Blackmores Brain Active
Blackmores Brain Active is recommended.
Blackmores Brain Active was a pharmacy-shelf supplement in Australia with one active ingredient: Longvida® turmeric extract, 400mg per capsule (80mg curcumin), one capsule daily with breakfast (blackmores.com.au product page, archived 2015-01-13 and 2019-04-09). It is now discontinued. Our earlier copy cited AUST L 246877; 246877 does not resolve on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) (HTTP 404 and no row in either TGA database, checked 2026-10-06). TGA's cancellations-by-sponsor database lists ARTG 227270, cancelled 18 September 2014, sponsor Blackmores Limited, and a second entry, ARTG 227319, cancelled 17 May 2021 (Blackmores Ltd); the ARTG search returned no current entry (searched 2026-10-06). Correction (2026-10-09): an earlier version of this review listed a Bacopa, Ginkgo, B-vitamin and iodine formula that the product never had.
What it does
Blackmores is Australia's largest naturopathic supplement company, founded in 1932 by chiropractor Maurice Blackmore. Brain Active was one of their cognitive products, with one active ingredient: Longvida® turmeric extract (Curcuma longa dry concentrate), 400mg per capsule, equivalent to 5.4g dry rhizome and 80mg curcumin, sold in packs of 30 capsules ($27.99 on blackmores.com.au, archived 2015-01-13). TGA's cancellations-by-sponsor database lists its Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) entry 227270, cancelled 18 September 2014, sponsor Blackmores Limited, and a second entry, ARTG 227319, cancelled 17 May 2021 (Blackmores Ltd); the ARTG search returned no current entry (searched 2026-10-06). No DTC subscription model. Daily 1-capsule format reduces friction.
How it works
Curcumin is the main active compound in turmeric. Longvida is a solid lipid curcumin formulation that Blackmores described as an optimised form of curcumin. Two placebo-controlled trials by the same research group tested 400mg Longvida daily (80mg curcumin) in healthy older adults: Cox et al. 2015 (J Psychopharmacol; 60 adults aged 60-85) found better sustained attention and working memory one hour after a dose, and better working memory and less fatigue after 4 weeks; Cox et al. 2020 (Nutrients; 80 adults aged 50-80) found better working memory at 12 weeks and lower fatigue scores at 4 and 12 weeks. The 2020 trial was funded by Verdure Sciences, which makes Longvida.
What to expect
Based on the two Longvida trials: possible effects on working memory and fatigue over 4 to 12 weeks of daily use, plus attention and working-memory effects one hour after a dose in the 2015 trial. Both trials studied healthy adults aged 50 to 85; neither tested younger adults. In the 2020 trial, blood glucose was higher in the curcumin group than with placebo. The product is discontinued, so this describes what the formula offered, not a product you can buy.
Hero ingredients
- Curcumin (Longvida®)
Who it's for
- One fully disclosed active ingredient, at the 400mg Longvida dose used in two placebo-controlled trials
- One capsule a day
- Caffeine-free
Who should skip
- Discontinued: no longer listed on blackmores.com.au or at Chemist Warehouse, and its ARTG entries were cancelled
- Evidence is two small trials from one research group, in healthy adults aged 50-85; the 2020 trial was funded by Longvida's maker
- In the 2020 trial, blood glucose was higher with curcumin than with placebo
Dosing audit
| Ingredient | Label | Clinical | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curcumin (Longvida® turmeric extract) | 400mg (80mg curcumin) | 400mg/day (Longvida) | ✓ Pass |
Ingredient quality
Number and quality of evidence-graded ingredients. Trademarked extracts and standardized actives raise this score.
Dosing vs. clinical evidence
The share of ingredients with a reference dose on our ingredient pages whose label-stated daily amount meets that page's minimum. Amounts the label hides (blend shares) or states on a different basis count as not met; ingredients with no reference page are listed but not scored.
Formula transparency
Full disclosure of every ingredient at its exact dose. Proprietary blends are scored as opaque.
Value for money
Cost per month relative to per-serving clinical doses delivered. Cheaper products with underdoses score lower.
Not scored. Value is not scored: the product is discontinued, so there is no current price to measure value against. The overall score is the weighted average of the four scored pillars.
Brand trust
Brand reputation, third-party testing, refund track record, and Trustpilot signal across multiple years.
How the score is computed
Each pillar is weighted by editorial importance. Weights are constant across every brand we audit — they're not adjusted to favour any particular product.
- Ingredient quality25%
- Dosing vs. clinical evidence30%
- Formula transparency20%
- Value for money15%
- Brand trust10%
No Trustpilot profile
Blackmores (Sydney, AU) doesn't have an active Trustpilot listing — this is common for Amazon-only sellers, marketplace brands, and regional pharmacy chains.
The Trust pillar in our editorial score still applies and reflects brand reputation, third-party testing, and refund track record.
Head-to-head
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Health disclaimer
Therapeutic goods available in Australia are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). AUST L–listed products carry pre-approved permitted indications; AUST R–registered products are higher-evidence. Imported products without TGA listing are not assessed by Australian regulators. This page is editorial, not promotional, and does not constitute medical advice. Always read the label and follow directions for use. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement.