There are diametrically opposed points of view about drugs to improve memory. 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 there is no benefit from taking such drugs, that it can even be harmful and addictive to these drugs. Let's try to consider both points of view in more detail and figure out who is right.
A little about memory
Memory is a mental function of higher nervous activity, with the help of which the accumulation, preservation and reproduction of previously received information occurs. Memory allows you to save for a long time information about the external world or the body's reactions to any impact, and it also allows you to use this information for the correct organization of activities in the future.
Memory includes several different but related processes.
- Memorization- input of new data, sensations.
- Storage- the accumulation of data, sensations, includes their processing and assimilation. This process allows a person to learn, develops his thinking and speech.
- Reproduction and recognition- actualization of elements, actions, sensations from the past. Reproduction is involuntary (elements "float" in the mind of a person without his will and efforts) and arbitrary.
- Forgetting- loss of the ability to reproduce and recognize elements that were previously memorized. It can be temporary or permanent. There is incomplete forgetting, when information is reproduced or recognized with an error or in part.
Basic types of memory
There are many types and subtypes in memory classification. Let's talk about its main types.
- Sensory memory- preservation of information from the senses after stimulating them.
- Tactile memory- preservation of information from receptors as a result of touch.
- Motor memory- saving information about movement, many may remember that there are movements that they perform automatically.
- Semantic memory- saving information about facts, for example, learned stories, dates, multiplication table.
- Short-term memory- saving information for a short time. Has a small volume.
- Long-term memory- preservation of information for an indefinitely long time, including the whole life.
Laws of Memory
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 proven scientifically.
- Law of repetition- information is remembered much better if it is repeated several times.
- Law of Interest- if a person is interested in information, then he will remember it faster and better.
- Law of the Edge- the information given at the beginning and at the end is best remembered.
- The Law of Comprehension- if the information has been deeply comprehended, then it will be remembered better.
- The law of optimal row length- the amount of memorized information should not exceed the amount of short-term memory.
- Installation Law- a person who has given himself the installation that he needs to remember this or that information, will remember it faster and better.
- Law of inhibition- when memorizing similar concepts, the old information "overlaps" with the new one.
- The Law of Context- when memorizing things that can be associated with already familiar concepts, it goes faster.
- The Law of Action- if what is memorized is used in practice, then memorization occurs more efficiently and quickly.
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, a sharp change in the surrounding conditions of existence, stress, sleep disturbances.
- Age-related changes in the structure of the brain- a decrease in the number of interneuronal connections.
- Chronic intoxication- smoking, drug use, substance abuse, alcoholism, drug abuse (sedatives, tranquilizers).
Treatment of memory disorders
If memory improvement is necessary, medications are not prescribed immediately. First they try to apply non-drug methods. These include:
- Brisk walks in the fresh air. This increases the access of oxygen to the brain. This improves the efficiency of its work.
- Normalize sleepand wakefulness.
- Evening training- the habit of recalling all the events of the day in reverse order, that is, first of all, remembering what happened in the evening, and at the end - the morning events, can become an unusual training. It is better to do this before going to bed, lying in bed.
- Positive attitude, do not dwell on this- do not think that you have a bad memory, nobody canceled the effect of self-hypnosis. If at some point you cannot remember something, then do not worry, do not get angry, but just get distracted, do something else, and then try again to remember what you forgot.
- Daily training- solve crosswords, puzzles, scanwords.
- Education- learn poetry, foreign languages, do it regularly, gradually increase the amount of material you learn.
Medication 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 one should allocate additional time, which a working person practically does not have.
It is much easier to take a pill, calm down and hope for the magic power of the medicine - your memory will immediately improve and you won't have to do anything! The modern city dweller is so lazy and spoiled by the fruits of civilization that now few people are so purposeful and want to spend their time and energy on training memory. So a person is looking for an answer to his question - what pills for improving memory exist?
So, let's consider two opposite opinions on this matter:
Positive opinion
Supporters of the use of these funds say that a number of drugs help to improve the blood supply to brain cells, thereby improving their nutrition and supplying more oxygen, which improves metabolic processes in neurons.
Nootropics and drugs that improve the rheological properties of blood help in this.
Herbal preparations have become widespread, which not only improve metabolic processes in neurons by themselves, but also enhance the effect of nootropic drugs.
But it should be remembered that any (absolutely any) drug has its own contraindications and side effects, therefore it should be prescribed only by a doctor in each specific clinical case.
Negative opinion
According to a number of experts, there is also a downside to the coin. Several years ago, experts were puzzled by the question - are these drugs effective or is it just a placebo effect?
As a result of numerous studies, the effectiveness of nootropics has not been proven. There is no evidence that they have a beneficial effect on memory. One of the small studies on the effectiveness of medications has proven that they have little effect, but not in severe cases.
Traditional methods and herbal preparations such as ginseng, vitamin E, have practically no research. The only evidence base is the use of herbal medicines in patients with dementia. But there is no data on the effectiveness of the use in relatively healthy people.
In conclusion, I would like to say that when thinking about which drugs to improve memory are the best, 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 advice from friends, neighbors, or relatives.
If you think your memory has deteriorated, see a neurologist. Perhaps this is not the problem at all, attention may be disturbed, there may 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.