Ancient Herb Boosts Brain Power

If you’ve been noticing slips in your memory, then you know it’s not just inconvenient.

Forgetting your grocery list or getting turned around while following directions can feel downright scary.

Mild cognitive impairment can be an early sign of dementia—and that’s a slippery slope no one wants to face.

Fortunately, scientists have identified an ancient medicinal herb that has proven to enhance memory and cognition in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

Ashwagandha is already well-known for reducing stress and anxiety. But this brain-boosting herb also has neuroprotective effects may help fight early cognitive decline.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 40 adults with mild cognitive impairment received either 250 mg of an ashwagandha extract or a placebo daily for 60 days.

This particular extract contained one of the herb’s biologically active compounds, Sominone, which is a key reason for ashwagandha’s memory benefits.

After just 30 days, the ashwagandha group showed notable gains in several cognitive measures—and the improvements kept climbing.

After 60 days, the ashwagandha group experienced a…

• 32 percent improvement in spatial reasoning, which has to do with the ability to rearrange objects in your mind, such as when packing a suitcase or following a map.
• Seven percent boost in immediate memory—the kind you use to briefly recall a phone number or license plate.
• 18 percent improvement in working memory, which involves processing and manipulating information, such as remembering steps when given multi-step directions.
• 15 percent improvement in their MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) scores, which are used to detect mild cognitive impairment and early signs of dementia.
• 19 percent improvement in their MCAA (Mini-Mental State Examination) scores, which are used to screen for cognitive impairment, particularly in older adults.

In animal studies, Sominone enhanced neural connections, improved spatial memory, reduced brain shrinkage, and reversed memory deficits caused by brain-cell damage. All of this points ashwagandha’s power to support your brain’s communication network.

If you decide to try ashwagandha, I hope you experience the same dramatic benefits as well. But don’t stop there.

If you’re experiencing memory lapses or mild cognitive impairment, schedule an appointment with your doctor to see if there’s an underlying issue that should be addressed.

While supplements like ashwagandha can be helpful, I only recommend using them in addition to critical lifestyle changes (like a healthy diet, plenty of movement, plenty of sleep, and managing stress)—not as a replacement for them.

P.S. Do this 2x a week to FREEZE cognitive decline in its tracks.

View Sources

Rai HP, Mishra DN. Effect of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract with Sominone (Somin-On™) to improve memory in adults with mild cognitive impairment: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 2025;39(4):350-363.