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Smart Drugs & Nutrients:

How to Improve Your Memory and Increase Your Intelligence Using the Latest Discoveries In Neuroscience

VOLUME 1 in the Smart Drugs Series

by Ward Dean, M.D. & John Morgenthaler
$12.95 - 224 pages, softcover (Out of Stock)

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Section 4: Nootropics: More Doctors Recommend

Piracetam (Nootropil) | Aniracetam | Fipexide | Oxiracetam | Pramiracetam | Pyroglutamate (PCA) | Vinpocetine (Cavinton)

We are very excited about nootropics, a new class of smart drugs. We believe that this development is a major advance in neuroscience. The word nootropics was coined to describe substances that improve learning, memory consolidation, and memory retrieval without other central nervous system effects and with low toxicity, even at extremely high doses (Giurgea, 1972). Doctors prescribe nootropics to millions of people outside of the U.S. every year. Surprisingly, none of the nootropic drugs have been approved in the U.S. A number of companies are attempting or have attempted to receive approval from the FDA to sell newly developed (and patented) nootropic drugs in the U.S., but so far without success. Most of the people we know who have tried nootropics such as piracetam have become die‑hard fans (see Appendix D on page 179 for testimonials). The noo­tropics hold the most promise for people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of senility.

Although there is some disagreement in the scientific community as to which substances are nootropics and which are not, we have included in this section drugs that are most often referred to as nootropics in the scientific literature.

Some Definitions

Before we begin to describe the uses and actions of the nootropics, let's look at some "brain basics"—including some terms we will be using frequently in this book.

Mental and physical functions are partly governed by a group of chemicals called neurotransmitters (Kaufman, 1986). These chemicals carry impulses (messages) between nerve cells. Some are part of the cholinergic system. This refers to the parts of the nervous system that use acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter.

Acetylcholine (ACh) plays an important role in memory and learning. It also controls sensory input signals and muscular control. ACh is a stimulatory neurotransmitter which, when released by muscle nerves, makes those muscles contract. Unfortunately, ACh production declines with age. This leads to a loss of cognitive func­tioning which may be counteracted or even prevented with the substances described in this book.

There are many other terms defined in the glossary in the back of this book.

Pyrrolidone Derivatives

The most intriguing nootropics are the pyrrolidone derivatives. This class includes piracetam and its analogues oxiracetam, pramiracetam, aniracetam, and some others. The mechanism by which these have such a remarkable memory improvement effect is still uncertain. Most studies suggest these drugs work by affecting the cholinergic system in the brain, that is, the parts of the nervous system that use acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter.

Molecular structures of some of the piracetam‑type nootropic drugs.

Some recent observations show that some interactions also take place with the adrenal cortex and are involved with adrenal steroid production. All four of these compounds are inactive in laboratory animals which have had their adrenal cortex removed or which have been treated with drugs that block the adrenal cortex. When we learn how these drugs work, we may also understand more about the basic process­es of memory storage (Mondadori, 1989).

The nootropics generally have an "inverted U dose‑response curve", which means that more is not necessarily better. If you decide to use nootropics, you must ascertain the optimum amount (see The Use of Cerebroactive Substances.) Combining two or more nootropics or other smart drugs and nutrients may also reduce the dose necessary for the optimum desired effects.

References:

Giurgea, C.E. "Pharmacology of Integrative Activity of the Brain. Attempt at Nootropic Concept in Psychophar­macology." Actualites Pharmacologiques. 1972, 25, pp. 115‑56.

Giurgea, C.E. "The `Nootropic' Approach to the Pharma­col­ogy of the Integrative Activity of the Brain." Conditional Reflex. 1973, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 108‑15.

Giurgea, C.E. "A Drug for the Mind." Chemtech. June 1980, pp. 360‑5.

Giurgea, C.E., Salama, M. "Nootropic Drugs." Progress in Neuro­psychopharmacology. 1977, Vol. 1, pp. 235‑47.

Kaufman, R. The Age Reduction System. New York: Rawson Associ­ates 1986.

Mondadori, C. "The Effects of Nootropics on Memory: New Aspects for Basic Research." Pharmacopsychiatry. Oct 1989, 22 Supple­ment 2 pp. 102‑6.

Nicholson, C. "Nootropics and Metabolically Active Com­pounds in Alzheimer's Disease." Biochemical Society Transactions. 1989, 17(1) pp. 83‑5

Pelton, R., Pelton, T.C. Mind Food & Smart Pills. New York: Double­day, 1989.

Pepeu, G., Spignoli, G. Neurochemical Actions of "Noo­tropic Drugs". Advances in Neurology. Vol. 51: Alzheimer's Disease. Raven Press, Ltd., New York 1990.

Poschel, B.P.H. "New Pharmacologic Perspectives on Noo­tropic Drugs." Handbook of Psychopharmacology. 1988, pp. 11‑18, pp. 24‑25.