Rating of nootropics. Good quality latest generation nootropics: list, price

What are new generation nootropic drugs and how do they differ from other drugs of this group, what active ingredients do they contain and for what diseases and disorders are they indicated, the rules for using nootropics.

Nootropic drugs of the new generation are the means that are responsible for stimulating the brain and its work, protecting nervous reactions. The list of new drugs in this group is quite large. As a rule, these are complex substances that consist of the nootropic component itself, as well as a number of additional ingredients, such as amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins, which improve the functioning of brain cells.

Features and types of new generation nootropics

Nootropics in various forms have been used by people since ancient times. The simplest and very first known nootropic is choline. The substance contains eggs, meat, fish, seafood. After eating a meal that is rich in animal protein, the hormone serotonin is produced in the brain.

It is responsible for the feeling of pleasure, and also positively affects the connections of neurons. The brain is included in active work, memory becomes better, as well as thought processes. Similar nootropic simplest substances are found in green tea, coffee, nicotine, amphetamines.

After nootropic drugs were developed and studied in the laboratory in the middle of the 20th century, a classification of these drugs was created: stimulants, reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, racetams, vasodilators, metabolic enhancers.

Currently, racetams are mainly used in medicine. These substances are the basis of new nootropics. Racetams are a chemical structure that is derived from pyrrolidine. To date, there are many different pharmacological preparations of the new generation.

Previously, in order to improve mental activity, plant components such as lemongrass, ginseng, ginkgo biloba were widely used. These plants are now the ingredients of nootropic drugs. Unlike natural natural stimulants, the latter have a more precise effect on specific areas of the brain.

This makes it possible to use new drugs not only to enhance memory and improve intelligence, but also in the treatment of more serious abnormalities and ailments, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Due to this, these drugs are considered the most effective among all nootropics.

Composition and characteristics of the components of new nootropics

As a rule, such drugs contain two or more components that complement each other's action. Often in the composition of new nootropics can be found:

Dimethylaminoethanol. This is a substance that is actively involved in the synthesis of acetylcholine. Acts as an antioxidant, improves memory, mental abilities, physical endurance.
Gamma aminobutyric acid. The main inhibitory neurotransmitter of the CNS. It takes an active part in the metabolism of the brain, as well as in neurotransmitter processes.
Pantothenic acid (B5). Participates in the metabolic processes of the brain, the synthesis of acetylcholine. Participates in the synthesis of neurotransmitters.
Pyridoxine (B6). This is a coenzyme of proteins, which is involved in the uniform supply of glucose to the cells of the body, is involved in the processing of amino acids.
Vitamin B15. Helps eliminate cell hypoxia, has a vasodilating effect, has a detoxifying property.
Vitamin E. It takes part in the synthesis of hormones, acts as an antioxidant, prevents the formation of blood clots, and helps the muscles to function normally.
Folic acid. Participates in the processes of DNA replication, in cell division.

In addition, various nootropics contain extracts and extracts of plants: ginseng, ginkgo biloba, lemongrass. The list of new generation nootropics for children usually includes medicines containing vitamin supplements.

Useful properties of new generation nootropic drugs

According to the definition of the World Health Organization, the group of new generation nootropics should include drugs that have a direct activating effect on the learning process, memory, and mental activity. In addition, these drugs increase the resistance of the brain to various aggressive factors.

The general properties of new nootropic drugs are as follows:

Improving thought processes - learning or cognitive functions;
Increasing the speed of memorization and durability of data storage;
Growth of intellectual activity, increase in the volume of intellectual abilities;
Forgetfulness of stressful conditions and information about various pains;
Stimulation of metabolic processes in neuronal tissue, mainly in various pathologies, such as intoxication, trauma, anoxia;
Improving the impact on the mental state and higher nervous activity in morphological and functional pathologies;
The growth of the resistance of the mental processes of the brain to adverse factors of the internal and external environment: stroke, trauma, hypoxia.

Some drugs from the group of new nootropics, due to their pronounced anabolic effect and positive effect on physical endurance and activity, are used in various schemes of medical support for professional sports activities.

New generation nootropic drugs do not affect the psyche and higher nervous activity of a healthy person.

