There are diametrically opposed views on medicines to improve memory. Some say it is helpful 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 in taking these medicines, that it can even be harmful and addictive to these medicines. Let us try to examine both views in more detail and understand who is right.
A little about memory
Memory is a mental function of the highest nervous activity, with the help of which the accumulation, storage and reproduction of previously received information takes place. Memory allows you to save for a long time information about the outside world or the body's reactions to any impact, and also allows you to use this information to accurately organize future activities.
Memory involves several different but related processes.
- Memorization- entering new data, sensations.
- Storage- the accumulation of data, sensations, involves their processing and assimilation. This process allows a person to learn, develop his thinking and speaking.
- Reproduction and recognition- the actualization of elements, actions, feelings from the past. Reproduction is involuntary (elements "float" in a person's mind without his will and effort) and arbitrary.
- Forgetfulness- the loss of the ability to reproduce and recognize elements that were previously remembered. It can be temporary or permanent. There is incomplete forgetfulness when information is reproduced or recognized with an error or partial.
Basic memory types
There are many types and subtypes in memory classification. Let’s talk about its main types.
- Sensory memory- the storage of information by the senses after stimulation.
- Tangible memory- storage of information by receptors as a result of touch.
- Motor memory- by 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. There is a small volume.
- Long-term memory- storing information indefinitely, including for life.
Laws of Memory
Few people know that there are a number of memory laws. This is not an invention of the author, but scientifically proven and proven real life models.
- Law of repetition- information is remembered much better if repeated several times.
- Law of Interest- if a person is interested in information, then he will remember it faster and better.
- The Law of the Edge- the information given at the beginning and end is best remembered.
- Law of Meaning- if the information is deeply understood, then it will be better remembered.
- Optimal line length law- the amount of information stored should not exceed the amount of short-term memory.
- Installation Act- a person who has given himself the installation he needs to remember this or that information will remember it faster and better.
- Prohibition Law- when you memorize similar concepts, the old information "overlaps" with the new one.
- The Law of Context- when you memorize things that may be associated with already familiar concepts, it goes faster.
- Law of Action- if what is remembered is used in practice, then 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 disturbance of cerebral circulation, 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 brain structure- a decrease in the number of interneuronal connections.
- Chronic intoxication- smoking, drug use, substance abuse, alcoholism, drug abuse (sedatives, tranquilizers).
Treatment of memory impairments
Drugs are not prescribed immediately if memory improvement is needed. First they try to apply non-medicated methods. These include:
- Fast walks in the fresh air. This increases the access of oxygen to the brain. This improves the efficiency of his work.
- Normalize sleepand wake up.
- 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 at the end - the morning events, canbecome 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, no one canceled the effect of self-hypnosis. If at some point you can not remember something, then do not worry, do not get angry, but just pull back, do something else and then try again to remember what you forgot.
- Daily Exercises- choose crossword puzzles, riddles, scans.
- Education- learn poetry, foreign languages, do it regularly, gradually increase the amount of material you learn.
Remedies for memory loss
it is very clear that learning poetry, a foreign language, solving puzzles is not easy, you have to "strain", you have to set aside extra time to walk and solve puzzles, which a person whoworks practically does not have.
it is much easier to take a pill, calm down and hope for the magic power of the medicine - the memory will improve immediately and you will not 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 memory training. So a person is looking for an answer to his question - what memory enhancement pills exist?
So let's consider two opposing views on this issue:
Positive opinion
Proponents of using these funds say that a number of drugs help improve the blood supply to brain cells, thus improving their nutrition and supplying more oxygen, which improves metabolic processes in neurons.Nootropics and medicines that improve the rheological properties of the blood help with this.
Herbal preparations have become widespread, which not only improve the metabolic processes in neurons themselves, but also enhance the effect of nootropic drugs.
But it must be remembered that every (absolutely any) medicine has its contraindications and side effects, so it should only be prescribed by a doctor in each specific clinical case.
Negative opinion
According to a number of experts, there is also a weakness of the medal. A few 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 drugs has shown that they have little effect, but not in severe cases.
Traditional methods and herbal preparations like ginseng, vitamin E, have virtually no research. The evidence base is only for the use of herbal medicines 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 you think about which medications to improve memory are the best, remember 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 friends, neighbors or relatives.
If you think your memory has deteriorated, see a neurologist. Maybe 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.