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 cortical and subcortical structures and stored accurately for 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 as 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 depending on the cause of the problem.
We suggest you consider which pills help improve memory and activate brain activity, and which are more suitable for feeding and activating brain capabilities.
Causes of memory impairment
There are people who face the problem of decline in memory functions already in childhood.
Such children need a consultation with a neurologist to find out the cause of the mnestic disorder.
Children are then given drugs to increase mental performance, mental clarity, memory and brain development.
These drugs are not universal, but help only during the maturation period of the body. As we age, other circumstances begin to affect our already formed brains. They cause memory problems for many years of adult life.
The need for special medication can be caused by:
- exhaustion of the body due to chronic stress, fatigue, prolonged depression or other mental illnesses;
- brain tissue blood flow disorders caused by nervous and somatic diseases, injuries;
- lack of vitamins and nutrients, especially due to lack of trace elements in childhood;
- infections of the cortex and brain membranes, both viral and bacterial;
- mental illnesses, their initial manifestations before the formation of psychosis;
- addiction to alcohol or drugs that destroy neurons;
- brain injury or head surgery;
- formation of benign or malignant tumors and other tumors (parasitic cysts);
- degenerative processes caused by aging or the development of pathological processes in neurons, such as Alzheimer's disease.
How to restore brain activity, what to drink, what pills to take to improve memory and attention in 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 dealing with. And how to choose the right medicine.
Memory-impairing drugs
A separate phenomenon that negatively affects human health and brain activity is medication. Medicines that negatively affect the functioning of other organs are often used to treat various diseases.
In such cases, in order to compensate for the negative effects, doctors additionally prescribe injections or pills to improve memory and brain activity.
Medicines that endanger brain activity:
- tablets for the treatment of angina pectoris and hypertension;
- anticonvulsant drugs;
- early generation antihistamines;
- sleeping pills, sedatives;
- certain categories of antibiotics.
It is because of possible side effects that doctors are strongly against self-prescribing any medication. Without knowing all the properties of the material, a person risks not only not healing, but also harming himself.
When excluding something from the above list, a doctor will often additionally suggest adult nutrition and brain activity, concentration, memory and attention-enhancing nootropic drugs that are available without a prescription and by a known name.
Groups of required funds
Metabolic drugs are often referred to as universal brain enhancers in neuroscience. However, they are not the only ones that contribute to improving memory and other cognitive functions.
It can help the main body 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 better memorize information while protecting against external negative influences.
- Psychostimulants-adaptogens. Used in cases of excessive work and constant stress. Gently improve brain function by increasing energy production. The basis of the composition is mostly natural.
- Correctors of energy metabolism. Products made from natural ingredients. One of the characteristics is the gradual cumulative effect. They slowly but gently increase the effect, improving memory and other cognitive functions.
We will remind you that homeopathy and food supplements are not drugs that improve cerebral blood flow and memory and improve brain activity due to the unreliable active substance contained in them.
Supplements can be used at your own discretion, after consulting your doctor. However, replacing full-fledged treatment with such supplements is fraught with more serious disease manifestations.
The principle of action of drugs on the brain
When choosing neurostimulators, the doctor selects the best nootropic drug for improving brain activity and restoring memory, which will serve as an effective stimulant in a specific situation.
Due to the peculiarities of the composition, the rule of individual selection 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.
Human cognitive functions are enhanced by the following pharmacological effects:
- Normalization of protein synthesis. Brain cells consist of lipoproteins, fatty compounds and proteins. Protein metabolism disorders are a risk factor for memory and cognitive disorders.
- Activation of glucose synthesis and utilization (assimilation) neurons. This carbohydrate is the main fuel for the brain; cells take it up 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, thus reducing the risk of the onset and progression of memory problems.
- Active effect on the monoaminergic system. The production of hormones, dopamine, necessary for active thinking, increases.
In some cases, instead of oral drugs, injections are prescribed to improve cerebral circulation and memory. In fact, it is also an active ingredient that is simply injected directly into the bloodstream 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, as their components are destroyed in the digestive tract
Indications
Nootropic drugs are prescribed if problems with nutrition and metabolism of brain tissue are detected.
Typical reasons:
- depression, chronic stress;
- developed 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;
- body intoxication affecting the nervous system and brain.
When choosing which pills you can take to improve concentration, calm the nerves and increase memory and mental activity, intelligence, for adults, you need to focus not only on prices, but also on good reviews from specialists, indicating in which specific case the drug helped.
Contraindications
Nootropics should not be considered a completely safe and useful memory aid. These drugs have both contraindications and side effects:
- allergic reactions to the active substance and auxiliary components;
- increased neuronal excitability and risk of seizure activity;
- high blood pressure, hypertension;
- sleep disorders - insomnia may worsen;
- nausea, indigestion;
- increased psychoemotional and motor anxiety.
As you can see, drugs can be harmful to people with hypertension, unstable mental health and insomnia. So, due to the wide list of contraindications and side effects, which you may not even know about, you should not risk your health and choose the treatment yourself.
The doctor will tell you what inexpensive pills adults can take for brain activity, clarity of mind, restoration of memory and brain activity, improvement of attention and intellectual activity, will accurately name and tell about the main active ingredients.
Nootropics without a prescription
Some drugs that improve memory and attention, stimulate brain activity, improve the activity of the brain and nervous system in adults are sold without a prescription, the names of individual drugs are presented in our material.
Pills you can buy and use to improve your memory and maintain your intelligence during stressful times in life:
- Piracetam, the first nootropic drug. Popular material. Serves as a universal medicine used for more than 50 diseases. Both as a main component and as an auxiliary tool. One of the properties is that it increases the convulsive readiness of neurons.
- Ginkgo biloba improves cognitive function, strengthens blood vessel walls and improves oxygen supply to the brain. Created on the basis of the extract of the plant of the same name.
- Glycine, an amino acid. A common remedy that supports and improves memory during periods of overload. Based on an amino acid, used to make cell proteins and protect neurons from overexcitation
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter derivative. Improves brain nutrition, blood flow and oxygen saturation. It is used for the prevention of senile dementia or in case of cerebrovascular pathologies.
- Vinpocetine helps stabilize cerebral blood flow. The point of influence is the normalization of brain nutrition by dilating blood vessels and improving glucose metabolism. In addition, it helps reduce the risk of thrombophlebitis. Caution is advised in patients with arrhythmias.
It is worth remembering that nootropics are not a panacea that can be used throughout life. Like other drugs, they are prescribed in courses. Uncontrolled use can cause side effects.
Evaluation of the best drugs
Today in the pharmacy you can find many drugs that improve memory. However, not all of them are time-tested and not all of them have proven their effectiveness.
TOP drugs that improve memory, nutrition and restoration of nervous system and brain function, further improving cognitive functions:
- Medicines with piracetam. A universal nootropic drug that has a positive effect on memory, attention and brain activity at any age. It is used to treat both children, adults and the elderly. Accelerates the transmission of impulses in the brain, helps to better record information in memory.
- Succinic acid derivative. Stimulates metabolic processes in the nervous system, improves psycho-emotional endurance, 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 psychostimulant effects, is included in many drugs. Popular among 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 human intellectual abilities. The course is only 1 month, the result is felt after taking the first pills.
- Complex of plant origin. Gently affects mental abilities, improves memory and attention, reduces irritability and stress. It is popular due to the low risk of side effects, which allows it to be used even by drivers.
An additional list of neurotrophic drugs suitable for you will be selected by the doctor after the examination, taking into account the characteristics of your body.
For better results, the medicinal component should be supplemented with training and physical therapy, TMS.