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Ginkgo Biloba for Memory: What the GEM Trial Found
No. In the GEM trial of 3,069 adults aged 75 or older, ginkgo extract did not reduce dementia over a median of 6.1 years, and smaller trials gave inconsistent results. Ginkgo may also raise bleeding risk with blood thinners. The CogniHoney list names ginkgo biloba powder with no amount.
Written by the CogniHoney label deskUpdated · 4 min read
Does ginkgo biloba help memory?
In the GEM trial, ginkgo did not reduce dementia in adults aged 75 or older.
GEM enrolled 3,069 volunteers, who took 120 mg of ginkgo extract twice a day or placebo for a median of 6.1 years. The dementia hazard ratio was 1.12 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.33), and ginkgo did not slow progression from mild cognitive impairment (DeKosky 2008, GEM trial).
NCCIH adds that for healthy people it is uncertain whether ginkgo influences cognitive performance, and that much of the research is low quality (NCCIH, Ginkgo).
What do the smaller trials say?
Mixed, and not strong enough to lean on.
A Cochrane review of 36 trials, most small and short, found results for cognition, daily living and mood that were inconsistent. Pooled data showed no excess adverse events versus placebo, but the reviewers called the evidence of predictable benefit inconsistent and unreliable (Birks 2009, Cochrane ginkgo).
| Source | Who | Finding |
|---|---|---|
| GEM trial | 3,069 adults aged 75 or older | No effect on dementia incidence |
| Cochrane review | 36 trials, mostly small | Inconsistent, unreliable benefit |
| NCCIH summary | Healthy people | Effect on cognition uncertain; research low quality |
One caution on the gap. GEM tested people aged 75 or older, so it says less about a 40-year-old.
What is the safety catch with ginkgo?
It may raise bleeding risk, especially with anticoagulants such as warfarin.
Leaf extract is likely safe for most adults in moderate amounts, with dizziness, stomach problems and headache as the usual effects. It may interact with other medicines and is possibly unsafe in pregnancy. Fresh seeds are toxic (NCCIH, Ginkgo).
Tell your prescriber or pharmacist before taking ginkgo, and tell the surgical team about it early. Never stop a prescribed medicine on your own.
See the surgery and bleeding page for the planning steps.
CogniHoney capsules: 30 on the bottle count2, 3 or 6 bottles · 60-day guarantee per seller materials
See packsIs ginkgo in CogniHoney?
The list given to this site for the sibling pack names ginkgo biloba powder, with no milligram amount.
It is powder, not a standardized extract, so the GEM dose of 120 mg of extract twice a day is not a fair comparison. We cannot say how much ginkgo the capsule holds. Confirm the line on your bottle, and see the ginkgo page. No study has tested CogniHoney.
- Bottle front“Advanced Cognitive Support For Memory, Focus & Clarity*”Names no condition and no measurable result. NIA says no vitamin or supplement is recommended for preventing Alzheimer's or cognitive decline, and no trial has tested CogniHoney. (NIA, Diet and Prevention of Alzheimer's) (NIA, Cognitive Health and Older Adults)
- Bottle icon line“Memory & Recall Support*”Small trials of bacopa found better scores on some word-recall tests; the large ginkgo trial found no effect on dementia; B vitamins and lutein did not help memory in trials. None tested this capsule. (Pase 2012, bacopa review) (DeKosky 2008, GEM trial)
- Bottle icon line“Focus & Mental Clarity Formula*”A bacopa meta-analysis found faster attention and reaction times and called for a larger trial. 'Clarity' is not a measured outcome. (Kongkeaw 2014, bacopa meta-analysis)
- Bottle icon line“Supports Cognitive Health*”'Supports' is structure/function wording: the maker needs substantiation and an FDA disclaimer, and FDA does not approve it before sale. (FDA, Structure/Function Claims)
- Common question“Is CogniHoney FDA approved?”No supplement is. FDA does not approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before sale. (FDA 101: Dietary Supplements)
- Common claim“Clinically proven”The FTC says benefit claims generally need randomized, controlled human trials of the product, and testimonials never substantiate them. We found no such trial of this product. (FTC, Health Products Compliance Guidance)
- Common search“Does honey improve memory?”The list given to this site names no honey. This site did not review honey research, so it makes no claim about honey and memory. (NCCIH, Using Dietary Supplements Wisely)
Words as printed on the bottle render, or as searched.
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FAQ01
CogniHoney questions people ask
Does ginkgo biloba improve memory in healthy adults?
It is uncertain. NCCIH says it is unclear whether ginkgo influences cognitive performance in healthy people and that much research is low quality.
What was the GEM trial?
A study of 3,069 adults aged 75 or older who took 120 mg of ginkgo extract twice a day or placebo for a median of 6.1 years, with no difference in dementia.
Can ginkgo be taken with blood thinners?
Ask your prescriber or pharmacist first, because ginkgo may raise bleeding risk with anticoagulants such as warfarin.
Is the ginkgo in CogniHoney the same as in the trials?
The list names ginkgo biloba powder with no amount, while trials used a measured extract. The two cannot be matched.
Who wrote this02
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Pages built from the label, the seller checkout and linked NIH, FDA, FTC, CDC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is the information site for a U.S. authorized retailer of CogniHoney. It is not the manufacturer. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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