“Areas of Darkness”: drugs to improve memory and brain function

The modern world dictates new rules and offers us a huge amount of information that needs to be analyzed daily. Today, a person is required to quickly and effectively assimilate material, maximum concentration and high productivity. Constant deadlines, intense work process, stress during study - all this is a strong psycho-emotional load that wears out the internal resources of the body, which manifests itself in the form of irritability, memory deterioration and difficulty concentrating and perceiving something new. Therefore, sooner or later the thought appears - is there some kind of medicine, a kind of “doping” for the brain that will help you become more productive and successful using fewer resources? The ideal remedy in this case is a balanced alternation of work and rest. But if for some reason this option is not available or does not help, then nootropic drugs can help increase productivity.

Medicines in this group have a wide spectrum of action.

TOP 20 drugs to improve the brain 2021

* The rating was calculated based on a combination of factors: side effects, availability of a prescription from a doctor, cost, reviews

The best drugs to improve brain activity for different age categories

What are nootropics?

Constantly being under stress, poor environmental conditions in the region - all this has a bad effect on the functioning of the nervous system. It is common for a person to become overtired, excessive irritation occurs, normal sleep disappears, and performance is noticeably reduced.

Nootropics are one of the most effective drugs that can stimulate brain function. Medicinal substances significantly enhance memory and activate mental activity. The following will be a list that describes the most effective nootropics for improving brain activity.

Medicines stimulate the development of intellectual abilities and increase the resistance of the nervous system to negative influences from the environment. It is worth studying in as much detail as possible which drugs have a mild sedative effect, and which, on the contrary, are capable of activating the normal functioning of the body.

Over-the-counter medications

Glycine

The most popular drug in Russia.
Often used for stress and increased nervous excitement, psycho-emotional tension. Very common among students during a session when preparing for exams. The main purpose is to increase mental performance. Application form: 1 tablet 3 times a day.

Side effects: allergic reactions are possible.

Vitrum memory

It is recommended to take this drug if there is a decrease in attention, speed of thinking, or deterioration of intelligence. Herbal preparation. Improves oxygen supply to the brain and improves cerebral circulation. Prevents hypoxia (lack of oxygen). Available in tablet form.

Application form: 1 tablet 2 times a day for 3 months

Side effects: headache, dizziness, dyspepsia, allergic skin reactions.

Memoplant

Herbal German preparation with ginkgo biloba extract EGb761®.
It differs from similar extracts in its high degree of purification due to 27-stage production in Germany, during which carcinogenic ginkgolic acids are removed from the medicine. Used to improve memory and concentration, and to treat dizziness and tinnitus or head noise. Improves microcirculation in the brain. Increases neuroplasticity and neurotransmission. Has a long-term effect.

Application form: 1 tablet 1-2 times a day.

Undevit

It is a pill containing a complex of vitamins A, B, C, E and P, which, when combined in the correct proportions, give a synergistic effect. Recommended for metabolism in old age, as well as after illnesses during the recovery period.

Application form: 2-3 tablets per day for 20-30 days

Side effects: possible allergic reactions

Aminalon

Restores the dynamics of nervous processes, removes toxins formed during metabolism in the brain. In patients with diabetes mellitus it helps reduce glucose levels. Recommended after traumatic brain injury

injuries
Application form: 1/3 of the daily dose 3 times a day before meals. Daily dose: children 1-3 years old 1-2g, children 4-6 years old - 2-3g, children over 7 years old - 3g. The course of treatment is from 2 weeks to 4 months.

Side effects: nausea, vomiting, blood pressure lability, dyspepsia, increased body temperature, sleep disturbance.

Bilobil

It is recommended for problems with intellectual abilities and sleep, as well as for those who experience anxiety and fear. Microcirculation and oxygen supply to peripheral brain tissues improves. Contraindicated for persons under 18 years of age.

Application form: 1 capsule 3 times a day for at least 3 months

Side effects: redness, skin rash, swelling, itching, dyspepsia, headache, insomnia, decreased blood clotting.

Intellan

The drug, containing only plant extracts, is available in capsule form. It is used for deterioration of mental activity, acute depressive states and disorders, and forgetfulness. Suppresses anxiety and depression.

