There are diametrically opposed views on memory-enhancing drugs. Some say that it is useful and helps to cope with increased intellectual stress, that it really helps and effectively.
Others say that this is just a myth, that taking such drugs is of no use, that it can even be harmful and addictive to these drugs. Let's try to consider both points of view in more detail and understand who is right.
A little about memory
Memory is a mental function of higher nervous activities, which help to accumulate, store and reproduce previously received information. Memory allows you to store information about the outside world or the body's reactions to any influence for a long time, and it also allows you to use this data to properly organize activities in the future.
Memory includes several different but related processes.
- Memorization- entering new data, sensation.
- Storage- data accumulation, sensation, includes their processing and assimilation. This process allows a person to learn, develop their thinking and speech.
- Reproduction and recognition- actualization of elements, actions, sensations from the past. Reproduction is involuntary (elements "float" in a person's mind without his will and effort) and arbitrary.
- Oblivion- loss of ability to reproduce and recognize elements that were previously remembered. It can be temporary or permanent. It is completely forgotten when information is reproduced or recognized with error or in part.
Basic memory types
There are many types and subtypes in memory classification. Let’s talk about its main types.
- Sensory memory- storing information from the senses after stimulation.
- Tactile memory- preservation of information from receptors as a result of touch.
- Motor Memory- While storing motion information, many may remember that there are movements that perform automatically.
- Semantic memory- storing information about facts, for example, learned stories, dates, multiplication table.
- Short-term memory- save data briefly. It has a small volume.
- Long-term memory- storing information indefinitely, including a lifetime.
Memory Laws
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 repeated several times.
- Law of Interest- if a person is interested in information, they will remember it faster and better.
- Edge Law- information given at the beginning and end is best remembered.
- Law of Understanding- if the information is deeply understood, then it will be better remembered.
- Law of optimal row length- the amount of stored information should not exceed the amount of short-term memory.
- Installation Law- a person who has set up an installation for himself that needs to remember this or that information, will remember it faster and better.
- Law of Inhibition- when memorizing similar terms, the old information "overlaps" with the new.
- Law of Context- when he remembers things that can be related to already known concepts, he goes faster.
- Law of Action- if what is remembered is used in practice, then memorization is more efficient and faster.
These laws can be used if you want to remember something faster and better, as well as to train your memory.
Reasons for memory loss
- Organic brain damage- acute cerebrovascular accident, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor.
- Diseases of other organs and systems- diseases of the liver, cardiovascular system.
- External factors- bad ecology, sharp change of surrounding living conditions, stress, sleep disorders.
- Age-related changes in brain structure- decrease in the number of interneuronal connections.
- Chronic intoxication- smoking, drug use, drugs, alcoholism, drug abuse (sedatives, tranquilizers).
Treatment of memory impairment
If memory improvement is needed, medications are delayed. First they try to apply drug-free methods. These include:
- Lively walks in the fresh air. This increases the access of oxygen to the brain. This improves the efficiency of his work.
- Normalize sleepand wakefulness.
- Evening training- the habit of remembering all the events of the day in reverse order, that is, first of all, remembering what happened in the evening, and finally - the morning events, can become an unusual training. It is better to do it before bed, lying in bed.
- Positive attitude, don't dwell on this- don't think you have a bad memory, no one has canceled the effect of self-hypnosis. If at some point you can't remember something, then don't worry, don't get angry, just distract yourself, do something else, and then try to remember what you forgot again.
- Daily workouts- solve crossword puzzles, riddles, scanned words.
- Education- learn poetry, foreign languages, do it regularly, gradually increase the amount of material you learn.
Remedy for memory loss
It is clear that learning poetry, a foreign language, solving puzzles is not easy, you need to "strain", for walking and solving puzzles you need to set aside extra time, which the working person practically does not have.
It's much easier to take a pill, calm down and hope for the magical power of medicine - your memory will improve immediately and you won't have to do anything! The modern inhabitant of the city is so lazy and spoiled by the fruits of civilization that few people are so purposeful and want to spend their time and energy on memory training. So, a person is looking for an answer to his question - what memory enhancement pills are there?
So, let's consider two opposing opinions on this issue:
Positive thinking
Proponents of the use of these drugs say that a number of drugs help improve the blood supply to brain cells, thereby improving their nutrition and more oxygen supply, which improves metabolic processes in neurons.
Nootropics and drugs that improve the rheological properties of blood help with this.
Herbal preparations have become widespread, which not only improve metabolic processes in neurons, but also enhance the effect of nootropic drugs.
But it should be borne in mind that any (absolutely any) drug has its own contraindications and side effects, so in any clinical case it should be prescribed only by a doctor.
Negative opinion
According to many experts, the coin also has a downside. A few years ago, experts were confused 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 small study on the effectiveness of drugs showed that they have little effect, but not in more severe cases.
Traditional methods and herbal preparations such as ginseng, vitamin E, have virtually no research. The evidence base is only for the use of herbal remedies 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 thinking about which medications are best for improving memory, do not forget that they should be prescribed by a doctor. And the doctor should also evaluate the effectiveness in each case. Do not rely on the advice of friends, neighbors or relatives.
If you think your memory has deteriorated, see a neurologist. Maybe it's not a problem at all, attention can be disturbed, there can be some other problems. It is also necessary to find out the cause of this condition. And this can only be done by a qualified doctor.