What does nootropic action mean? What are nootropics? Beneficial properties of new generation nootropic drugs

The term “nootropics” appeared in 1972, this word consists of two Greek “noos” - mind and “tropos” - change. It turns out that nootropics are designed to change the human mind, using biochemistry to influence the central nervous system.

Their predecessors in improving brain function were psychostimulants, which had a strong but short-term effect on a person. They increased the body's endurance, resistance to stress, and caused general excitement, activity and euphoria. If not for the severe negative side effects and addiction, psychostimulants would have conquered humanity. But the after-effect in the form of severe depression and complete loss of strength depressed the person so much that it could lead to suicide.

Synthetic nootropics

After taking nootropics there are practically no negative effects, they are not addictive. But they also don’t have psychostimulants. To feel the results of taking nootropics, you need to take a course lasting 1-3 months.

The effect of nootropic drugs is due to the improvement and acceleration of metabolism in nerve tissues, the protection of neurons during a lack of oxygen and toxic effects. In fact, nootropics protect the brain from aging. Nowadays many nootropic drugs are produced, here are the most common ones:

"Piracetam" ("Nootropil") is the first of the nootropics. It is prescribed for attention and memory disorders, nervous disorders, brain injuries, alcoholism and vascular diseases. It can also be used independently (without exceeding the dose) for better perception and assimilation of educational material. The following side effects have been rarely reported: drowsiness or agitation, dizziness and nausea, increased sexual activity. An analogue of Piracetam (Nootropil) is Phenotropil (Phenylpiracetam).

"Acefen" ("Cerutil", "Meclofenoxate", "Centrophenoxine") contains the substance acetylcholine - a transmitter of nervous excitation, an indispensable participant in the functioning of the human nervous system. This series of nootropic drugs accelerates all processes of excitation and inhibition, improves blood supply to the brain, and has a psychostimulating effect. It also protects the brain from aging and is used together with Piracetam to improve mental abilities. Side effects from the nervous system were noted: anxiety, insomnia, increased appetite.

"Selegiline" ("Deprenyl", "Yumex") contains the substance selegiline, which suppresses the action of enzymes that inhibit phenylethylamine and dopamine. After 40 years, the pleasure enzymes of the dopamine series are produced much less than in youth. "Selegiline" is positioned for middle-aged and elderly people. It is used in the treatment of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. With sufficiently long-term use of the drug, memory, mood and general well-being improve. “Selegiline,” according to medical scientists, when taken 5 mg per day can increase a person’s life expectancy by 15 years!

This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

In medicine, there are medications that perform a specific function (for example, they destroy microbes, lower blood pressure, reduce the secretion of fluid into the intestinal lumen). But there is a whole group of means that can improve body functions that are difficult to accurately statistics and measure. We are talking about the so-called higher mental functions. Concepts such as mental activity, learning ability, and brain resistance to harmful influences are multifaceted and complex.

This is why drugs for improving higher nervous activity are assessed so ambiguously by the global medical community. There is no doubt that a number of these drugs can improve the metabolism of neurons, their absorption of glucose, improve the condition of their cell membranes, and reduce their need for oxygen. It is believed that nootropic drugs (nootropics) can improve the learning process and memory, give clarity of consciousness and “tenacious attention”, reduce the exhaustion of the nervous system and increase the time of ability to actively work.

Also, nootropic drugs can increase the activity of attention and thinking, and improve speech. In some cases, they activate and have an antidepressant effect, and some of these drugs, on the contrary, calm, reduce irritability, and help reduce convulsive activity of the brain.

Such a multifaceted and wide field of activity for nootropic drugs has made it possible to prescribe them in domestic medicine for a wide variety of diseases and conditions. These are dementia and parkinsonism, the consequences of neuroinfections and traumatic brain injury, decreased concentration and fatigue in healthy people during intense study sessions, chronic alcoholism and neuroses. Finally, nootropic tablets are taken to improve the quality of sleep, and simply for prevention in view of upcoming active mental stress.

Nootropics are also very widely used in pediatric practice. In our country, they are first-line drugs, and are included in the review of drugs used to treat delayed speech and mental development, the consequences of perinatal trauma, and are used in complex therapy in the treatment of cerebral palsy and in the treatment of mild forms of mental retardation.

From the point of view of Western, evidence-based medicine, which requires a quantitative calculation of effectiveness, in practice everything is far from so simple, but we will talk about this at the end of our review. And now we will present to your attention the most popular and best-selling nootropic drugs in Russia, which are mainly produced in tablets.

Review of nootropic drugs

Piracetam (Lucetam, Nootropil, Memotropil)

The review of tablets for improving mental abilities opens with the most famous of the old nootropics, namely Piracetam. As evidenced by the official instructions for use, Piracetam is indicated for almost 50 different diagnoses and conditions, ranging from mental retardation and cerebral infarction, and ending with simply old age and vascular dementia, such a volume in itself is doubtful. According to its chemical structure, Piracetam is a derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid.

