Nootropic drugs are used. Nootropics with proven effectiveness. List of drugs without prescriptions, for children, adults. The opinion of ordinary people

You can improve memory and increase intelligence with the help of nootropic drugs that affect brain function and increase its performance.

They are used in various fields of medicine, which include pediatrics, neurology, narcology, psychiatry, obstetrics. Today, the pharmaceutical market offers a large list of drugs, and which ones are better to take - the attending doctor will tell you.

Indications for use

The therapeutic effect of nootropics is based on the following mechanisms:

  • increasing the rate of glucose utilization;
  • strengthening of proteins and synthesis of ribonucleic acid;
  • increased synthesis of adenosine triphosphoric acid.

Thus, medicines directly affect the metabolic processes of the central nervous system and bioenergetics, interacting with the parts of the brain.

Nootropics have the following effects on the human body:

  • psychostimulant;
  • antiasthenic;
  • adaptogenic;
  • antiepileptic;
  • antidepressant;
  • immunostimulating;
  • sedative;
  • energy.

Typically, these drugs are prescribed for the following ailments:

  • drug addiction;
  • epilepsy;
  • ischemic stroke;
  • cerebral palsy;
  • neuroinfection;
  • chronic;
  • cerebrovascular insufficiency of chronic form;
  • migraine;

Nootropics are used as part of the complex therapy of ophthalmic pathologies.

These drugs are also suitable for children with various disorders:

  • cerebral palsy;
  • CNS damage.

According to statistics, nootropics are prescribed to every third child.

List of latest generation drugs with prices

Important criteria for choosing a drug are efficacy, price, quality and safety. Below is a list of drugs by effectiveness:

  1. (hopantenic acid). It is widely used for children with encephalitis, enuresis, residual brain damage. The main active ingredient is vitamin B15. The drug does not have a harmful effect on the human body. The effect occurs within a month of regular use. The course of treatment is up to six months. The drug costs about 240 rubles.
  2. . Increases the body's resistance to stress and does not cause dependence.
    Phenotropil does not contain psychotropic substances and has an antiamnestic effect. Price - approx. 450 rubles.
  3. . It is often prescribed for the treatment of encephalopathy, cerebrosthenia, dizziness, and for the development of memory.
    The full effect can be felt after 1-2 months. 60 tablets cost 61 ruble.
  4. Vinpocetine. This is an inexpensive tool that is good for the brain and improves microcirculation in its vessels.
    Vinpocetine lowers blood pressure and has an antioxidant effect. 30 tablets of 10 mg will cost about 75 rubles.
  5. . It is prescribed for patients with dysfunction of the vestibular apparatus, asthenia, neuroses.
    It has antiplatelet and psychostimulating effects. It is often prescribed to children with stuttering, sleep disturbance, to prevent motion sickness. For 50 tablets you will have to pay about 250 rubles.
  6. . Designed for the treatment of vascular and metabolic pathologies.
    Available in the form of tablets and solution for injection. Worth about 1500 rubles.
  7. Cerebrolysin . A nootropic agent is used to eliminate neurological and mental diseases, including Alzheimer's disease.
    Sold as a solution for injection. Price starts from 1000 rubles.
  8. Biotredin. Acts as a regulator of tissue metabolism, increases brain performance, reduces emotional stress.
    Price starts from 88 rubles.
  9. Aminalon. Suitable for students and people whose activities involve memorizing large amounts of information.
    The drug strengthens memory, improves sleep and begins to act almost immediately. Price - 165 rubles for 100 tablets.
  10. . It is a nootropic that expands the vessels of the brain, is an analogue of Piracetam.
    It has a tranquilizing effect, not recommended for children under 3 years of age. For 30 tablets you will have to pay approximately 75 rubles.

With a real pathology, nootropics with proven effectiveness can solve the problem and improve the patient's well-being, however, in case of an incorrect diagnosis, they will bring absolutely nothing but side effects.

Nootropic drugs - what are these medicines? You will receive the answer to the question asked from the presented article. In addition, you will learn the history of their occurrence, principles of action, properties, indications and effects from the application.

General information

Nootropic drugs - what is it? Such drugs improve brain function, rejuvenate the body and prolong life. These are neurometabolic stimulants that have an activating effect on learning. In addition, they significantly improve mental activity and memory. The term "nootropic" is made up of two Greek words νους and τροπή, which means "mind" and "change" respectively.

