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IQ Blast is one of those brain supplements that seems to rely more on clever marketing than real science. The brand leans heavily on eye-catching buzzwords like “brain detox” or “leaky brain syndrome.” The problem? These aren’t actual medical conditions. They’re just marketing terms designed to grab attention.
Once a flashy name like IQ Blast starts spreading through ads and promotions, it usually creates a wave of copycats. Many of these come from unknown online sellers looking to make a quick profit. The result is a crowded market where the packaging might look convincing, but the formulas inside are often inconsistent, untested, and sometimes even risky.
In this review, we’ll break down the ingredients most often linked to IQ Blast’s so-called “original” formula—if such a thing ever really existed. More importantly, we’ll ask the question: do these ingredients actually have scientific support when it comes to brain health and cognitive performance?
Ingredients of IQ Blast
Bacopa monnieri
Bacopa monnieri is a traditional herb used in Ayurvedic medicine, and modern research suggests it may help with memory and overall cognitive function in healthy adults. A large review found that taking 300–600 mg daily for at least 12 weeks could improve certain aspects of cognition.
However, the benefits seem to apply mostly to healthy people. In studies on individuals with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, bacopa didn’t lead to meaningful improvements compared to a placebo. Another key point: the effective doses in studies were quite high—hundreds of milligrams per day—much more than what a supplement like IQ Blast is likely to provide.
B Vitamins and Selenium
B vitamins, particularly B12, along with minerals like selenium, are often promoted as essential for brain health. It’s true that your body needs them for basic brain and nervous system function, but when it comes to boosting brainpower, the evidence just isn’t there.
For example, research shows that taking B12 supplements for up to two years doesn’t improve memory or thinking in healthy older adults. Even in people with mild cognitive decline or dementia, extra B vitamins haven’t delivered meaningful results. So, while these nutrients are important for overall health, they don’t appear to enhance focus or memory when taken in supplement form.
Citicoline
Citicoline is related to choline, a nutrient important for brain function. In Europe, it’s actually prescribed as a drug for certain types of cognitive impairment, especially those caused by strokes. In the U.S., though, it’s sold as a dietary supplement.
The research is mixed. In Alzheimer’s patients, taking 1000 mg daily for 12 weeks showed small improvements in cognition. But in people with vascular dementia, citicoline didn’t help. In healthy older adults with mild age-related memory issues, doses ranging from 500–2000 mg daily for up to 12 weeks produced moderate improvements in memory. Still, there’s no evidence citicoline enhances brain performance in younger, healthy people. Plus, the doses tested in studies are far higher than what a supplement like IQ Blast likely contains.
Maritime Pine Bark Extract
Maritime Pine Bark Extract, often marketed under the name Pycnogenol, has shown some weak but interesting results for brain health. In one small study, older adults who took 150 mg daily for three months showed slight improvements in cognitive performance compared to those on a placebo.
Another small trial involving college students suggested that 100 mg daily for two months might give test scores a modest boost. While these results are promising, they’re far from groundbreaking. At best, maritime pine bark extract might offer minor support for cognition—but again, only at specific doses that are unlikely to match what’s found in IQ Blast.
Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine is a type of fat that plays an important role in building and maintaining nerve cells in the brain. Some studies suggest it may help improve memory, attention, and verbal skills in people experiencing age-related cognitive decline. In patients with Alzheimer’s disease, phosphatidylserine has been linked to slightly better cognitive scores and modest behavioral improvements, especially in those with milder symptoms.
That said, the benefits usually fade after about 16 weeks, and it doesn’t slow down the progression of the disease itself. For healthy individuals, there’s little to no evidence that phosphatidylserine provides any real boost to brain health. Another important detail is dosage: research shows that effective results generally require around 300 mg per day—significantly more than what IQ Blast is likely to provide.
L-Theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid found naturally in tea leaves, and it’s one of the more promising ingredients for cognitive support. At a daily dose of about 100 mg, studies have shown that L-theanine can reduce mistakes on mental performance tests. When combined with caffeine, the two work together to enhance focus and attention span, though caffeine tends to play the bigger role in that partnership.
The benefits of L-theanine also appear stronger in people with mild cognitive difficulties. For those with more advanced decline, however, the improvements are much less noticeable. Among all the ingredients in IQ Blast, L-theanine stands out as one of the few with consistent and reliable evidence for supporting brain function.
Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin, a natural compound that has been studied for both brain and mood-related benefits. Some smaller trials suggest curcumin may provide modest improvements in cognitive function for healthy older adults. Where curcumin really shines, though, is in its potential mood support.
Research shows that daily doses of 500–1000 mg can help reduce symptoms of depression, in some cases working as well as prescription medications like Prozac. Curcumin may also help ease anxiety compared to a placebo. The challenge, however, is that these benefits require much higher doses—hundreds of milligrams to even grams per day—far beyond what IQ Blast is likely to include.
Is IQ Blast Effective?

IQ Blast positions itself as an “all-in-one” brain booster, packing a wide variety of ingredients into a single capsule. The problem with this approach is simple: when you try to squeeze so many compounds into one pill, the dose of each ends up being too low to make a meaningful difference. Research consistently shows that most of these ingredients only work at much higher amounts than what IQ Blast probably delivers.
A more effective strategy for cognitive support is to focus on fewer supplements, each taken at clinically studied doses. For someone who’s healthy and simply looking for a small mental edge, combining proven ingredients like bacopa and L-theanine would likely deliver better results. If you’re dealing with mild cognitive concerns, options such as citicoline and phosphatidylserine may offer more targeted support.
Overall rating

Rating IQ Blast by effectiveness for improving cognition, I’m giving it a D. The doses are too low to provide meaningful benefits.
Rating it by cost, I’m giving it a D. It can be easily replicated with much higher quality ingredients at a far cheaper cost.
Rating it for safety, I’m giving it a C. With so many copycats flooding the market, you never really know what you’re getting.
Overall rating, I’m giving an F. I would recommend you stay away from it.
Top alternatives to IQ Blast
- Bacopa – 1 to 2 caps / day
- Citicoline – 2 to 4 caps / day
- L-Theanine – 2 to 4 lozenge / day
- Phosphatidylserine (generic) – 1 to 3 caps / day
- Phosphatidylserine (Neuriva) – 1 cap / day
Learn more about
- The Benefits of L-Theanine
- The Real Benefits of Turmeric
- PreVagen vs. Neuriva Review
- Supplement reviews
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See also
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