How to improve brain function and memory

25 December 2020

The modern world places great demands on the person living in it in terms of mental activity, and sometimes it is necessary to perform several tasks simultaneously in different areas of knowledge.

Without additional brain cell "nutrition", a proper lifestyle, the body's normal physical shape and proper nutrition are impossible. Therefore, recommendations on various ways to improve brain function and memory will be of interest to all readers.

Brain cells and memory

As the age increases, not only the human body but also the brain ages, its thinking skills and neural connections in cells deteriorate, and the volume of gray matter gradually decreases, its cognitive abilities (thinking, comprehension, receptivity) decrease, learning, reasoning and reasoning. logical conclusion). Attention deficit and memory impairment are the first signs of a decrease in a person’s thinking ability, which often occurs with age.

Causes of memory and brain dysfunction

trauma and post-operative trauma, past illness (stroke, concussions, etc. );
Some internal diseases: infectious, kidney, etc. ;
age-related changes in the body;
alcohol, drug, antidepressant use, smoking;
wrong lifestyle: stress, lack of sleep, congestion at work.

To slow down these negative processes, researchers recommend trying to keep your body and brain healthy according to the following rules:

maintain good physical activity, exercise regularly;
adherence to diet and normal weight, eating foods that improve brain function;
Cholesterol and blood glucose control;
quit smoking and other harmful habits;
maintain normal blood pressure levels;
If necessary, you can learn how to improve brain function by consulting a specialist who will prescribe the right medication.

Nootropic substances:

Nootropic drugs are substances and agents that promote positive effects on human brain tissue, increase its efficiency, improve memory, help and facilitate the process of memorization and learning, and stimulate cognitive functions. They also increase the "clarity" of the mind in all conditions, even extreme ones. They are based on organic components. The modern pharmaceutical industry uses them to produce drugs and pills that improve brain function.

10 substances that improve memory and intellectual activity:

Flavonols - activate the production of the hormone endorphins in the body, giving a feeling of joy and happiness. They stimulate the transmission of nerve impulses in brain cells, adding strength and activity. Such ingredients contain dark chocolate.
Lecithin is one of the body's cellular components, a phospholipid involved in the production of enzymes and hormones; together with vitamin B5 is converted to acetylcholine, which accelerates the course of nervous processes and reactions (neurotransmitter); is found in eggs, beef and chicken liver, fatty fish, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Caffeine - found in coffee and green tea, its consumption helps to focus, increase productivity and stimulate the brain, but after a while brain activity decreases.
L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, helps prolong brain function and increase productivity without further degradation.
Creatine, an organic nitrogen-containing acid produced naturally during active physical activity, helps increase muscle growth and cellular responses, conserves brain energy stores, and improves analytical thinking.
Omega-3 fatty acids (found in ocean fish, nuts, seeds) - improves memory, relieves depression and stress, protects against aging.
L-tyrosine is an amino acid that helps produce adrenaline and the neurotransmitter dopamine, which increases the fatigue threshold, accumulation, and has a positive effect on the endocrine system.
B vitamins - help restore nerve cells and improve brain function.
Acetyl-L-carnitine is an amino acid that relieves chronic fatigue, improves memory and brain cell function, maintains balance and carbohydrate metabolism, and acts on sexual activity.
Ginkgo leaf dry extract is the strongest nootropic drug named after the tree of the same name; its leaves contain glycosides, flavonoids and terpenes, which together stimulate brain activity, improve memory and emotional stability.

Products that regulate brain cell activity:

Lifestyle and diet are key factors influencing a person's mental performance. Research has shown that there are many foods that can improve memory and brain function.

This includes:

Fatty fish (sardines, salmon, trout, etc. ) have a positive effect on mental abilities due to the presence of Omega-3 fatty acids; By consuming fatty acids, a person supplies them to the reproduction of nerve cells in the brain (which themselves are 60% fat), it also slows down the aging process and even prevents the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
Black coffee adds essential substances to the human body: caffeine and antioxidants that block the work of adenosine (which prevents drowsiness and improves positive perception of reality), stimulates serotonin production to improve mood and help increase concentration in mental work.
Dark chocolate (which contains at least 80% cocoa) contains beneficial substances for improving brain function: flavonoids, caffeine and antioxidants that improve memory and help slow down age-related changes in brain cells and improve mood.
Nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds) - contains useful vitamins B and E, trace elements (magnesium) and antioxidants, consumed up to 100 g per day.
Blueberries are berries that not only have a positive effect on visual acuity, but also the brain, as well as relieve depression due to anthocyanins - antioxidants that strengthen blood vessels and reduce their fragility, improve the connection between brain cells and memory.
Oranges and lemons are a source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that protects the brain from free radicals.
Broccoli - contains fat-soluble vitamin K (necessary for the formation of fat in brain cells and improves memory) and antioxidants to help fight diseases associated with brain damage.
Pumpkin seeds are a source of magnesium, zinc, iron and copper, affecting the human nervous system, learning and memory.
Chicken eggs are a source of many nutrients (folic acid, choline, vitamins B6 and B12).

