Ginkgo Biloba in Neuro Recall: Memory Research, Dose and Safety
Quick answerGinkgo biloba leaf extract is second in the Neuro Recall blend, so a serving holds no more than 317.5 mg. The largest trial gave 3,069 older adults 120 mg twice a day for about 6 years. It found no drop in dementia or cognitive decline. Ginkgo may raise bleeding risk with blood thinners, so ask your doctor first.
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Ginkgo biloba at a glance
- Position on the label
- 2 of 10 in the 635 mg blend
- Amount per 2-capsule serving
- Up to 317.5 mg
- Doses used in studies
- 240 mg a day (120 mg twice daily) in GEM (Snitz et al., JAMA 2009)
- Share of the studied dose
- Could match; no dementia benefit found
- Also called
- Ginkgo biloba leaf
Ginkgo is the second item in the Neuro Recall blend, after cinnamon. The strip above shows its label-order ceiling beside the trial dose. It shares the blend with bacopa monnieri and eight other items.
What is ginkgo biloba?
Ginkgo biloba is a tree with fan-shaped leaves. Supplements use an extract made from the leaf. The leaf extract is the form studied in the big memory trial. Ginkgo seeds and raw leaves are not the same thing and are not in this product.
The Neuro Recall label lists Ginkgo Biloba (leaf) Extract. Unlike bacopa and green tea, the label gives no standard for the ginkgo extract. That means you cannot tell how strong it is from the bottle.
Does ginkgo biloba work for memory?
The strongest test says it does not prevent decline. The Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory study, called GEM, is the largest ginkgo trial. Older adults took ginkgo or placebo for about 6 years, and both groups declined at the same rate (Snitz et al., JAMA 2009).
Ginkgo also did not lower the number of people who developed dementia (NCCIH, Ginkgo). Smaller studies have looked at other uses, but the long trial is the one that best answers the memory question.
- 3,069older adults in the GEM trial
- 6.1years, median follow-up
- 240 mgginkgo a day in the trial
| Trial detail | GEM trial | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who took part | 3,069 adults aged 72 to 96 | (Snitz et al., JAMA 2009) |
| Dose | 120 mg ginkgo twice a day (240 mg a day) | (Snitz et al., JAMA 2009) |
| How long | A median of 6.1 years | (Snitz et al., JAMA 2009) |
| Comparison | Placebo capsules | (Snitz et al., JAMA 2009) |
| Result for thinking | No difference in cognitive decline | (Snitz et al., JAMA 2009) |
| Result for dementia | No difference in dementia rates | (NCCIH, Ginkgo) |
How much ginkgo is in Neuro Recall?
The exact amount is not printed. Ginkgo is second of ten items in a 635 mg blend. Label order means it can weigh no more than half the blend, or 317.5 mg per serving.
It also cannot weigh more than cinnamon, which is listed first. So the real figure may be well below the ceiling. Our blend chart shows the range for every item.
Honest note: the dose is not the problem
Many products fall short of the trial dose. Ginkgo is different, since the ceiling here is above the 240 mg used in GEM. The issue is that 240 mg a day for six years did not prevent decline.
So a matching dose would not promise a result. What it can offer is less clear than the marketing suggests. For a deeper look, read does ginkgo biloba help memory.
Bacopa monnieriAbout half at most
Ginkgo bilobaDose not the problem
The big ginkgo trial used 240 mg a day for about 6 years and still found no drop in dementia. (Snitz et al., JAMA 2009)
Vitamin B12100x the RDA
240 mcg is 100 times the 2.4 mcg adults need. It helps if you are low; extra is not shown to boost memory. (NIH ODS, Vitamin B12)
Whole blend635 mg for 10 items
Ten herbs and nutrients share 635 mg, so most can only be present in small amounts. (21 CFR 101.36)
What are the side effects of ginkgo?
The main concern NCCIH names is bleeding, especially with blood thinners (NCCIH, Ginkgo). Any new symptom after you start a supplement is worth noting for your doctor.