It can be considered that Piracetam is used in Russia for almost any problem associated with higher nervous activity, and it is contraindicated only in cases of hypersensitivity, Huntington’s chorea, and in children under 3 years of age. Limitations for the use of this nootropic drug include a history of intracerebral hemorrhage or hemorrhagic stroke, use of anticoagulants, and chronic renal failure.

This nootropic is used in tablets orally and intramuscularly. Piracetam is available in capsules of 400 mg, the packaging varies from 10 to 200 capsules. At the beginning of treatment, 2 capsules are prescribed 3 times a day before meals, then gradually reduce the dose by half, to one tablet three times a day. You should focus on a daily dose not exceeding 160 mg per kilogram of body weight. Piracetam is produced by a very large number of domestic and foreign companies, and the cheapest tablets can be purchased for 30 rubles, 20 capsules

Advantages and disadvantages

The disadvantages of the nootropic Piracetam include the fact (but a very important one) that after many years of its use in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed it from the list of drugs and downgraded its status to dietary supplements, for lack of evidence-based effectiveness. The advantages of the nootropic include good tolerability, convenient release form, inexpensive cost, and availability in almost every Russian pharmacy, which does not guarantee anything in terms of effectiveness.

Phenotropil (Phenylpiracetam, Carphedon)

Phenotropil is also a “record holder” in terms of indications: the official instructions list about 60 conditions and diagnoses. It turns out that this nootropic drug is used for obesity and dementia, schizophrenia, alcoholism, depression and Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and even multiple sclerosis, seizures, intracranial injuries and in connection with problems associated with adapting to lifestyle changes. In other words, if the doctor advised you to quit drinking and smoking, then this will already be an indication for prescribing Phenotropil. This medicine itself, according to the manufacturer, has anticonvulsant, nootropic, antiasthenic and neuromodulatory effects, and should be taken after meals in a dose of 100 to 250 mg. For prevention purposes, adults and healthy people need 100 or 200 mg in the morning. This remedy is not recommended to be taken after 15:00 due to its activating effect and possible deterioration of sleep. Tablets of 100 mg are produced by the domestic company Valenta Pharmaceuticals.

Advantages and disadvantages

Perhaps one of the advantages of nootropic tablets is its disadvantage - a short-term invigorating effect, but this effect was precisely the reason that Phenotropil was banned by the Anti-Doping Committee. In domestic practice, this nootropic is used relatively widely, but in developed countries of Europe and the USA it is unknown and not used. The official World Health Organization (WHO) does not have recommendations for its use, nor does it have a serious evidence base.

Encephabol, or pyritinol, is a kind of nootropic drug that contains a derivative of vitamin B6. As is known, vitamin B6 itself, or pyridoxine, which is available in the form of hydrochloride, together with thiamine, or vitamin B1, and cyanocobalamin, or vitamin B12, constitute a group of neurotropic vitamins, and are widely used in clinical practice. Encephabol is indicated, according to the manufacturer, for various forms of dementia, mental retardation, memory impairment, attention and orientation, and the consequences of traumatic brain injury.

The nootropic medicine is available in 100 mg tablets and as a suspension for oral administration. Adults need to take 2 tablets or 2 teaspoons three times a day, and newborns can be prescribed it from the 3rd day after birth, 1 ml per day. According to the manufacturer, therapeutic success is achieved after a month, and optimal effect after 3 months. This nootropic is produced by the Austrian company Merck, and this drug costs about 800 rubles. for one package of suspension in 200 ml.

Advantages and disadvantages

The negative aspects of Encephabol include the lack of evidence for each of the stated indications, or at least serious research on one of them with a high level of reliability, and, perhaps, individual intolerance. The positive side of the nootropic is the rare development of this intolerance.

Glycine is truly a popular and cheap drug. It is used sublingually or dissolved before bedtime; it is prescribed to children and adults to improve memory and performance; it is prescribed in large quantities to patients after a stroke. From a biochemical point of view, glycine, or glycocol, is the simplest amino acid that is part of almost any protein, including many proteins in our body. Glycine is also a neurotransmitter, or a carrier of certain signals within the brain.

This popular love (good demand) pushed many manufacturers to combine glycine in combination with magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and so on. Typically, these tablets are taken to relieve tension, make it easier to fall asleep, and they are taken sublingually for resorption, in tablets or in powder form after the tablet has been crushed. For adults, it is recommended to take one or two tablets immediately before falling asleep, and for other disorders of the nervous system, the instructions prescribe a specific dosage regimen. The cheapest domestic glycine can be purchased starting from 19 rubles. for 50 tablets.

Advantages and disadvantages

All nootropics have one drawback, but it is an extremely important one: there is no evidence that they are effective. Yes, glycine is a neurotransmitter. But the fact is that a neurotransmitter, in order to regulate subtle relationships in the central nervous system, must be produced in it, like acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin. There will be no benefit if the mediator in large quantities comes from the intestines along with food to the brain in quantities hundreds of times higher than the required concentration, or is absorbed into the sublingual vessels. There is a blood-brain barrier that prohibits bringing into the “holy of holies” of the body, its command room and control apparatus, everything that has been indiscriminately absorbed from the stomach. That is why glycine, which is administered orally, practically does not enter the central nervous system and does not work there as a mediator, and there are no modern evidence-based studies on it. In other words, there are biological and chemical effects (in vitro) from glycine, but therapeutic effects are invisible and unproven.