Indications for the use of new nootropics

Let us consider in more detail what are the indications for taking new generation nootropic drugs to increase mental activity:

Psychoorganic Syndrome. In medicine, it is understood as an extensive group of diseases that manifest themselves in dystrophic changes in nervous tissues. These are such ailments: epilepsy, various types of dementia, Parkinson's disease, neuroinfections, cerebral palsy, ischemic stroke.
Chronic alcoholism, which is accompanied by withdrawal symptoms and delirium.
Addiction.
Organic and neurotic asthenia, asthenoneurotic and asthenodepressive syndromes, VVD, migraine, sleep disorders, emotional lability.
Correction of the neuroleptic syndrome.
Violation of proper urination of neurogenic etiology.
Somatic-vegetative disorders.
Neurotic and neurosis-like pathologies.
Chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency.
Sickle cell anemia.
Chronic psychopathology, schizophrenia, childhood oligophrenia, neurosis-like disorders, depression.
Organic brain syndrome of the elderly.
As part of the complex treatment of ophthalmic pathologies.

Side effects and contraindications of new nootropics

Each drug of the nootropic class has its own contraindications. In general terms, the following can be distinguished:

Pregnancy;
Lactation;
Individual intolerance to the components;
Psychomotor agitation;
bulimia;
kidney failure;
Liver failure;
Chorea of Huntington;
Period after acute hemorrhagic stroke;
Severe renal impairment.

New generation nootropics may also cause some side effects: weakness, hyperactivity, anxiety, sleep disturbances, hypotension, dyspepsia, nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity, angina pectoris, eosinophilia, epileptic seizures, convulsive states, hallucinations, balance problems, fever, ataxia, thrombophlebitis, confusion of consciousness, hyperemia, feeling of heat on the face, urticaria.

The mechanism of action of new generation nootropic drugs

Nootropic drugs directly affect a number of brain functions. As a result, the interaction between the hemispheres and the main centers of the cortex improves.

New generation drugs increase the utilization of sugar, as well as the formation of ATP, have a stimulating effect on the synthesis of RNA and proteins. The process of oxidative phosphorylation under their influence is suspended, and cell membranes are stabilized.

The mechanisms of action of new nootropics include:

Antioxidant;
Membrane stabilizing;
Neuroprotective;
Antihypoxic.

Racetams, on the basis of which most nootropic drugs are based, have an effect similar to amphetamine. However, the mechanism of action is different: it is more stable, without regression to subnormal neural efficiency. Amphetamines fill synaptic clefts with a large number of neurotransmitters. And racetams bind to receptors, temporarily changing their shape. The signal is thus lengthened.

The advantage of this mechanism of action is that there are no irreversible changes in the cortex. With the ease with which racetam molecules bind to receptors, they are detached.

In addition, since the human body does not produce racetams on its own, it is unlikely that there will be side products that can cause negative effects. Thus, a powerful nootropic effect is achieved without side effects.

Each racetam is uniquely formulated to bind to specific neuroreceptors. As a rule, such drugs are used in groups in order to achieve the best effect.

The effectiveness of new generation nootropic drugs for the elderly increases if they are combined with psychostimulants and angioprotectors. Thus, disturbed intellectual functions are stimulated and corrected. For children, neurometabolic stimulants are recommended to combat mental retardation.

Instructions for using new nootropics

Self-administration of new generation nootropic drugs without a doctor's recommendation is prohibited. It is only permissible to use herbal medicines based on ginkgo biloba, lemongrass and other plants without prescribing. Such drugs are rather biologically active additives than medicines.

There are many different drugs in this group. They have a different form and direction of action. They are mainly produced in the form of tablets, capsules, injection solutions and suspensions.

It should be noted that the maximum effectiveness of the use of these drugs is achieved only after several weeks and even months.

Overview of New Generation Nootropics

The list of new generation nootropic drugs is quite extensive. As a rule, the latest drugs have a combined composition and combine racetams and excipients.

