). A randomized placebo controlled clinical trial demonstrating safety & efficacy of enxtra® in healthy adults. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32412358/
4. Eraiah M, Kundapur M. (2023) Acute effects of Alpinia Galanga extract on mental alertness, accuracy ... (n.d.-a). https://crimsonpublishers.com/acam/pdf/ACAM.000669.pdf
5. Muttanahally M, Kundapur M, Josua L, Thomas J. (2023). Alpiniagalanga extract increases alertness, focus, and energy while lowering fatigue and daytime sleepiness with four weeks supplementation: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study in human subjects. Current Research in Complementary & Alternative Medicine. https://www.doi.org/10.29011/2577-2201.100209
6. Alpinia Galanga - Plant finder. (n.d.). https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=287591