A positive, and certainly worthy effect of these tablets is sometimes the rapid onset of calm, physiological sleep in those impressionable subjects who firmly believe in the healing power of glycine. Therefore, glycine may well be a kind of inexpensive and effective placebo, or a dummy, the entire power of which is based on the patient’s faith.

Semax is no longer one amino acid, but as many as 7 amino acid residues synthesized into one short chain. The medicine is produced in the form of nasal drops, in a concentration of 0, 1, or 1%. This synthetic protein sequence repeats one of the fragments of adrenocorticotropic hormone, but lacks hormonal activity. According to the manufacturer, this drug also has a nootropic, antioxidant, and cerebroprotective effect, and due to the original absorption mechanism, it can be used in ophthalmology, while within 4 minutes the drug penetrates the structures of the central nervous system, and the therapeutic effect, even with a single administration, lasts a day. Manufacturers have established different dosage regimens. So, if the optic nerve is damaged, three drops are instilled into each nasal passage three times a day, and to prevent stress - one drop into each nasal passage twice a day.

Manufacturers recommend using drops for the entire spectrum of cognitive disorders, consequences of stroke, encephalopathy, to prevent mental fatigue, and enhance adaptive capabilities. Contraindications include individual intolerance, pregnancy and lactation, psychosis and seizures, as well as age under 5 years. This nootropic drug is produced by the domestic JSC Peptogen, and is not cheap - at a dosage of 0.1% of 350 rubles; and at a dosage of 1% - for 3 ml you will have to pay 1,750 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The disadvantage of Semax is the lack of a clear mechanism of action, characteristic of all nootropics, randomized clinical trials, and its complete unknown in Western Europe and the USA, and the silence about Semax from the World Health Organization (WHO). Against this background, the price of almost 2000 rubles is quite dubious. for a large dosage, but it is somewhat reassuring that Semax has virtually no symptoms of overdose and drug interactions, and is unlikely to cause harm.

The nootropic Cerebrolysin is a biological drug, that is, a whole complex of protein-like peptides that are obtained from the brain of pigs. In general, the belief that nootropic drugs from animal brains help the human brain is analogous to the ancient beliefs that eating a strong opponent will make you just as strong. In domestic practice, Cerebrolysin is also prescribed for various types of cerebrovascular accidents, the consequences of stroke, mental retardation, dementia, and the consequences of traumatic brain injury.

Cerebrolysin is produced in ampoules, the most popular dosage is 5 ml, there are five ampoules in one package. In some cases, Cerebrolysin is produced by foreign companies, but at the request of a Russian manufacturer and for the domestic market. The cost of one package of Cerebrolysin starts from 915 rubles.

A little about the price of the issue: the manufacturer recommends the optimal course of administration of the nootropic drug in the form of daily injections or infusions, and the duration of the course is usually 2 weeks on average. At the same time, the single doses that are recommended should not exceed 5 ml for intramuscular administration, for intravenous administration as a bolus, that is, 10 ml immediately, and by setting up a slow intravenous infusion - up to 50 ml per day, for example, for a stroke, and for the consequences brain injuries. Thus, no one will forbid a patient to take 1,800 rubles worth of drug every day, even after a mild concussion, if you take the maximum daily dose (with the price of one 5 ml ampoule at least 180 rubles). Thus, for a course of treatment for two weeks of daily droppers you can pay 27,000 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

As usual, Cerebrolysin does not have high-quality clinical studies with a high level of evidence that are accepted for introducing drugs into action in Western countries. Nevertheless, it is prescribed and successfully advertised everywhere in our country. In general, all biological preparations obtained from other creatures that are administered, including intravenously, in developed countries are either generally prohibited for import into the country or are expressly prohibited for use, since they can transmit prion infections. But even without this, in 2010 it was proven that Cerebrolysin is ineffective even in high doses for the treatment of stroke. Whether the prescription of this nootropic drug is literally beneficial for the prescribing physician remains open in this case. But we can confidently say that in our country such cases are not uncommon.

There is nothing special to say about Cortexin, except for the extract from pig brains, a fraction from cattle was added to Cerebrolysin, and it was expanded with indications for children (up to 20 kg of weight, that is, almost from birth). The manufacturer gives this nootropic drug the ability to improve brain function, protect neurons from damage, increase their survival and resistance to stress, activate their function, and many other beneficial properties. Indications Cortexin is recommended for use in complex therapy, that is, together with any other drugs. The manufacturer, apparently, has reason not to trust his nootropic drug, since in monotherapy, that is, if only one is used, there is a high risk that there may be no effect, and this will be immediately visible.

This nootropic is contraindicated only in case of individual intolerance, as well as during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The manufacturer refers to the lack of data from clinical studies for pregnant and lactating women. But, apparently, they are not needed: Cortexin is already in demand.