Popular means are:

Phezam. It is a combination of Piracetam and Cynarizine. The medicine is in the form of capsules. It is recommended as a tool in the complex therapy for the treatment of circulatory disorders in the brain. After its use, microcirculation in the brain improves, blood vessels expand, vision and hearing improve. The drug eliminates the effects of hypoxia, relieves headaches, dizziness, fights amnesia. As a rule, people who have suffered a stroke, encephalitis and various traumatic brain injuries are prescribed Phezam for a long time. The price for a package of the drug (60 capsules) ranges from 170 to 250 rubles.
Orocetam. The combination of piracetam and orotic acid. These are intravenous injections. The drug helps to overcome severe brain intoxication. Improves metabolic processes in brain cells. Activates the reparative and detoxifying function of the liver. The price is about 50 rubles per ampoule of the drug.
Thiocetam. Combination of piracetam and thiotriosalin. It is in the form of tablets and injections. It is used to improve cerebral circulation in the cerebral cortex. It is often used to treat speech disorders and the effects of alcohol intoxication. The price of the new generation nootropic drug Thiocetam is 540 rubles per pack of 60 tablets.

Watch a video about the effect of nootropics on the brain:

New generation nootropic drugs are a panacea in the treatment of various brain disorders. Also, these drugs help to improve the intellectual abilities of people of different ages. The intake of these medications should be agreed with the doctor.

Nootropics (Greek noos mind + tropos direction)

The main N. page used in medical practice is piracetam, which chemically is a cyclic analogue of γ-aminobutyric acid (). N.'s properties with. some other analogs of GABA also possess, for example, aminalon, pantogam, and a number of drugs belonging to other classes of chemical compounds (acephen, pyriditol, etc.).

Along with nootropic activity, drugs of this group also have other pharmacological properties. For example, piracetam, pantogam, and aminalon show some anticonvulsant activity, while pyriditol has antidepressant and sedative properties.

N.'s mechanisms of action with. little studied. It is established that N.'s stimulating influence of page. memory and learning are mainly due to their effect on metabolic processes in the nervous tissue. So, it is known that many N. with. stimulate tissue, increase the turnover rate and enhance the utilization of glucose by brain cells. Most of N. with. have antihypoxic properties. N.'s ability with. to improve energy processes in the nervous tissue is one of the main reasons for increasing the resistance of the brain to hypoxia and toxic effects on it under the influence of drugs of this group. Caused by some N. with. an increase in cerebral blood flow, apparently, also plays a role in the mechanisms of their action on the processes of memory, thinking, and learning. Obviously, for this reason, some drugs (for example, cavinton, nicergoline), which mainly improve, have nootropic activity.

Apply N. with. mainly in violation of memory, attention, speech, etc., caused by vascular diseases of the brain (atherosclerosis, chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency, stroke), craniocerebral trauma, intoxication (for example, alcoholism), in the recovery period after suffering neuroinfections and mental insufficiency (mental retardation) and oligophrenia in children. Along with this, individual drugs from among N. s. prescribed for other indications. So, piracetam is sometimes used as a corrector for the side effects of neuroleptics (see Antipsychotics) and other psychotropic drugs, tk. it weakens the mental, neurological and somatovegetative disturbances caused by them. Pantogam is used for Jacksonian epilepsy, hyperkinesis, parkinsonism, a clonic form of stuttering in children and as a corrector for neuroleptic syndrome that occurs during intoxication with antipsychotics. Pyriditol can be included in the complex therapy of neurotic disorders and depression with symptoms of lethargy, adynamia. Acephen is sometimes used for neurotic, hypochondriacal and asthenoilochondriac conditions, diencephalic syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Side effects in certain drugs of the N. group with. manifests itself differently, although for many of them the most characteristic signs of this action are increased, anxiety and. Along with this, piracetam can cause dyspeptic disorders and coronary insufficiency, aminalon - dyspeptic disorders, fever and fluctuations mainly in the first days after the appointment of this drug. The side effect of pantogam is manifested mainly by allergic reactions from the skin (skin) and mucous membranes (allergic and conjunctivitis). Pyriditol can cause nausea and headache, and in children, psychomotor. The side effects of acephene are characterized by the appearance of anxiety and fear. In patients with paranoid and hallucinatory symptoms, acephene may cause an increase in them.

General contraindications for use for the N. group with. in no. to the use of aminalon and pantogam have not been established. Piracetam is contraindicated in acute renal failure and pregnancy, pyriditol - with increased convulsive readiness, epilepsy and psychomotor agitation, acephen - with infectious diseases of the central nervous system.

