Smart Drugs....What are they?
Smart Drugs, (or Nootropics, from the Greek word meaning acting on the brain), are a class of synthetic and natural supplements that enhance cognitive function. Originally used as a treatment for memory disorders and dementia, smart drugs have spread to the healthy. Normally functioning people report tremendous benefits from smart drugs. Reported effects include increased alertness, energy, short and long term memory capacity, concentration levels, and work performance. Studies involving Nootropics are currently being done on everyone from Alzheimer patients to children with attention deficiency disorder, to normal functioning individuals. Pelton in Mind Food and Smart Pills writes of an experiment with DMAE (a smart drug explained later in this article): After the first six weeks, the subjects taking DMAE showed an overall improvement in muscle tone. The DMAE group also had an increase in their ability for mental concentration. DMAE produced changes in sleep habits. In most instances less sleep was required. Others reported sleeping sounder, waking earlier, and having a clearer mind upon awakening. (Pelton p. 79) With results like that, it's understandable that interest in this new area of medicine is spreading quickly. As modern society becomes more and more demanding, many people are seeking ways to enhance their mental abilities, stay young, or just work at top potential. From the company executive trying to stay on top of his game, to the college student cramming for exams, Smart Drugs are finding themselves in the medicine cabinets of thousands of Americans each year. The Basics: What do these things do? What smart drug should you take? That depends on what you want to do with your mind. Here's our primer on the most popular smart drugs, what they are and what they do.
Ginseng Ginkgo DMAE Choline DHA Acetyl L Carnitine Phosphatidylserine
Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo is probably the most widely used herbal smart drug. Derived from one of the oldest trees on earth, Ginkgo biloba increases blood circulation in the brain, which in turn increases oxygen levels. Increased oxygen in the brain is associated with improvements in memory and alertness, as well as increased concentration levels. Robert Hass writes that gingko increases brain metabolism by enhancing the synthesis of ATP (an energy producing molecule) and improving the brain's power to metabolize glucose. According to Hass, it even helps prevent blood clotting in the arteries found in the brain. (Hass p. 19) Ginkgo is available in pill and liquid form at most health food stores. When purchasing Ginkgo, be sure that it is the standardized form of 24% flavoglycosides (the type that most scientific studies use in their tests).
DMAE: Di-Methyl-Amino-Ethanol (DMAE) increases memory, learning and intelligence. It also acts as a pick-me-up without the jitteriness usually associated with caffeine. Naturally present in small amounts in the brain, DMAE affects the brain's levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory formation and thought processes. It is thought that low doses of DMAE should be used at first, with a gradual build up to 500 mg per day. If taken in doses higher than the body needs, DMAE can cause insomnia, headaches and muscle tension. DMAE is available in Health Food Stores in liquid and pill form. It should be stored in a cool dark place. Contraindications: Those who suffer from depression should not take DMAE.
Choline: Choline is a B Vitamin which, upon passing through the blood-brain barrier, is used to produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (defined above). As we age, our brain produces less acetylcholine, which causes memory and cognitive function suffer. In addition to replenishing a deficit of acetylcholine (Pelton p. 71), choline has also been shown to have a beneficial effect on healthy individuals. In one test, ten individuals with full brain function were given choline. The study found that the subjects experienced an increase in short term memory. (Pelton p.71) Doses of up to 2 grams (sometimes more) of choline may be taken daily. Contraindications: Those with ulcers, Parkinson's Disease and depression should not take Choline.
DHA: DHA is an Omega 3 fatty acid that functions as an essential component of brain tissue. It is essential for cerebral growth, especially during infancy and early childhood. As part of the aging process, synapses -- the linkages between brain cells -- harden and are damaged by free-radicals. This slows down neuron transmission which can result in impaired memory and cognition. DHA enhances the flexibility of these synapses in the brain needed for optimal nerve signal transmission. Adequate DHA levels are important for maintaining soft and functional synapses. Often vegetarians and those on low-fat diets do not receive an optimal amount of DHA. It is available in 100 mg pills in most health food stores.
Acetyl L Carnitine : Acetyl L Carnitine transports fats to the cell's mitochondria, where they are converted into energy. This helps reduce unnecessary fat deposits in the brain's nerve cells, increasing mental capabilities. Human studies have shown that Acetyl L Carnitine increases attention span and alertness in people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of memory loss. A dose involving 2000 mg per day showed significant improvements in short term memory in people with Alzheimer's disease. (Dean p.81)
Phosphatidylserine: Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid found in membranes of brain cells. It is thought to increase neurotransmitter activities, dopamine release and acetylcholine release. Dean writes in Smart Drugs II: Thomas Crook and his colleagues did a study on 149 individuals who met their criteria for age-associated memory impairment. These people had no overt illnesses but showed signs of the memory loss that normally occurs with aging. Each individual was given either phosphatidyl serine (100 mg three times daily) or a placebo for 12 weeks. Those who took the phosphatidylserine improved on a series of tests designed to measure performance related to learning and memory tasks of daily life. (Dean p.75) Phosphatidyl Serine is available in 100 mg capsules.
Ginseng: Ginseng is an herb that has been used in Chinese medicine for years to treat both fatigue and stress; it has now become very popular in the United States as well. Scientists often refer to ginseng as an adaptogen as it helps the body to adapt to different situations and states. There is much research that suggests that ginseng helps to improve mental performance while under stress. Stress depletes norepinephrine, which results in mental fatigue and loss of concentration. Ginseng is able to increase norepinepherine when the body is under stress. (Pelton p. 174) Many feel that the most effective form of this herb is in a 100 mg standardized extract of Korean Ginseng. Where Can I get Smart Drugs? Are they legal? The smart drugs discussed in this article are all legal and available from Smartbomb.com's catalog, or from local health food stores and pharmacies. A prescription is not needed for any of the above mentioned smart drugs.
References:
Dean, Ward and John Morgenthaler, SMART DRUGS AND NUTRIENTS, Health Freedom Publications, 1990. Dean, Ward and John Morgenthaler and Steven Wm. Fowkes, SMART DRUGS II THE NEXT GENERATION, Health Freedom Publications, 1993. Pelton, Ross and Taffy Pelton, MIND FOOD AND SMART PILLS, Doubleday Books, 1989. Hobbs, Christopher, GINKGO: ELIXER OF YOUTH, Botanica Press, 1991. Note: This article is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. It is not intended to make health claims of any kind. If you choose to experiment with the above mentioned herbs, vitamins, medicines, food supplements or drugs please consult a physician. Copyright 1997 Smartbomb.com