The manufacturer of Cortexin is the domestic company Geropharm, and the minimum dosage of 5 mg in a bottle will cost you 540 rubles. for 10 bottles. In this case, a single dose, for example, for a stroke, is 2 bottles 2 times a day for 10 days, or 4 packs.

Advantages and disadvantages

The big disadvantage of this nooprop is the reluctance of the drug manufacturers to subject it to pharmacokinetic studies, which is routine, but it turns out that the manufacturer knows very well how this drug works - this is a significant advantage. Here are two quotes from the official instructions: “the composition of the drug does not allow for conventional pharmacokinetic analysis of individual components.” And the second quote: “The mechanism of action of the drug Cortexin® is due to the activation of neuronal peptides and neurotrophic factors of the brain; optimization of the balance of metabolism of excitatory and inhibitory amino acids, dopamine, serotonin; GABA-ergic effect...” Question: if the manufacturer cannot determine what components are in a nootropic drug, how could they conclude that it is excellently effective? And how is the rest of the world not yet ready to put this miracle into practice?

Mexidol (mexiprim)

This nootropic drug contains ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate, that is, the only chemical substance that belongs to the group of antioxidants. Just like other nootropics, this drug is indicated for use in cases of overload and mental stress, anxiety and cognitive impairment, neuroses, chronic alcoholism and toxic encephalopathy, damage to the blood vessels of the brain, including in the elderly, as well as cranial -brain injury and its consequences.

Each Mexidol tablet contains 125 mg of the active substance, and it should be used 1 - 2 tablets three times a day, the maximum can be used no more than 6 tablets, and the course of treatment is on average 3-4 weeks. In case of relief of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, 7 days is quite enough. Mexidol is produced by the domestic company ZiO-Zdorovye, and one package of 50 tablets will cost 360 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The disadvantage is still the same, namely, no serious data from the standpoint of evidence-based medicine. This, of course, does not mean that there were no studies at all. Of course, they were, but there were always few patients, there were many errors in the studies, there was no randomization or blinding. Blinding is a necessary condition for the objectivity of the study: a blind study is when the patient does not know whether he is being given the study drug or a placebo, a “dummy” for comparison. Double blind is when even the doctor does not know whether he is prescribing a dummy or the drug declared in the study. Any good research costs money, including patient insurance, and as a result, the reliability and value of these studies on Mexidol are highly questionable. As for other data, the nootropic drug can affect the ability to drive vehicles, and during the treatment period it is better to avoid driving vehicles, and in case of an overdose or at the maximum dose, drowsiness may develop.

Cytoflavin is a complex nootropic drug that contains inosine, vitamins - nicotinamide and riboflavin, and succinic acid. Pharmacologically, it refers to a combination of metabolic drugs, and is indicated for the consequences of stroke, atherosclerosis, neurasthenia, and cerebrovascular pathology. At the same time, succinic acid helps optimize energy metabolism in the cell, nicotinamide and riboflavin are necessary for cellular respiration and stimulation of ATP synthesis, and inosine is a precursor of a high-energy compound - ATP, which is a donor of intracellular energy.

The nootropic drug should be taken 2 tablets twice a day in the morning and evening, but no later than six in the evening, the course duration is 25 days. There have been no cases of overdose; side effects can manifest themselves in the form of a headache, or mild abdominal discomfort, as well as allergic reactions. The drug is contraindicated in pregnant and nursing mothers due to insufficient research. Cytoflavin is produced by the domestic company Polisan, and a package of 50 tablets will cost 360 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the disadvantages of a nootropic drug, it should be noted that essentially it is not a nootropic, since it is a combined remedy of vitamins and energy metabolites. Cytoflavin is a fairly well-tolerated drug, like other nootropics; it also does not have a reliable evidence base, but subjectively, many patients, especially the elderly, note an improvement after parenteral administration of Cytoflavin. Whether this refers to the effect of self-hypnosis, or whether the nootropic drug really helps, is still unknown.

Pantogam, or hopantenic acid, according to the international classification, belongs to psychostimulants and nootropic drugs. According to the manufacturer, it should be used for many indications, in addition to standard mental and neurological diagnoses; this acid even has “limitations in activity caused by decreased ability to work” in its indications. Such an overly broad interpretation of the indications for use (and, of course, in favor of the drug) cannot but cause surprise.

Each tablet contains 250 mg of calcium hopantenate, and it is recommended that adults take no more than 3 g, or 6 tablets per day, and children also no more than 3 G per day. In some cases, the duration of the course of treatment can be 6 months, and after a break of 6 months the course can be repeated. We will not list in this review all the detailed dosages of Pantogam, we will only say that in addition to tablets of 250 and 500 mg, the drug is available in syrup, which contains 100 mg of active ingredient per 1 ml. This medicine is produced by the domestic company Pik Pharma. You can buy a bottle of syrup weighing 100 milligrams for 340 rubles, and a package of tablets with a maximum dosage of 0.5 g in an amount of 50 pieces for 470 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

It has already been said above that the disadvantage of all nootropics is at least the lack of evidence base. That is why they are not used in developed countries of Europe, in Israel and in the USA. But with the nootropic drug Pantogam the situation is much worse. This drug was banned in Japan in the early 1990s, since it was proven that it was the intake of hopantenic acid that led to a number of fatal complications that occurred with the so-called Reye's syndrome (encephalopathy and liver damage in children and adolescents, usually after the administration of acetylsalicylic acid ). In order not to be unfounded, we provide links to scientific works (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2063999 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3826551 https://www .ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3379435).