Effects of physical activity on the brain

Even a simple evening walk in the fresh air has a positive effect on brain health. Maintaining a lot of physical activity, doing exercises with a certain load, sports is one of the ways to improve brain function. It helps to improve intellectual abilities at any age and for older people to cope with minor cognitive impairments.

Researchers recommend aerobic exercise, short workouts, yoga and meditation to improve cerebral circulation and maintain good physical condition.

The Mediterranean Diet

According to many scientists, the Mediterranean diet is an optimal diet rich in healthy vegetables and fruits, legumes and whole grains, as well as nuts and olive oil, which have a positive effect and long-term protection of the brain.

The diet also includes small amounts of dairy products, sea fish and a variety of wines. The restriction applies to the use of red meat, poultry and prepared processed foods.

Developing cognitive skills

One of the most effective ways to improve memory and brain activity is to develop your thinking skills on a daily basis. These methods include: crossword and Sudoku solutions, learning a new foreign language. The latter, according to Finnish researchers from the University of Helsinki, helps to improve cognitive abilities even in older people by giving the mind "sharpness" and contributing to its elasticity.

The more a person speaks foreign languages, the faster the brain's neural network responds to the accumulation of new information. Therefore, both children and adults are encouraged to learn new languages to avoid cognitive decline as the body ages.

Learning to play a musical instrument, regardless of a student’s age, also has a positive effect on memory and brain cells. Sound reproduction has a protective effect by altering brain waves and improving hearing.

Nootropic drugs:

The workings of the human brain and memory are often influenced by the external environment, so many people feel they need treatment and ask professionals to say what medications improve memory and brain function. All such medicines and tablets should only be taken if your doctor tells you to.

However, in critical cases (diploma defense, session, exams, etc. ), the use of such drugs on their own helps to focus and improve brain function in the short term.

What drugs improve brain function and are available without a prescription

Glycine is a popular inexpensive "head vitamin" that regulates sleep, mental activity and improves mood, it should be taken for at least 30 days.
Gamma-amino butyric acid - used to treat head injuries, helps remove toxins and normalize nervous processes.
Ginkgo biloba dry extract - a preparation made from leaf extract, used in sleep disorders, dizziness, memory and attention disorders, normalizes metabolism in brain cells and tissues (not prescribed until 18 years).

Prescription tablets for memory and brain function:

Piracetam and its analogues are drugs used to help students with a session for memory and attention disorders, and in elderly patients for Alzheimer's disease.
Vinpocetine - is used to improve cerebral metabolism, treat blood vessels in the head, treat the consequences of stroke, and more.
Pyritinol dihydrochloride monohydrate - used to reduce mental activity, helps to normalize metabolic processes in nervous tissues, used to treat atherosclerosis, pediatric encephalopathy.
Porcine brain peptide complex - sold in ampoules and used to treat Alzheimer's disease, stroke and more.

You should read the instructions for all medicines carefully, as most of them have negative side effects and contraindications.

Rules for the use of nootropic drugs:

Before taking medications that improve memory and brain function, it is important to consult a specialist and follow important rules:

The dose of the drug and the duration of the course of treatment are selected according to the patient's age, health and body characteristics, the presence of some concomitant diseases;
To find out the positive or negative change in brain and memory work, you need to check regularly, record observations and perform a set of special exercises;
To choose the optimal pills that improve brain function, better change their use and monitor the effects on the body. This will help determine the most appropriate medication.

Developing children's thinking skills and memory

Medications and medications are not always suitable for children, on the contrary, many of them are not recommended for use by people under 18 years of age due to possible adverse effects. It is better to consult a pediatrician and a neurologist before deciding to prescribe medication.

This is because the loss of attention and memory in children is a consequence of any disease, and only a doctor can check how to improve a child's brain function: with the help of drugs, vitamins or changes in lifestyle and hobbies, prescription dietsand the use of foods that help stimulate brain cell work.

Folk recipes to improve memory

Over the years, traditional medicine has collected many recipes that have a positive effect on a person's ability to remember and improve concentration:

clover blossom infusion - prepared from 2 tbsp. l. dried plants for 2 tbsp. hot water, all in a thermos for 2 hours, then strain and drink 100 g half an hour before a meal, the course duration - 3 months;
chopped red rowan bark: 1 tbsp. l. mass of 250 g of water, boil and leave for 6 hours, drink three times a day, 1 tbsp. l, the course - 30 days, then a break, a year - at least 3 cycles;
Eat 2-3 young pine buds. twice a day before meals.

Conclusion

If you have memory problems, dizziness, insomnia, depression or other symptoms, you should first find out the source and cause of these negative processes by visiting your doctor and doing a thorough examination. With the results and recommendations of a specialist, it will be possible to start treatment and take medications that improve brain function and memory.