The Science of Focus: How Cognizin® Citicoline Supports Mental Performance

If your brain feels like it’s buffering during a Zoom call or wandering off mid-sentence, you’re not broken—you’re human.

Whether you're juggling a career, motherhood, a mile-long mental to-do list, or—let’s be real— all of the above , mental fog is the uninvited guest that just won’t take a hint. You're not imagining it. Focus, memory, and mental stamina are real struggles, especially when your bandwidth is maxed out. The good news? Science has a few tools that actually support brain health—and Cognizin ® Citicoline is one of the MVPs.

Let’s unpack what Cognizin ^® is, how it works, and why your brain might just want to send you a thank-you note for learning about it.

Cognizin ^® is a branded, clinically studied form of citicoline —a brain-health nutrient that naturally occurs in the body. Think of it as premium fuel for your mental engine. Citicoline is made up of two components: cytidine and choline , which are both critical for brain cell communication, energy, and repair.

In its Cognizin ^® form, citicoline has been shown in peer-reviewed research to:

• Improve attention and focus
  
  

• Support memory and recall
  
  

• Increase brain energy (ATP)
  
  

• Protect brain cells from free radical damage

Basically, it's like sending your brain to a spa retreat—but instead of a face mask and a cucumber water, it gets a boost in neurotransmitters, mental clarity, and energy.

Let’s talk hard data—because “mom brain” or “mental fatigue” might be common, but that doesn’t mean we have to settle for it.

Here’s what research says about Cognizin ^® :

• Boosts Brain Energy by 14%
  A double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that Cognizin ^® increased ATP (the brain’s energy currency) by 14% in the frontal lobe—the area responsible for focus, decision-making, and emotion regulation (1). So when you feel like your brain is buffering? That could be your ATP waving the white flag.
  
  

• Enhances Attention and Focus
  In a 28-day clinical trial, healthy women who supplemented with 250mg of Cognizin ^® daily showed improved attention and concentration based on the Continuous Performance Test II (CPT-II) (2).
  
  

• Supports Memory and Cognitive Function
  Another study in middle-aged adults found improvements in memory performance, visual learning, and executive function with 500mg of Cognizin ^® daily over 12 weeks (3).

These aren't vague “I think I feel better” outcomes. These are measurable improvements backed by brain scans, clinical tools, and peer-reviewed science.

Okay, let’s zoom out for a sec. It’s not just about having a better to-do list or remembering where you left your keys. For many women—especially moms— mental clarity is survival . It's how we function at work, at home, in relationships, and in our identities beyond the labels.

But here’s the kicker: women are disproportionately impacted by mental fatigue (4). Hormonal shifts (hi, postpartum and perimenopause), sleep deprivation, emotional labor, and stress all mess with our cognitive load. And spoiler alert—coffee isn’t fixing it.

That’s where targeted nutrients like Cognizin ^® come in. It’s not about doing more—it’s about giving your brain the tools it needs to do less scrambling and more thriving.

While everyone’s brain could use a little love, Cognizin ^® is especially beneficial if you:

• Feel mentally foggy or forgetful (hello, mom brain)
  
  

• Need sustained mental energy for work, caregiving, or creative projects
  
  

• Are dealing with stress, sleep deprivation, or hormone fluctuations
  
  

• Want cognitive support without relying on stimulants

It’s non-stimulating (no jitters here), vegan, and has a solid safety profile. Just check with your healthcare provider if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications!

While Cognizin ^® is a star player, it works best in a team. Here are some focus-supporting habits that play well together:

• Sleep (we know, easier said than done—especially if you’ve got tiny humans)
  
  

• Magnesium + B vitamins (found in She’s Thirsty) for neurotransmitter support
  
  

• Omega-3s to help with brain structure and inflammation
  
  

• Movement —even a 10-minute walk can boost brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), aka brain fertilizer
  
  

• Mindfulness or deep breathing to calm the mental chaos

The idea isn’t to be perfect—it’s to support your brain in the real life you’re living.

If you’re here, you probably know we’re picky (read: obsessed) about what we put in our products.

That’s why we created Clever Girl™ , our focus supplement, with Cognizin ® (and more). Whether you’re in the thick of postpartum, navigating hormone shifts, or just mentally juggling a million things (like always), Clever Girl™ is formulated to help your brain function feel less “???” and more “✨💡.”

Here’s what you’ll find inside:

• Cognizin ® Citicoline (250mg): The star of the show. Clinically studied to support mental energy, improve focus and attention, and boost memory performance—without the crash or stimulation of caffeine.*

• Rhodiolife ® Rhodiola Rosea: An adaptogenic herb known to help your body adapt to stress and fight fatigue. It pairs beautifully with Cognizin ^® to support mental stamina and clarity when life gets... a lot.*

• Lion’s Mane: This mushroom has traditionally been used for its cognitive benefits—think less frazzled, more flow.*

Because you deserve supplements that work—not just ones with pretty packaging and buzzy promises.

Your brain is doing a lot. Like, A LOT a lot. And while hustle culture tells us to “push through” and coffee culture tells us to “just caffeinate harder,” we’re here to tell you: there’s another way.

Cognizin ^® Citicoline is one of the few brain health ingredients that’s earned its stripes— supporting memory, focus, and brain energy in a way that’s both gentle and effective . It’s not about being superhuman. It’s about feeling like yourself again—even on the days when your toddler’s been up since 4am or you can’t remember why you walked into the kitchen.

So here’s your reminder:

You’re doing great. You’re allowed to need help. And science is 100% allowed to be part of your self-care toolkit.

1. Silveri MM, et al. (2008). "Citicoline enhances frontal lobe bioenergetics as measured by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy." NMR Biomed, 21(10):1066–75. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18816480/
   
   

2. McGlade E, et al. (2012). "Improved Attentional Performance Following Citicoline Administration in Healthy Adult Women." Food and Nutrition Sciences, Vol. 3, No. 6. https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=19921
   
   

3. Nakazaki, et al. (2021). "Citicoline and Memory Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial" Journal of Nutrition, 151(8):2153–2160. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8349115/

4. Mathis B. (2021). "The Intricate Web of Fatigue in Women." Women, 1(4):267–279. https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4184/1/4/23