The human brain is the organ responsible for the functioning of the entire body. Also, one of its functions is to store our memories. Information is recorded in neural connections in the cortex and subcortical structures and stored as long as the cells live.
At certain moments of life, under the influence of illness or external circumstances, this cognitive function begins to weaken. Then people wonder what to drink to improve memory for adults. 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 suggest considering which tablets help to improve memory and activate brain activity, and which ones are more suitable for feeding and activating the capabilities of the brain.
Causes of memory loss
There are people who are already faced with the problem of collapse of mnestic functions in childhood.
Such children need a consultation with a neurologist to find out the cause of the mnestic disorder.
Children are then prescribed drugs to increase mental activity, mental clarity, memory and brain development.
These drugs are not universal, they help only during the maturation period of the body. As we age, other conditions begin to affect our already formed brain. In adulthood, they cause memory problems for many years.
The need to take special medication may arise for the following reasons:
- exhaustion of the body due to chronic stress, fatigue, prolonged depression or other mental illnesses;
- blood circulation disorders in the brain tissue caused by nervous and somatic diseases, injuries;
- lack of vitamins and nutrients, especially lack of trace elements in childhood;
- both viral and bacterial infections of cortex and brain membranes;
- psychiatric diseases, their initial manifestations before the formation of psychosis;
- alcohol or drug addiction, which has a destructive effect on neurons;
- traumatic brain injury or head surgery;
- the formation of tumors, benign or malignant 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 to take, what pills to take to improve memory and attention for adults should be decided by a doctor in each specific case.
The effectiveness of drugs depends not only on their quality, but also on what specific problem the patient is facing. And how well the drugs are chosen.
Memory-impairing drugs
A separate phenomenon that negatively affects a person's health and brain function is drugs. Medicines that have a negative effect on the work of other organs are often used to treat various diseases.
In such cases, doctors prescribe injections or pills to additionally improve memory and brain function to compensate for the negative effects.
Drugs that endanger brain function:
- tablets for the treatment of angina and hypertension;
- anticonvulsants;
- antihistamines of early generations;
- drugs to treat insomnia, sedatives;
- certain antibiotic categories.
It is precisely because of the possible side effects that doctors strongly oppose the self-prescription of any remedy. Without knowing all the properties of the substance, a person risks not only not being treated, but also harming himself.
When prescribing something from the list above, the doctor will often additionally suggest nutrition and over-the-counter and brand-name nootropics to improve brain function, concentration, memory and focus in adults.
Groups of funds required
In neuroscience, metabolic drugs are often called universal brain enhancers. However, they are not the only ones that contribute to improving memory and other cognitive functions.
The following can help the body cope with stress and improve thinking and memory:
- Nootropics that improve brain nutrition activate metabolic processes in neurons. Neurometabolic stimulants allow you to remember information better, while protecting the brain from external negative influences.
- Psychostimulants-adaptogens. It is used for overwork and regular stress. Gently improve brain function by increasing energy output. The basis of the composition is usually natural.
- Correctors of energy exchange. Products based on natural ingredients. One of the features is a gradual cumulative effect. It increases the effect slowly but gently, improves memory and other cognitive functions.
Please note that homeopathy and dietary supplements are not a means to improve brain circulation and memory and improve brain function due to the invalidity of the active substance in them.
Supplements can be used at your discretion after consulting your doctor. But replacing full-fledged treatment with such supplements is fraught with the development of more serious manifestations of diseases.
The principle of action of drugs for the brain
When choosing neurostimulant drugs, the doctor chooses the best nootropic drug to improve brain function and restore memory, which will serve as an effective stimulant in a given situation.
Due to the characteristics of the composition, the individual selection procedure in each case takes into account the characteristics of the patient. The cause of the disorder and the general state of health are taken into account.
Improvement of human cognitive functions occurs due to the following pharmacological effects:
- Normalization of protein synthesis. Brain cells are composed of lipoproteins, fatty compounds and proteins. Disruption of protein metabolism is a risk factor for mnestic and cognitive disorders.
- Activation of glucose synthesis and utilization (uptake) by neurons. This carbohydrate is the main fuel of the brain, the cells absorb it directly without insulin.
- Improving the metabolism of nucleic acids, contributing to the stabilization and development of neuronal activity. It also helps regenerate brain cells.
- Stimulation of the cholinergic system, thereby reducing the risk of the onset and development of memory problems.
