FolinicNeeds® is a natural berry-flavored chewable tablet that contains 8 active ingredients, of which the principal ingredients are forms of folate (vitamin B9). Specifically, FolinicNeeds® contains activated folate in two different forms:

  • Folinic acid, also known as leucovorin.
  • L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, also known as L-methylfolate or fully-methylated folate

However, FolinicNeeds® contains zero synthetic folic acid.

In addition to Folate: Folinic acid/leucovorin by itself rarely has any side effects and is in general well tolerated, with the common exception of exacerbating neurological/behavioral hyperactivity (e.g., tantrums, irritability, confusion, excitability, insomnia). Thus, FolinicNeeds® also contains 4 natural ingredients which serve as a natural method to calm an over-active nervous system*.

  • Magnesium (as magnesium glycinate)
  • Zinc (as zinc picolinate)
  • L-theanine
  • 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)

FolinicNeeds® also contains methylated (active) vitamin B12 so that the high dosing of folate does not mask a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Vitamin K2-7 is also included as it is neither contained at appreciable amounts in standard over-the-counter dietary supplements nor in the diets of most children.

Specifically, FolinicNeeds® includes ingredients that:

  • Promotes healthy brain and nerve function*
  • Relieves everyday stress and nervous mood*
  • Supports healthy red blood cell production*
  • Facilitates healthy DNA and RNA synthesis*
  • Enhances mitochondrial metabolism*
  • Assists in methylation*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

More Information on the Forms of Folate/Vitamin B9

Leucovorin is a special type of folate in that it can enter the brain easily without needing the folate transporter. This is important because many people make blocking antibodies against the folate transporter and thus cannot get enough folate into their brain. This is called cerebral folate deficiency (CFD). The number of people with autism that also have CFD is unclear, but it is not rare.

L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate/L-methylfolate: This is a fully methylated form of folate.

Both folinic acid and L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate are naturally occurring, active forms of folate found in the body and present in foods, at least in small amounts. Both of these forms of folate are highly bioavailable, biologically active, and easily utilized by the cells in our bodies.

Synthetic folic acid – NOT present in FolinicNeeds®: Synthetic folic acid is the form found in most over-the-counter dietary supplements. Synthetic folic acid is oxidized and requires conversion, which can be problematic in many people containing small genetic variants (SNPs, pronounced as “snips”) in certain genes, most notably MTHFR. Adverse effects can occur.

More Information on FolinicNeeds®

Click on each of the listed ingredients (left) to obtain practical information on the 8 active ingredients in FolinicNeeds®. This information is neither a full disclosure of all relevant information nor an academic text. In particular, nutrients are used frequently by others in a variety of circumstances, some with little to no scientific backing, and inclusion in the section entitled What About [This Ingredient’s] Use? does NOT reflect a recommendation or endorsement. Additionally, this site does not include all side effects reported. Please consult your physician and/or seek additional sources as appropriate.

All of the ingredients are natural, and adverse (side) effects, when they do occur, are mild and reversible upon stopping/lowering the dose. As side effects may occur with any product, especially in some sensitive people, NeuroNeeds’ recommends to start at a lower dose (e.g., ½ of a chewable) and increase as needed and tolerated. 

FolinicNeeds® comes in a great-tasting berry-flavored chewable tablet. Masking the vitamins to create this taste did require sweeteners, in the form of natural sugar, natural sweeteners, and fruit (monk). However, the amounts are negligible. For example, the sugar content is so low that one chewable has less than 1 calorie. Also, the amount of the natural sweeteners is far below the levels potentially associated with side effects.

Regarding higher dosing and the prescription use of folinate/leucovorin, as well as what effects to expect from FolinicNeeds®, see the Frequently Asked Questions below.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Should Consider Taking FolinicNeeds®?
  • Anyone who is neurodivergent might benefit from taking FolinicNeeds®. 
  • Some people with neurological conditions beyond neurodevelopmental disorders, such as seizures, neurological regressions, and/or movement disorders have been shown to have low levels of folate in brain (cerebral folate deficiency, CFD). Thus, they might benefit from taking FolinicNeeds®.
  • Since FolinicNeeds® contains natural calming ingredients, those who previously had hyperactive-like side effects on leucovorin/folinic acid in the past should consider trying FolinicNeeds®.

Leucovorin/folinic acid is both a prescription drug AND a dietary supplement in the USA. It is currently available by prescription in 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, and 25 mg tablets. Per the USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA), use of an approved drug as a dietary supplement is allowed only up to one-half the amount of the lowest amount available by prescription (5 mg for leucovorin), per day, which is 2.5 mg.

