A name stuck on the tip of your tongue, forgetting where you left the keys… Slips in memory and focus tend to happen more often as we get older – and it’s a natural part of ageing. Taking care of sleep, regular exercise and a healthy diet can all help to support memory and concentration.
Brain Complex+ was developed by FutureYou Cambridge to bring extra support through a pioneering blend of natural ingredients with scientifically proven benefits for memory and cognition.
What's in Brain Complex+
Brain Complex+ includes a patented blend of Ginkgo biloba and phosphatidylserine called Virtiva® Plus, which makes Ginkgo biloba much easier to absorb than a standard extract, and Sharp PS®, a patented, soy-derived phosphatidylserine:
Ginkgo biloba is a botanical tree extract used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, now widely recognised for its benefits for cognition. Ginkgo leaf has been approved by the European Medicines Agency for use to improve age-related cognitive impairment and quality of life of adults with mild dementia.1
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a special type of fat called a phospholipid that's a building block of brain cell membranes. Phosphatidylserine plays a crucial role in the structure and function of the brain, including memory and processing.
It also includes Bacopa monnieri – an ancient herb used in traditional Indian medicine now researched for its positive effects on mental performance, plus bioavailable B vitamins and zinc, which support normal cognitive and nervous system function and protect cells from oxidative stress – a major factor in brain health.
What the research says it does
Faster thinking, improved focus – In a 30-day study published in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 61 participants given neuropsychological tests before and after taking Ginkgo biloba extract showed significant improvements in their thinking speed, memory and mental focus – enough to be noticed by the participants themselves.2
Improved memory – In a study of people with mild cognitive impairment aged 50-69 years, those who took 100mg of Sharp PS® phosphatidylserine daily for six months showed a significant improvement in memory scores that was still evident three months after they stopped taking the supplement.3
Feeling calmer – In a study published in Human Psychopharmacology, participants reported feeling calmer after taking Virtiva® Plus, while showing faster and more accurate responses to memory-based tasks compared to those taking Ginkgo alone or a placebo.4
A new study reveals how it works
The benefits of Ginkgo biloba and phosphatidylserine for memory and cognition have long been recognised but, until now, how they support them hasn’t been understood, simply because neurochemical interactions are hard to study in people.
In 2026, in the first-ever study of its kind, researchers conducted an in vitro study of Virtiva® Plus in the lab to investigate the mechanistic effects of a combination of Ginkgo biloba and phosphatidylserine.5 Here’s what they found:
It boosts neurotransmitter activity
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that allow neurons to communicate, transmitting signals essential for movement, thought, sensation, and emotion. Lab tests confirmed that Virtiva® Plus elevated activity levels in:
Acetylcholine – important for memory and learning
Serotonin – helps regulate mood and calm
Dopamine – drives motivation and pleasure
It protects against brain cell damage
Our brain cells get damaged over time by oxidation, often compared to ‘rust’ on a molecular level, caused by stress, ageing and pollution. Researchers found that the Ginkgo biloba and phosphatidylserine in Virtiva® Plus work together to protect brain cells directly, thanks to their combined antioxidant properties.
Tests showed that Virtiva® Plus helps reduce cell damage and death, keeps cells in a normal, healthy shape, and helps to maintain high levels of BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor). BDNF is a protein that helps the brain repair itself, and is important for long-term memory.
It’s completely safe
Even at high concentrations, Virtiva® Plus showed no signs of being toxic to cells. Both Ginkgo biloba and phosphatidylserine already have a strong safety record and are widely used.
“What’s exciting about Brain Complex+ is that it works on multiple fronts at once, supporting how brain cells communicate, helping protect them from everyday stress, and maintaining the systems involved in memory and focus,” says Dr Miriam Ferrer, PhD, Head of Product development at FutureYou Cambridge. “This research shows that combining Ginkgo and phospholipids make them even more effective for cognitive health than they are alone.”
References
1.European Medicines Agency: Ginkgo folium – herbal medicinal product
2. Stough C, Clarke J, Lloyd J, Nathan PJ. Neuropsychological changes after 30-day Ginkgo biloba administration in healthy participants. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2001;4(2):131-134.
3. Kato-Kataoka A, Sakai M, Ebina R, Nonaka C, Asano T, Miyamori T. Soybean-derived phosphatidylserine improves memory function of the elderly Japanese subjects with memory complaints. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2010;47(3):246-255.
4. Kennedy DO, Haskell CF, Mauri PL, Scholey AB. Acute cognitive effects of standardised Ginkgo biloba extract complexed with phosphatidylserine. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2007;22(4):199-210.
5. Kara M, Hasbal-Celikok G, Gómez-Serranillos P, et al (2026) In vitro studies to investigate the potential neuroprotective and neurotransmitter modulation effects of a standardized Ginkgo biloba extract associated with phosphatidylserine. Front. Nutr. 13:1764334.
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