The ability to think logically, notice and memorize facts, build chains of inference - that's what distinguishes man from animals. The work of the brain is a subtle biochemical and electrochemical process. Mindfulness, memory, freshness of perception primarily depend on the state of nerve cells - neurons and their nutrition. It is common to think that drugs to improve brain function are only necessary for older people, but this is not true. Violations of memory and thinking are possible at any age and are due to a number of reasons.
Causes of brain damage
Doctors do not recommend self-treatment of even slight weakening of brain function in the first place because it can be a sign of a serious illness. Memory, attention, learning may deteriorate for the following reasons.
- Impaired blood circulation in the brain - prolonged uncomfortable posture, atherosclerosis, osteochondrosis, hypertension, vascular thrombosis, ischemia, stroke.
- Improve brain functionproblematic when smoking and drinking alcohol, since nicotine and alcohol are the strongest vascular poisons. When they enter the body, the brain suffers first of all - after all, it needs sufficient blood supply more than all other organs.
- Craniocerebral injuries, general intoxication of the body, past infectious diseases.
- Stress, lack of sleep, lack of rest.
- General exhaustion of the body, malnutrition, dietary restrictions. In this case, the body develops a chronic deficiency of vitamins and minerals necessary for brain function.
In order for the brain to improve, it is necessary to normalize the mode of active activity and rest, eat right and do gymnastics to normalize the blood circulation of the cervical spine and head. It is useful to do exercises that stimulate mental activity: master new activities, solve crosswords and puzzles, and so on. In case of severe memory impairment, you should consult a doctor. Currently, there are various drugs to improve brain function, but they should be prescribed by a specialist. The doctor will conduct an examination, select the optimal medicine, dose and determine the course of application.
Memory pills
All drugs to improve brain function can be conditionally divided into several categories.
- Nootropic drugs - drugs that regulate the metabolism in the brain and increase its resistance to lack of oxygen.
- Means that improve blood flow to the brain.
- Vitamins needed for biochemical processes in the brain.
- Amino acids involved in the transmission of nerve impulses and the production of biologically active substances.
- Herbal remedies that have a stimulating effect on the body in general and higher nervous activity in particular.
- Central nervous system stimulants.
It should be borne in mind that of all of the above, only vitamins and amino acids are relatively harmless. All other drugs have contraindications and can only be used as prescribed by a doctor. Many of them are used for serious mental disorders, organic brain damage and have side effects.
All drugs, except for stimulants, must be taken in long courses. It is wrong to think that memory and attention will improve immediately after taking the Piracetam pill. The duration of treatment ranges from several weeks to six months. Sometimes it is required to conduct several courses, taking a break between them.
Nootropics
These are drugs to improve the functioning of the brain, belonging to the group of psychotropic drugs. The mechanism of action of nootropics is not well understood. It was revealed that they have the ability to facilitate the transmission of nerve impulses, stimulate the blood supply to the brain, improve energy processes and increase the body's resistance to oxygen deficiency. As a result, memory improves, learning increases, mental activity is stimulated andbrain resistance to aggressive influences.
Unlike other psychotropic drugs, nootropic drugs are characterized by low toxicity, they do not cause circulatory disorders.
The most famous representatives of this group are drugs:
- "Piracetam" ("Nootropil"),
- Pikamilon,
- "Phenibut",
- "Aminalon" ("Gammalon"),
- "Pantogam",
- Acephen.
For the treatment of chronic conditions, tablets for improving brain function are prescribed 1 tablet 3 times a day for 2-3 weeks to 2-6 months. The therapeutic effect is noted two weeks after the start of treatment.
Drugs that improve blood circulation
In case of circulatory disorders due to the poor condition of the blood and blood vessels, antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants are prescribed to improve brain function. Antiplatelet agents include the following:
- Nicergoline,
- "Xanthinol nicotinate" ("Complamin"),
- Ticlopidine,
- Tiklid,
- "Kurantil",
- Pentoxifylline (Trental),
- "Acetylsalicylic acid",
- Clonidogrel.