Description

Nootropic drugs do not have their own class in the classification of medical drugs. That is why they were combined with psychostimulants and began to belong to the pharmacotherapeutic group with the following ATC code: N06BX.

History of occurrence

In 1963, the Belgian pharmacologists S. Giurgea and V. Skondia synthesized the first drug from the presented group - Piracetam. Today, such a nootropic drug is known to most patients under the name "Nootropil". Like a psychostimulant in the middle of the 20th century, it increased mental and at the same time did not have any side effects.

In 1972, one of the creators of this drug proposed the term "nootropic" to refer to a group of drugs that improve intellectual memory, learning and attention, and also affect the transcallosal potential, have antihypoxic activity and do not have a negative effect on the body.

Unlike well-known psychostimulants, nootropics stimulate, which further leads to an increase in their activity, which is quantitative, not qualitative. It should be especially noted that the effect of most of these drugs does not appear after the first dose, but with long-term treatment.

Latest Nootropics

At the moment, more than 10 original nootropics of the pyrrolidine series have been synthesized, which are in phase 3 clinical trials or have already been registered in a number of countries. Among these drugs, one can single out Oxiracetam, Nefiracetam, Etiracetam, Aniracetam, Rolziracetam, Isacetam, Pramiracetam, Cebracetam, Dupracetam, Detiracetam, etc. The presented medicines have common name "Racetams".

Among others, other families of nootropic agents have been synthesized, including GABAergic, cholinergic, glutamatergic, and peptidergic systems. It should also be noted that the nootropic active ingredient is also present in other medicines that have a different chemical origin.

Operating principle

Nootropic drugs - what are these drugs, and what are they prescribed for? The therapeutic effect of such drugs is based on several mechanisms:

  • activation of plastic processes in the central nervous system due to increased protein and RNA synthesis;
  • improvement of the energy state of neurons, which is manifested in increased ATP synthesis, as well as antihypoxic and antioxidant effects;
  • improved glucose utilization;
  • strengthening the processes of synaptic transmission in the central nervous system;
  • membrane stabilizing effect.

Features of drugs

The main mechanisms of such drugs are considered to be their direct effect on bioenergetics and metabolic processes in nerve cells, as well as interaction with brain systems (primarily neurotransmitter systems).

It has long been proven that nootropics are able to activate adenylate cyclase and increase its concentration in the neuron. In addition, an increased level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate leads through a change in the flow of intracellular Ca2+ and K+ ions to a rapid release of the mediator from the sensory neuron.

It should also be noted that activated adenylate cyclase is able to maintain the stability of ATP production in cells without oxygen, and, under hypoxic conditions, transfer brain metabolism to a conserved mode.

Nootropic drugs for the elderly and children are urgently needed to increase their creativity and restore intellectual retardation. Manufacturers of such stimulants claim that their drugs improve the metabolism of nucleic acids, activate the synthesis of protein, ATP and RNA, penetrate the BBB well, and also increase the rate of glucose utilization.

Properties of nootopes

The effect of a number of nootropic drugs is sometimes mediated through the neurotransmitter system of the brain (cholinergic, monoaminergic, glutamatergic).

According to manufacturers, nootropics can also have other types of effects, including:

  • antioxidant;
  • membrane stabilizing;
  • neuroprotective;
  • antihypoxic.

Other drug options

Nootropics are recommended to be used in combination. After all, this is the only way to improve the bioelectrical activity and integrative activity of the brain, which manifests itself in the form of characteristic changes in electrophysiological patterns (a noticeable increase in the level of wakefulness, as well as a dominant peak, facilitated the passage of information between the hemispheres of the brain, an increase in the relative and absolute power of the EEG spectrum of the hippocampus and cortex).

Due to the increase in cortico-subcortical control, the improvement of information exchange in the brain, the positive effect on the reproduction and formation of a memory trace, we can safely say that such drugs lead to an increase in the ability to learn, improve memory, thinking, attention, perception, as well as the activation of intellectual functions. .

By the way, many manufacturers claim that such tools can significantly improve and accelerate cognitive (or However, these statements have not been scientifically confirmed.

effects

According to manufacturers, nootropic drugs have the following effects on a person:


Are Nootropics Effective for Stroke Prevention?

What are these drugs, we figured out. But this raises a new question about how effective they are in the treatment and prevention of strokes. It should be noted that this practice is questionable. This is due to the fact that the use of nootropics in relation to such deviations has not been confirmed.

Clinical Application

Before explaining why such drugs are used in official medicine, it should be noted that nootropic drugs without prescriptions from attending physicians are not dispensed in pharmacies. This is due to the fact that they belong to the same drug group as strong psychostimulants.

