|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phosphotidyl Serine (PS)
This substance has been shown in clinical studies to increase lucidity and rate of learning, as well as improve memory. How does it do this? By activating cell-to-cell communication, helping regulate cell growth, improving the functioning of the special receptors found on cells, and preparing cells for activity. It is also thought to reverse memory decline, and guess what? Phosphatidylserine has no known adverse side effects.
Vinpocetine
This is an extract derived from an alkaloid found in the Periwinkle Plant, and is used as a cerebral vasodilator. In other words, it increases blood flow to the brain, which improves its oxygenation and thereby increases mental alertness and acuity. Research suggests that it may be the most powerful memory enhancer available to date.
Vinpocetine acts on both the circulatory system and the brain's metabolism to enhance cognitive function. The increased blood flow that it causes allows for more oxygen and glucose uptake by brain and nerve cells, and this nourishes brain cells, preventing cell death from lack of oxygen.
As an extra benefit, Vinpocetine has also been shown to improve micro-circulation in the eyes, which may help maintain healthy vision and assist with healing eye related disorders.
If you want to try these supplements, you can probably find them at your local health-food store. Otherwise you can probably get them online from one of the advertisers on this page.
Memory Drugs
Most new "brain drugs" being developed are targeting one area of brain function: memory. Pop a pill and have better memory. Sounds nice, doesn't it? Apparently so, because that's where the research dollars of the pharmaceutical companies are going. The research concentrates on creating compounds that either preserve function, which are useful in combatting aging-related memory decline, or compounds that actually enhance memory ability.
Aplyasia Californicus, or the common California Sea Snail, is playing a key role in the development of these brain drugs. It has large neurons, and very few of them, making it possible to identify individual nerve cells that are responsible for specific behaviors. The snail, and humans, both use a neural messenger called cyclic AMP, which modulates a protein called CREB, which, in turn forms memories by reshaping synapses. So AMP levels affect the brains ability to remodel it's synapses.
Without getting into more details, the bottom line of the snail research, and the follow-up testing on rats, is several new drugs by Memory Pharmaceuticals. MEM1414 seems to enhance the brain's long-term memory functions. It may make it to market by 2006. There is also the similar MEM1917, and MEM1003. The latter protects neurons from damaging calcium overloads.
Other memory enhancing brain drugs to watch for in the near future include C105 by Sention, and CX516, by Cortex Pharmaceuticals. The questions still to be answered for all of these products, are whether the side effects will be a problem, and what the prices will be. While you are waiting, you may want to try Ginkgo Biloba, a cheap natural alternative that has a fair amount of research showing memory and other brain function benefits. (You can find it using the House Of Nutrition link, if you are interested.)
Intelligence-Boosting Drugs
Brain drugs to help increase intelligence or general brain power are less common, but there is one that is available at the nearest coffee shop. Caffeine has been shown repeatedly to improve brain function temporarily. Students score higher on tests after a cup of coffee, and I can tell you without a doubt, that my chess game improves after any caffeine-containing drink. I can also verify that the long-term effects of over-use can be very bad (at least for me).
Ginkgo, as mentioned above, may help overall brain function, since it has been shown to increase blood
If you want to avoid the brain drugs altogether and concentrate on more natural ways to enhance your brain function, be sure to visit the page on Brain Foods, as well as the page on How To Increase Your Intelligence Quotient. The page on Memory Exercises may be of use as well.