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Isolated phytochemicals & plant compounds

Berberine

Berberine / berberine chloride

Compare Berberine HCl products before price: 24 active listings include HCl offers alongside phytosome, combination, and non-equivalent dihydroberberine labels. Evidence is metabolic-marker context, not healthy-user focus or memory; medication use and pregnancy or lactation require a safety screen.

Cellular SupportGlucose MetabolismInsulin Sensitivity RelatedClinical ResearchLimited Human EvidenceMixed EvidenceForm Dependent Evidence
Updated August 2026/4 min read/11 citations
Reviewed by the NootropicsIndex editorial team.Method: prioritize cited human research and official safety or regulatory sources; compare retailer-listed prices without endorsing products.Affiliate disclosure
Extra caution

Who should avoid this or get expert review first

This is not a recommendation to use. These groups should treat the profile as a reason to slow down and verify safety, rules, and personal context.

  • Higher-risk groups10NCCIH advises against berberine during pregnancy or breastfeeding and advises that it not be given to infants. Newborn jaundice and kernicterus are specific concerns.
01

What is it?

Metabolic context, not a nootropic4
An umbrella review describes metabolic outcomes and a need for higher-quality trials. It does not establish berberine as a healthy-user focus, memory, or productivity supplement.
02

Names, aliases and forms

Common NameBerberine
Salt FormsBerberine HCl; Berberine chloride
Cas Numbers2086-83-1; 633-65-8
Molecular FormulasC20H18NO4+; C20H18ClNO4
InchikeysYBHILYKTIRIUTE-UHFFFAOYSA-N; VKJGBAJNNALVAV-UHFFFAOYSA-M
03

Mechanisms of action

Scope matters before price

3

Berberine and berberine chloride are related identity labels, while dihydroberberine is a distinct chemical entry. Combination and branded products can add further ingredients, so compare the named compound and complete formula before comparing listed milligrams or prices.

04

Potential effects and evidence map

Grade E for nootropic use. Reviews describe metabolic-marker outcomes, but do not establish healthy-user focus, memory, or productivity effects. That mismatch matters when comparing prices across non-equivalent labels.

Effect domainMagnitudeGrade
Focus / attention4
UnknownConfidence: High

Berberine is not established as an acute focus or attention supplement for healthy users.

Note The reviewed clinical context does not validate an acute nootropic positioning.

0/5
E
Memory / learning4
UnknownConfidence: High

Current evidence does not establish berberine as a healthy-user memory or learning supplement.

Note Keep price-comparison copy distinct from cognition marketing.

0/5
E
05

Timing & effect horizon

Effect horizonUnknown
Unknown
No validated acute cognitive timeline4

The clinical-review context concerns health outcomes and metabolic markers, not a validated same-day focus or memory effect. Do not use an acute-onset claim to compare offers.

06

Safety, side effects and risk profile

Interaction risk8
Confidence: Medium

A small healthy-volunteer study found that 2 weeks of repeated berberine changed CYP2D6, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 activity. Medication use needs pharmacist or clinician review because the result for an individual medicine cannot be assumed.

Note High targeted risk; this study does not predict every medicine interaction.

5/5
B
Pregnancy / lactation caution10
Confidence: High

NCCIH advises that people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use berberine, and it should not be given to infants.

Note Newborn bilirubin and kernicterus concerns underpin the infant caution.

5/5
C
GI discomfort10
Confidence: High

Oral berberine can cause abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

Note GI effects are the main general tolerability issue.

2/5
C
Tolerability10Commonly reported

NCCIH lists abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting among the most common oral berberine adverse effects.

07

Interactions and cautions

Targeted high risk8

In a small healthy-volunteer study, repeated berberine changed CYP2D6, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 activity. That does not predict every medicine outcome, but it supports discussing berberine with a pharmacist or clinician before use.

08

Legal and regulatory status

United States11

In the United States, as of 2026, FDA does not approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before marketing. A supplement product making a disease claim is subject to drug regulation; this U.S. explanation does not establish other countries' rules.

09

Practical buying and quality notes

  • The product finder includes Berberine HCl offers alongside phytosome, combination, and non-equivalent dihydroberberine labels. Compare the complete Supplement Facts panel and ingredient list, not the name or price alone.
  • Dihydroberberine is not a Berberine alias, and a blend or combination product can add ingredients beyond berberine. Check the named compound, amount per serving, and all active ingredients before comparing offers.
10

FAQ

Does metabolic research make Berberine a focus supplement?

4

No. The reviewed evidence addresses health and metabolic outcomes rather than healthy-user focus, memory, or productivity, so it should not be marketed as a direct nootropic.

11

References

  1. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 2353, Berberine.
  2. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 12456, Berberine chloride.
  3. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 10217, Dihydroberberine.
  4. Li Z, Wang Y, Xu Q, et al. Berberine and health outcomes: umbrella review. Phytother Res. 2023;37:2051-2066.
  5. Guo J, Chen H, Zhang X, et al. Berberine and metabolic profiles: systematic review and meta-analysis. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2021.
  6. Fogacci F, Grassi D, Rizzo M, Cicero AFG. Berberine-silymarin association: meta-analysis of randomized trials. Phytother Res. 2019.
  7. Nguyen JT, Tian DD, Tanna RS, et al. Natural product-drug interaction model predictions involving goldenseal and berberine. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2022.
  8. Guo Y, Chen Y, Tan ZR, et al. Repeated administration of berberine inhibits cytochromes P450 in humans. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2012;68:213-217.
  9. LactMed. Goldenseal. Revised May 2025.
  10. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. In the News: Berberine. Updated June 2023.
  11. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA 101: Dietary Supplements. Accessed August 2026.
Note

This page is informational and summarizes available evidence. It is not medical advice, a recommendation, or a substitute for guidance from a qualified clinician.