Nootropics - pills to improve brain activity, their effect on memory and brain function

Nootropic drugs are one of the groups of neuropsychotropic drugs, the specific effect of which is determined by the ability to improve intellectual and mnestic functions that were previously impaired as a result of various pathological processes in the central nervous system.

In the modern world, sometimes it already seems that our brain resources are not enough, especially with increased psycho-emotional stress at work or study.

Let's try to figure out what these magical remedies are and how to choose and take the right medications to improve brain function.

Effects that develop when taking nootropics:

• Nootropic effect – restoration of lost cortical functions (thinking, attention, speech)
• Mnemotropic effect – improving memory and accelerating the learning process
• The adaptogenic effect is an increase in our body’s ability to withstand adversity that surrounds us every day.
• Antiasthenic effect – helps fight manifestations of physical and mental fatigue
• Psychostimulating effect – combats decreased willpower, poverty of motives, apathy, emotional coldness
• Antidepressant effect – improves results in complex treatment of depression
• Sedative effect – stabilizes mood during emotional lability

Among the properties listed above, not all are universal for this pharmacological group as a whole, while stimulation of mental functions when taking notropic drugs is not accompanied by pronounced side effects.

The therapeutic effects from them develop slowly and appear after a few weeks, and can reach their maximum only after months.

Nootropics, unlike other psychotropic drugs, combine well with drugs from other groups, which is very important when treating patients with concomitant pathologies of other internal organs.

Photo: The use of nootropics allows you to restore both creative and logical abilities.

Release form and composition

• Capsules 0.25 and 0.4 g (12 pcs in a blister, 4 or 7 blisters in a cardboard box);
• Syrup (in bottles of 50, 100 or 150 ml, 1 bottle in a cardboard box).

Active ingredients of capsules:

• Ginkgo biloba extract;
• Gotu kola extract (Centella asiatica);
• Glycine (Glycinum);
• Vitamin B3;
• Vitamin B5;
• Vitamin B6;
• Vitamin B12;
• Vitamin K1.

Active ingredients of syrup:

• Roots and rhizomes of Rhodiola rosea (Rhodiolae roseae rhizoma et radix);
• May rose hips (Rosae fructus);
• Fruits of chokeberry (Aroniae melanocarpae fructus);
• Glycine;
• Guarana (Paullina cupana) extract;
• Succinic acid;
• Ginseng extract siccum;
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid).

Syrup excipients: sodium benzoate, sugar and water.

Description of pharmacological action

Real ginger, root, helps normalize cerebral circulation. Rowan berries, fruits - reduce the content of lipids in the liver and cholesterol in the blood. Horsetail, herb - recommended for atherosclerosis of the blood vessels of the heart and brain. Large plantain, a herb, was used in ancient China for “tinnitus” and dizziness. Normalizes lipid metabolism and protects the vascular wall from damage. Calamus, rhizomes - improves the rheological properties of blood. Stinging nettle leaves have an anti-inflammatory, tonic, multivitamin, and tonic effect. Silver birch leaves - helps improve memory and concentration. Calendula officinalis, flowers - has a calming effect on the central nervous system, reduces reflex excitability. Valerian officinalis, rhizomes - has a neuroregulatory effect on the activity of the heart muscle.

Contraindications

For both dosage forms:

• Pregnancy;
• Lactation;
• Individual hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

In addition, the dietary supplement in syrup form should not be taken in the following cases:

• Increased nervous excitability;
• Insomnia;
• Heart rhythm disturbances;
• High blood pressure;
• Diabetes;
• Severe atherosclerosis.

Nootropic use in pediatrics: capsules are contraindicated for children under 12 years of age, syrup for children under 18 years of age.

