Whether you’re a college student cramming for finals, a workaholic trying to stay on top of their game, or an older person worried about memory loss, the idea of popping pills that make you smarter sounds pretty appealing. But do cognitive enhancers actually work?
Modalert 200mg Tablet is used to promote wakefulness in patients suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness due to sleeping disorders. It should not be used as a substitute for getting enough sleep at night.
Modafinil
Whether you’re a student hoping to ace exams, a professional looking for a promotion, or an older adult concerned about memory decline, the idea of taking something that will boost brainpower is appealing. And there are many ways to achieve that — exercise, for example, which has been proven to improve mental clarity and memory. Or you could try getting a good night’s sleep, which can help you concentrate and think more clearly. You can also take a cognitive enhancer like caffeine, which has been shown to increase thinking skills and improve memory.
There are also “smart drugs” that have been approved by the FDA to help people focus, including modafinil, which is prescribed to treat narcolepsy and other sleep-related disorders. While it heightens alertness similar to caffeine, studies have found that it can also boost higher-order cognitive functions like planning and decision making, flexibility, creativity, and learning and memory.
However, most of the studies involving this drug have only looked at its effects on healthy people, who aren’t sleep-deprived. And they usually only tested one dose, so we don’t know if it’s safe to use over a long period of time. So if you’re interested in trying this drug, talk to your doctor first. They may recommend a low dose that you can gradually build up to.
L-Tryptophan
L-tryptophan, also called 5-HTP, is an essential amino acid that the body can’t make itself; it must be obtained from food. Tryptophan produces serotonin, a brain chemical that sends messages throughout the nervous system. Serotonin helps regulate your sleep cycle, mood and pain perception. It also plays a role in your appetite, and it’s the precursor to melatonin, which helps control your sleeping patterns.
L-Tryptophan is often used to treat insomnia and sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. It can also help with the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), such as difficulty waking, irritability, craving for carbohydrate foods, weight gain, depressed mood and depression. It can also improve the effectiveness of antidepressants for SAD. It’s also helpful for treating a severe form of premenstrual syndrome called PMDD, anxiety, facial pain, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and bruxism, or grinding your teeth during sleep.
Some research shows that l-tryptophan may help boost your mental performance, including improving attention and memory. However, more research is needed to confirm these benefits and determine how it works. It’s important to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, especially if you have a medical condition or are taking medications.
Ginkgo Biloba
One of the oldest living tree species on earth, Ginkgo Biloba is nicknamed a “living fossil.” Known for its ability to boost cognitive function and sharpen thinking, this herb is a great brain booster that also improves memory. It does this by improving blood flow to the brain, preventing plaque buildup and reducing the effects of oxidative stress on the body.
The active ingredients in ginkgo biloba leaves help to increase circulation by dilating the blood vessels and lowering the viscosity of the blood. It’s this improved circulation that helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the brain. This translates into improved concentration, focus, and mental clarity. The antioxidants in ginkgo biloba also cancel out free radicals that are produced when you exercise, use your body’s energy, and smoke cigarettes.
Aside from its benefits for the brain, ginkgo has many other health benefits. For example, it can help with men’s erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis. It’s also an effective natural remedy for depression. In fact, it can even reverse the negative side effect of certain antidepressants on libido. Ginkgo biloba is also an excellent herb for treating ADHD in kids. It can help improve their attention and focus, making them more productive in school and work. This means that they can get more done in less time and improve their relationships at home and at work.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is an essential nutrient in the human body that can be found naturally in foods like poultry, fish, potatoes, chickpeas and bananas, as well as fortified cereals. It is also available as a supplement in the form of pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP), which functions as a coenzyme that assists more than 100 enzymes to perform their jobs. It is vital for a number of important biochemical reactions, including the production of neurotransmitters and the conversion of homocysteine into less toxic compounds.
Low Vitamin B6 levels have been linked to cognitive decline as people age. The Boston Normative Aging Study found that higher serum Vitamin B6 concentrations were associated with improved memory tests in older adults. Low Vitamin B6 has also been implicated in mood disorders, such as depression.
Supplementing with a high-quality Vitamin B6 supplement can help to improve memory and mental cognition by boosting the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. It may also protect against some conditions associated with cognitive decline such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It may also help to decrease levels of homocysteine, which has been linked with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Vitamin B6 is also a key component in the formation of glutathione, which is an antioxidant that can help reduce oxidative stress and protect the cells of the brain.
