Braverman Test: 100% FREE Neuroscience-Approved Personality Assessment

Your brain is one of a kind.

I’ve tried personality tests. A lot of them. They spit out results seemingly applicable to any human with a heartbeat. The era of generic cookie-cutter recommendations is coming to an end.

If you’re interested in nootropics, smart drugs, or general brain health, look no further.

What makes the Braverman personality type assessment special?

You answer a detailed behavioral questionnaire that returns a fairly accurate snapshot of your brain’s chemical makeup (called neurotransmitters). From there you can optimize your diet, lifestyle, and supplementation. The Braverman test isn’t perfect, but it presents you with a good starting point.

Most of the free online Braverman test apps suck, so I built one for you. You can take the full brain chemistry test or a time-saving abbreviated lite version. Export your results for later, or print everything on one page.

Neurotransmitters Explained in Simple Terms

Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that convey signals determining how we feel, think, and function. The primary four neurotransmitters are:

• Serotonin
• GABA
• Acetylcholine
• Dopamine

Scientists divide neurotransmitters into two classes: stimulating or sedating. Serotonin and GABA sedate, while acetylcholine, and dopamine stimulate.

Everyone has their own unique balance of neurotransmitters, and levels of each fluctuate throughout the day.

What Is the Braverman Test?

The Braverman test is a neurotransmitter assessment developed by Dr. Eric Braverman, based on his book The Edge Effect (2005). It measures your relative levels of four brain chemicals (dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA, and serotonin) to reveal your dominant brain type and potential deficiencies. It’s more accurate and personalized than most personality tests because it maps to actual neurochemistry, not abstract traits.

Your results show both strengths and deficiencies. Correcting deficiencies can profoundly alter your brain chemistry for the better. Some people notice symptoms disappear and that their quality of life improves. Beyond supplementation, neurofeedback brain training offers another powerful way to rebalance neurochemistry.

I discovered the Braverman Test through one of my favorite biohackers, Charles Poliquin. On the Tim Ferriss Show, in 2016, he explained how he uses the Braverman questionnaire to tailor his athletes’ training. Naturally, I gave it a go. I liked what I found.

The Braverman test is split into two sections:

1. Dominant neurotransmitters (strengths)
2. Deficient neurotransmitters (weaknesses)

In each section, you answer questions related to the specific neurotransmitters: dopamine, serotonin, GABA, and acetylcholine.

How Does the Braverman Test Scoring Work?

The Braverman test uses a 315-question behavioral questionnaire split into two major sections. Part one measures your dominant neurotransmitter (your natural strength). Part two identifies deficiencies (where you’re running low).

Each question maps to one of four brain chemicals: dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA, or serotonin. You answer “true” or “false” based on how well each statement describes you. Your score for each neurotransmitter ranges from 0 to roughly 40, depending on the section.

Here’s what each brain chemical influences:

• Dopamine controls motivation, reward, and drive. High scorers tend to be ambitious risk-takers who thrive under pressure.
• Acetylcholine governs memory, creativity, and learning speed. High scorers are typically curious, detail-oriented thinkers.
• GABA regulates calm, stability, and consistency. High scorers are organized, reliable, and naturally relaxed.
• Serotonin manages mood, sleep, and social connection. High scorers are often optimistic, empathetic, and community-oriented.

Your highest dominant score reveals your primary brain type. Your lowest deficiency score shows where you’ll benefit most from targeted support through diet, lifestyle, and supplementation.

The lite version of the brain chemistry test (around 50 questions) covers the same four categories with fewer items. It’s faster but slightly less precise. For a first pass, it works well. For deeper insight, the full 315-question version gives you more resolution.

Dominant Neurotransmitters

You might already have a sense of your dominant personality qualities. Or maybe not.

I like confirming the results. There’s a narrow window of optimal neurotransmitter levels.

That’s right.

Higher neurotransmitters levels aren’t better.

You can use this to tailor your supplementation regimen. For people high in dopamine, that nootropic that boosts it further can lead to excessive risk-taking behaviors and impulsive actions. Braverman explains the downsides of excess.

Deficient Neurotransmitters

Braverman neurotransmitter deficiencies are the equivalent of personality “weaknesses”.

The tool calculates your results and interprets your neurotransmitter deficiencies. Deficiencies fall into four separate categories:

1. Physical issues
2. Personality issues
3. Memory issues
4. Attention issues

Eric also gives specific supplement and dosage recommendations tailored to your results. Do your own research though. I’ve heard very mixed results on the recommended dosages. Generally, begin with in the low-range, and slowly work up. Sourcing matters too — I reviewed the top nootropic vendors to help you find reliable suppliers.

Disclaimer: always consult your doctor before starting a new supplement.

One of the more interesting applications of this brain chemistry test is its use in athletics.

What Does the Science Say About Brain Chemistry Typing?

Neurotransmitter imbalances affect everything from mood and sleep to focus and motivation. A 2020 systematic review in Frontiers in Psychiatry confirmed that dopamine and serotonin dysregulation plays a central role in conditions like depression, ADHD, and anxiety.

Dr. Braverman published his framework in The Edge Effect (2005), drawing on clinical observations from his practice at PATH Medical in New York. His approach builds on established neurotransmitter science while adding a personality-typing layer.