Drug rating

There are many drugs with different compositions, the effects of which differ from each other. By choosing the right drug for yourself, you can significantly increase your performance and the amount of mental work you perform. The most powerful nootropics include:

• Piracetam is the most powerful representative of the racetam class of drugs. It has a beneficial effect on human cognitive functions: improves short-term and long-term memory, thought processes. The positive effect of the drug can persist for several months after completion of the course. Side effects include nausea and abdominal pain, headaches;
• Sulbutiamine is a vitamin B1 that dissolves in fat and has a wide range of positive characteristics: the drug accelerates oxygen in the body, copes well with depression, improves coordination and fine motor skills, enhances attentiveness and concentration. The drug normalizes the level of dopamine in the body, nitrogen metabolism, and improves the general condition of a person. It is also actively used in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Negative side effects of the substance include possible sleep disturbances and mood swings. However, they occur due to individual intolerance or dosage violations;
• Hydrafinil is a substance of the eugorica class, which has a strong invigorating effect. The main purpose of the drug is to increase energy and general level of vigor. It also has a number of other effects: it enhances attention and learning ability, increases the intensity of mental activity, and speeds up reflexes. Taking the drug will be an excellent solution for those who suffer from drowsiness and lethargy, engage in active mental work, and need to quickly study large amounts of information. It has a number of side effects that occur if the conditions of administration are violated: skin rashes, headaches, sleep problems;
• 5-htp. The full name is 5-hydroxytryptophan. The drug, due to its ability to naturally increase the level of serotonin in the body, is the most effective and safe alternative to classic antidepressants. 5-hydroxytryptophan, unlike antidepressants, acts specifically on serotonin levels, and not on melatonin and neurotrophic factors. The drug also has a beneficial effect on human sleep and fights insomnia. It is suitable for people who want to overcome stress and anxiety and depression without the use of potent antidepressants. There are only 2 side effects of the drug - excessive drowsiness and nausea that occur when the conditions for taking the drug are violated;
• DMAE (stands for dimethylethanolamine) is a drug consisting of organic compounds present in fish. Increases life expectancy, improves liver performance, has a positive effect on psycho-emotional mood, and is used in the prevention of intellectual and mental disorders. A course of taking the drug is recommended for people who want to increase their overall level of health, psycho-emotional state, attentiveness and memory. If the dosage is too high, the following effects may occur: confusion, hyperactivity and difficulty falling asleep;
• Aniracetam stands out among other representatives of the racetam class for its features, including: stimulation of the overall performance of the body, a beneficial effect on human emotions and creative thinking, and an effective fight against stress and depression. After completing the course, a person experiences a long-term improvement in social adaptability. A person thinks more clearly and can remember more information. Aniracetam is an excellent choice for creative, socially active people who work with a lot of information and are prone to mood swings. There are only two negative effects - abdominal pain and skin rashes;
• Fasoracetam is a drug originally developed to combat Alzheimer's disease. Subsequently, it also began to be used as an effective prophylaxis for dementia, an antidepressant and a tranquilizer. Nootropic properties include: a significant effect on receptors responsible for long-term memory, increasing alertness and learning, maintaining mental clarity and orderly thoughts. Fasoracetam acts for a long time and does not lose its effectiveness. The list of side effects contains: the possibility of allergies, headaches, nausea and vomiting in case of overdose;
• Phenylpiracetam is a derivative of piracetam. Thanks to the phenyl ring, it penetrates the brain more easily and is absorbed faster. The drug retains all the nootropic properties of piracetam: stimulation of psychological activity, fight against anxiety and seizures, stimulation of mental activity, improvement of concentration and attention, easier assimilation and memorization of information. Suitable for people who want to increase their mental performance and concentration, and reduce the stress of thinking processes. When consumed, problems with insomnia, headaches, increased blood pressure and redness on the skin may occur;
• Oxiracetam is a low-toxic derivative of regular piracetam, which has all its properties with an increased degree of effectiveness. Positive characteristics of the drug: active stimulation of brain activity, increased focus, stimulation of rational thinking, significant increase in short- and long-term memory, significant stimulation of psycho-emotional processes. The drug is excellent for improving the ability to process, analyze and remember large amounts of information. Side effects may include dizziness and nausea.