Initially, the drugs presented were used to treat brain disorders in older people with an organic brain syndrome. Although in the past few years (usually in third world countries) they have become quite widely used in various fields of medicine, including surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, neurology, narcology, as well as obstetric and geriatric practices.

Thus, nootropic drugs are used by doctors for:


Indications for children

In developing countries, the presented funds are especially common in pediatrics. Thus, nootropic drugs are prescribed for children with:

  • mental retardation;
  • delayed speech and mental development;
  • children's cerebral palsy;
  • the consequences of perinatal damage to the central nervous system;
  • attention deficit disorder.

Other indications for use

The best nootropic drug is the drug that has a pronounced therapeutic effect and does not negatively affect the human body. It should be noted that such funds are sometimes used for:

  • stuttering ("Pantogam", "Phenibut");
  • correction of neuroleptic syndrome ("Hopantenic acid", "Pyritinol", "Deanol aceglumate", "Pantogam");
  • hyperkinesis ("Hopantenic acid", "Phenibut", "Memantine");
  • urination disorder ("Pantogam", "Nicotinoyl-GABA");
  • sleep disorders ("Fenibut", "Calcium gamma-hydroxybutyrate", "Glycine");
  • migraine ("Pyritinol", "Nicotinoyl-GABA", "Semax");
  • dizziness ("Ginkgo biloba", "Phenibut", "Piracetam");
  • for the prevention of motion sickness ("GABA", "Phenibut").

By the way, in ophthalmic practice, such drugs are used as part of combination therapy for open-angle glaucoma, vascular diseases of the retina and macular degeneration (Nicotinoyl-GABA), as well as senile and diabetic retinopathy (Ginkgo biloba).

Natural Nootropics

In addition to drugs, natural substances with similar properties are often used to obtain a therapeutic effect. Of course, natural nootropics are not as effective as pharmacological agents, but within a few weeks after use, patients still begin to notice an improvement in cognitive functions and so on.

Among physicians, nootropics are known as neurometabolic stimulants (smart drugs in the West).

They are used in many areas of medicine - neurology, psychology, surgery and others.

Nootropic drugs that improve the nutrition and blood circulation of the brain belong to the category of drugs that improve the activity of the higher mental functions of the brain:

  • memory;
  • perception;
  • speech;
  • thinking.

Pharmacological group

Nootropics are assigned to a separate pharmacological group (ATX code: N06ВХ).

The first open nootropic is considered (1963), which gave rise to a branch of "racetomes". He became the main competitor for psychostimulants, but at the same time did not have side effects (addictive, exhaustion, psychomotor agitation, intoxication), which the latter sinned. The new synthesized drug improved memory, attention, helped to concentrate better. At the dawn of its existence, the new drug was used to treat brain dysfunction in the elderly.

In 1972, a new designation was proposed - "nootropic". Piracetam is now known by the trade name . However, its mechanism of action is still not fully understood.

What is the therapeutic effect of drugs of the group

It ensures the work of the following mechanisms, due to which a positive effect is achieved from taking nootropics:

  • supports the energy structure of the neuron;
  • improves the main and conductive functions of the central nervous system;
  • activates the plastic function of the central nervous system;
  • improves metabolic processes (utilization of glucose);
  • stabilizes cell membranes;
  • reduces the neuron's need for oxygen;
  • has a neuroprotective effect.

Pharmacological properties and mechanism of action

The active substances of nootropics penetrate well through the myelin barrier of nerve fibers. In the neuron, there is an increase in metabolism, bioenergetic and bioelectrical processes, and neurotransmitter exchanges are accelerated.

In the nerve cell, the concentration of adenylate cyclase, norepinephrine increases; ATP is more actively produced (even in conditions of lack of oxygen), GABA, dopamine. The work and release of the serotonin mediator is faster, glucose is more efficiently utilized.

Due to these processes, the body receives a stimulating effect in relation to cognitive functions, for which nootropics received the additional name "cognition stimulants". In addition to positive changes in the nerve cell, neurostimulators improve microcirculation and blood flow in the brain.

Result of action and expected effect

Nootropic action leads to the following effects:

  • the mental function is activated;
  • memory improves;
  • consciousness is cleared;
  • increased physical strength;
  • there is an antidepressant effect;
  • there is a sedative effect;
  • fat burning occurs;
  • immunity is strengthened;
  • operational readiness is activated.