Application form: 1 capsule 2 times a day after meals, morning and evening for 4 weeks

Side effects: possible allergic reactions

Ginko biloba

The drug contains extract of leaves of the flexible biloba tree.
Recommended for dizziness, sleep disorders, ringing in the ears, decreased attention and memory. Not recommended for persons under 18 years of age or during pregnancy. It has an antihypoxic effect and improves tissue metabolism. Application form: 1 capsule (80 mg) 2 times a day for 6-8 weeks

Side effects: possible allergic reactions

Divaza

It is used for disorders of the central nervous system (CNS), including those caused by traumatic brain injury. Restores interhemispheric connections of the brain. The synergism of the components has a positive effect on neuronal plasticity - this increases the brain's resistance to toxic influences. Not recommended for people under 18 years of age and pregnant women.

Application form: 1-2 tablets 3 times a day.

Side effects: Tablets are not recommended for use in cases of glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome, congenital galactosemia or congenital lactase deficiency, since the drug contains lactose.

Glycine D3

Glycine D3 is a dietary supplement that combines glycine and vitamin D3. These components reinforce each other, activating the central nervous system. Recommended for stimulating brain function and normalizing metabolism in the brain.

Application form: 1 effervescent tablet 1 time per day.

Side effects: not detected.

The best pills for the brain: definition by components

To understand which drugs improve memory and increase intellectual endurance better than others, it is advisable to first determine your preferred components - those that you would like to see in the drug - and then select a nootropic containing these components.

Thus, among the most proven - that is, effective and, in recommended dosages, safe - elements that give a nootropic result, the plant Ginkgo Biloba, Asian ginseng, any of the substances containing Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, B vitamins are most often called. When it comes to relieving stress and tension, motherwort, mint, and lemon balm are most often mentioned. Less commonly – pumpkin, hops, chamomile.

• Ginkgo Biloba extract can be found in the monocomponent nootropic of the same name and in the multicomponent preparations “GABA” and “TinkFast”.
• Asian ginseng, which is used to increase energy levels, improve cognitive abilities and enhance the effects of vitamins, is found as an ingredient in GABA and TinkFast.
• Omega-3 can most often be found in natural seafood (in fish oil capsules), flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts. Of the drugs mentioned above, only GABA contains seafood (for example, squid meat, shark liver), walnuts, and pumpkin seeds as a source of Omega-3.
• B vitamins are best represented in the preparations “Natrol” and “TinkFast”, which, among other vitamins, contains pyridoxine (B6), which improves metabolism in tissues, and tocopherol (E), which improves the supply of blood vessels to the brain.
• Anti-stress components are more represented in the Natrol preparation (for example, motherwort), where glycine is responsible for the nootropic effect, and sage and licorice root are responsible for the functioning of the immune and nervous systems.

If we systematize all the data, then in the informal competition of tablets for memory and brain activity, GABA has the greatest potential, however, the final choice of the drug depends on the entire set of tasks that are set for the nootropic.

Prescription drugs

Attention! Before using medications, be sure to consult your doctor.

Thiocetam
Thiocetam has a triple effect on nerve cells: antioxidant, antihypoxic and nootropic.

Contains piracetam and thiotriazoline, which mutually enhance each other's effects. Improves long- and short-term memory, promotes the learning process, eliminates amnesia. The drug is also used to treat headaches arising from chronic cerebral ischemia

Form of application: There are two forms of release of Thiocetam.

• Pills . Use 2 tablets 3 times a day. The recommended course is 25-30 days, but sometimes extended to 4 months.
• Injections for intravenous administration. Course 2 weeks.

To increase the effectiveness of treatment, step-by-step therapy is prescribed: first injections, then switching to tablet form.

Fezam

Recommended for the prevention of migraines, kinetosis, decreased intellectual functions (memory, attention, mood), as well as intoxication. Contraindicated during pregnancy and children under 5 years of age. Improves blood circulation and brain metabolism.

Application form: 1 capsule (80 mg) 2 times a day for 6-8 weeks

Side effects: possible allergic reactions

Piracetam

It is used for dizziness, decreased attention, Alzheimer's disease, in old age and cerebral circulatory disorders due to injuries. Popular among students during the session.

Form of application: 150 mg/kg per day in 2-4 divided doses. The duration of treatment is 8 weeks.

Side effects: headache, tremor, in some cases - weakness, drowsiness.

Nootropil

The drug contains the active substance - piracetam. Improves the functions of attention, concentration, memory without having a psychostimulating effect. Recommended for children with dyslexia. Contraindicated in children under 3 years of age.

