Short answer: Ginkgo Biloba and Vinpocetine both act on cerebral microcirculation — the small vessels that feed the brain, mattering most in age-related vascular decline.
Why circulation matters as a foundational, not headline, mechanism
Better blood flow means better oxygen and nutrient delivery to neurons — a supportive, foundational contribution rather than the formula's most direct memory claim.
Why Ginkgo's evidence is graded honestly as "moderate," not "strong"
NIH NCCIH characterises the evidence as mixed — modest short-term cognitive benefits, but the large GEM Study of 3,000+ older adults over 6 years found no reduction in dementia risk.
⚠️ Worth knowing: discontinue Ginkgo 2 weeks before any surgery, given its blood-thinning effect.