How long does the Braverman test take?

Full mode includes all 315 original questions and takes approximately 20 minutes. Quick mode uses roughly 52 algorithmically selected questions and takes about 5 minutes. Both modes produce dominance and deficiency scores across all four neurotransmitters.

Free Braverman Neurotransmitter Assessment

Q: How accurate is the Braverman assessment?

The Braverman assessment is a behavioral proxy rather than a blood draw, so it reflects subjective symptom patterns rather than laboratory biomarker levels. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Neurorestoratology found support for the neurotransmitter-personality connection underlying the test. Accuracy depends heavily on honest, self-aware responses. It is best used as a directional guide, not a clinical diagnosis.

Q: What neurotransmitters does it measure?

The assessment measures four primary neurotransmitters: dopamine (drive, motivation, and reward), acetylcholine (creativity, memory, and processing speed), GABA (calm, stability, and stress resilience), and serotonin (mood, sleep, and emotional well-being). Your results show both your dominant nature and any deficiency patterns.

Q: Is the Braverman test scientifically validated?

The Braverman test is based on clinical observations correlating neurotransmitter activity with behavioral and cognitive patterns. A 2020 review published in Frontiers in Psychiatry confirms the role of neurotransmitter dysregulation in mood and cognitive disorders, supporting the biological premise behind the assessment. However, it is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument.

Q: Can I retake the assessment?

Yes. Retaking the assessment every 3 to 6 months is recommended to track changes in your neurotransmitter balance over time, especially after implementing dietary, supplement, or lifestyle interventions. Comparing results across sessions helps you see which protocols are working.

Q: How is this different from MBTI or Big Five?

Unlike MBTI or Big Five personality tests that categorize behavioral traits, the Braverman assessment maps results to underlying brain chemistry. This means it produces actionable supplement and lifestyle recommendations, not just personality labels. Research also shows that roughly 50% of people receive a different MBTI type upon retesting, whereas neurotransmitter patterns tend to be more physiologically stable.

Q: What should I do with my results?

Start with your deficiency scores, which identify the neurotransmitters most in need of support. The results include tiered protocols (Minor, Moderate, and Major deficiency) with specific supplement, nutrition, and lifestyle recommendations for each level. Implement changes for 2 to 4 weeks, then reassess to measure progress.

The Braverman test is a neurotransmitter assessment developed by Dr. Eric Braverman, based on his 2005 book The Edge Effect. It measures your relative levels of four brain chemicals: dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA, and serotonin. Each one shapes how you think, feel, and perform. Get instant, personalized results with tiered supplement protocols. No email required.

What You’ll Get

Complete the assessment to unlock your full brain chemistry profile. Here’s a sample of what your results look like.

Your Neurotransmitter Profile

Dopamine

Drive & Motivation

Acetylcholine

Creativity & Memory

GABA

Calm & Stability

Serotonin

Mood & Connection

Strong Signal

You lean Dopamine

Difference to next type: 4 true answers. Close second: GABA.

Top Deficiency

⚠ Serotonin: Moderate

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Personalized Guidance Cards

Serotonin: How to Rebalance Deficiency

Early signs: Burnout, more cravings, light sleep, reduced clear thinking.

Physical: Carb/salt cravings, night sweats, GI changes, headaches, weight changes.

Personality: Isolation, anhedonia, perfectionism, phobias, self-absorption.

Memory: Confusion and idea overload.

Attention: Hypervigilance, slow reactions, restlessness.

Supplements & lifestyle by severity

Minor (0-5): 5-HTP 100mg, Tryptophan 500mg, Fish Oil 500mg, Magnesium 200mg, Passionflower 200mg, Zinc 15mg
Moderate (6-15): 5-HTP 200mg, Tryptophan 1000mg, Fish Oil 1000mg, Magnesium 400mg, SAM-e 100mg, St. John’s Wort 400mg
Major (15+): 5-HTP 400mg, Tryptophan 1500-2000mg, Fish Oil 2000mg, Magnesium 600mg, SAM-e 200mg, St. John’s Wort 600mg

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✅ Dominant type + personality profile

✅ Deficiency severity (Minor/Moderate/Major)

✅ Per-NT guidance cards (physical, personality, memory, attention)

✅ Tiered supplement protocols with dosages

✅ Product recommendations with discount codes

✅ Shareable results card for social media

✅ Achievement badges (5 milestones)

✅ Email copy of your full results

Sample results shown. Your profile will be unique to you.

What Does This Assessment Measure?

Your brain runs on four primary neurotransmitters. Two stimulate (dopamine and acetylcholine) and two sedate (GABA and serotonin). Everyone produces all four, but in different ratios. Your dominant neurotransmitter drives your personality, strengths, and preferences. Your deficiencies explain your weak spots, cravings, and recurring issues.

Dopamine: drive & motivation

Dopamine controls your reward system, ambition, and ability to handle pressure. High-dopamine types tend to be strategic, fast-processing, and achievement-oriented. They often prefer resistance training and need less sleep. About 17% of the population is dopamine-dominant. When dopamine drops, you'll notice fatigue, low motivation, cravings, and difficulty focusing.

Acetylcholine: creativity & memory

Acetylcholine governs memory formation, learning speed, and creative thinking. High-acetylcholine types are intuitive, social, and deeply curious. They invest heavily in relationships and love exploring new ideas. Roughly 17% of people are acetylcholine-dominant. Deficiency shows up as forgetfulness, slow reactions, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating.

