3 Novembre 2016
Remember more. Think faster. Be smarter. Wouldn’t be nice if you could swallow a pill instead to study for a test? There are such "smart pills"? Maybe you could take a pill and get a "mental adjustment" if you feel lazy. Actually, scientists are studying substances that can improve mental abilities. These substances are called "cognitive enhancers", "smart drugs" or "nootropic". "Nootropic" comes from the Greek - "Noos" = mind and "tropos" = changed to, return. There may be several alleged effects of cognitive improvement. For example, it could mean improving memory, learning, attention, concentration, problem solving thinking, social skills, making decisions and planning.
In most cases, cognitive enhancers have been used to treat people with neurological or psychiatric disorders, but there are a growing number of individuals healthy, "normal", who use these substances in the hope that they will become smarter. Although there are many companies that produce smart beverages, intelligent power bars and diet supplements containing certain energetic chemicals, there is little evidence to suggest that these products actually work. From the different laboratories show mixed results; some laboratories noted positive effects on memory and learning; others do not show any effect.
Let's look at the evidence on substances used in cognitive improvement. How can these substances act?
1. Grow brain metabolism
2. Grow cerebral circulation
3. Protect brain damage physical and chemical
What are the possible effects of these substances?
1. Increase the "energy" psychic
2. Increased vigilance
3. Decreased depression
4. Improve memory
5. Improve learning
Cognitive enhancers:
1. Hydergine - a "smart drug" that dilates the blood vessels of the brain
2. Piracetam
3. Aniracetam
4. BMY - 21502 / BMS - 181 168
5. Minaprine
6. Oxiracetam
7. Pramiracetam
8. Inteligen
Drugs that act on neurotransmitters:
1. Linopirdine (UP 996)
2. Physostigmine - an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) – It has short-term effects and has been used to treat patients with Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury
3. Sabeluzole (R58735)
4. Tacrine (tetrahydro aminoacridine) - an AChE inhibitor, can be toxic
5. Vasopressin - a neuropeptide released by the pituitary gland
6. Methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine - stimulants used to treat hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit disorder. These medications act on neurotransmitter systems
7. Amantadine - dopamine agonist
8. Nicotine and caffeine - could be considered "smart drugs" due to increasing vigilance.
Nutrients:
1. Acetyl L-Carnitine
2. Choline - precursor to acetylcholine; eggs, meat and milk are good sources of choline
3. cytidine - 5 '- diphosphate choline
4. L-alpha glycerophosphocholine
5. 2-dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) - found in the brain, anchovies and sardines; it appears to increase acetylcholine production.
6. Fosfatildiserine - located on the neuronal surface membrane and synapses.
Other substances, including plants:
1. BR-16A - a plant in India
2. Ginkgo Biloba - an extract of a tree that has been used as medicine in China and Europe. It grows cerebral
circulation, brain glucose utilization and uptake by the hill.
3. Ma-huang - a plant from China
4. Oxymethacil - reduces oxidation of molecules in the brain.
5. Piritinol - similar to vitamin B6; also increases cerebral blood flow.
Some smart drugs can be found in organic food stores; others are imported or there are drugs that are intended for other disorders, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. There are also a multitude of ads and mail order business based, public trying to sell smart drugs. However, rarely, these companies or joint news results showing the failure of smart drugs improve memory or learning. Rather, they try to prove that their products have miraculous effects on the brain and improve mental functioning. Would not it be easier to learn by "swallowing a pill" or drinking a soda that has an intelligent drug? It would be so much easier than to spend time learning.
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