The main N. pages, their doses, methods of application, forms of release and storage conditions are given below.

Aminalon(Aminalonum; synonym: gammalon, ganevrin, etc.) is prescribed orally (before meals) for adults at 0.5-1.25 G 3 times a day, for children, depending on age - in daily doses from 0.5 to 3 G. The duration of the course of treatment is from 2-3 weeks to 2-6 months. Release form: tablets of 0.25 G, coated

Acefen(Acephenum; synonym: analux, cerutil, meclofenoxate hydrochloride, etc.) are used orally at 0.1-0.3 G 3-5 times a day. The duration of the course of treatment is 1-3 months. Release form: tablets of 0.1 G, coated. Storage: list B; in a dry, dark place.

Pantogam(Pantogamum) is taken orally after 15-30 min after meal. Adults are usually prescribed 0.5-1 G, children - 0.25-0.5 G appointment. Daily dose 1.5-3 G(adults) and 0.75-3 G(children) are divided into 3-6 doses. The course of treatment is 1-6 months. Repeated courses of treatment are carried out in 3-6 months. Release form: tablets of 0.25 and 0.5 G. Storage: in a dry, dark place.

Piracetam(Pyracetamum; synonym: nootropil, pyramem, etc.) is used orally, intramuscularly or intravenously. At the beginning of treatment, the drug is administered orally at 0.4 G 3 times a day and increase the dose to a total daily dose of 2.4-3.2 G and more. Upon reaching the therapeutic effect, the daily dose is reduced to 1.2-1.6 G. For children under 5 years of age, the drug is prescribed orally, usually at 0.2 G for admission, from 5 to 16 years old - 0.4 each G 3 times a day. The duration of the course of treatment is from 2-3 weeks to 2-6 months. Repeated courses of treatment are carried out after 6-8 weeks. Intramuscularly or intravenously, the drug is administered first in daily doses of 2-4 G, then in daily doses of 4-6 G. Release form: capsules containing 0.4 G drug; tablets 0.2 G, coated; 20% solution in ampoules of 5 ml. Storage: list B; in a dry, dark place.

Pyriditol(Pyriditolum; synonym: encephabol, pyritinol, etc.) is administered orally after 15-30 min after meals for adults 0.1-0.3 G at the reception, children - 0.05-0.1 G 2-3 times a day. Daily doses for adults 0.2-0.6 G, for children 0.05-0.3 G. At the beginning of treatment, the drug is taken in smaller than average doses. The course of treatment is from 1-3 months to 6-8 months in adults and from 2 weeks to 3 months in children. Repeated courses are carried out in adults after 1-6 months, in children after 3-6 months. Release form: tablets of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 G, coated. Under the name "Encephabol" the drug is produced at 0.1 G in a dragee and in the form of a syrup containing 0.1 G in every 5 ml, in vials of 200 ml. Storage: in a dry, dark place.

1. Small medical encyclopedia. - M.: Medical Encyclopedia. 1991-96 2. First aid. - M.: Great Russian Encyclopedia. 1994 3. Encyclopedic dictionary of medical terms. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. - 1982-1984.

See what "Nootropics" are in other dictionaries:

- (nootropics) (from the Greek noos mind and tropos turn, direction), lek. in va, selectively stimulating the functions of the brain and increasing energy. body potential. N. p. are able to accelerate learning processes, improve memory and mental ... ... Chemical Encyclopedia

I Psychotropic drugs (Greek psychē soul, consciousness + tropos turn, direction; synonymous with psychopharmacological drugs) drugs that affect mental functions, emotional sphere and behavior. Distinguish the following ... ... Medical Encyclopedia

I Anti-alcohol drugs drugs that reduce or eliminate the effects of alcohol or the consequences of its use. Among P. with. distinguish between sobering drugs and drugs for the treatment of chronic alcoholism. AT… … Medical Encyclopedia

- (from the Greek psyche soul and tropos turn, direction; psychopharmacological agents), lek. in VA, affecting ch. arr. on the psychic body functions. Unlike some other groups of lek. cf. (e.g., narcotic analgesics, ephedrine, ketamine and its ... ... Chemical Encyclopedia

