There are diametrically opposed views on drugs to improve memory. Some say that it is useful and helps to cope with increased intellectual stress, which really and effectively helps.
Others say 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 understand who is right.
Some memory
Memory is a mental function of higher nervous activity, with the help of which the accumulation, storage and reproduction of previously received information occurs. Memory allows you to keep information about the outside world or the body's reactions to any impact for a long time, and also allows you to use this information for the correct organization of future activities.
Memory includes several different but related processes.
- Memorization- input of new data, sensations.
- Archiving: the accumulation of data, sensations, includes their processing and assimilation. This process allows a person to learn, develops his thinking and speaking.
- Reproduction and recognition- actualization of elements, actions, sensations of the past. Reproduction is involuntary (elements "float" in a person's mind without their will and efforts) and arbitrary.
- Forget- loss of ability to reproduce and recognize previously stored items. It can be temporary or permanent. There is incomplete forgetfulness when information is reproduced or recognized with an 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- retention of information from the senses after stimulating them.
- Tactile memory- retention of information from receptors as a result of touch.
- Motor memory- by saving movement information, many can remember that there are movements that they perform automatically.
- Semantic memory- saving information about facts, e. g. learned stories, dates, times tables.
- Short term memory- saving information for a short time. It has a small volume.
- Long-term memory- storage of information indefinitely, including life.
Read memory
Few people know that there are numerous laws of memory. This is not an author's invention, but scientifically established and proven real life models.
- Law of repetition- information is remembered much better if repeated multiple times.
- Law of interest-if a person is interested in information, he will remember it faster and better.
- Law of limit: the information given at the beginning and at the end is best remembered.
- The Law of Understanding- if the information has been thoroughly understood, then it will be remembered better.
- The law of optimal line length- the amount of information stored must not exceed the amount of short-term memory.
- Law on installation- a person who has given himself the installation he needs to remember this or that information, will remember it faster and better.
- Law of Inhibition- when storing similar concepts, the old information "overlaps" with the new one.
- The Law of Context- when you memorize things that can be associated with familiar concepts, you go faster.
- The Law of Action- if what is memorized is used in practice, memorization happens 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, abrupt 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 needed, drugs are not prescribed immediately. First they try to apply non-pharmacological methods. These include:
- Brisk walks in the fresh air. This increases the access of oxygen to the brain. This improves the efficiency of his work.
- Normalizes 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, in the end, the morning events, can becomean unusual workout. It is best to do this before going to bed, lying on the 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, don't worry, don't get angry, but distract yourself, do something else and then try again to remember what you forgot.
- Daily workouts: solve crosswords, puzzles, scanwords.
- Education- learn poetry, foreign languages, do it regularly, gradually increase the amount of material you learn.
Memory Loss Medication
It is clear that learning poetry, a foreign language, solving puzzles is not easy, you have to "try hard", to walk and solve puzzles you should allocate additional time, which a person who works 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 city dweller is so lazy and spoiled by the fruits of civilization that now few people are so intentional and want to devote their time and energy to memory training. So a person is looking for an answer to his question: what pills exist to improve memory?
So, let's consider two opposing views on this topic:
Positive opinion
Supporters of the use of these funds claim that numerous drugs help improve the blood supply to brain cells, thereby improving their nutrition and providing 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 alone, but also increase the effect of nootropic drugs.
But it should be remembered that any drug (absolutely any) has its contraindications and side effects, so it should only be prescribed by a doctor in each specific clinical case.
Negative opinion
According to numerous experts, the coin also has a downside. 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 efficacy 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 the drugs showed that they have little effect, but not in 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 is no data on the effectiveness of use in relatively healthy people.
In conclusion, I would like to say that when thinking about which drugs to improve memory are best, do not forget that they should be prescribed by a doctor. And the doctor should also evaluate the effectiveness in each case. Don't rely on the advice of friends, neighbors or relatives.
If you think your memory has deteriorated, consult a neurologist. Perhaps this is not the problem at all, attention may be disturbed, there may be other problems. It is also necessary to find out the cause of this condition. And this can only be done by a qualified doctor.