Can Jellyfish Protein Improve Your Memory? The Producers Of This Pill Say Yes

The latest superfood is inspired by deep-sea creatures. Prevagen is a new FDA-approved supplement that claims to help boost brain function and induce clearer thinking and a sharper mind.One of the main ingredients in the pill is apoaequorin, a protein found in a type of bioluminescent jellyfish, according to Forbes.

Although Prevagen's producer Quincy Bioscience claims that the chemical (along with the rest of the supplement) will help your memory, you may want to approach these tentacles tentatively. After all, according to Forbes, the protein could be unlikely to work on human brains.

Although Quincy Bioscience claims that the brain-boosting powers of this super protein are "backed by scientific studies," none have been peer reviewed. The FDA has also been skeptical of Prevagen and sent them a warning letter in 2012, saying that the pill should be marketed as a drug, rather than a dietary supplement, since the apoaequorin chemical  is no longer taken from actual jellyfish, but produced synthetically.

Forbes contacted Quincy Bioscience, and the company would not state outright that the pill could provide benefits to people suffering from dementia, Alzheimer's, or other major memory disorders.

"Prevagen is intended to assist people with mild memory issues related to aging," Mark Underwood, the president of Quincy Bioscience said. "Prevagen is not a pharmaceutical, nor is it approved by the FDA for the treatment of any neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, etc.). We do not wish to confuse mild memory loss related to aging with Alzheimer's disease or dementia in our