- (ZHNVLS) a list of medicines approved by the Government of the Russian Federation for the purpose of state regulation of prices for medicines. The list of vital drugs covers almost all types of medical care, ... ... Wikipedia

Check neutrality. The talk page should have details... Wikipedia

Nootropics or nootropics, they are also neurometabolic stimulants, substances taken to improve mental abilities. The term "nootropic" is derived from the Greek. νους reason and τροπή I turn, I interfere, I change. It was introduced in 1972 to describe ... ... Wikipedia

Pathological conditions caused by exposure to toxic substances (industrial poisons) in production conditions. Industrial poisons are a large group of toxic substances and compounds that are used in industry as a source ... ... Medical Encyclopedia

Nootropics have ceased to be the lot of geeks, as they were just a few years ago. They quickly became fashionable among students and freelancers, and today they have become commonplace for many other segments of the population. The share of nootropic drugs in the global pharmacological market is already more than $1 billion and continues to grow rapidly.

There is, of course, nothing to be surprised here. If there are pills that promise to make you smarter and more focused, then you are more likely to take them - provided the risks don't outweigh the benefits (you will?)

True, nootropics by themselves have not made anyone smarter yet, but to cope with study loads, successfully pass a session, get out alive from work time pressure, or perform better in the daily tasks of a knowledge worker, they seem to help. But "it seems" here - not from excessive delicacy.

In the English-speaking world, nootropics are also called "smart drugs". There are also such cute definitions as "professors" little helpers ".

There is bad and good news. Let's start with the first one: the effectiveness of most nootropic drugs that are common on the Russian market has not been confirmed by serious clinical trials. Supporters of evidence-based medicine, as a rule, conclude from this that taking nootropics is simply useless. But here one cannot confine oneself to a simple statement.

Now the good news is that nootropics really help a lot of people. Of course, no one has canceled the significance of the placebo effect, but in the case of nootropics, it can be argued that there are other reasons as well.

So, let's try to figure out how nootropics work and what effects to expect from their use.

What do nootropics do to the brain?

Once again, I’ll make a reservation: nootropics by themselves will not make you smarter and will not save you from an overwhelmed session. It would be rather strange to expect that some pills modify your intelligence if you do not put effort into it and do not distribute the mental load more or less rationally.

It is not yet possible to fully understand exactly how nootropics work, and in what cases they can be recommended to healthy people to improve cognitive activity. I am afraid that this will not work, even if you first pump yourself up with some kind of modafinil or pramiracetam and immerse yourself in reading literature on the topic for a year or two.

According to the results of an informal survey conducted on the website of the journal Nature in 2008, out of more than 1400 scientists who took part in it, about 20% use some kind of nootropics.

Let's start with the fact that this class of drugs includes drugs with a variety of pharmacological properties and effects. In the most general sense, nootropics are means that “have a direct activating effect on learning, improve memory and mental activity, increase the resistance of the brain to aggressive environmental influences” (WHO definition).

They operate as follows:

Stimulate cerebral circulation;
Improve the intake and absorption of glucose (it is easier to penetrate the blood-brain barrier between the circulatory and nervous systems, and the brain does not lack energy);
Prevent hypoxia (oxygen starvation) of the brain;
Improve the interaction between the prefrontal cortex and other areas of the brain, accelerate the exchange of information between its hemispheres;
They stimulate cognitive functions, processing and memorization of information, influencing the production of certain neurotransmitters, with the help of which neurons exchange their "messages".

It is believed that nootropics optimize metabolism and neural activity, but do not have the same side effects as psychostimulants. For example, caffeine, although it promotes concentration, is not usually considered a nootropic.

Dummy or drug?

Although nootropics are used in medical practice for the treatment of clinical depression, recovery from a stroke, ADHD or asthenic disease, they have not received clinical confirmation in the framework of evidence-based medicine.

This means that in the so-called "blind" studies, when neither doctors nor patients know where the placebo is and where the tested drug is, it was not possible to find a statistically significant difference between the nootropic and the empty pill. Therefore, in the USA, for example, piracetam (also known as Nootropil) is not considered a medical drug at all and is registered as a biologically active food supplement.

But you need to take into account, firstly, that not all nootropics generally passed tests of this kind; and secondly, that they tend to test for a very specific effect of the drug (for example, helping with recovery from strokes, as in the case of Cerebrolysin).