At the Yusupov Hospital, psychiatrists and neurologists, when choosing nootropic drugs for a patient, primarily rely on the purposes for which they are required. When choosing nootropics on your own, it often happens that the chosen drug has an overly strong effect or causes side, negative consequences. In order to avoid such phenomena, specialists at the Yusupov Hospital individually select medications, paying attention to the degree of influence of the substance on the body. Before prescribing a nootropic, it is necessary to take into account the side effects of the drug, as well as the patient’s individual sensitivity to the individual components of the drug.

Yusupov Hospital is a leading medical institution in Russia, which employs a team of professionals and doctors of the highest category, specializing in the treatment of a wide range of diseases. The hospital accepts patients of any severity, and, thanks to the highly qualified and experienced specialists, it is possible to achieve positive treatment results. The Yusupov Hospital is ready to provide medical assistance at any time, as it operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can make an appointment and consultation with a specialist at the Yusupov Hospital online on the website or call by phone.

Directions for use and dosage

Syrup

In syrup form, the Nootropic should be taken orally with meals in the first half of the day. Immediately before use, the bottle must be shaken thoroughly.

Adults are prescribed 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) for 2-3 weeks. If necessary, repeat courses are prescribed several times during the year.

Capsules

In capsule form, the drug should be taken with meals.

Children over 12 years of age and adults are prescribed 1-2 capsules 1 time per day for 20 days. After a 10-day break, it is recommended to repeat the course.

Best Natural Nootropics

If a healthy adult experiences a loss of strength, decreased performance, or memory impairment, then there is a very simple way to safely recover. It consists of four points:

• Full sleep (6-8 hours);
• Balanced diet (with vitamins and minerals);
• Physical exercise;
• Mental exercise.

To quickly resume functions for a short time (for example, before an exam), you can use the following natural nootropics, absolutely natural and safe folk remedies:

• Tea coffee. The active ingredients are caffeine and glucose. Caffeine – blocks the release of adenosine (prevents drowsiness), constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressure, glucose nourishes the brain;
• Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit, lemon). Active ingredients: niacin, retinol, essential oils. Niacin has a stimulating effect on the brain, activates metabolic processes;
• Cocoa, chocolate. Active ingredients: caffeine, tyramine, glucose. The effect is similar to coffee or tea, with a large production of serotonin. Restores strength well, improves memory;
• Apples (and seeds). Active ingredient: iodine, antioxidants, acids. Participate in brain nutrition, slow down cell aging, improve memory, prevent Alzheimer's disease;
• Ginger. Active ingredients: gingerol, borneol, essential oils. Increases blood pressure, activates the production of hormones, metabolism and brain processes;
• Rose hip. The active substance is organic acids, a high concentration of vitamins, polyphenols. Improves microcirculation in the brain, increases blood pressure, tone, and invigorates.

You can also use other natural energy sources - ginseng, guarana, eleutherococcus, aralia, rhodiola, leuzea, lemongrass and so on.

It is worth remembering that even herbal remedies have contraindications and may not have an effect on the body after cigarettes, coffee, or various medications.

Expert opinion

Author:

Tatyana Aleksandrovna Kosova

Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, neurologist, reflexologist

Nootropic supplements are not drugs. These are supplements that improve metabolic processes in the brain and nervous tissue. With the right combination of drugs, you can achieve an improvement in brain activity by 40-60%. Nootropics are often prescribed for hypoxia and ischemia. The drugs are indicated for patients with memory problems. In particular, stroke survivors and those suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Nootropics can also be used by healthy people who want to keep their thinking process in good shape. Supplements are also beneficial for those who are subject to a lot of mental workload or stress on a daily basis. They help schoolchildren and students during exams to better assimilate information and avoid overload.

The Yusupov Hospital practices complex therapy using nootropics. They can be taken by both adults and children. Children are prescribed supplements for mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and attention deficit disorder. Natural nootropics and supplements in pill form can be used. The choice depends on the psychological state of the patient that needs to be corrected, as well as the planned outcome of treatment.