Conclusion, or the happy fate of nootropics in Russia

It would be possible to cite a whole series of tablets, and describe in detail in the rating such drugs as Picamilon, Phenibut, Phezam, Gliatilin, Aminalon, Cavinton, Cerakson, which are positioned as a drug with a nootropic effect. But we won’t do this, because we will start repeating ourselves.

Thus, Picamilon, also in the United States of America, was not only recognized as a counterfeit nootropic drug, but was even excluded from the list of dietary supplements. FDA researchers simply analyzed tablets that contained different amounts of the active ingredient, and in one of the tablets it was not found at all. Such counterfeits are very strictly punished by law abroad, but what is the composition of tablets in the Russian Federation, and what machines are used in pharmaceutical factories to ensure a uniform content of the active substance in each tablet, we do not know this information, and do not even think about it.

This information, which allows the reader to think about it, is not at all a “fly in the ointment.” It is no coincidence that the list of nootropics is headed not “best” drugs, but “popular” drugs. And that's a big difference. If there is a best nootropic drug, this means that there is also a worse one, that is, one drug has an effect, but the other has the least effect, this can be proven according to the laws of mathematics and medical statistics, because the measure is effectiveness.

As for nootropic drugs, they have an extremely large list of indications, which sometimes take up dozens of diagnoses. Truly, there are many fish to be caught in troubled waters. If we compare this with serious drugs, for example, to lower cholesterol or reduce blood pressure, you will see that one or two indications for use, for example, hypertension and heart failure, are quite enough. As was shown in the review, manufacturers are pulling even such diagnoses that are not indicators of illness in the body, for example, “adaptation disorder when changing lifestyle.”

Countries that are world leaders are trying to get rid of those drugs whose effect cannot be proven, as well as ill-gotten and “laundered” money. Wealthy rich Russians go for treatment to Germany, Switzerland, Israel and the USA. And none of them think with alarm that they will not be prescribed Cortexin, Cerebrolysin, or Picamilon there. In the United States of America, for example, there is not a single drug approved by international recommendations to improve intellectual-mnestic or cognitive functions, both in sick and healthy people. In developed countries, nootropic drugs are not registered as medicines anywhere at all, since they have not been tested for evidence of effectiveness.

Of course, it is best to give a nootropic drug to a patient as a magical remedy for stimulating brain function than to tell him tedious and boring advice about how a healthy lifestyle, normalizing weight, quitting smoking and alcohol, healthy sleep, and sports will make him healthy. People understand and feel very well that these non-drug methods are effective, and, most importantly, proven in numerous international studies, not only for the prevention, but also for the treatment of many neurological diseases. But man is designed in such a way that he wants everything at once, with minimal expenditure of his strength. Therefore, before you listen to the advice of a domestic specialist and run to buy Cortexin, Piracetam or Phenibut, think several times whether your health needs it. Remember that a wealthy Englishman or American will never do this, and a German doctor or specialist from the USA, where the medical profession is prestigious and highly paid, will never prescribe nootropics to a patient, since they are clinically ineffective.

*The popularity rating is based on an analysis of demand data from the wordstat.yandex.ru service.
Attention! This rating is subjective in nature, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

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

New generation nootropic drugs are drugs 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

People have been using nootropics in various forms since ancient times. The simplest and very first known nootropic is choline. The substance contains eggs, meat, fish, and seafood. After eating food that is rich in animal protein, the hormone serotonin is produced in the brain.

It is responsible for the feeling of pleasure and also has a positive effect on neuronal connections. The brain starts to work actively, memory becomes better, as do thought processes. Similar nootropic simple substances are found in green tea, coffee, nicotine, and amphetamines.

After nootropic drugs were developed and studied in the laboratory in the mid-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 nootropic drugs. Racetams are a chemical structure that is derived from pyrrolidine. Today there are many different new generation pharmacological drugs.

Previously, in order to improve mental activity, plant components such as lemongrass, ginseng, and ginkgo biloba were widely used. These plants are still used as ingredients in nootropic drugs. Unlike 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 disorders and ailments, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Thanks to this, these drugs are considered the most effective among all nootropic drugs.

Composition and characteristics of the components of new nootropic agents

As a rule, such drugs contain two or more components that complement each other’s action. Often in the composition of new nootropic drugs you can find:

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

Beneficial 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 brain’s resistance 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 strength of data storage;
• Growth of intellectual activity, increase in the volume of intellectual abilities;
• Forgetting stressful conditions and information about various pains;
• Stimulation of metabolic processes in neural tissue, mainly in various pathologies, such as intoxication, injury, anoxia;
• Improving the impact on the mental state and higher nervous activity in morphological and functional pathologies;
• Increased resistance of the brain's thought processes to unfavorable factors of the internal and external environment: stroke, trauma, hypoxia.

