VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS · PREGNANCY
Nootropics in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: What Official Bodies Say
What the NHS, EFSA, Health Canada, NCCIH and reviews say about caffeine, ginkgo and other brain supplements in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and where proper evidence is missing.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Back to NootropicsFirst: ask your midwife, doctor or pharmacist
If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding, the FDA recommends talking to your health care provider about whether you need to limit caffeine. [1] Do the same before any brain or memory supplement. For a poisoning or overdose emergency in the US, call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. This page is information only and gives no amounts to take.The short answer
Caffeine is the only "nootropic" ingredient where we found official pregnancy and breastfeeding figures. For most other ingredients marketed for focus or memory, Proper evidence not found: our PubMed searches on 23 October 2026 returned no records for citicoline, alpha-GPC or huperzine in pregnancy, and the one Bacopa review we read says more research is needed on safety, especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women. [2] NCCIH says many dietary supplements haven't been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers, or children. [3] Lack of evidence is not proof of safety.Caffeine: official figures side by side
| Body (country, year) | Group | Published figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHS (UK, 2026) | Pregnancy | Not more than 200 mg of caffeine a day. [4] | Says too much caffeine has been linked to a higher chance of miscarriage and stillbirth. [4] |
| NHS (UK, 2026) | Breastfeeding | No more than 200 mg a day. [5] | Caffeine can reach the baby through breast milk; babies respond differently. [5] |
| EFSA (EU, 2015) | Pregnant and lactating women | Intakes from all sources up to 200 mg a day do not raise safety concerns for the foetus. [6] | For all sources, including supplements. |
| Health Canada (2025) | Pregnant, planning pregnancy, breastfeeding | 300 mg a day. [7] | A different figure from the NHS and EFSA. |
| ACOG (US, 2010, reaffirmed 2026) | Pregnancy | Moderate consumption (less than 200 mg a day) does not appear to be a major contributing factor in miscarriage or preterm birth. [8] | Growth restriction remains undetermined. [8] |
These are published limits for stated groups, not targets. The NHS lists tablets and some health or fitness supplements among sources of caffeine. [4] MedlinePlus says caffeine passes through the placenta and a small amount passes to a breastfed baby. [9] The NHS says there is not enough information to say how much caffeine is too much while breastfeeding and that babies respond differently. [5] More detail: caffeine in pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and teens.
Ginkgo
NCCIH says ginkgo may be unsafe during pregnancy and might cause early labor or extra bleeding during delivery if used near that time. [10] It says little is known about safety while breastfeeding. [10] A review found weak evidence from animal and test-tube studies of antiplatelet activity that may matter in labour, and said the safety of ginkgo leaf in lactation is unknown. [11] The same review mentions past reports of ginkgo products adulterated with colchicine. [11] See ginkgo for memory.Medicines, conditions and product quality
Supplements may interact with medicines or pose risks with certain medical problems or surgery. [3] Read medication interactions. The FDA warns that products claiming to help with health issues are not reviewed by it and could contain dangerous hidden ingredients. [13] See quality testing and certifications. Broader guidance is in pregnancy and breastfeeding safety and pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding wellness.Frequently asked questions
Is caffeine OK in pregnancy?
The NHS says no more than 200 mg a day, EFSA says up to 200 mg from all sources raises no concern for the foetus, and Health Canada gives 300 mg. [4][6][7] Ask your clinician.
Is caffeine OK while breastfeeding?
The NHS recommends no more than 200 mg a day and says caffeine can reach your baby through breast milk. [5]
Is ginkgo safe in pregnancy?
NCCIH says it may be unsafe in pregnancy and might cause early labor or extra bleeding near delivery. [10]
Are other brain supplements safe in pregnancy?
Proper evidence not found for most. NCCIH notes many supplements haven't been tested in pregnant women or nursing mothers. [3]
Who should I ask?
A midwife, doctor or pharmacist, who can check the product and your medicines. [1]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Other ingredients: what we did not find
| Ingredient | What we looked for | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Bacopa | Human safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding | A 2025 review says further research is needed, especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women. [2] |
| Citicoline, alpha-GPC, huperzine A | PubMed search with "pregnancy" or "lactation" | 0 records. Proper evidence not found. |
| L-theanine | PubMed search "L-theanine pregnancy safety" | 1 record, not about pregnancy. Proper evidence not found. |
| Herbs in general | Review of herbs in pregnancy | Data on other herbs are heterogeneous with conflicting results, and all herbal products should be used with special caution in pregnancy. [12] |
Vinpocetine has its own page: vinpocetine regulatory status and pregnancy warning. Choline is an essential nutrient with its own guidance; see choline and choline and the brain. Details on Bacopa and L-theanine are on their pages.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?, content current as of 28 August 2024. Read 2026-10-23.
- Gościniak A et al. Bacopa monnieri: preclinical and clinical evidence of neuroactive effects, safety of use and the search for improved bioavailability. Nutrients 2025. PubMed 40507208. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Using Dietary Supplements Wisely, updated January 2019. Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS (UK), Foods to avoid in pregnancy, page last reviewed 15 June 2026. Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS (UK), Breastfeeding and diet, page last reviewed 15 May 2026. Read 2026-10-23.
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Caffeine (topic page summarizing the 2015 scientific opinion on the safety of caffeine). Read 2026-10-23.
- Health Canada, Caffeine in food, page details dated 2025-04-02. Read through a web-fetch tool, not by direct download. Read 2026-10-23.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Moderate Caffeine Consumption During Pregnancy, Committee Opinion 462, August 2010, reaffirmed 2026. Read 2026-10-23.
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), Caffeine. The copy we read showed no review date. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Ginkgo: Usefulness and Safety, updated February 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- Safety and efficacy of ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) during pregnancy and lactation. Can J Clin Pharmacol 2006. PubMed 17085776. Read 2026-10-23.
- Herbal Medicines: Are They Effective and Safe during Pregnancy? Pharmaceutics 2022. PubMed 35057067. Read 2026-10-23.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Avoiding Products Contaminated with Hidden Ingredients, content current as of 10 June 2025. Read 2026-10-23.