Classification of modern nootropics

There are a huge number of developed nootropic drugs around the world (the full list includes up to 132 items). In pharmacology, the following groups of drugs have been synthesized, which are subdivided according to their chemical composition:

  1. Group of the pyrrolidine series("racetams"): Etiracetam; Oxiracetam; Pramiracetam.
  2. Group derived from dimethylaminoethanol: Phenotropil; Deanol aceglumate; Meclofenoxate.
  3. GABAergic: ; Picamilon; Phenibut.
  4. Pyridoxine derivative group: Pyritinol; Biotredin.
  5. Neuropeptides: Noopept; Semax; Selank.
  6. Polypeptides: ; Cerebrolysin; Cerebramin.
  7. Amino acids: ; Biotredin.
  8. Group derived from 2-mercantobenzimidazole: ethylthiobenzimidazole hydrobromide (Bemitil).
  9. Vitamin: Idebenone.

Drugs of the old and new generation

Nootropics are also divided into old and new generation groups. Old generation nootropics include drugs, discovered at the dawn of the synthesis of neurostimulators. This is the so-called. derivatives of the first open nootropic - ("racetams"). These include:

  • Oxiracetam;
  • Aniracetam;
  • Etiracetam;
  • Pramiracetam;
  • Dupracetam;
  • Rolziracetam;
  • Cebracetam;
  • Nefiracetam;
  • Isacetam;
  • Detiracetam.

With the advent of the 90s of the 20th century. opens a new page in the history of the development of nootropics. Modern drugs have a more flexible selective action and fewer side effects. Here is a list of the most popular new generation nootropics:

  • Phezam(improvement of cerebral circulation, protein and energy metabolism, has a vasodilating effect);
  • Phenylpiracetam(recovery after, improving attention, concentration, memory, improves the transfer of information between the hemispheres, anticonvulsant effect);
  • Noopept(restoration of memory and other lost cognitive functions, relief of anxiety, treatment of headaches);
  • Selank(relieves anxiety and stress, increased mental capacity, mood lift).

What is good for a Russian is death for a German

In the post-Soviet space, nootropics are associated with drugs that enhance "brain metabolism". However, in addition to the nootropic, these drugs also have a number of other therapeutic effects. Therefore, brain stimulants are also used as medicines for diseases of the brain.

Group drugs can be prescribed for the following disorders:

Basically, such treatment is experimental in nature and often leads to side effects and increased symptoms of certain diseases.

Consider the indications and contraindications for use for the most popular drugs in this group.

Piracetam

It is structurally similar to GABA. It has a neuroprotective and vascular effect. Indications for the use of piracetam:

  • cerebrovascular disease;
  • atherosclerosis of the brain;
  • coma;
  • violations of memory, attention,;
  • cardiac ischemia;
  • viral;
  • chronic alcoholism and drug addiction.

Despite the fact that in Western medicine this remedy is not medicinal, in Russia piracetam began to be used for therapeutic purposes in a number of diseases:

  • recovery after;
  • Down syndrome.

Contraindications to the use of the drug:

  • hypersensitivity to the drug;
  • violation of the kidneys;
  • pregnancy;
  • children's age up to 1 year;

New generation nootropic, which belongs to the group of so-called. "racetams". Stimulates motor reactions (similar to doping). It has an anticonvulsant and antiasthenic effect. Indications for use:

Contraindications for use: individual intolerance.

Semax

Domestic development belonging to the group of neuropeptide nootropics. Applies to the following cases:

  • increased adaptive capacity under stress;
  • prevention of psycho-emotional overload;
  • deterioration in concentration;
  • memory impairment;
  • recovery after craniocerebral operations;

There are the following contraindications:

  • hypersensitivity to nootropic components;
  • acute mental illness;
  • anxiety;
  • convulsions.

Side effects

Nootropics are a double-edged sword when it comes to brain function. Their reception in compliance with all instructions will have a beneficial effect. However, if you deviate even a step from the prescriptions of doctors, this can lead to an increase in the symptoms of the disease for which the drug is prescribed, or it can have a negative effect on cognitive functions.

Consider the pronounced side effects on the examples of the most popular drugs:

  1. Piracetam. Side effects caused by this drug: deterioration of intellectual abilities; increased dementia; increased anxiety and irritability; sleep disturbance or drowsiness; decreased concentration; violation of the digestive tract (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).
  2. . Side effects caused by this drug are as follows: insomnia; psychomotor agitation; hyperemia of the skin; increase in pressure; feeling of warmth.
  3. Semax. No side effects were found, except for irritation of the nasal mucosa with frequent use of the vial.

