Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Supplements studied for traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Overview
Vitamin D carries the strongest evidence among supplements for traumatic brain injury, with medium ratings from one study. A single 300,000 IU intramuscular dose given early after moderate to severe injury was associated with lower inflammation at three days and better brain function scores at seven days.
Boswellia, Melatonin, Ginger, and N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) carry low ratings. Boswellia may improve memory and thinking in some recovery trials. Melatonin did not improve concussion symptoms in children. Ginger has only been tested combined with boswellia. NAC lowered brain damage markers in one study but needs confirmation. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
| Vitamin D | ★★★★★ | Medium |
| Taurine | ★★★★★ | Low |
| N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Ginger | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Boswellia | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Panax Ginseng | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Melatonin | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
7 supplements for and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Vitamin DView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- A study tested the effect of a single large dose of vitamin D3 (300,000 IU) given by muscle injection to patients with moderate to severe brain injuries.
- Three days after, those who received vitamin D had lower levels of inflammation compared to those who did not.
- After seven days, the vitamin D group showed better scores in brain function tests and recovery.
- This suggests that a high dose of vitamin D early after brain injury may reduce inflammation and help recovery.
Browse 1 study
RCTInvestigating the Effect of High-Dose Vitamin D3 Administration on Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients with Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized Clinical Trial2024
An RCT in moderate-severe TBI patients found a single IM dose of 300,000 IU vitamin D3 reduced IL-1β and IL-6 and improved GCS versus control.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 300000 IU/day
- Population
- Patients
BoswelliaView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- A 2022 clinical trial found that taking Boswellia extract (K-Vie™) helped improve memory and thinking skills in people recovering from traumatic brain injury.
- These improvements were seen across several mental performance tests.
- Another study from 2013 also suggested Boswellia could support better daily functioning and self-care, although overall results were not statistically significant.
Browse 2 studies
RCTBoswellia serrata extract shows cognitive benefits in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial in individuals who suffered traumatic brain injury2022n=46
In 46 adults with traumatic brain injury 3 months to 3 years prior, K-Vie™ boswellic acids for 3 months significantly improved RAVLT, digit symbol, and trail-making cognitive test performance versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 3 months
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 46
RCTThe effect of Boswellia serrata on neurorecovery following diffuse axonal injury2013n=20
In 38 patients with diffuse axonal injury in a 12-week crossover study, Boswellia serrata showed no significant overall disability improvement, but cognitive self-care scores improved when patients were on Boswellia in one subgroup analysis.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 6 weeks
- Population
- DAI patients
- Participants
- 20
GingerView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- So far, ginger has only been studied together with other ingredients, not on its own, so we don’t know if it helps by itself.
- In one small study of young adults with memory problems after a mild head injury, a supplement that combined ginger and boswellia improved some, but not all, memory test results compared with a placebo.
- People taking the supplement improved by about 7.5 points, while those on placebo improved by about 4 points.
- It’s unclear whether the benefits came from ginger, boswellia, or the combination.
Browse 1 study
RCTEffect of a Boswellia and Ginger Mixture on the Memory Dysfunction of the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Trial2022n=108
In 100 mild traumatic brain injury patients, a Boswellia-ginger mixture (Memoral) for 1 month significantly improved memory test scores versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 1 month
- Dose
- 36 mg/day
- Population
- Adults with mTBI
- Participants
- 108
- Avg age
- 37±15
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)View supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- A study in patients with moderate to severe brain injury found that taking high doses of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) early after injury helped lower markers of brain damage and inflammation.
- However, more studies are needed.
Browse 1 study
RCTRepurposing of high-dose N-acetylcylsteine as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective agent in moderate to severe traumatic brain injury patients: a randomized controlled trial2025n=40
An open-label RCT in 40 women with moderate-to-severe TBI within 24 h found high-dose NAC improved some biochemical inflammatory markers but clinical outcome gains were limited.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 7 days
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 40
TaurineView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is unclear if taking taurine by mouth helps people with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- One small study in adults found that adding taurine to feeding for 2 weeks slightly improved how severe their condition was, but did not shorten time on a ventilator, days in intensive care, or reduce death rates compared to usual care.
Browse 1 study
RCTThe effects of Taurine supplementation on inflammatory markers and clinical outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury: a double-blind randomized controlled trial2021n=32
An RCT of 32 TBI patients found that 30 mg/kg/day taurine for 14 days significantly reduced IL-6, improved Glasgow Coma Scale scores, and reduced weight loss versus control, though ICU stay and mortality were unchanged.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 14 days
- Dose
- 30 mg/kg
- Population
- Patients with traumatic brain injury
- Participants
- 32
Panax GinsengView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is not clear if taking Panax ginseng helps with tiredness and weakness after mild traumatic brain injury.
- In a small study, adults who took Panax ginseng showed improvements in nerve function and symptoms compared to before treatment.
- More research with comparison groups is needed.
Browse 1 study
REHABILITATION OF PATIENTS WITH LONG-TERM AFTEREFFECTS OF MILD COMBAT TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY2022n=42
In 42 veterans with mild combat TBI, Korean red ginseng improved autonomic nervous system indices, urinary catecholamines, melatonin, and mood on the HAM scale.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Patients with LONG-TERM AFTEREFFECTS OF MILD COMBAT TRAUMATIC BR
- Participants
- 42
- Ages
- 4–6
MelatoninView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is unclear if melatonin helps children recover after a concussion.
- One clinical trial found that taking melatonin for 28 days did not improve symptoms compared to a placebo.
- Another study also found no link between melatonin use and better recovery.
- These studies were small and only followed children for a short time, so more research is needed.
Browse 2 studies
RCTEfficacy of Melatonin in Children With Postconcussive Symptoms: A Randomized Clinical Trial2020n=99
An RCT of 99 children with persistent postconcussive symptoms found 3 or 10 mg melatonin for 28 days did not improve symptom scores vs placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 10 mg
- Population
- Children/adolescents
- Participants
- 99
- Ages
- 8–18
Sleep Problems and Melatonin Prescription After Concussion Among Youth Athletes2020n=25
A longitudinal study of 225 concussed youth athletes found melatonin prescription was not associated with faster symptom recovery despite higher baseline symptom severity in those with sleep problems.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Female athletes
- Participants
- 25
- Ages
- 8–18
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.
| Supplement | DEX | Studies | Meta-analyses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boswellia | ★★★★★44% | 2 | 0 | 22% |
| Melatonin | ★★★★★32% | 2 | 0 | 22% |
| Ginger | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 11% |
| N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 11% |
| Panax Ginseng | ★★★★★40% | 1 | 0 | 11% |
| Taurine | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 11% |
| Vitamin D | ★★★★★56% | 1 | 0 | 11% |