There are diametrically opposed views on drugs to improve memory. Some say that it is useful and helps deal with increased intellectual stress that it really helps and is effective.
Others say that this is just a myth that there is no benefit to taking these drugs, that they can even be harmful and addicting. Let's try looking at both perspectives in more detail and finding out who is right.
A little bit about memory
The memory is a mental function of higher nerve activity, with the help of which information previously received is accumulated, preserved and reproduced. The memory allows you to store information about the outside world or the body's reactions to effects for a long time and use this information for the correct organization of activities in the future.
The memory contains different but related processes.
- Storage- input of new data, sensations.
- Memory- The accumulation of data, sensations, including their processing and assimilation. This process enables a person to learn, develop their thinking and speaking.
- Reproduction and recognition- updating of elements, actions, sensations from the past. Reproduction is involuntary (elements "float" in a person's mind without his will or effort) and arbitrary.
- Forgetting- Loss of the ability to reproduce and recognize previously saved elements. It can be temporary or permanent. Incomplete forgetting occurs when information is reproduced or recognized with error or in part.
Basic storage types
There are many types and sub-types in the storage classification. Let's talk about the main types.
- Sensory memory- preservation of information from the senses after their stimulation.
- Tactile memory- storage of information from receptors through touch.
- Motor memory- When storing information about the movement, many can remember that there are movements that they perform automatically.
- Semantic memory- Storage of information about facts, e. g. B. learned stories, dates, multiplication table.
- Short-term memory- store information for a short time. Has a small volume.
- Long-term memory- Storing information indefinitely, including for life.
Laws of memory
Few people know that there are a number of laws of memory. This is not an invention of the author, but real samples that have been scientifically established and proven.
- Law of repetition- information is stored much better if it is repeated several times.
- Law of Interest- If a person is interested in information, they will remember it faster and better.
- Law of the edge- The information given at the beginning and at the end is best remembered.
- The Law of Understanding- If the information is deeply understood, it will be better remembered.
- The law of optimal line length- The amount of information stored should not exceed the amount of short-term memory.
- Installation law- A person who has given himself the installation he needs to remember this or that information will remember it faster and better.
- Law of Inhibition- When memorizing similar concepts, the old information "overlaps" with the new.
- The Law of Context- If you memorize things that can be associated with already known concepts, it goes faster.
- The Law of Action- When what is remembered is used in practice, memorization is more efficient and faster.
These laws can be used when you want to remember something faster and better and when you want to train your memory.
Reasons for memory leakage
- Organic brain damage- acute disturbance of the brain circulation, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor.
- Diseases of other organs and systems- diseases of the liver, the cardiovascular system.
- External factors- bad ecology, a strong change in living conditions, stress, sleep disorders.
- Age-related changes in the structure of the brain- a decrease in the number of interneuronal connections.
- Chronic poisoning- smoking, drug use, substance abuse, alcoholism, substance abuse (sedatives, sedatives).
Treatment of memory disorders
If there is a need to improve memory, drugs are delayed. First, they try to use non-drug methods. These include:
- Brisk walks in the fresh air. This increases the access of oxygen to the brain. This improves the efficiency of his work.
- Normalize sleepand wakefulness.
- Evening training- the habit of calling up all the events of the day in reverse order, that is, first remembering what happened in the evening, and at the end - the events in the morning, can turn into unusual training. It is better to do this in bed before going to bed.
- Positive attitude, do not stay with this- do not think that you have a bad memory, no one has canceled the effect of self-hypnosis. If at some point you can't remember something, don't worry, don't get angry, just let yourself be distracted, do something else and try again to remember what you forgot.
- Daily training- Solve crossword puzzles, riddles and loanwords.
- Education- Learn poetry, foreign languages, do it regularly and gradually increase the amount of material you learn.
Drugs for memory loss
It is clear that learning poetry, a foreign language, solving puzzles is not easy. You have to "make an effort". You should allow extra time for walking and solving puzzles, which a working person practically does not have.
It's much easier to take a pill, calm down and hope for the magical power of medicine - your memory will improve instantly and you don't have to do anything! The modern city dweller is so lazy and spoiled by the fruits of civilization that few people are so determined and want to spend their time and energy on training their memory. So a person is looking for an answer to his question: what pills are there to improve memory?
So consider two opposing opinions on this point:
Positive opinion
Proponents of the use of these funds say that a number of drugs help improve the blood supply to brain cells, thereby improving their nutrition and adding more oxygen, which improves metabolic processes in neurons.
Nootropics and drugs that improve the rheological properties of blood help with this.
Herbal preparations are widely used that not only improve the metabolic processes in neurons themselves, but also enhance the effects of nootropics.
However, it should be noted that every (absolutely every) drug has its own contraindications and side effects. Therefore, it should only be prescribed by a doctor in any specific clinical case.
Negative opinion
According to a number of experts, the coin also has a disadvantage. A few years ago, experts were puzzled by the question: are these drugs effective or is it just a placebo effect?
Due to numerous studies, the effectiveness of nootropics has not been proven. There is no evidence that they have a beneficial effect on memory. One of the small studies on the effectiveness of drugs showed that they have little effect, but not in severe cases.
Traditional methods and herbal supplements like ginseng, vitamin E have practically no research. The evidence base is only for the use of herbal remedies in patients with dementia. However, there are no data on the effectiveness of its use in relatively healthy people.
In conclusion, I would like to say that when considering which drugs are best for improving memory, remember that they should be prescribed by a doctor. And the doctor should also evaluate the effectiveness in each case. Do not rely on advice from friends, neighbors, or relatives.
If you think your memory has deteriorated, see a neurologist. Perhaps this is not the problem at all, attention may be disturbed, there may be some other problems. It is also necessary to find out the cause of this condition. And only a qualified doctor can do that.