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's take a closer look at the indications for taking new generation nootropic drugs to improve mental performance:

1. Psychoorganic syndrome. In medicine, it is understood as a broad group of diseases that manifest themselves in dystrophic changes in nerve tissue. These are the following illnesses: epilepsy, various types of dementia, Parkinson's disease, neuroinfections, cerebral palsy, ischemic stroke.
2. Chronic alcoholism, which is accompanied by withdrawal syndrome and delirium.
3. Addiction.
4. Asthenia of organic and neurotic origin, asthenoneurotic and asthenodepressive syndromes, VSD, migraine, sleep disorders, emotional lability.
5. Correction of neuroleptic syndrome.
6. Impaired proper urination of neurogenic etiology.
7. Somatic-vegetative disorders.
8. Neurotic and neurosis-like pathologies.
9. Chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency.
10. Sickle cell anemia.
11. Chronic psychopathologies, schizophrenia, childhood mental retardation, neurosis-like disorders, depression.
12. Organic brain syndrome of elderly people.
13. As part of the complex treatment of ophthalmological 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 components;
• Psychomotor agitation;
• Bulimia;
• Kidney failure;
• Liver failure;
• Huntington's chorea;
• The period after acute hemorrhagic stroke;
• Severe renal dysfunction.

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

The mechanisms of action of new nootropics include:

1. Antioxidant;
2. Membrane stabilizing;
3. Neuroprotective;
4. Antihypoxic.

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

Additionally, since the human body does not produce racetams on its own, there are unlikely to be any byproducts that could cause negative effects. Thus, a powerful nootropic effect is achieved without side effects.

Each racetam has a unique formula that allows it to bind to specific neuroreceptors. As a rule, such drugs are used in groups in order to achieve a better effect.

The effectiveness of new generation nootropic drugs for older people increases if they are combined with psychostimulants and angioprotectors. This is how impaired intellectual functions are stimulated and corrected. For children, neurometabolic stimulants are recommended to combat mental retardation.

Instructions for use of new nootropics

Self-administration of new generation nootropic drugs without the advice of a doctor is prohibited. It is only permissible to use herbal medicines based on ginkgo biloba, lemongrass and other plants without prescription. Such drugs are more likely to be dietary supplements than medications.

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

It is worth noting that the maximum effectiveness of these medications is achieved only after several weeks or even months.

Review of new generation nootropics

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

Popular means are:

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

Nootropic drugs are of great relevance. Although the first nootropic drug, Piracetam, was synthesized back in 1964, it is only now that means for improving the brain activity of this group have become public, especially among schoolchildren, students and the elderly. Nootropics have virtually no side effects, the most obvious being overexcitability, which can manifest itself in either hyperactivity or panic attacks. The reviews note that to obtain such negative effects, it is necessary to use a very large dosage of the drug; in all other cases, this is nothing more than self-hypnosis.

As a standard, to obtain the desired effect, namely improving brain function, increasing learning ability, and concentration, it is important to take a course of at least a week to obtain the first noticeable changes. At the same time, it is not enough to simply take the drug and expect new knowledge to appear out of nowhere, some kind of enlightenment. It is necessary to constantly use logic, read some information and the like. This is exactly how nootropic drugs can help, for example, the same students before exams; the student must surround himself with the necessary educational literature and begin to study it. Thanks to the effect of improving blood circulation and oxygen saturation of brain cells, information is better remembered and absorbed.

Nootropics are relevant not only for advanced youth, but also for older people. With age, brain cells begin to actively die, and therefore, symptoms of senile insanity, sclerosis and other age-related diseases associated with brain activity may appear. The elderly body needs help, saturating it with useful elements, and it is nootropics that can significantly improve the overall picture of the life activity of an elderly person.

Nootropic drugs are often prescribed to patients with traumatic brain injury, as well as to children with delayed speech and mental development. In the first case, nootropics will help restore the functioning of the brain, set it in the same way, and in the second, when the child does not want to start talking or does not show success in learning, the nootropic will allow you to concentrate on new information and broaden your horizons. Another indication for the use of these drugs may be alcohol dependence.

• Reviews on the Internet and general reputation;
• Opinion of medical representatives;
• Value for money;
• Trust level;
• Safety.

There are contraindications. Consult your doctor.

The best budget nootropics

5 Biotredin

Fights alcohol addiction
Country Russia
Average price: 120 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7

Biotredin is an effective remedy used to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The drug reduces a person's desire to drink alcohol. The drug reduces psycho-emotional arousal, improves memory and has a positive effect on intellectual performance. From reviews on the Internet, you can understand that this drug is mainly prescribed to people who abuse alcohol and suffer from physical and psychological alcohol dependence.

The drug is also used to improve memory and intellectual activity in children and adolescents. The drug is contraindicated in people with high sensitivity to vitamin B6. Under no circumstances should you take Biotredin simultaneously with alcohol or while intoxicated.

