No matter who you are: from students cramming for exams to corporate executives looking for advancement, over-the-counter brain meds promise to enhance intelligence and memory – but do they actually work?
Methylphenidate can increase alertness and concentration but has side effects including high blood pressure, agitation and sleep difficulties. Furthermore, its use increases adrenaline levels which could potentially lead to addiction.
Vinpocetine
Vinpocetine (vincamine) is an alkaloid extracted from the lesser periwinkle plant Vinca minor. This cognitive-enhancing supplement has become widely popular throughout Europe due to its proven abilities to improve memory retention, increase brain circulation and alertness as well as reduce inflammation and oxidative stress levels. Research conducted on cells and animals have also demonstrated anticancer properties of vinpocetine; however these tests may not necessarily translate to human health; in fact many substances showing promise of anti-cancer properties never pass clinical trials due to poor safety or efficacy issues.
Vincamine works by blocking sodium channels in the brain, which may explain why it enhances memory and alertness. Furthermore, long-term potentiation of synapses based on recent activity patterns was found in Guinea pigs [39]. A trial on older adults with low brain blood flow showed that treatment with vinpocetine (10-20 mg per day) improved speech performance while slowing cognitive decline [34].
Vinpocetine proved successful in shortening reaction times during perception and memory tests for 12 healthy women when taken three times daily at doses of 40 mg [40]. Furthermore, when combined with Ganglioside it protects Guinea pigs against hearing loss while providing protection from liver-toxic drugs by blocking certain sodium channels (NaV1.8) within cell membranes [41-43].