In addition, separate studies have nevertheless demonstrated an improvement in cognitive abilities with the medical and non-medical use of nootropics. This is also evidenced by the experience of many people who take nootropics to increase their intellectual productivity.

According to one of the domestic studies, 69.7% of people out of 120 students who took nootropics felt subjective improvement during the session - however, there was no improvement in the average score.

The fact is that nootropics act very individually. The effects obtained are highly dependent on the properties of your body and what you are doing while taking them. In addition, most nootropics have a cumulative effect (results only show themselves over time), so it is quite difficult to fix it.

In general, the entire range of nootropic drugs can be divided into three groups:

Harmless, but (almost) ineffective. These are brain vitamins like glycine. This amino acid, which is really important for memory and cognitive processes, our body produces on its own. If you already have enough of it, then the effect will depend only on your ability to self-hypnosis.

Effective but not safe. You will either not find these drugs on legal sale at all, or you can only get them by prescription. These include, for example, Ritalin, Modafinil, Adderall and Pramiracetam. They have a strong effect on the nervous system and can be addictive. In Russia, some of them are banned and considered drugs (much to the outrage of transhumanists).

Moderately effective and (almost) safe. Drugs that can act as a placebo, and also improve blood flow to the brain, stimulate the production of certain neurotransmitters, or have an inhibitory effect - help relieve irritability and improve concentration. Phenotropil, for example, rather accelerates, and Phenibut, on the contrary, calms the nervous system (although in some cases it can cause heart rhythm disturbance and anxiety). If you have problems with the blood supply to the brain, such drugs will really help, but if everything is fine, with the right attitude, the placebo effect will come to your aid.

The formula of piracetam is the first drug to be called a nootropic. It was synthesized in 1963 by Belgian pharmacologists and has been used to improve cognitive function in the elderly. In Russia, it remains the most popular drug in this group.

For those wishing to learn more about the effects of various nootropics, we can recommend, for example, a site where there are results of amateur studies and recommendations on the use of nootropics.

More recently, the results of a large-scale (albeit informal) study of nootropics, in which 850 people participated, were published. There were no clinical trials - the participants simply answered a few surveys about their experience with such drugs. In addition to the banned Adderol and Modafinil, domestic drugs Phenibut, Semax and Cerebrolysin received the highest marks in it.

Even if the effect of legal nootropics on healthy people is reduced to placebo, you can distinguish different degrees of their effectiveness: some drugs work better than others for some reason.

In general, reviews about nootropics are more than contradictory. Intelligence is a too complex human property, which, moreover, is highly dependent on heredity. Therefore, it is unlikely that it will be possible to improve it simply with the help of chemical compounds.

Nootropics can temporarily improve certain intellectual abilities - for example, memory or concentration - but at the same time weaken other brain functions and cause addiction. As a result, without the help of magic pills, you will generally forget how to think well.

According to some studies, the results of IQ tests can improve after taking nootropics - but they can change for the worse if they were already high.

In addition to purely medical, there are also ethical considerations. Some people think it's just not fair. Can nootropics be considered doping drugs? It even seems to some that it is time for universities to organize special commissions that will weed out students for such a “scam”. But, in fact, there is nothing to worry about yet: nootropics will not help to radically improve learning abilities anyway.

The cognitive mechanisms of the brain have not yet been studied enough, and pharmacology lags behind neuroscience for decades. Among the most popular nootropics now are still those substances that were synthesized in the 60-70s of the last century.

It can be hoped that the invention of truly effective and at the same time harmless drugs that improve brain function is a matter of the near future. The nootropics that exist now can really increase your intellectual productivity, but in the case of legal drugs, this is most likely to be associated with a placebo effect, and in the case of illegal ones, with unpleasant side effects.

Almost all popular nootropics were originally developed for patients with severe cognitive impairment. While some of them have been shown to be useful in medical applications, they seem to have no effect on healthy people. The conclusion is as follows: if everything is in order with your blood supply and brain function, the effect of nootropics will be slightly less than completely limited only by your subjective feelings.

And of course, it is better to consult a doctor before trying the effects of nootropics on your own brain.