GABA: calm & stability

GABA is your brain's chief calming chemical. It regulates anxiety, muscle tension, and your ability to stay organized under pressure. High-GABA types are the most common at 50% of the population. They're stable, patient, detail-oriented, and the people others lean on during chaos. When GABA runs low, expect anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and racing thoughts.

Serotonin: mood & connection

Serotonin manages mood, sleep quality, and social bonding. High-serotonin types are present, action-oriented, and resourceful. They thrive on variety and tend to be loyal and practical. About 17% of people are serotonin-dominant. Deficiency looks like carb cravings, poor sleep, isolation, and perfectionism that tips into paralysis.

How Does the Assessment Work?

The test is split into two sections. Part one (sections 1A through 4A) identifies your dominant neurotransmitter, your natural strengths. Part two (sections 1B through 4B) identifies deficiencies, where your brain chemistry is running low. You answer true or false for each statement. Higher scores signal stronger dominance or deeper deficiency. The tool then generates personalized supplement protocols across three severity tiers: Minor (0-5), Moderate (6-15), and Major (15+). Choose Full mode for the complete 315-question assessment or Quick mode for a faster ~52-question version that covers the same four categories.

How Should You Interpret Your Results?

Your highest Nature score (sections A) reveals your dominant neurotransmitter type. This is your baseline wiring, the lens through which you process the world. Your Deficiency scores (sections B) are where the actionable insights live. The tool generates tiered supplement protocols based on severity. Minor deficiencies (0-5) respond well to diet and lifestyle changes. Moderate deficiencies (6-15) benefit from targeted supplementation. Major deficiencies (15+) warrant both supplementation and a conversation with a practitioner who can run lab work to validate.

Treat your results as a starting hypothesis, not a diagnosis. Use them to guide your first experiments with supplements, nutrition, and daily habits. Then pay attention to how you actually feel over two to four weeks. Your brain chemistry shifts with stress, sleep, diet, and training, so retaking the assessment every three to six months helps you track what's working.

How Is This Different From Lab Testing?

The Braverman test is a behavioral questionnaire, not a blood draw or brain scan. You're reporting symptoms and tendencies that correlate with specific neurochemical patterns. A 2016 study in the Journal of Neurorestoratology found that self-reported symptom questionnaires can reasonably predict neurotransmitter imbalances when compared to clinical assessments. The advantage here: it's free, instant, and gives you actionable protocols without needing a practitioner visit. The limitation: accuracy depends on honest self-reporting and self-awareness. For significant deficiencies, especially Major tier, I recommend following up with a functional medicine practitioner who can order urine or blood panels to confirm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Braverman neurotransmitter assessment.

What is the Braverman test?

The Braverman test is a neurotransmitter assessment developed by Dr. Eric Braverman, based on his 2005 book The Edge Effect. It uses a behavioral questionnaire to measure your relative levels of four brain chemicals (dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA, and serotonin), revealing your dominant brain type and potential deficiencies.

How accurate is the Braverman assessment?

It's a behavioral proxy, not a direct measurement. Accuracy depends on honest self-reporting. A 2016 study in the Journal of Neurorestoratology found that symptom-based questionnaires can reasonably predict neurotransmitter imbalances compared to clinical assessments. Treat results as a starting hypothesis to guide your first experiments.

How long does the test take?

The full assessment has 315 questions and takes about 20 minutes. Quick mode covers ~52 questions in roughly 5 minutes. Both versions assess the same four neurotransmitters across Nature (strengths) and Deficiency (weaknesses) sections.

What neurotransmitters does it measure?

Four primary neurotransmitters: dopamine (drive and motivation), acetylcholine (creativity and memory), GABA (calm and stability), and serotonin (mood and social connection). Each is assessed for both dominance and deficiency.

Is the Braverman test scientifically validated?

The framework is based on Dr. Braverman's clinical observations from his practice at PATH Medical in New York. A 2020 systematic review in Frontiers in Psychiatry confirmed that dopamine and serotonin dysregulation plays a central role in depression, ADHD, and anxiety. It's a well-established clinical framework, though it measures behavioral patterns rather than direct neurotransmitter levels.

Can I retake the assessment?

Yes. Your neurotransmitter balance shifts based on diet, sleep, stress, supplements, and lifestyle changes. Retaking every three to six months helps you track how your brain chemistry responds to whatever you've changed.

How is this different from MBTI or Big Five?

MBTI and Big Five measure personality traits. The Braverman test maps personality to underlying brain chemistry, which makes it uniquely actionable. Once you identify a neurotransmitter deficiency, you can target it with specific supplements, foods, and habits. For context, about 50% of people get a different MBTI type when retaking it just five weeks later.

What should I do with my results?

Start with your deficiency scores. The assessment generates tiered supplement protocols (Minor, Moderate, Major) for each neurotransmitter. Begin with the lowest effective dose and track changes over two to four weeks. For Major-tier deficiencies, consider working with a functional medicine practitioner who can run lab tests to confirm.

Medical disclaimer: This assessment is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a medical diagnosis. The supplement protocols generated are based on Dr. Braverman's published framework and should not replace professional medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any supplement protocol, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a medical condition.

About the author: Nick Urban holds a B.S. in Neuroscience and is a Certified Human Potential Coach. He built this tool to make Dr. Braverman's assessment freely accessible to anyone curious about their brain chemistry. For more on neurotransmitters and brain optimization, explore the complete Braverman test guide.