Here we have a battle between Prevagen vs Provigil, also known as Modafinil. Both products are touted as brain health enhancers, but which one is better at doing its job?
We’ll look at what these two ‘smart supplements’ consist of, how to take them, if they come with any side effects, and how they stack up against our current top rated brain supplements.
Here’s our report of Prevagen vs Provigil…
Table of Contents
Prevagen vs Provigil (Modafinil) – The Basics
Prevagen Overview
Prevagen is a nootropic supplement, which means it belongs to a category of products that are said to boost our cognitive function. Much like a multivitamin ‘feeds’ your body, a nootropic supplement supports your brain health.
- Prevagen is marketed to specifically help with memory loss due to aging. This sounds very impressive for a product with only two ingredients, one of which is a basic vitamin!
Its company, Quincy Bioscience, has been sued in the past for false advertising claims.
Featuring jellyfish commercials, Prevagen’s research claims that it’s the #1 memory support brand you can buy today.
FTC and other bodies that sued Quincy Bioscience for their misleading claims say otherwise, though!
- In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, Prevagen demonstrated the ability to improve aspects of cognitive function in subgroups of participants who were cognitively normal or mildly impaired.* The group of participants taking Prevagen improved according to computer-based testing.* The adults were over 40 years old and took one capsule daily for 90 days
- Apoaequorin, the unique ingredient in Prevagen, has undergone extensive SAFETY TESTING. Tests for allergenicity and toxicity have been conducted. Third party experts agree that PREVAGEN IS SAFE
- Prevagen Extra Strength comes in an EASY TO SWALLOW capsule. For best results, just take ONE A DAY, in the morning, with or without food
- According to a 2024-2025 survey conducted by Pharmacy Times of pharmacists who recommend memory support products, Prevagen was the #1 recommended Memory Support brand
- Includes a Prevagen 7-day Pill Minder to help you stay organized. BPA free, letters & braille for days of the week
Provigil Overview
Provigil is another name for Modafinil, a synthetic compound that’s gained popularity for its effects on focus and productivity. It’s also used for narcolepsy and sleep disorders.
The usual dosage for beginners is somewhere between 30-50mg, and lasts up to 6 hours. Provigil (aka Modafinil) is only available through prescription, though!
Many people who use Provigil claim that they’re able to get more done while on it. Sounds very familiar… the only question is, how safe is Provigil?
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Prevagen vs Provigil The Ingredients
Prevagen contains two ingredients, whereas Provigil is a single-ingredient product – containing Modafinil.
However, Prevagen contains a ton of “other ingredients,” which are all fillers and unnecessary additions to this supplement.
Prevagen’s Ingredient(s)
Prevagen contains two active ingredients – vitamin D and Apoaequorin. Vitamin D is a basic nutrient that each one of us needs for optimal brain function.
It can’t do much on its own for memory, though, which is why it’s accompanied by Apoaequorin. A protein sourced from a glowing jellyfish.
So, what does Apoaequorin do? According to Prevagen’s research, it will help you:
- Improve verbal fluency
- Enhance memory
- Enhance sleep
- Improve recollection
The issue is, none of these benefits have actually been peer reviewed. The only study that Prevagen’s company relies on is funded by themselves, so that throws their credibility out of the window!
For us, Prevagen lost our credibility when we found out it was charged by the State of New York’s FTC for making “Deceptive Memory, Cognitive Improvement Claims” – ftc.gov
Looking at its ingredient formula, this product is a total waste of money in our opinion. There’s a lot of marketing hype behind Prevagen, which unfortunately some people have bought into, but the concrete evidence just isn’t there.
Provigil Ingredients
Provigil’s main ingredient is… well, Provigil. Or also known as Modafinil. A growing body of research suggests that this compound can boost productivity and focus, much like some ADHD medications.
However, although Provigil works, it comes at the risk of side effects and a potential for abuse, according to WebMD.
It makes you more awake and alert for several hours, but once it stops working, you develop a habit for wanting more, which can lead to an addiction.
For this reason, we aren’t so sure if Provigil is a good long-term solution.
The best brain health supplements typically optimize brain function across the board, and support long-range mental performance. Without the risk of dependency or side effects.
My Thoughts on the Ingredients
In essence, what it all boils down to is which is better: Prevagen vs Provigil?
Provigil would be the obvious answer, since it can help make you more alert – but it comes with potential side effects and risk of dependency, which is why we don’t rate it as one of the safest and most effective brain supplements currently available.
Plus, you can only get it through a doctor’s prescription.
Prevagen, on the other hand, doesn’t have any research and results to indicate that it works. So we can’t recommend it to anyone.
If you’re looking for safe and complete cognitive optimization. You’ll want a product that feeds your brain with the food it needs to work at its peak – not a short-lived energy fix that could potentially lead to an addiction.
-Click to See the Current Top Rated Brain Supplements-
Side Effects
Prevagen’s ingredient, Apoaequorin, doesn’t seem to do anything in humans. So at least you shouldn’t worry about side effects if you still decide to give it a go!
As for Provigil, the problem is that it stimulates the production of your neurotransmitters that make you feel good. In a similar manner that Adderall and other ADHD meds do.
This tends to create a dependency. Over time, your brain loses its ability to make its own dopamine. This can leave you addicted to Modafinil consumption.
Price and Value For Money?
Prevagen can cost you up to $70 per bottle, depending where you buy it. Bear in mind that the bottle will last you 15-30 days, depending on how many pills you take.
Not that it matters though, because this product is unlikely to do much for you at all!
Provigil price depends on your health insurance plan and other factors. Its current legal status means you can only get it through your doc’s prescription.
Although some people get it from other sources anyways, which we don’t recommend!
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Conclusion
This is basically the battle between a Jellyfish Protein and a Quasi-Stimulant. Jellyfish Protein being Prevagen, and Quasi-Stimulant being Provigil (Modafinil).
Both have their own pros and cons. But ultimately, neither Prevagen or Provigil is worth it. Whereas Prevagen doesn’t have any research to back up its sensational claims, Provigil can potentially leave you craving it and abusing it.
My Final Words
That is, if you can get hold of it in the first place, as it’s legally available through a doctor’s prescription only.
The 3 Best Brain Health Supplements
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Prevagen vs Provigil Further Reading
*Prevagen vs Provigil Disclaimer: The information found on this page is not medical advice, nor should it be taken as such.
These statements and any information contained on this website have not been evaluated by the Food Administration.
This information is intended for educational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for medical care or to prescribe treatment for any specific health condition.