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 neuronal connections in the cortex and subcortical structures and is stored exactly 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 in an adult. Today, pharmacies offer many drugs to solve this problem, but they act on the brain in different ways. This means that they should be applied according to the cause of the problem.
We suggest that you consider which pills help improve memory and activate brain activity, and which are more suitable for feeding and activating brain abilities.
Causes of memory impairment
There are people who already in childhood face the problem of declining memory functions.
Such children need a consultation with a neurologist to determine the cause of the mnestic disorder.
Children are then prescribed medication to increase mental activity, mental clarity, memory and brain development.
These drugs are not universal, but only help in the period of maturation of the organism. As we age, other circumstances begin to affect our already formed brain. They cause memory problems during many years of adult life.
The need to take special medications can be caused by:
- exhaustion of the body due to chronic stress, fatigue, long-term depression or other mental illnesses;
- circulation disorders in the brain tissue, which are caused by nervous and somatic diseases, injuries;
- lack of vitamins and nutrients, especially affected by the lack of microelements in childhood;
- infections of the brain cortex and membranes, viral and bacterial;
- psychiatric diseases, their initial manifestations before the onset of psychosis;
- addiction to alcohol or drugs, which have a destructive effect on neurons;
- traumatic brain injuries 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.
How to restore brain function, what to drink, which pills to improve memory and attention in adults should be decided by a doctor in each specific case.
The effectiveness of medicines depends not only on their quality, but also on the specific problem the patient is facing. And how well the medicines were chosen.
Medicines that reduce memory
A separate phenomenon that negatively affects the health and function of a person's brain is medication. Medicines that negatively affect the work 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 tablets to improve memory and brain function.
Medicines that pose a risk for brain activity:
- Tablets for the treatment of angina and hypertension;
- anticonvulsants;
- early generation antihistamines;
- drugs for the treatment of insomnia, sedatives;
- certain categories of antibiotics.
It is precisely because of possible side effects that doctors strongly oppose self-prescribing any medicine. Without knowing all the properties 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 additionally suggest nootropics to improve nutrition and brain function, concentration, memory and attention in adults, available without a prescription and with a familiar name.
Groups of required funds
Metabolic drugs in neuroscience are often referred to as universal brain enhancers. However, they are not the only ones that contribute to improving memory and other cognitive functions.
The following can help the central organ deal with stress and improve thinking and memory:
- Nootropics that improve brain nutrition activate metabolic processes in neurons. Neurometabolic stimulants allow the brain to remember information better, protecting it from external negative influences.
- Psychostimulants-adaptogens. It is used for excessive work and regular stress. Gently improve brain function by increasing energy output. The basis of the composition is usually natural.
- Energy metabolism correctors. Products based on natural ingredients. One of the characteristics is the gradual cumulative effect. They slowly but gently increase performance, improve memory and other cognitive functions.
Let us remind you that homeopathy and food supplements are not medicines for improving cerebral circulation and memory and improving brain function due to the unreliable content of the active substance in them.
You can use supplements at your own discretion after consulting your doctor. But replacing full-fledged treatment with such supplements is fraught with the development of more serious manifestations of the disease.
The principle of action of drugs for the brain
When choosing neurostimulant drugs, the doctor chooses the best nootropic drug to improve brain function and restore memory, which will serve as an effective stimulant in a certain situation.
Due to the particularity of the composition, in each case the rule of individual selection 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 composed of lipoproteins, fatty compounds and proteins. Protein metabolism disorders are a risk factor for memory and cognitive disorders.
- Activation of synthesis and utilization (uptake) of glucose by neurons. This carbohydrate is the main fuel for the brain; cells absorb it directly without insulin.
- It improves 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, which reduces the risk of occurrence and progression of memory problems.
- Active influence on the monoaminergic system. The production of the hormone dopamine, necessary for an active thought process, increases.
In some cases, oral medications are not prescribed, but injections for cerebral circulation and memory improvement. In fact, this is also an active substance, which is simply injected directly into the blood to achieve faster results.