  • A common side effect of leucovorin is hyperactivity. FolinicNeeds® has 4 active ingredients added to counteract and mitigate this problem: magnesium glycinate, zinc picolinate, L-theanine, and 5-HTP.
  • FolinicNeeds® also has a second active and critical form of folate, L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate.
  • The only known serious side effects of high dosing of folate, of any form, is to mask a vitamin B12 deficiency. FolinicNeeds® contains high dosing of active methylated B12 to prevent that.
  • FolinicNeeds® contains vitamin K2-7, which is generally found in low amounts in most children’s diets.
  • FolinicNeeds® comes in tasty berry-flavored chewable tablets.

The standard dosing of FolinicNeeds® is one chewable tablet per day. 

Yes, It is suggested that you speak with your licensed healthcare provider.

No, it is not (as of 2026). However, leucovorin is approved by the USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cerebral folate deficiency (CFD). CFD is seen and some people with neurodevelopmental and other neurological conditions, such as with regression, movement disorders, and/or seizures, although the proportion so affected is not well understood at present. By US law, a licensed healthcare provider can recommend or prescribe treatment with leucovorin “off label” for other conditions, such as autism.

There are 60 chewable capsules in a container, which will last 2 months if one capsule a day is taken.

FolinicNeeds® has a shelf life of 2 years. A date of manufacture along with the Lot # is stamped on the bottom of each bottle.

There are other brands of dietary supplements containing leucovorin/folinic acid, however, FolinicNeeds® is a unique product in terms of including the following:

  • Calming ingredients: A common side effect of leucovorin is hyperactivity. FolinicNeeds® has 4 active ingredients added to counteract and mitigate this problem: magnesium glycinate, zinc picolinate, L-theanine, and 5-HTP.
  • Different forms of folate: FolinicNeeds® also has a second active and critical form of folate, L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate.
  • Vitamin B12: The only known serious side effects of high dosing of folate, of any form, is to mask a vitamin B12 deficiency. FolinicNeeds® contains high dosing of active methylated B12 to prevent that.
  • Vitamin K2-7: This vitamin is neither contained at appreciable amounts in standard over-the-counter dietary supplements nor in the diets of most children.
  • A chewable form: FolinicNeeds® comes in tasty berry-flavored chewable tablets.

Folinic acid/leucovorin by itself rarely has any side effects and is in general well tolerated, with the common exception of exacerbating neurological/behavioral hyperactivity (e.g., tantrums, irritability, confusion, excitability, insomnia). However, FolinicNeeds® also contains 4 natural ingredients (magnesium, zinc, theanine, 5-HTP) which serve as a natural method to calm an over-active nervous system*.

Magnesium and/or zinc can cause gastrointestinal (G.I.) issues in sensitive people, including nausea, abdominal pain, and/or loose stools. Taking FolinicNeeds® with a meal should prevent these G.I. issues in most people.

Theanine can lower blood pressure, so those on blood pressure lowering drugs may want to consult their physician. However, the dose of feeding in FolinicNeeds® is low, particularly when taken at recommended dosing.

5-hydroxytryptophan can cause G.I. issues (heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), drowsiness, and vivid dreams. Extremely unlikely, it can also precipitate serotonin syndrome. Consult with your physician if you are taking an antidepressant, especially if you are taking a monoamine oxide inhibitor (MAOI) drug and/or you are exceeding the dose of FolinicNeeds® on the label of one chewable per day.

Yes, in addition to a trial of FolinicNeeds®, Dr. Boles recommends the following products as a baseline therapy in his patients with neurodevelopmental disorders:

  1. A mitochondrial cocktail: SpectrumNeeds® for those who cannot swallow capsules, or EnergyNeeds® for those who can swallow. 
  2. A bioavailable formulation of the ubiquinol form of coenzyme Q10. QNeeds® fits this well. 
  3. An omega-3 source that crosses the blood-brain barrier, which includes krill oil-containing products, as fish oil cannot directly enter the brain in appreciable amounts. OmegaNeeds® fits this well.

You can cut, crush, or crumple the chewable tablets. You can also add them into any food or drink.

This is an issue with chewables in general. Try following FolinicNeeds® with giving any food or drink.

Yes, you can cut, crush, or crumple the chewable tablets. You can also add them into any formula or pureed food.

Dr. Boles recommends genetic testing in patients with multiple functional or neurodevelopmental disorders, as many times such testing can be helpful in determining the underlying factors leading for disease in that individual, be it mitochondrial dysfunction, neurotransmitter disorders, channelopathy, axonal transport, and/or other mechanisms. Understanding these underlying factors often allows for targeting therapies. Even in patients with known mitochondrial disease, genetic testing can often identify factors leading to this disease that suggest specific therapies. For more information, see Dr. Boles’ private practice website at molecularmitomd.com.