Ingredient Evidence Review
Sulforaphane
Sulforaphane (broccoli seed extract)
Last updated 2026-05-19 · 4 primary citations
Mechanism
Sulforaphane is the compound that gives broccoli sprouts their reputation. It switches on your body's main antioxidant defense gene (called Nrf2) — flipping a master switch that produces dozens of protective enzymes at once. Especially relevant for brain inflammation and the cellular damage that accumulates with age.
Why we use it
If you want one ingredient that turns up your body's own anti-aging defenses rather than adding a single antioxidant from outside, this is it. The 2022 trial showed 12 weeks of sulforaphane improved processing speed and mood in healthy older adults.
How we dose it
Hericea uses 25 mg per serving (per PM packet). The clinical trial range that anchors this dose is 10–30 mg/day.
25 mg of broccoli-seed extract that delivers sulforaphane — one of the most studied food-derived compounds for brain protection. Includes the natural enzyme (myrosinase) needed for your body to convert it.
Quality & sourcing
TrueBroc® or equivalent. ≥8% glucoraphanin + active myrosinase enzyme.
Broccoli seed extract with intact myrosinase; not isolated sulforaphane (unstable).
Primary literature
Shiina A et al. (2022)
Front Aging NeurosciRCT · 144 people · 12 weeks · Healthy older adults
Sulforaphane for 12 weeks improved processing speed (~5%) and reduced total mood disturbance vs placebo.
Largest human cognition trial of sulforaphane to date. Cohort matches the 55+ memory-protection use case.
DOI 10.3389/fnagi.2022.929628
Schepici G et al. (2020)
Int J Mol SciReview
Reviewed sulforaphane's protective mechanisms in Alzheimer's-related brain damage.
Preclinical mechanism support for the brain-protection use case.
Yagishita Y et al. (2019)
Mol PharmacolMechanism
Documents exactly how sulforaphane flips the Nrf2 antioxidant master-switch.
The mechanism paper — explains the cascade your body's own defenses run after one dose.
Tarozzi A et al. (2013)
Oxid Med Cell LongevComprehensive review
Reviewed sulforaphane's role in protecting brain cells from oxidative damage.
Single source for the full neuroprotective evidence base.