The human brain is an organ responsible for the functioning of the entire body. And furthermore, one of its functions is to store our memories. Information is recorded in neural connections in the cortex and subcortical structures and stored 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. So people wonder what to drink to improve an adult's memory. Today, pharmacies offer many medications to solve this problem, but they affect the brain in different ways. This means that they must be applied according to the cause of the problem.
We suggest considering which tablets help improve memory and activate brain activity, and which are more suitable for nourishing and activating the brain's capabilities.
Causes of memory impairment.
There are people who face the problem of the collapse of memory functions already in childhood.
These children need to see a neurologist to find out the cause of the memory disorder.
Children are then prescribed medications to increase mental activity, mental clarity, memory, and brain development.
These drugs are not universal, but only help during the period of maturation of the body. As we age, other circumstances begin to influence our already formed brain. They cause memory problems throughout many years of adult life.
The need to take special medications may be due to:
- exhaustion of the body due to chronic stress, fatigue, prolonged depression or other mental illnesses;
- circulatory disorders in brain tissue, caused by nervous and somatic diseases and injuries;
- vitamin and nutrient deficiency, particularly affected by the lack of microelements in childhood;
- infections of the cortex and membranes of the brain, both viral and bacterial;
- psychiatric diseases, their initial manifestations before the formation of psychosis;
- addiction to alcohol or drugs, which have a destructive effect on neurons;
- traumatic brain injury or head surgery;
- 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.
A doctor must decide in each specific case how to restore brain function, what should be taken, what pills to take for memory and improve attention in adults.
The effectiveness of drugs depends not only on their quality, but also on the specific problem faced by the patient. And how correctly medications are chosen.
Medications that reduce memory.
Another phenomenon that negatively affects a person's health and brain function is medications. Often, to treat various diseases, drugs are used that negatively affect the functioning of other organs.
In such cases, doctors, to compensate for the negative effects, additionally prescribe injections or pills to improve memory and brain function.
Medications that pose a risk to brain activity:
- tablets for the treatment of angina and hypertension;
- anticonvulsants;
- first generation antihistamines;
- medications to treat insomnia, sedatives;
- certain categories of antibiotics.
Precisely because of the possible side effects, doctors are firmly opposed to self-prescribing any remedy. Without knowing all the characteristics of the substance, a person risks not only not being cured, but also harming himself.
When prescribing something from the list above, the doctor will often also suggest nootropic medications to improve nutrition and brain function, concentration, memory and attention in adults, available without a prescription and with a familiar name.
Required Fund Groups
Metabolic drugs in neuroscience are often called universal brain stimulants. However, they are not the only ones that contribute to improving memory and other cognitive functions.
The following can help the main organ cope with stress and improve the ability to think and remember:
- Nootropics that improve brain nutrition activate metabolic processes in neurons. Neurometabolic stimulants allow the brain to remember information better and at the same time protect it from external negative influences.
- Psychostimulants-adaptogens. It is used for overwork and regular stress. Gently improve brain function by increasing energy production. The basis of the composition is usually natural.
- Energy metabolism correctors. 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 remind you that homeopathy and dietary supplements are not remedies to improve cerebral circulation and memory and improve brain function due to the unreliable content of the active ingredient they contain.
Supplements can be used at your own discretion after consulting with your doctor. But replacing the entire treatment with such supplements entails the development of more serious manifestations of diseases.
The principle of action of brain drugs.
When choosing neurostimulant drugs, the doctor selects the best nootropic drug to improve brain function and restore memory, which will serve as an effective stimulant in a specific situation.
Due to the peculiarities of the composition, in each case the individual selection rule takes into account the characteristics of the patient. 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 of lipoproteins, fatty compounds and proteins. Protein metabolism disorders are a risk factor for memory and cognitive disorders.
- Activation of the synthesis and use (uptake) of glucose by neurons. This carbohydrate is the main fuel for the brain; the cells absorb it directly without insulin.
- Improvement of the metabolism of nucleic acids, contributing to the stabilization and development of neuronal activity. It also helps restore brain cells.