Application features

The thoughtless use of drugs of this group can lead to sad consequences. Therefore, the use of nootropics must be approached responsibly.

It should be remembered that a drug that stimulates brain activity should be used only after certain conditions are met.

The first thing to do is to consult with a neurologist. After a positive verdict is received from the doctor, you should prepare your body for taking the nootropic.

This preparation consists in a kind of laying the foundation on which the building of the effective action of the brain stimulator will be erected. This foundation is the fortification of the body, in which the necessary substances, when taking a nootropic, will reach the brain faster and more efficiently at the molecular level, which will allow the stimulant to be better absorbed. Vitaminization includes the following substances and natural complexes:

  • iron;
  • chlorophyll;
  • lecithin;
  • grapeine;
  • omega 3;
  • pycnogenol.

Dosages and schemes for taking nootropics from the TOP-3

The nuances of the use and dosage of popular nootropics.

He was the first

The beneficial effects of Piracetam appear only after long-term use. Excretion from the body through the kidneys. The course is 6-8 weeks at 1200-1400 mg / day.

Reception methods:

  • inside;
  • intramuscularly;
  • intravenously.

Release form:

  • capsules;
  • solution for intramuscular and intravenous administration;
  • oral solution;
  • syrup;
  • tablets.

After taking Phenotropil is quickly absorbed by the body and penetrates into all tissues. Excretion from the body is carried out through the kidneys and liver.

Reception methods:

  • inside;
  • orally.

Release form:

  • tablets 50 mg;
  • tablets 100 mg.

Domestic development

How to take Semax:

  • inside;
  • intranasally.

Release form: dropper bottle.

Golden Ten

Based on the reviews, we have compiled a list of the best nootropic drugs according to the people:

Efficiency not proven?

The attitude of the luminaries of medicine to nootropics is fanned with doubts and uncertainty. Countless clinical trials of nootropics are still being conducted, but this pharmacological group has not been able to gain a foothold in the status of drugs with proven efficacy.

Observations of specialists made it possible to draw a number of more or less stable conclusions regarding the following drugs:

What is there for children?

For children, there are special granules for making syrup. In pediatric practice, cases of the use of nootropics are known in cases of the following disorders:

  • cerebrosthenic;
  • encephalopathic;
  • memory impairment;
  • intellectual retardation.

Indications for the use of nootropics in childhood:

  • delayed intellectual development;
  • stress;
  • depression.
  • (stimulating);
  • Picamilon (stimulant);
  • Phenibut (sedative);
  • (sedative).

Imagine a situation: there is an important task ahead that requires maximum concentration of mental abilities, and your brain, unfortunately, refuses to work. Thoughts are in the clouds, the head seems to be wadded, and the memory is “leaky”. But there is a whole group of drugs that improve cognitive function!

Norm and pathology

First of all, it would be good to determine the cause of the violations. Memory impairment, decreased mental performance, as well as headache and noise in the head can be the first signs of serious diseases associated with impaired blood flow in the brain.

As a rule, this occurs with vasoconstriction against the background of arterial hypertension or atherosclerosis. Both of these conditions, if not properly treated, progress and often lead to serious consequences, such as a stroke or heart attack.

In addition, mental deterioration may be associated with a disease such as Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, at the first alarming signs, it is better to consult a doctor and figure out what is happening in the body. If the examination confirms the pathology, the person needs long-term and serious treatment.

However, fortunately, memory impairment can also be quite harmless. After all, we often work at a high pace, sparing no effort, and stress, physical and mental overstrain make themselves felt by natural fatigue. And what kind of intellectual success can we talk about if an exhausted organism directs all its efforts to ensure at least the uninterrupted operation of vital systems? This is where you can pay attention to nootropics.

"Smart" pills

The word "nootropic" was first proposed by the Romanian physiologist and chemist Cornelius Girge in 1972. He combined it from two Greek components: noos - mind and tropos - direction. The main task of nootropics is to improve cognitive function.

For decades, in world psychiatry and neurology, disputes about the advisability of using this group of drugs by healthy people have not ceased. The reasons for this are the possible side effects of drugs along with unproven efficacy. Nevertheless, in 2015, the sales of this group's funds in the world exceeded $1 billion, and the demand for them is constantly growing.