4 Piracetam

The most popular
Country Russia
Average price: 55 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Piracetam is recognized as one of the best modern nootropic drugs. It is used to accelerate metabolic processes and the propagation of impulses in the cerebral cortex, has a beneficial effect on intellectual abilities and memory development, significantly increases the brain's resistance to toxin poisoning, and accelerates the processing of glucose. Helps improve interaction between the hemispheres of the brain. Improves cerebral blood flow without creating, however, a vasodilating effect.

"Piracetam" is recommended to be taken for weakened memory, dizziness, decreased attentiveness and learning disabilities in children. Elderly people are recommended to take the drug for therapeutic purposes. This drug is contraindicated in people with hypersensitivity, severe renal failure, children under one year of age and pregnant women. Also, Piracetam should not be used for hemorrhagic stroke.

3 Picamilon

Relieves older people from migraines
Country Russia
Average price: 100 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

"Picamilon" refers to nootropic drugs that have a tranquilizing, psychostimulating and antioxidant effect. Positively affects brain function by improving tissue metabolism and affecting cerebral circulation. A course of taking the drug increases physical and intellectual activity, reduces headaches, improves memory, and helps reduce feelings of anxiety and tension. Improves blood circulation in the vessels of the retina and optic nerve.

Helps patients with minor motor and speech disorders, reduces the negative impact of toxins on the central nervous system. The drug is used as part of complex therapy to prevent migraines in older people and with cerebrovascular accidents. According to experts, the drug is one of the best in the treatment of severe alcohol and drug addiction. Picamilon is contraindicated for people suffering from kidney disease and hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

2 Phenibut

Relieves anxiety
Country Russia
Average price: 150 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Phenibut is a prescription nootropic drug that has a strong anxiolytic effect, reducing excitability, anxiety and fear. Prolongs and enhances the effect of using sleeping pills. When used as a course, it has a positive effect on a person’s physical and intellectual activity, helps improve memory, and restores healthy sleep.

Usually prescribed to children with stuttering and enuresis, elderly people suffering from insomnia and night anxiety. Also, this remedy is often used as part of complex therapy for those suffering from alcohol withdrawal syndrome. According to experts, the drug is contraindicated for pregnant women and children under three years of age. Should be taken with caution in case of gastric ulcers and liver failure. The drug is taken as prescribed by a doctor and is sold by prescription.

1 Glycine

The best ratio of price and quality
Country Russia
Average price: 30 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0

Glycine is an amino acid produced by the human body. "Glycine" is a natural drug that helps improve memory and mental activity. Reduces human conflict, improves the ability to socially adapt. The use of this remedy allows you to normalize sleep, which is especially important for older people. Also, this amino acid restores the functions of the central nervous system after toxic poisoning with alcohol or other medications.

It is recommended to take “Glycine” during stressful situations, problems at work or study, decreased mental performance and diseases of the nervous system, expressed by high excitability, sleep problems and emotional instability. Since glycine is a natural product, it has no special contraindications, the exception being personal sensitivity to the components of the drug.

The best nootropic drugs in the mid-price category

5 Pantogam

Neutralizes psycho-emotional overloads
Country Russia
Average price: 640 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6

“Pantogam” significantly increases the brain’s resistance to hypoxia and the effects of toxic substances on the central nervous system, and stimulates anabolic processes in neurons. Reduces excitability and has a positive effect on human social behavior. Effectively affects intellectual activity and activity.

The drug is widely used in medicine: to neutralize the effects of psycho-emotional overload, for neurotic disorders caused by traumatic brain injuries, for decreased intellectual and physical activity, loss of concentration and attention. "Pantogam" is contraindicated for pregnant women, people suffering from serious kidney diseases and persons under 18 years of age.

4 Nootropil

Accelerates the propagation of neural impulses
Country: Belgium
Average price: 330 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7

“Nootropil” is a nootropic drug that helps improve memory, increase concentration and activates mental activity. The medicine stabilizes metabolic processes in nerve cells, has a beneficial effect on the central nervous system, increasing the speed of propagation of neural impulses in the brain. The drug is excellent for eliminating the consequences of ischemic stroke.

Can be effectively used for the rehabilitation of patients who have suffered traumatic brain injury or toxic brain poisoning. In particular, it can be used to improve learning ability in children. Not recommended for people with cerebrovascular accidents, renal failure or those with increased sensitivity to the components of the drug. Also contraindicated in children under three years of age.

3 Intellan

Herbal Ingredients
Country: Pakistan
Average price: 175 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

"Intellan" is a preparation made from plant elements containing bioactive amino acids, vitamins and other important microelements. It has a positive effect on memory, mental activity, and actively combats anxiety and depression. According to experts, Intellan does not affect a person’s ability to perform, which makes it one of the best nootropic drugs for car owners.

The drug is used for decreased mental activity, neurotic syndromes associated with mental illness, memory loss and absent-mindedness, as well as depression and anxiety. "Intellan" is contraindicated for persons under eighteen years of age and pregnant women. The drug should not be taken by those suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system, with sucrose deficiency and fructose intolerance. During an exacerbation of mental illness, the drug is also contraindicated.