Form of application: to be confirmed with a doctor

Side effects: increased sexual activity. Rarely - abdominal pain, nervousness, agitation, irritability.

Fenotropil

Tablets with a yellowish tint increase the content of norepinephrine and serotonin in the blood.
Improves blood supply to the lower extremities. Increases energy levels in the body and oxygen levels in the brain. The effect is evident even after a single dose. Drug dependence does not develop. Form of application: 2 doses of 100-200 mg for 30 days.

Side effects: insomnia (when taking the drug after 15 hours).

Encephabol

Improves blood circulation in the brain, memory indicators and restores impaired metabolic processes in nervous tissue. Recommended for mental impairment, childhood encephalopathy and cerebral atherosclerosis.

Form of application: determined by the doctor individually.

Side effects: hypersensitivity to pyritinol.

Cavinton

A drug that improves brain metabolism. It is used for insufficient blood circulation in the brain vessels, for example: vascular atherosclerosis, after a stroke, hypertensive encephalopathy. Contraindicated during pregnancy and children under 18 years of age.

Form of application: 5-10 mg 3 times a day for 3 months.

Side effects: allergic skin reactions, increased sweating.

Picamilon

With long-term use, it improves mental abilities, helps reduce anxiety, improve attention and memory, and normalizes sleep.
It is also recommended for people suffering from neuropsychiatric diseases. Form of application: 60 mg per day for 1.5-3 months.

Side effects: nausea, headache, dizziness, irritability, agitation, anxiety, allergic reactions (rash, itching).

Cerebrolysin

Available in the form of ampoules. Protects against the formation of free radicals, reduces the harmful effects of glutamate. Recommended for Alzheimer's disease, ischemic stroke, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in children.

Application form: 60 mg per day for 1.5-3 months

Side effects: rarely - itching and burning at the injection site, dyspepsia, loss of appetite, confusion, insomnia.

Noofen

Recommended for anxiety-neurotic conditions, insomnia and night anxiety in the elderly

Side effects: headaches, drowsiness, nausea.

Before using medications, carefully weigh the PROS and CONS of using such products. Almost everyone has side effects that are not necessarily reflected externally on the body, but can negatively affect the condition of the internal organs.

Which nootropic drug to choose?

Nootropics are medications that have a specific effect on human mental functions. It is generally accepted that they help to activate a person’s mental activity, stimulate his cognitive functions, improve memory and enhance learning ability.

Which drug should I choose?

1. Acefen

This drug will help people who have asthenodepressive, asthenic or asthenohypochondriacal conditions.

2. Nootropil

This is a drug that accumulates in the body during administration. That is, after completing the course, its effect will not end immediately. The drug is effective for a month.

3. Nerobutal

Nerobutal must be purchased in cases where you need a drug that has a sedative, tranquilizing effect.

4. Biotredin

If you need a drug that can regulate tissue metabolism occurring in the brain, then you can purchase biotredin. The drug is able to increase a person’s mental activity. Great for those who want to get rid of alcohol addiction, want to improve memory and improve performance.

5. Glycine

This medicine is suitable even for children, as it has a weak nootropic and anti-stress effect. Helps a person reduce irritability.

6. Phenotropil

Phenotropil is a powerful neutrabolic drug that has pronounced psychostimulating activity.

7. Semax

Semax is a combination drug. It combines nootropic, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties.

8. Calcium hopantenate

This drug helps increase a person’s physical and mental activity. It does not excite a person, but rather has a calming effect.

Medicines to improve memory for children

Some of the above drugs can be used by children, but very carefully.

Regarding improving memory for children with the help of drugs, there is a very interesting video - watch:

In situations with children, the problem may not be with memory and brain.

If a child cannot remember information for a long time, perhaps this is not his strong point. Maybe he likes music or dancing better, think about it before next time you force him to remember something.

Do medications help improve memory?

As neuroscientist K.V. Anokhin: “At the moment there are no drugs that would actually improve memory.”

All drugs (including those listed above in the article) have psychotropic functions, not mnemotropic ones. This means that such drugs affect blood circulation and processes associated with attention, perception, and concentration. But they do not directly affect memory.

People want a magic pill, an analogue of NZT from the movie "Dark Areas", but there is none.

In addition, think about what you are risking by trying different modern drugs...