The human brain is an organ that is responsible for the functioning of the entire body. And one of its functions is also to store our memories. Information is recorded in neuronal connections in the cortex and subcortical structures and is stored for exactly as long as the cells live.
At certain times in life, under the influence of illness or external circumstances, this cognitive function begins to weaken. Then people wonder what to drink to improve memory in an adult. Today, pharmacies offer many drugs to solve this problem, but they affect the brain in different ways. This means that they should be applied according to the cause of the problem.
We propose to think about which tablets help improve memory and activate brain activity, and which ones are better suited to nourish and activate the brain's abilities.
Causes of memory impairment
There are people who are confronted with the problem of a decline in mnestic functions as early as childhood.
Such children need a consultation with a neurologist to find out the cause of the mnestic disorder.
Children are then prescribed medication to increase mental activity, mental clarity, memory and brain development.
These drugs are not universally applicable, but only help during the maturation phase of the body. As we grow older, other circumstances begin to influence our already formed brains. They cause memory problems for many years into adulthood.
The need to take special medications can be triggered by:
- exhaustion of the body due to chronic stress, fatigue, prolonged depression or other mental illness;
- Circulatory disorders in the brain tissue caused by nervous and somatic diseases, injuries;
- Lack of vitamins and nutrients, particularly affected by the lack of microelements in childhood;
- Infections of the cerebral cortex and membranes, both viral and bacterial;
- psychiatric illnesses, their first manifestations before the development of psychosis;
- alcohol or drug addiction, which has a destructive effect on neurons;
- traumatic brain injury or head surgery;
- Formation of benign or malignant tumors and other neoplasms (parasitic cysts);
- degenerative processes caused by aging or the development of pathological processes in neurons, for example Alzheimer's disease.
How to restore brain function, what should be taken, which pills to improve memory and improve attention in adults should be decided by a doctor on a case-by-case basis.
The effectiveness of drugs depends not only on their quality, but also on what specific problem the patient is facing. And how correctly the drugs are selected.
Drugs that reduce memory
A separate phenomenon that negatively affects a person's health and brain function is medication. To treat various diseases, drugs are often used that negatively affect the functioning of other organs.
In such cases, to compensate for the negative effects, doctors additionally prescribe injections or pills to improve memory and brain function.
Medicines that endanger brain activity:
- Tablets for treating angina and high blood pressure;
- anticonvulsants;
- early generation antihistamines;
- medicines for the treatment of insomnia, sedatives;
- certain categories of antibiotics.
Precisely because of possible side effects, doctors strictly refuse to self-prescribe any medication. Without knowing all the properties of the substance, a person risks not only not being cured, but also harming himself.
When the doctor prescribes something from the list above, he often additionally recommends nootropics to improve nutrition and brain function, concentration, memory and attention in adults, which are available without a prescription and under well-known names.
Groups of required resources
Metabolic drugs are often referred to in neuroscience as universal brain boosters. However, they are not the only ones that help improve memory and other cognitive functions.
The following can help the main organ cope with stress and improve the ability to think and remember:
- Nootropics, improving brain nutrition, activate metabolic processes in neurons. Neurometabolic stimulants enable the brain to better remember information while protecting it from external negative influences.
- Psychostimulants-adaptogens. Used for overload and regular stress. Gently improve brain function by increasing energy output. The basis of the composition is usually natural.
- Correctors of energy metabolism. Products based on natural ingredients. One of the features is a gradual cumulative effect. They increase the effect slowly but gently, improving memory and other cognitive functions.
We would like to remind you that homeopathy and dietary supplements are not means of improving cerebral circulation and memory and brain function due to the unreliable content of active ingredients.
Dietary supplements can be used at your own discretion after consulting your doctor. However, replacing full-fledged treatment with such nutritional supplements is fraught with the development of more serious pathologies.
The principle of action of drugs for the brain
When choosing neurostimulating drugs, the doctor selects the best nootropic for improving brain function and restoring memory, which will serve as an effective stimulant in a particular situation.
Due to the peculiarities of the composition, the rule of individual selection takes into account the specifics of the patient in each case. The cause of the disorder and the general state of health are taken into account.
The improvement of human cognitive functions occurs due to the following pharmacological effects:
- Normalization of protein synthesis. Brain cells are made up of lipoproteins, fatty compounds and proteins. Protein metabolism disorders are a risk factor for mnestic and cognitive disorders.
- Activation of the synthesis and utilization (uptake) of glucose by neurons. This carbohydrate is the main fuel for the brain; the cells absorb it directly without insulin.
- Improves the metabolism of nucleic acids and contributes to the stabilization and development of neuronal activity. It also helps restore brain cells.
