Do Memory Pills Really Work?

If you’ve ever been curious about the effectiveness and safety of memory pills or other dietary supplements, you’re not alone. A recent AARP survey found that Americans age 50 and older spend more than $5 billion on brain-health supplements.

Despite some initial excitement, the scientific evidence doesn’t support many of the claims made by brain-boosting supplements. And some of them may do more harm than good.

Nootropics

Nootropics are a wide variety of drugs that enhance thinking, memory, and learning. They may be synthetic, like piracetam, or naturally occurring herbs, such as Ginkgo biloba and Panax quinquefolius (American Ginseng).

These nootropics can help improve mental function by supporting brain chemicals, boosting blood flow to the brain, tuning brainwave frequencies, and more. Some nootropics also protect the brain from oxidative damage.

There are also some nootropics that are prescribed to treat medical conditions, such as narcolepsy or dementia. These can be very effective but should only be taken under a doctor’s supervision to reduce the risk of side effects and interactions with other medications.

Nootropics come in many different forms. Some of these medicines are used to treat conditions like narcolepsy or excessive sleepiness as well as to improve concentration and attention in persons who have attention problems. However, some healthy people can Buy Modalert 200 medicines to improve their cognitive performance. A successful and well-tolerated treatment option for narcolepsy patients who are suffering from extreme sleepiness is the wake-promoting medication Waklert Australia.

B Vitamins

B vitamins help keep your immune system and nervous system healthy and are need to make red blood cells, DNA, and energy. They also work to help your body convert food into fuel and prevent birth defects like spina bifida.

If you’re deficient in B vitamins, talk to your doctor about the best way to get more of them in your diet. The recommended daily intakes vary depending on your age, health, and activity level.

In one study, large doses of vitamin B complex supplements were show to halve the rate of brain shrinkage in elderly people with memory problems and could slow their progression toward dementia.

However, only a small number of studies have found benefits from long-term supplementation. This is because most of them were performe on people who already have cognitive problems and didn’t examine how vitamin B affects other cognitive domains.

Bacopa Monnieri

Bacopa Monnieri is a traditional, naturally occurring herb from the south and Southeast Asia that’s been use for thousands of years as a memory-enhancing herb. Its effects on memory are attribute to its ability to improve blood flow to the brain, which in turn increases acetylcholine levels, which can help improve short-term memories.

The herb has also been show to stimulate the growth of new nerve endings called dendrites, which are critical for communication between neurons. This can help improve memory, learning capacity, and overall cognitive function.

Studies show that Bacopa Monnieri improves the memory of healthy people, as well as those with age-related memory complaints. However, there is no clinical evidence to support its use in Alzheimer’s disease or depression.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant that can help improve memory, focus, and mood. It’s naturally find in coffee, tea, cola, cocoa, guarana, and many other plant products.

It’s also available as a supplement in powder and liquid forms. It can be very dangerous when consumed in large amounts, so always use caution when taking it.

A new study suggests that caffeine can improve image memory. It tested 160 participants and asked them to view a series of images that they had to remember for five minutes.