- Stimulation of the cholinergic system, thus reducing the risk of the appearance and progression of memory problems.
- Active influence on the monoaminergic system. The production of hormones, dopamine, necessary for the active thought process is enhanced.
In some cases, not oral medications are prescribed, but injections to improve cerebral circulation and memory. In fact, this is also an active ingredient, which is simply injected directly into the blood for faster results.
Injectable forms are used to quickly saturate the body with the necessary substance. In addition, not all useful drugs are available in tablet form, since their components are destroyed in the digestive tract.
Indications
Nootropic drugs are prescribed if problems with the nutrition and metabolism of brain tissue are detected.
Typical reasons:
- depression, chronic stress;
- formed neuroses;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- consequences of neuroinfections, asthenic conditions;
- encephalopathy, dementia;
- exhaustion of cognitive functions due to intellectual overload;
- regular oxygen starvation of brain tissue, for example, in atherosclerosis;
- Intoxication of the body, affecting the nervous system and brain.
When choosing which tablets they can take to improve concentration, calm nerves and increase memory and mental performance, intelligence, adults should focus not only on prices, but also on good reviews of specialists, which specify what specific case the medicine helped.
Contraindications
Nootropics should not be considered a completely safe and useful memory aid. These medications have 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 disorders: insomnia may worsen;
- nausea, digestive disorders;
- increased psychoemotional and motor anxiety.
As you can see, medications can be harmful for hypertensive patients, people with a labile psyche and insomnia. So, due to the extensive list of contraindications and side effects, the presence of which you may not even know about, you should not risk your health and select the treatment yourself.
The doctor will tell you what inexpensive pills adults can take for brain function, mental clarity, restoration of memory and brain activity, improvement of attention and intellectual activity, give the exact name and tell you about the main active ingredients.
Nootropics without prescription
Some medications 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; The names of individual drugs are given in our material.
Pills you can buy and use to improve memory and maintain intelligence during stressful periods of life:
- Piracetam, the first nootropic. Popular substance. It serves as a universal medicine that is used for more than 50 diseases. Both as a main component and as a supporting agent. One of the characteristics is that it increases the convulsive preparation of neurons.
- Ginkgo biloba improves cognitive function, strengthens the walls of blood vessels and improves oxygen delivery to the brain. Created from an extract of the plant of the same name.
- Glycine, amino acid. A common remedy that supports and improves memory during periods of overload. Based on an amino acid used to produce 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 in case of vascular pathologies of the brain.
- Vinpocetine helps stabilize cerebral circulation. The point of influence is the normalization of brain nutrition by dilating blood vessels and improving glucose metabolism. It also helps reduce the risk of thrombophlebitis. Patients with arrhythmia are advised to take it 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. Uncontrolled use can lead to the development of side effects.
Rating of the best drugs
Today in the pharmacy you can find dozens of medications to improve memory. But not all have been tested and not all have proven effective.
TOP medications to improve memory, nutrition and restoration of the nervous system and brain function, further improving cognitive functions:
- Medicine with piracetam. A universal nootropic drug that has a positive effect on memory, attention and brain performance at any age. It is used in the therapy of children, adults and the elderly. It accelerates the transmission of impulses in the brain, helps to better record information in memory.
- A derivative of succinic acid. It stimulates metabolic processes in the nervous system, improves psycho-emotional resistance and accelerates the elimination of toxic substances from the body. Thanks to this last capacity, it is often used in the treatment of addictions.
- Hopantenic acid, known for its psychostimulant effect, is included in many medications. Popular among people who are actively involved in intellectual work. It is considered one of the best remedies to relieve chronic fatigue and activate memory and attention. Strengthens a person's intellectual abilities. The course lasts only 1 month, the result is felt after taking the first tablets.
- Complex of plant origin. It gently affects mental abilities, improves memory and attention, reduces irritability and stress. It is popular due to the low risk of side effects, allowing even drivers to take it.
After the examination, your doctor will select an additional list of neurotrophic drugs suitable for you, taking into account the characteristics of your body.
The medicinal component, for best results, should be complemented with training and physiotherapy, TMS.