- Active effect on the monoaminergic system. The production of dopamine, a hormone necessary for the active thinking process, increases.
In some cases, instead of oral drugs, injections are prescribed to improve brain circulation and memory. In fact, this is also an active ingredient, injected directly into the bloodstream for faster results.
Injection forms are used to quickly saturate the body with the necessary substance. Also, not all useful drugs are available in the form of tablets, because their components are destroyed in the digestive system.
Indications
If problems with the nutrition and metabolism of brain tissue are detected, nootropic drugs are prescribed.
Typical reasons:
- depression, chronic stress;
- formed neuroses;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- consequences of neuroinfections, asthenic states;
- encephalopathy, dementia;
- exhaustion of cognitive functions due to intellectual overload;
- regular oxygen starvation of brain tissue, for example, with atherosclerosis;
- intoxication of the body affects the nervous system and brain.
When choosing which tablets you can take to improve concentration, calm nerves and increase memory and mental performance, intelligence, adults, you should pay attention not only to the prices, but also to the good reviews of experts, who show in what condition the drug helps.
Contraindications
Nootropics should not be considered completely safe and useful memory aids. These drugs have both contraindications and side effects:
- allergic reactions to both the active substance and auxiliary components;
- increased excitability of neurons and risk of seizure activity;
- high blood pressure, hypertension;
- sleep disorder - insomnia may worsen;
- nausea, digestive disorders;
- increased psycho-emotional and motor anxiety.
As you can see, drugs can harm hypertensive patients, people with labile psyche and insomnia. So, due to the extensive list of contraindications and side effects, you may not be aware of their existence, you should not risk your health and choose the treatment yourself.
The doctor will tell you what cheap pills adults can take to improve brain function, mental clarity, restore memory and brain activity, improve attention and intellectual performance, give the exact name and talk about the main active ingredients.
Nootropics over the counter
Some drugs are sold without a prescription to improve memory and attention, stimulate brain activity, and improve the functioning of the brain and nervous system in adults, the names of individual drugs are given in our material.
Pills that you can buy and use to improve memory and protect intelligence during stressful periods of life:
- Piracetam is the first nootropic. Popular item. It serves as a universal medicine used for more than 50 diseases. Both as a main component and as an auxiliary agent. One of the features is to increase the convulsive readiness of neurons.
- Ginkgo biloba improves cognitive function, strengthens the walls of blood vessels and improves oxygen supply to the brain. It is created on the basis of the extract of the plant of the same name.
- Glycine, an amino acid. A general tool that supports and strengthens memory during periods of overload. It is based on an amino acid that is used to create protein 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 in case of vascular pathologies of the brain.
- Vinpocetine helps stabilize cerebral circulation. The point of effect is the normalization of brain nutrition by dilating blood vessels and improving glucose metabolism. In addition, it helps reduce the risk of thrombophlebitis. It is recommended to take with caution in patients with arrhythmia.
It should be remembered that nootropics are not a panacea that can be taken for life. Like other drugs, they are prescribed in courses. Uncontrolled use can lead to the development of side effects.
Rating of the best drugs
Today in the pharmacy you can find dozens of drugs to improve memory. But not all of them have passed the test of time and not all of them have proven their effectiveness.
TOP drugs for memory improvement, nutrition and recovery of nervous system and brain function, further improvement of cognitive functions:
- Medication with piracetam. A universal nootropic drug that has a positive effect on memory, attention and brain activity at any age. It is used in the treatment of both children, adults and the elderly. It accelerates the transmission of impulses in the brain, helps to record information in the memory better.
- A derivative of succinic acid. It stimulates metabolic processes in the nervous system, improves psycho-emotional endurance, and accelerates the removal of toxic substances from the body. Due to the latter ability, it is often used in the treatment of addictions.
- Hopantenic acid, known for its psychostimulant effect, is included in many medicinal preparations. It is popular among people who are actively engaged in intellectual work. It is considered one of the best means to eliminate chronic fatigue, activate memory and attention. It strengthens a person's intellectual abilities. The course is only 1 month, the result is felt after taking the first tablets.
- Herbal complex. It has a gentle effect on mental abilities, improves memory and attention, reduces irritation and stress. It is popular due to the low risk of side effects, which allows even drivers to take it.
An additional list of neurotrophic drugs suitable for you, taking into account the characteristics of your body, will be selected by your doctor after examination.
The drug component should be supplemented with training and physical therapy, TMS, for better results.