What Is It Like to Take Ginkgo Biloba for Memory

GoodRx Health

Ginkgo biloba is a dietary supplement made from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree - one of the oldest living tree species in the world.

Ginkgo biloba extracts are full of antioxidants and have been widely used in Chinese traditional medicine for hundreds of years. Today, ginkgo biloba is one of the most popular supplements in the world.

While there are conflicting studies, some researchers have found that ginkgo biloba has a positive effect on memory and cognition, particularly in people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. It's also been found to improve blood circulation, reduce anxiety and improve vision problems connected to eye conditions, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration.

Three people who take ginkgo biloba shared their experience with GoodRx.

She hoped it would help for memory loss after a concussion

Grayce McCormick began taking ginkgo biloba in 2018 on the advice of her doctor.

"My neurologist recommended it," Grayce says. "I have mild cognitive impairment - memory loss - from a concussion I received after getting hit by a tractor-trailer."

Grayce, a producer and publicist in her mid-50s who splits her time between Los Angeles and Milwaukee, was also interested in the supplement because her great-grandfather had Alzheimer's disease, and she's seeing signs of dementia in her mother, who turns 80 this year.

Though she's been taking 120 mg of ginkgo biloba with food every morning for years, Grayce says it's hard to tell if the supplement is having any positive effects on her memory.

"I'm not sure if it helps, because I also have been dealing with menopause and brain fog around menopause," she says.

Still, she says she'd recommend it to others who are curious, as she's had no negative side effects. But she advises to "check with your general practitioner before taking any supplements."

This is particularly sage advice for ginkgo biloba, since it can have interactions with some prescription medications, such as blood thinners and oral diabetes medications.

He takes it for mental clarity, following his father's advice

Though Jim Hughes may be 65, he proves that one is never too old to take advice from their father.

"[My Dad] started taking ginkgo biloba after having several strokes in the mid-90s," Jim says. "He was a no-nonsense guy, and if he saw a benefit to taking something, that was quite the endorsement in my book."

Jim started taking ginkgo biloba himself about 11 years ago to see if it would help his cognition and memory.

"I began taking it in 2013 and felt a little stronger mentally and a little less foggy," says the owner of a public relations firm in Los Angeles. Recently, he became curious if the ginkgo biloba was actually the cause of his mental clarity.

"I stopped taking it for several weeks to see if there was a difference, and there was," Jim says. "I seemed to feel a little slower on getting information out of my head - just a minor lag, but it was definitely there."

When he started taking the supplement again, he felt sharper once more.

"Totally unscientific," he admits. "But hey, I'm 65, and I need all the horsepower I can get."

For her, cognitive benefits were a bonus

A few years ago, Tara Phillippi, a 51-year-old teacher from Cromwell, Connecticut, started hearing from her friends that ginkgo biloba was a good supplement to take for overall health.

"They said it helped with inflammation, and I had a lot of pain in my legs," she says, so she thought the supplement was worth a shot.

After taking 40 mg twice a day, she noticed improvement in her leg pain - and other benefits, as well. "I think it helped with my [cognition] overall, because I wasn't in so much pain," she says. "I could focus better and concentrate better."

While some people have reported stomach upset, dizziness, and headaches when they take ginkgo biloba, Tara didn't experience any negative side effects.

"I would recommend this supplement," she says. "It did help me, and there are other benefits to it, also."

What does the pharmacist say?

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Pharmacy Editor

Ginkgo biloba is a popular over-the-counter supplement that's often taken to improve memory. It's not an FDA-approved treatment, but some studies show that taking ginkgo biloba may help prevent inflammation and nerve damage caused by Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. However, most studies on ginkgo biloba involve animals, not humans, so there's still a lot we don't know about its actual benefits.

The most common ginkgo biloba dosages are 40 mg three times a day or 80 mg twice a day. Taking more than 240 mg per day isn't recommended. And you shouldn't give ginkgo biloba to children. Look for a ginkgo biloba product that contains a standardized extract called EGb 761. It's the form of ginkgo biloba that's been studied the most. Keep in mind that it may take 4 to 6 weeks to notice any benefit from taking ginkgo biloba.

In most cases, ginkgo biloba is well tolerated. The most common side effects include headache, nausea, and dizziness. More serious side effects include heart palpitations, an increased bleeding risk, and seizures. Ginkgo biloba can also interact with prescription medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), nifedipine (Procardia), and oral diabetes medications. It's best to talk to a healthcare professional to make sure ginkgo biloba is safe for you before starting it.

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