2 Semax

The best nasal drug
Country Russia
Average price: 600 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

"Semax" is a unique peptide drug whose hormonal activity is zero. It has a positive effect on the processes of perception of the surrounding world, improves learning ability and attentiveness. Promotes rapid adaptation of the central nervous system to the effects of anesthesia. It is a prescription drug and is used only as prescribed by a specialist.

As a rule, it is used to treat people who have suffered an ischemic stroke, as well as for rehabilitation after traumatic brain injuries and severe anesthesia. It has long been used in pediatrics to treat brain dysfunction in children over five years of age. Semax cannot be prescribed to children under five years of age and pregnant women. It is important to note that the drug is contraindicated for people in a state of acute mental disorder accompanied by an acute feeling of anxiety.

1 Cavinton

Targeted effect on damaged areas of the central nervous system
Country Russia
Average price: 250 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0

Cavinton has a beneficial effect on cerebral circulation, reduces blood viscosity and promotes the passage of oxygen through the tissues of the central nervous system. At the same time, the drug does not affect a person’s total blood pressure and pulse rate. The peculiarity of this remedy is that it selectively acts on the damaged area of ​​the central nervous system. The product is used and sold only by prescription.

The ability for targeted effects, called “reverse steal,” makes Cavinton one of the best drugs for treating the consequences of stroke, vascular dementia and cerebrovascular accidents. Also used to treat choroid and retina, and even to treat Meniere's disease. The drug is contraindicated in women during pregnancy, persons under 18 years of age, people suffering from arrhythmia, coronary heart disease and those having an acute phase of hemorrhagic stroke.

The best nootropic drugs: budget from 750 rubles

5 Cortexin

The most versatile
Country Russia
Average price: 780 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7

"Cortexin" has a positive effect on the central and peripheral nervous systems. The drug improves memory, attentiveness and learning ability, counteracts the effects of stressful situations on the nervous system, and reduces the impact of toxic substances on brain cells. This nootropic is often used in medicine to eliminate the consequences of traumatic brain injury, circulatory disorders and epilepsy.

The drug has gained great popularity among parents of children with delayed psychomotor and speech development. The medicine is also widely known among students during exam periods, when learning and attentiveness deteriorate. Cortexin is not recommended for pregnant women due to the lack of accurate clinical trial data. Contraindicated in case of high personal sensitivity to the components of the drug.

4 Encephabol

Combats mental retardation in children
Country: India
Average price: 750 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

"Encephabol" accelerates metabolism in the brain, increasing the rate of glucose utilization. Stabilizes blood circulation in ischemic areas of the brain. The drug restores impaired metabolic functions in the nervous tissue, which has a beneficial effect on improving memory, alertness and the general tone of the central nervous system. "Encephabol" shows good results in the treatment of systematic decreases in mental activity.

This remedy helps get rid of the consequences of encephalitis, and is also used in pediatrics in the treatment of cerebroasthenic syndrome and mental retardation in children. "Encephabol" is contraindicated in renal failure, liver disease and autoimmune diseases. May cause allergic reactions in people highly sensitive to pyritinol.

3 Phenotropil

Relieves stress
Country Russia
Average price: 1000 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

"Phenotropil" is a nootropic drug that improves blood supply to the brain, thinking ability, memory and attentiveness. This drug also increases the resistance of the central nervous system to the effects of stressful situations. It is used for insufficient cerebral circulation, neurosis, depression and to neutralize the effects of alcohol and drug use.

It is possible to take the drug prophylactically by people whose activities are associated with high psychophysical tension. "Phenotropil" is contraindicated for use in severe kidney and liver diseases, atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension and high sensitivity to pyrrolidone group compounds. If a person has experienced a panic attack or severe psychotic states in the past, then the use of this drug is also contraindicated for him.

2 Pramiracetam

Restores cognitive functions of the brain
Country: Germany
Average price: 3500 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Pramiracetam is a nootropic drug from the racetam group. The effectiveness of this remedy has not been fully proven, but, according to experts, it has a positive effect on increasing intellectual activity and cognitive functions of the brain. Improves memory, concentration and alertness. To achieve the full effect, it is recommended to take this drug for four to eight weeks.

As follows from the above, Pramiracetam should be taken if there is a decrease in mental performance, loss of concentration and memory problems. Elderly people are recommended to take the drug for therapeutic purposes. Like other nootropics, Pramiracetam has no special contraindications. Reviews rarely write about side effects, but when the dosage was significantly exceeded in the first days of the course, patients reported complaints of headache, insomnia, anxiety, nervousness and tremor.

1 Cogitum

Best stimulating effect
Country: France
Average price: 4500 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0

"Cogitum" has a beneficial effect on metabolic processes in nerve tissues and has a stimulating effect. Increases physical activity and immunity. The drug is able to accelerate the removal of ammonia from the body during intoxication with this substance, and slightly reduce radioactive exposure. It is often used as part of complex therapy for asthenic syndrome, as well as for depressive and neurotic conditions of mild severity.

"Cogitum" increases the overall endurance of the central nervous system. Contraindicated for people with high personal sensitivity to acetylaminosuccinic acid and other components of the drug. It is not recommended for pregnant women and children under seven, due to the lack of clinical studies with this group of patients.