According to the instructions for use, nootropics are able to accelerate the transmission of impulses between the hemispheres of the brain, normalize metabolic processes and enhance microcirculation. It is also said that nootropic drugs improve mental performance, learning and memory, and in addition increase the resistance of the brain to damaging factors, such as high stress or lack of oxygen.

Today, nootropics of different classes are used in domestic practice, including:

  • racetams, a prominent representative of which is Piracetam;
  • derivatives of gamma-aminobutyric acid (Phenibut);
  • herbal preparations such as ginkgo biloba extract;
  • amino acids (glycine);
  • substances of other groups with a nootropic effect, including correctors of cerebral circulation disorders (Vinpocetine, Cinnarizine) and general tonic drugs (ginseng extract, melatonin).

Let's look at the features of each group.

Briefly about the properties

Each representative of nootropics can be given a separate article, but we will try to characterize them briefly and to the point.

Piracetam. He owns the laurels of superiority: piracetam became the first "drug that improves cognitive function." It is produced under various trade names (Lucetam, Nootropil, Piracetam) in various forms of release (solution for intramuscular and intravenous injections, tablets, capsules) and is used for various conditions and diseases accompanied by intellectual disabilities.

It should be noted that piracetam is not used in the US. The FDA defines drugs in the United States only as drugs that are used to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease. The composition of food supplements should include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, plant compounds. Piracetam, alas, does not satisfy either the first or the second requirement, and therefore, according to American laws, it cannot be either a drug or a dietary supplement. But in European countries it is used, although some experts, including domestic ones, are extremely skeptical about its evidence base. Piracetam is even included in the well-known list of placebo drugs presented by Professor Vorobyov, Chairman of the Formulary Committee of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.

Derivatives of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The drugs of this series include Aminalon, Picamilon, Phenibut, etc. Phenibut, along with improving mental performance, eliminates tension, irritability and improves sleep. True, again in the West, unlike the CIS countries, the funds of this group are not used as nootropics. In addition, Picamilon and Phenibut were included in the list of Professor Vorobyov mentioned above.

Ginkgo biloba extract. According to the instructions for use, it has a combined nootropic, antihypoxic effect, improves blood circulation in the brain, thereby improving cognitive functions and improving memory. It is sold both in the form of drugs (Bilobil, Tanakan, Memoplant), and as part of dietary supplements. How dietary supplements are used in the West. However, clinical studies have not confirmed the beneficial effects of ginkgo biloba on intelligence and memory in healthy individuals.

Glycine. This amino acid regulates metabolic processes in the nervous system, normalizes excitation and inhibition, and at the same time has a very high safety profile. Therefore, over-the-counter Glycine is often used for various disorders of the psycho-emotional state: irritability, insomnia, as well as a decrease in mental performance, including in children. In the USA, glycine is used as a dietary supplement, and in some European countries, such as Poland, Italy, it is part of combined analgesic drugs (Alka-Prim). As an independent nootropic, it is mainly used in the territory of the post-Soviet space.

Normalizing cerebral circulation. Representatives of this group act by improving the blood supply to the brain. For example, Vinpocetine is a synthetic analogue of an alkaloid isolated from periwinkle lesser. The drug was created by Hungarian pharmacologists and is used mainly in Eastern Europe. Cochrane Collaboration studies have not confirmed the positive effect of Vinpocetine on mental performance.

Another popular drug of this subgroup is Cinnarizine, in the West it is mainly used for motion sickness, since it relieves nausea and vomiting in vestibular disorders, and in the post-Soviet space it is often prescribed as an affordable nootropic.

Ginseng extract. Ginseng extract is believed to increase mental and physical performance by stimulating the central nervous system. However, this herbal preparation has not defended its nootropic properties in clinical trials. According to the Cochrane Collaboration, there is no convincing evidence that ginseng extract helps improve mental performance.


To the rhetorical question “to drink or not to drink medicines to improve memory,” everyone can have their own answer. And the truth is its own: one, unsightly, among scientists, and completely different, optimistic, among consumers. Despite the depressing research data, many patients readily take nootropics and feel better with treatment. Moreover, most of the funds in this group are well tolerated, and some, such as ginkgo biloba extract and glycine, are sold even without a doctor's prescription.

However, relying on the achievements of pharmacology, it would be good to help the body, which reacts to difficult working conditions and the lack of normal rest with a deterioration in mental abilities. Give yourself a break, switch to other activities, go to the pool or the gym. And, perhaps, soon you will see how deep your intellectual abilities are without any medicinal support.

Marina Pozdeeva

Photo istockphoto.com

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