- Stimulating the cholinergic system, reducing the risk of onset and progression of memory problems.
- Active influence on the monoaminergic system. The production of the hormone dopamine, which is necessary for the active thinking process, is increased.
In some cases, oral medications are not prescribed, but injections to improve cerebral circulation and memory. In fact, this is also an active ingredient that is simply injected directly into the blood to achieve faster results.
Injection forms are used to quickly saturate the body with the necessary substance. In addition, not all useful drugs are available in tablet form, as their components are destroyed in the digestive tract
Hints
Nootropics are prescribed when problems with nutrition and metabolism of brain tissue are detected.
Typical reasons:
- depression, chronic stress;
- educated neuroses;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- consequences of neuroinfections, asthenic states;
- encephalopathy, dementia;
- depletion of cognitive functions due to intellectual overload;
- regular lack of oxygen in brain tissue, for example in atherosclerosis;
- Poisoning of the body, affecting the nervous system and brain.
When choosing tablets that you can take to improve concentration, calm nerves and increase memory and mental performance, intelligence and adults, you need to focus not only on prices, but also on good reviewsfrom specialists who indicate in which specific case the medicine helped.
Contraindications
Nootropics should not be viewed as a completely safe and useful memory aid. These drugs have both contraindications and side effects:
- allergic reactions to both the active ingredient and auxiliary components;
- increased excitability of neurons and the risk of seizure activity;
- high blood pressure, high blood pressure;
- Sleep problems – insomnia may worsen;
- nausea, indigestion;
- increased psycho-emotional and motor anxiety.
As you can see, the drugs can be harmful for hypertensive patients, people with unstable psyche and insomnia. Due to the wide list of contraindications and side effects, the presence of which you may not even notice, you should not risk your health and choose the treatment yourself.
The doctor will tell you which inexpensive pills adults can take for brain function, clarity of mind, restoration of memory and brain activity, improvement of attention and intellectual activity, giving the exact name and talking about the main active ingredients.
Nootropics without a prescription
Some drugs to improve memory and attention, stimulate brain activity and improve the functioning of the brain and nervous system in adults are sold without a prescription; You can find the names of individual drugs in our material.
Pills you can buy and use to improve memory and maintain intelligence during stressful periods of life:
- Piracetam, the first-ever nootropic. Popular substance. Serves as a universal medicine used for more than 50 diseases. Both as a main ingredient and as a supporting active ingredient. One of its features is that it increases the willingness of neurons to convulse.
- Ginkgo biloba improves cognitive function, strengthens the walls of blood vessels and improves oxygen supply to the brain. Produced based on an extract from the plant of the same name.
- Glycine, amino acid. A common remedy that supports and strengthens memory in times of overload. Based on an amino acid used to build proteins for cells and protect neurons from overexcitation
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter derivative. Improves brain nutrition, blood circulation and oxygen saturation. It is used to prevent senile dementia or vascular diseases of the brain.
- Vinpocetine helps stabilize cerebral blood flow. The point of influence is the normalization of brain nutrition by expanding blood vessels and improving glucose metabolism. Additionally helps reduce the risk of thrombophlebitis. Patients with cardiac arrhythmias are advised to take the medicine with caution.
It is worth remembering that nootropics are not a panacea that can be taken for life. Like other medications, they are prescribed in courses. If used uncontrolled, side effects may occur.
Rating of the best drugs
Today in the pharmacy you can find dozens of drugs to improve memory. But not all of them have been tried and not all have proven their effectiveness.
TOP drugs to improve memory, nutrition and restore the nervous system and brain function, as well as further improve cognitive functions:
- Medicines with Piracetam. A universal nootropic that has a positive effect on memory, attention and brain performance at all ages. It is used in the therapy of children, adults and the elderly. Accelerates the transmission of impulses in the brain and helps better record information in memory.
- A derivative of succinic acid. Stimulates metabolic processes in the nervous system, improves psycho-emotional endurance and accelerates the removal of toxic substances from the body. Thanks to the latter ability, it is often used in the treatment of addictions.
- Hopanthenic acid, known for its psychostimulating effects, is contained in many medications. Popular with people who are actively engaged in intellectual work. It is considered one of the best remedies for relieving chronic fatigue and activating memory and attention. Strengthens a person's intellectual abilities. The course lasts only 1 month, the result is noticeable after taking the first tablets.
- Complex of plant origin. Gently influences mental abilities, improves memory and attention, reduces irritability and stress. It is popular due to its low risk of side effects, which is why it can also be taken by drivers.
An additional list of neurotrophic drugs suitable for you, taking into account the characteristics of your body, will be selected by your doctor after the examination.
To achieve better results, the medical component should be supplemented with training and physical therapy (TMS).