Nootropics are a group of psychotropic drugs that affect the higher functions of the brain and increase its resistance to negative exogenous factors: excessive stress, intoxication, trauma or hypoxia. Nootropics improve memory, increase intelligence, stimulate cognitive activity.

From the ancient Greek language, the term "nootropics" means "the desire for thinking." For the first time this concept was introduced in the last century by pharmacologists from Belgium. Cerebroprotectors activate neurometabolic processes in the brain and increase the overall resistance of the body to the action of extreme factors.

Nootropics were not singled out as an independent pharmacological group, they were combined with psychostimulants. Unlike the latter, nootropics are antihypoxants, but they do not have a negative effect on the body, do not disrupt brain activity, do not affect motor reactions, and do not have a hypnotic and analgesic effect. Nootropics do not increase psychophysical activity and do not cause pharmacological dependence.

All nootropics are divided into 2 large groups:

"True" nootropics that have the only effect - improving memory and speech;
with antihypoxic, sedative, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant effects.

Nootropics have a primary effect, which is a direct effect on the structures of the nervous system, and a secondary effect, aimed at improving microcirculation in the brain, prevention and hypoxia. Nootropics stimulate metabolic processes in the nervous tissue and normalize them in case of poisoning and traumatic injury.

Currently, pharmacologists are developing and synthesizing the latest nootropic drugs that have fewer side effects and are more effective. They are characterized by low toxicity and practically do not cause complications. The therapeutic effect of nootropics develops gradually. They should be taken continuously and for a long time.

New generation nootropics are used in various medical fields: pediatrics, obstetrics, neurology, psychiatry and narcology.

Mechanism of action

Nootropics have a direct impact on a number of brain functions, activate them, stimulate mental activity and memory processes. They facilitate the interaction of the right and left hemispheres, as well as the main centers located in the cerebral cortex. Nootropics rejuvenate the body and prolong life.

Neurometabolic cerebroprotectors are nootropic drugs that received a second name due to their biogenic origin and effect on cellular metabolism. These medicines increase the utilization of glucose and the formation of ATP, stimulate the biosynthesis of proteins and RNA, inhibit the process of oxidative phosphorylation, and stabilize cell membranes.

Mechanisms of action of nootropics:

Membrane stabilizing;
Antioxidant;
Antihypoxic;
Neuroprotective.

As a result of the course use of nootropic drugs, mental and cognitive processes improve, intelligence increases, metabolism in the nervous tissue is activated, and the resistance of the brain to the negative effects of endogenous and exogenous factors increases. Cerebrovasoactive drugs also have a special mechanism of vasodilating action.

The effectiveness of nootropics increases when combined with angioprotectors and psychostimulants, especially in debilitated individuals.

Nootropic drugs are most often prescribed for the elderly and children. In old age, it is necessary to correct impaired functions of the intellect: attention and memory, as well as increase creative activity. For children, neurometabolic stimulants will help in the fight against mental retardation.

Main Effects

Nootropics have the following effects on the human body:

spectrum of action of nootropics

Psychostimulating - stimulation of brain functions in mentally inert individuals suffering from hypobulia, apathy, psychomotor retardation.
Antihypoxic - formation of resistance of brain cells to oxygen deficiency.
Sedative - soothing, inhibiting effect on the body.
Antiasthenic - elimination of symptoms of asthenic syndrome.
Antidepressant - the fight against depression.
Antiepileptic - prevention of convulsions, loss and confusion of consciousness, behavioral and autonomic disorders.
Nootropic - stimulation of cognitive activity.
Adaptogenic - the development of the body's resistance to the effects of negative factors.
Vasovegetative - acceleration of cerebral blood flow and elimination of the main symptoms.
Lipolytic - the use of fatty acids as an energy source.
Antitoxic - neutralization or excretion of various toxic substances from the body.
Immunostimulating - strengthening the immune system and increasing the overall resistance of the body.

Indications and contraindications

Indications for the use of nootropics:

Nootropics are contraindicated in individuals with individual hypersensitivity to the main active ingredient of the drug, severe psychomotor agitation, hepatic and renal insufficiency or bulimia, as well as those who have had acute, suffering from Hettington's chorea, who have severe renal dysfunction, pregnant and lactating women.

