There are diametrically opposed views on memory-enhancing drugs. Some say it is helpful and helps to deal with increased intellectual stress, that it really helps and effectively.
Others say that this is just a myth, that there is no benefit to taking these drugs, that they can even be harmful and addictive for these drugs. Let's try to consider both points of view in more detail and find out who is right.
A bit about memory
Memory is a mental function of higher nervous activity, with the help of which the accumulation, preservation and reproduction of previously received information takes place. Memory allows you to store information about the external world or the body's reactions to any impact for a long time, and it also allows you to use this information for the correct organization of activities in the future.
Memory includes several different but related processes.
- Memorization- input of new data, sensations.
- Storage: the accumulation of data, sensations, includes their processing and assimilation. This process allows a person to learn, develop their thinking and speak.
- Reproduction and recognition- update of elements, actions, sensations of the past. Reproduction is involuntary (elements "float" in a person's mind without her will and efforts) and arbitrary.
- Forget: loss of the ability to reproduce and recognize elements that were previously memorized. It can be temporary or permanent. There is incomplete forgetting, when the information is reproduced or recognized with error or in part.
Basic types of memory
There are many types and subtypes in memory classification. Let's talk about its main types.
- Sensory memory: preservation of information from the senses after stimulation.
- Tactile memory: preservation of receiver information as a result of touch.
- Engine memory- by saving information about the movement, many can remember that there are movements that they perform automatically.
- Semantic memory- store information about facts, eg stories learned, dates, multiplication tables.
- Short-term memory: stores information for a short period. It has a small volume.
- Long-term memory: stores 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 life patterns established and scientifically proven.
- Law of repetition: information is remembered 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.
- Border Law: Information provided at the beginning and end is better remembered.
- The Law of Understanding: if information has been understood in depth, it will be remembered better.
- The Law of Optimal Row Length: The amount of information stored should not exceed the amount of short-term memory.
- Installation law- a person who has been given the facility he needs to remember this or that information, will remember it faster and better.
- Inhibition Law: By memorizing similar concepts, the old information "overlaps" with the new.
- The Law of Context: By memorizing things that can be associated with already familiar concepts, you speed up.
- The law of action: if what is memorized is used in practice, memorization occurs more efficiently and quickly.
These laws can be used if you want to remember something faster and better, as well as to train your memory.
Reasons for memory leak
- Organic brain damage: acute stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor.
- Diseases of other organs and systems: diseases of the liver, cardiovascular system.
- External factors- bad ecology, a sudden change in the surrounding living conditions, stress, sleep disturbances.
- Age-related changes in brain structure: a decrease in the number of interneuronal connections.
- Chronic intoxication: smoking, drug use, substance abuse, alcoholism, drug abuse (sedatives, tranquilizers).
Handling memory problems
If memory needs improvement, drugs are not prescribed immediately. First, they try to apply non-pharmacological methods. These include:
- Brisk walks in the fresh air. This increases oxygen access to the brain. This improves the efficiency of your work.
- Normalizes sleepand wakefulness.
- Night training- An unusual training can be the habit of remembering all the events of the day in reverse order, that is, first of all, remembering what happened at night, and in the end, the events of the morning. It is better to do this before going to bed, lying on the bed.
- Positive attitude, don't stop at this- don't think you have a bad memory, no one canceled the effect of self-hypnosis. If at some point you can't remember something, then don't worry, don't get angry, just get distracted, do something else, and then try again to remember what you forgot.
- Daily workouts: solve crosswords, puzzles, keywords.
- Education: learn poetry, foreign languages, do it regularly, gradually increase the amount of material you learn.
Medications for memory loss
It is clear that learning poetry, a foreign language, solving puzzles is not easy, you have to "make an effort", to walk and solve puzzles you have to dedicate additional time, which a working person practically does not have.
It's so much easier to take a pill, calm down and wait for the magic power of medicine - your memory will improve immediately and you won't have to do anything! The modern city dweller is so lazy and spoiled by the fruits of civilization that few people now have such a purpose and want to spend their time and energy training their memory. So a person is looking for an answer to his question: what pills exist to improve memory?
So, let's consider two opposing opinions on this matter:
Positive opinion
Supporters of the use of these funds say that various drugs help improve blood supply to brain cells, thereby improving their nutrition and supplying more oxygen, which improves metabolic processes in neurons.
Nootropics and drugs that improve the rheological properties of the blood help in this.
Herbal preparations have become widespread and not only enhance metabolic processes in neurons themselves, but also enhance the effect of nootropic drugs.
But it should be remembered that any drug (absolutely any) has its own contraindications and side effects, so it should only be prescribed by a doctor in each specific clinical case.
Negative opinion
According to various experts, the coin also has a downside. Several years ago, experts were puzzled by the question: are these drugs effective or is it just a placebo effect?
As a result of numerous studies, the efficacy 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 has shown that they have little effect, but not in severe cases.
Traditional methods and herbal preparations like ginseng, vitamin E, have practically no research. The evidence base is only for the use of herbal medicines in patients with dementia. But there are no data on the effectiveness of use in relatively healthy people.
In conclusion, I would like to say that when you think about which memory-enhancing drugs are the best, don't forget that they should be prescribed by a doctor. And the doctor must also evaluate the effectiveness in each case. Don't trust the advice of friends, neighbors, or family.
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 other problems. You also need to find out the cause of this condition. And this can only be done by a qualified doctor.