The Braverman neurotransmitter test isn’t a blood draw or brain scan. It’s a behavioral proxy. 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.

In practice, the accuracy depends on your self-awareness. People who know themselves well tend to get results that closely match clinical testing. Those less in tune with their patterns may find the results less precise.

What this means for you: treat Braverman results as a starting hypothesis, not a diagnosis. Use them to guide your first experiments with supplements, diet, and lifestyle changes. Then validate through how you actually feel. If you’re new to cognitive enhancement, my nootropics beginner’s guide walks you through the fundamentals.

Athletes

You might wonder about the link between neurotransmitters and sports.

I know I did. Charles cleared it up on the Tim Ferriss show. Why listen to Charles?

In the sports world, he’s a big deal:

“[Charles] has trained elite athletes from nearly 20 different sports, including Olympic gold medalists, NFL All-Pro’s, NHL All-Stars and Stanley Cup champions, and IFBB bodybuilding champions”
— Tim Ferriss

Charles introduced a new paradigm in his 2005 article called “The Five Elements“. As the name suggests, he integrated the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine into the training programming of his athletes.

Accordingly, athletes have a particular “elemental type” corresponding to their personality. His greatest athletes accounted for neurotransmitter dominance in their training:

• Dopamine athletes respond best to intensity.
• Acetylcholine athletes respond best to variety.
• Balanced neurotransmitters respond best to volume.
• GABA and Serotonin types are unlikely to care about training.

Star athlete or not, the neurotransmitter test does have a few drawbacks.

Downsides of the Test

Science evolves rapidly.

We now know that there are more than four neurotransmitters. The Braverman assessment only accounts for the large four. These less researched ones can affect you and your personality.

Self-reported data is notoriously inaccurate. Such is the case with questionnaires.

And there’s more to your personality than subjective behavior. For example, your gut microbiome plays a massive role in neurotransmitter production. Therefore, your gut contributes to your personality.

While better than most others, take Braverman results with a grain of salt.

Braverman Test vs MBTI, Big Five & Other Assessments

Most personality tests measure behavior. The Braverman brain chemistry test measures the neurochemistry driving that behavior. That’s the key difference.

Here’s how the major assessments compare:

The MBTI is the most popular personality assessment worldwide, taken by roughly 2 million people annually. But its test-retest reliability is poor. About 50% of people get a different type when retaking the MBTI just five weeks later, according to a 2018 analysis in Personality and Individual Differences.

The Big Five model has stronger scientific backing. Researchers have validated it across cultures and decades. But it doesn’t give you actionable next steps. Knowing you score high in neuroticism doesn’t tell you what to do about it.

The Braverman test fills that gap. If your results show a GABA deficiency, you can try specific supplements like magnesium glycinate, L-theanine, or taurine. If dopamine is low, you might experiment with L-tyrosine or mucuna pruriens. No other personality framework gives you that level of specificity.

How to Interpret & Use Your Braverman Results

Once you know your Braverman results, you’re ready to start testing some changes. There are two ways of finding what works for you:

After some trial-and-error, you’ll discover the things that actually work for you.

I barely batted an eye from my results. I intuitively knew most of these already.

Next, I use a website called SelfHacked to find supplements and lifestyle practices known to boost certain neurotransmitters. You can also check how your Braverman results compare to your cognitive DNA data.

Based on my report, this example shows the supplements and other things I can do to boost GABA. However, you can search the site and find similar articles for all neurotransmitters.

Braverman Acetylcholine Dominance:

I’m happiest when I’m learning. I’m borderline obsessed with things that challenge my beliefs. I get lots of choline from eating copious amounts of eggs. I’m very careful with acetylcholine boosters. Just a tad too much and I feel anxiety and paranoia, side effects of too much acetylcholine.

Braverman GABA Deficiency:

Again, no surprise. I’ve always had a hard time truly relaxing. I’m more “Type A” than I care to admit, even though it’s idolized by society. Recently I’ve focused heavily on improving emotional wellbeing, a side effect of low GABA. I do really well on supplemental GABA, melatonin, valerian root, passionflower, taurine, magnolia bark, and sometimes, Phenibut. I’m very cautious about my alcohol consumption since it is a powerful relaxer acting on GABA and therefore I have an especially high potential for addiction.

Other people I’ve recommended the test to mentioned similarly spot-on scoring.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Braverman Test

These are the most common questions people ask about the Braverman brain chemistry assessment.

Take the Free Online Braverman Brain Chemistry Test Today

Personality tester or not, spend five to ten minutes taking this one.

You’ll get results you can use to effectively tailor your diet, supplementation, learning, and lifestyle.

The results and recommendations aren’t too extensive, and it won’t replace all other tests. Given that it’s free, fast, and useful, Braverman personality typing deserves a spot in any biohacker’s toolkit. Pair it with a home neurofeedback device to actively train the brain areas where you scored lowest.

I made the app linked below. It’s the most advanced, customizable, actionable, no email or personal-information-required Braverman quiz available.

Additional Resources

• Training for your neurotransmitter profile
• Charles Poliquin on the Tim Ferriss Show
• SelfDecode cognitive genetics reports

If this helped you understand your brain better, share it with a friend who’d benefit from knowing their type.