Headache
Stop if headaches start after you begin a new supplement, and tell your doctor.
Stomach upset
Taking capsules with a meal may help. Magnesium oxide in the base can also loosen stools.
Bruising or bleeding
New bruises, nosebleeds or bleeding gums are reasons to stop and call your doctor.
Ginkgo and blood thinners: why it matters
Ginkgo may raise the risk of bleeding when taken with blood thinners such as warfarin (NCCIH, Ginkgo). The same caution applies if you take aspirin or have a bleeding disorder.
Surgery and dental work are the other times to speak up. Tell your surgeon and dentist about every supplement, including this one. Never stop or change a prescribed blood thinner because of a supplement.
Who should avoid ginkgo?
Ask your doctor first, or do not use
- Anyone pregnant or nursing, as the label says
- People taking warfarin or other blood thinners
- People taking aspirin daily, unless the doctor agrees
- Anyone with a bleeding disorder
- Anyone with surgery or dental work coming up
Other items in the blend bring their own cautions, such as blood sugar effects. Our side effects page lists them all.
What has better evidence for memory than ginkgo?
Everyday habits have stronger support than any single herb. None of them needs a capsule, and most also help the heart. Our memory basics guide explains each one in more detail.
- 01
Sleep
Aim for regular, full nights. Poor sleep makes recall harder the next day.
- 02
Move
Walking and other activity on most days supports blood flow and mood.
- 03
Control blood pressure and blood sugar
Both affect the small blood vessels in the brain. Keep up with checkups.
- 04
Check hearing
Untreated hearing loss makes conversations tiring and isolating. A hearing test is simple.
- 05
Stay social
Regular contact with friends and family keeps the mind busy.
- 06
Test B12 if advised
A true B12 deficiency can cause memory problems, and it is treatable.
When memory changes need a doctor, not a supplement
Get checked
Memory loss that disrupts daily life, confusion with time or place and new trouble with words are signs to see a doctor (Alzheimer's Association, 10 warning signs). Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or numbness or weakness on one side means call 911 right away (CDC, Stroke signs).
Ginkgo biloba FAQ: questions people ask
Does ginkgo biloba work for memory?
The strongest evidence says no for preventing decline. In the GEM trial, 3,069 adults aged 72 to 96 took ginkgo or placebo for about 6 years, and memory and thinking declined at the same rate in both groups.
Does ginkgo biloba prevent dementia or Alzheimer's?
No. The GEM trial found no difference in dementia rates between ginkgo and placebo. NCCIH sums up the research the same way.
What is the ginkgo dose used in studies?
The GEM trial used 120 mg of ginkgo leaf extract twice a day, or 240 mg in total. No dose has been shown to prevent memory loss.
How much ginkgo is in Neuro Recall?
No more than 317.5 mg per 2-capsule serving. Ginkgo is second of ten in a 635 mg blend, and the real amount is not printed.
Can I take ginkgo with blood thinners?
Only if your doctor agrees. Ginkgo may raise bleeding risk with warfarin and other blood thinners, and aspirin is worth asking about too.
What are the side effects of ginkgo biloba?
The main concern in NCCIH's summary is bleeding risk, especially with blood thinners. Unusual bruising or bleeding is a reason to stop and call your doctor.
Should I stop ginkgo before surgery?
Tell your surgeon and dentist that you take it. Because of the bleeding concern, they may ask you to stop it ahead of the procedure.
Who should not take ginkgo?
People on blood thinners, those with a bleeding problem or upcoming surgery, and anyone pregnant or nursing should not start it without a doctor's advice.
How long does ginkgo take to work?
There is no proven timeline, because the long trials did not find a memory benefit. No trial has tested Neuro Recall itself.
Ready to try Neuro Recall?
2 capsules a day, 60 per bottle, with the full label shown on this site. Prices and refund terms appear on the checkout. On medicine or worried about memory? Talk to your doctor first.