Side effects

Side effects that occur during treatment with nootropic drugs:

hyperexcitability,
Weakness,
Insomnia,
Anxiety, anxiety,
dyspeptic symptoms,
Hepato- or nephrotoxicity,
eosinophilia,
Frequent attacks of angina pectoris
Convulsions, epileptic seizures,
imbalance,
hallucinations,
Ataxia,
confusion,
Fever,
Thrombophlebitis and pain at the injection site,
motor disinhibition,
Feeling of heat and flushing of the face,
Eruptions on the face and body like urticaria.

Description of drugs

List of the best nootropic drugs that have become widespread in medical practice:

"Piracetam" has a positive effect on metabolic processes in the brain. The drug is prescribed for the treatment, memory improvement, correction of dyslexia, cerebrosthenia and in children. "Piracetam" is an emergency remedy for withdrawal symptoms and delirium in alcoholics. It is used for viral neuroinfections and in the complex therapy of myocardial infarction.
"Vinpocetine"- a neurometabolic agent that dilates the vessels of the brain and improves microcirculation. The drug supplies the brain tissue with oxygen and nutrients, reduces systemic blood pressure. Vinpocetine tablets thin the blood and improve its rheological properties. The drug has an antioxidant and neuroprotective effect. First, the drug is administered intravenously by drip for 14 days, and then proceed to oral administration of tablets.
"Fenibut" appoint patients with asthenia, neurosis, insomnia, dysfunction of the vestibular apparatus. Children "Fenibut" helps to cope with stuttering and tics. The drug normalizes metabolism in tissues, has a psychostimulating, antiplatelet and antioxidant effect. Phenibut is low toxic and non-allergic.
"Pantogam"- an effective nootropic agent, widely used for the treatment of children. The main active ingredient of the drug is vitamin B 15. This is a physiologically active substance found in almost all plants and products.
Phenotropil- a drug of the latest generation, which is popular with both patients and doctors. It has a pronounced adaptogenic effect and increases the body's resistance to stress. The drug does not cause dependence. It is often recommended to students during preparation for a session.
Phezam is a nootropic drug intended for the complex treatment of cerebrovascular disorders. It has an effective effect on the nervous system, dilates blood vessels, stimulates the functioning of the organ of hearing and vision. "Fezam" eliminates the effects of hypoxia, relieves headaches, fights against dizziness and amnesia. Persons who have had a stroke, or TBI, take Phezam for a long time. It helps patients recover quickly and eliminates the negative consequences of pathologies. "Piracetam" and "Cinnarizine", which are part of the drug, dilate the vessels of the brain, improve brain nutrition, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, stimulate local blood flow, and reduce blood viscosity. Thanks to both components, the antihypoxic effect and antiplatelet activity are enhanced, the metabolism in the cells of the nervous system improves.
"Cinnarizine"- a nootropic drug that strengthens the walls of cerebral vessels and causes them to dilate without changing blood pressure indicators. "Cinnarizine" has a sensitizing effect, suppresses nystagmus and is an effective prophylactic against motion sickness. It dilates small arteries and peripheral capillaries. The drug is released in a single dosage form - in the form of tablets for oral administration. "Cinnarizine" is prescribed not only for the treatment of cerebrovascular insufficiency, but also for the prevention of migraine attacks and kinetosis. The medicine stops the symptoms of vegetovascular dystonia and: weakness, headache, dizziness. "Cinnarizine" is used to alleviate the condition in menopause. The drug normalizes sleep, relieves irritability, eliminates.
"Cerebrolysin"- a complex nootropic drug that has passed clinical trials that confirmed its effectiveness and safety. The drug is produced in the form of tablets and solution for injection. "Cerebrolysin" is prescribed for the treatment of patients with various forms of mental and neurological diseases. According to reviews, "Cerebrolysin" activates the processes of mental activity and improves mood. Long-term use of the drug improves memory processes, increases concentration and learning ability.
"Actovegin"- antihypoxant, intended for the treatment of metabolic and vascular disorders of the brain and promotes rapid healing of wounds. The drug is used for the prevention and treatment of radiation skin lesions, peripheral vascular disorders, diabetic polyneuropathy. "Actovegin" is produced in tablets for oral administration, as well as in the form of a solution for intramuscular, intravenous and intra-arterial injections. Gel, ointment and cream "Actovegin" is used topically.