Injectable forms are used to quickly saturate the body with the necessary substance. Also, not all useful drugs are available in the form of tablets, because 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;
- formed neuroses;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- consequences of neuroinfections, asthenic conditions;
- encephalopathy, dementia;
- depletion of cognitive functions due to intellectual overload;
- regular oxygen starvation of brain tissue, for example, with atherosclerosis;
- intoxication of the organism, which affects the nervous system and brain.
When choosing pills that you can take to improve concentration, calm nerves and increase memory and mental performance, intelligence, adults, you need to focus not only on prices, but also on good reviews from experts who state in which specific case the medicine helped.
Contraindications
Nootropics should not be considered a completely safe and useful memory aid. These drugs have contraindications and side effects:
- allergic reactions to both the active substance and auxiliary components;
- increased excitability of neurons and risk of seizures;
- high blood pressure, hypertension;
- sleep disorders – insomnia may worsen;
- nausea, digestive disorders;
- increased psycho-emotional and motor anxiety.
As you can see, drugs can be harmful to hypertensives, people with unstable psyche and insomnia. Therefore, due to the wide list of contraindications and side effects, the presence of which you may not even be aware of, you should not risk your health and choose treatment yourself.
The doctor will tell you which cheap pills adults can take for brain function, mental clarity, restoring memory and brain activity, improving attention and intellectual activity, stating the exact name and talking about the main active ingredients.
Nootropics without a prescription
Some drugs for improving memory and attention, stimulating brain activity, improving the functioning of the brain and nervous system in adults are sold without a prescription, the names of individual drugs are listed in our material.
Tablets that you can buy and use to improve memory and maintain intelligence during stressful periods of life:
- Piracetam, the first nootropic. A popular substance. It serves as a universal medicine used for more than 50 diseases. Both as a main component and as an auxiliary tool. One of the characteristics is that it increases the convulsive readiness of neurons.
- Ginkgo biloba improves cognitive functions, strengthens the walls of blood vessels and improves the oxygen supply to the brain. Made 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 build proteins for cells and protect neurons from overexcitation
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter derivative. It improves brain nutrition, blood circulation and oxygen saturation. It is used for the prevention of 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 expanding blood vessels and improving glucose metabolism. In addition, it helps reduce the risk of thrombophlebitis. Patients with arrhythmia are advised to take them with caution.
It is worth remembering that nootropics are not a drug that can be taken for life. Like other drugs, they are prescribed in courses. Uncontrolled use can lead to the development of side effects.
Rating of the best drugs
Today in pharmacies you can find dozens of drugs to improve memory. But not all of them have been time-tested and not all of them have proven their effectiveness.
TOP drugs for improving memory, nutrition and restoring the function of the nervous system and brain, additional improvement of cognitive functions:
- Medicine with piracetam. A universal nootropic drug that has a positive effect on memory, attention and brain function at any age. It is used in the therapy of both children and adults and the elderly. It speeds up the transmission of impulses in the brain, helps in better recording of information in the memory.
- Succinic acid derivative. It stimulates metabolic processes in the nervous system, improves psycho-emotional endurance, accelerates the removal of toxic substances from the body. Thanks to this latter ability, it is often used in the treatment of addiction.
- Hopantenic acid, known for its psychostimulant effect, is included in many medicines. Popular among people who are actively engaged in intellectual work. It is considered one of the best medicines for relieving chronic fatigue and activating memory and attention. It strengthens a person's intellectual abilities. The course is only 1 month, and the result is felt after taking the first pills.
- Complex of plant origin. It gently affects mental abilities, improves memory and attention, reduces irritability and stress. It is popular because of the low risk of side effects, which allows even drivers to take it.
After the examination, your doctor will choose an additional list of neurotrophic drugs that suits you, taking into account the characteristics of your body.
The medical component, for better results, should be supplemented with training and physical therapy, TMS.