There are diametrically opposite points of view about drugs to improve memory.Some say that this is useful and helps to cope with increased intellectual loads, which, indeed, helps and effectively.
Others say that this is only a myth, that there is no benefit from taking such drugs, that it can even have a harmful effect and cause addiction 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 the mental function of the highest nervous activity, with the help of which the accumulation, preservation and reproduction of previously received information occurs.Memory allows you to maintain information about the outside world or reactions of the body to any effect, and this also allows you to use this information for the correct organization of activity in the future.
The memory includes several different but interconnected processes.
- Memorization- Entering new data, sensations.
- Storage- The accumulation of data, sensations, includes processing them 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 can be involuntary (the elements "pop up" in the mind of a person without his will and effort) and arbitrary.
- Forgetting- The loss of the ability to play and recognize the elements that were previously remembered.It can be temporary or constant.There is incomplete forgetting when the information is reproduced or recognized with an error or partially.
The main types of memory
There are many types and subtypes in the classification of memory.We will 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- Maintaining information about movement, many can recall that there are movements that they perform automatically.
- Semantic memory- Preservation of information about facts, for example, learned stories, dates, multiplication table.
- Short -term memory- Preservation of information for a short time.It has a small volume.
- Long -term memory- Preservation of information is vaguely for a long time, including all his life.
The laws of memory
Few people know that there are a number of memory laws.This is not an invention of the author, but really existing patterns established and proven scientifically.
- The law of repetition- The information is remembered much better if it is repeated several times.
- The law of interest- If a person is interested in information, then he will remember it faster and better.
- The law of the region- The information submitted at the beginning and at the end is best remembered.
- The law of understanding- If the information was deeply comprehended, then it will be remembered better.
- The law of the optimal length of the row- The amount of memorized information should not be more than short -term memory.
- The law of installation- A person who gave himself an attitude that he needs to remember this or that information will remember it faster and better.
- The law of braking- When memorizing similar concepts, the “blocked” of the old information is observed.
- The law of context- When memorizing things that can be associated with already familiar concepts, it passes faster.
- Law of action- If what is remembered 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 for training memory.
Reasons for memory reduction
- Organic brain damage-acute cerebrovascular disorders, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor.
- Diseases of other organs and systems-diseases of the liver, cardiovascular system.
- External factors- Poor 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 interneuron ties.
- Chronic intoxication- smoking, taking narcotic drugs, substance abuse, alcoholism, abuse of drugs (sedatives, tranquilizers).
Treatment of memory disorders
If it is necessary to improve memory, the drugs are not prescribed immediately.First, they try to apply non -drug methods.These include:
- Fresh walks with a quick step.In this case, oxygen access to the brain increases.This allows you to increase the effectiveness of its work.
- Normalize sleep modeAnd wakefulness.
- Evening training- An unusual training can be the habit of remembering all the events that have passed in the day in the reverse order, that is, first of all, remember what happened in the evening, and at the end - morning events.It is better to do this before bedtime, lying in bed.
- Positive attitude, do not focus on this- Do not think that you have a bad memory, no one 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, take care of something else, and then try to remember the forgotten again.
- Daily training- Decide crosswords, puzzles, scanwords.
- Education- Learn poetry, foreign languages, do it regularly, gradually increase the volume of memorized material.
Medical treatment of memory reduction
It is clear that teaching poems, a foreign language, it is not easy to solve the rebuses, you need to “strain”, for walking and solving puzzles, an additional time should be distinguished, which a working person has practically no.
It’s much easier to drink a pill, calm down and hope for the magical power of the medicine - immediately the memory will improve and do not have to do anything!A modern city dwelling is so lazy and raised by the fruits of civilization that now few people are so purposeful and wants to spend their time and effort on the training of memory.So a person is looking for an answer to his question - what tablets to improve memory exist?
So, we will consider two opposite opinions on this subject:
Positive opinion
Supporters of the use of these drugs suggest that a number of drugs helps to improve blood supply to brain cells, thereby their nutrition improves and more oxygen comes, which can improve metabolic processes in neurons.
Nootropics and drugs that improve the rheological properties of blood help in this.
Plant drugs are widespread, which not only in themselves improve metabolic processes in neurons, 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, only a doctor should be prescribed in each specific clinical case.
Negative opinion
According to a number of experts, there is also the reverse side of the coin.A few years ago, experts were puzzled by the question - are such drugs effective or is it just a placebo effect?
As a result of numerous studies, the effectiveness of nootropics has not been proven.No data that they have a beneficial effect on memory appeared.One of the small studies about the effectiveness of medicines has proved that they have little efficiency, but not in severe cases.
Folk methods and plant preparations such as ghosen, vitamin E, have practically no studies.The evidence base is only about the use of plant drugs in patients with dementia.But there are 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 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 the advice of acquaintances, neighbors, relatives.
If it seems to you that your memory has worsened, contact a neurologist.Perhaps the problem is not at all in this, attention may be impaired, there may be some other problems.It is also necessary to find out the cause of this condition.And only a qualified doctor can do this.