To anticoagulants:
- Solkoseril,
- "Heparin",
- Cerebrolysin,
- "Actovegin",
- Vazobral.
Medications to improve the brain function of this group have side effects.
Nervous stimulants
Stimulants have an undeniable advantage - the result of their use is visible almost immediately. Unfortunately, you have to pay for everything. With the abuse of stimulants, the improvement in brain function occurs for a short time, addiction develops over time and an increasing dose is required. In addition, the brain becomes exhausted, which can lead to severe fatigue and headaches.
The most available stimulants are found in food.
- Coffee contains caffeine and L-theanine, which improve blood flow to the brain and stimulate the transmission of nerve impulses.
- Chocolate and cocoa. The antioxidant flavanols contained in cocoa powder improve the biochemical processes in the brain and protect it from the effects of stress factors.
Vitamins
With increased mental activity, it will be useful to take vitamins to improve brain function.
- Choline. In addition to improving the absorption of fats in the liver, choline is involved in the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is necessary for the transmission of nerve impulses. To stimulate mental activity, choline is taken at 0.5-2 g per day, depending on individual tolerance. An overdose may cause headaches.
- Omega-3 fatty acids are used by doctors for complex therapy of age-related depression of brain functions. They are found in fatty fish, legumes, walnuts. Daily consumption of 1-2 capsules of fish oil completely covers the body's need for acidsOmega-3.
Amino acids
In addition to vitamins, a number of amino acids are needed to synthesize neurotransmitters and supply energy to brain cells:
- Acetyl-L-carnitine is involved in carbohydrate metabolism and releases intracellular energy.
- Tyrosine. Use with caution in diseases of the thyroid gland.
- Glycine provides improved brain function, increases efficiency and normalizes sleep. Relieves nervousness, normalizes mood.
- Creatine regulates energy processes in brain tissue.
There are drugs that include several vitamins and amino acids, aimed at improving brain function and memory.
Complex preparations
- Drug "Biotredin". Brain improvement pills containing threonine and pyridoxine (vitamin B6).
- Means "Brain Booster" - a colloidal drug of complex composition, containing plant materials and a number of neurotransmitters - substances that improve the functioning of neurons.
Dietary supplements and herbal remedies
For minor mental disorders, use pills to improve brain function based on plant extracts.
- Ginkgo Biloba – flavonoid glycosides and terpenoids from the Chinese Ginkgo tree. Normalizes microcirculation, has a vasodilating effect, prevents fat oxidation and has the ability to increase tissue resistance tolack of oxygen. Do not use simultaneously with other drugs that improve blood circulation, during pregnancy and lactation.
- Vinpocetine is an alkaloid of the periwinkle plant. Improves blood circulation in the brain, has anticoagulant activity. Contraindicated in children, pregnant and lactating women, as well as in violation of cardiac activity, in the acute phase of a stroke.
- Means "Biocalcium for the brain" - a set of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants.
- Asian ginseng has a general stimulating effect on metabolism, improves blood circulation and glucose metabolism. Recommended to improve brain activity in case of fatigue, bad mood, increased nervousness.
- Rhodiola rosea affects the production of dopamine and serotonin in the central nervous system, which has a beneficial effect on the general condition of the body, memory, attention, concentration and visual perception.
All of these brain-enhancing drugs can be taken as a preventive measure. As with other herbal remedies, the course of treatment is long - at least 3-4 weeks, and on average 2-3 months.
Precautions
Deterioration of brain activity can be caused by a disease that requires examination and serious treatment. Therefore, before taking pills, consult a doctor for advice. For preventive purposes, they take herbal preparations, complex vitamins and amino acids. For fast, short-term process improvementthinking use stimulants. They should not be abused, as prolonged use has the opposite effect and consumes brain resources without recovery.
