You have to do an exam, a report, or an important presentation. You notice your brain slow, slimy, hard to concentrate. Hit the drugs!
In English, drugs and medications are called drugs. It is no coincidence, the same substance can be found on both sides of the law. Chemistry makes no distinction.
Although messing with certain drugs is the easiest way to ruin your life, there are others that are more interesting. For example, non-otropic substances. They are those able to improve brain functions such as memory, intelligence, motivation and attention. I mean, drugs that make us smarter. Intelligence is never enough.
The best thing about nonotropics is that many are over-the-counter, even without going to the pharmacy.
Do they work? Most of these substances work like vitamins. If we don't take enough, we're in trouble. In that sense, they are like a safety net. In other cases, a little help for a rush, which should not become a habit.
Caffeine
It's the best-known psychoactive drug. You know caffeine can help burn fat. Besides, it also has interesting effects on the brain.
Advantages: Improved memory has not been shown to improve, but in adequate doses it increases attention and improves cognitive function. When a certain dose is exceeded, the advantages become inconvenient.
Disadvantages: More than 300 mg per day and begins to affect sleep and anxiety. More than 500 mg per day for an extended period of time can cause dependency. More than 600 mg a day can be toxic. It also develops tolerance (less effective over time)
Where to find it: Durbitan, tablets of 300 mg, in pharmacies, and cups, at any breakfast.
Nicotine
Yeah, I said nicotine, not tobacco. If I start explaining how disgusting and toxic tobacco is, I'm not done. But pure nicotine is a little different. A very potent drug to be used with dropper.
Advantages: Nicotine is both a relaxant and a stimulant. With low doses it increases the levels of numerous neurotransmitters and hormones in the brain, especially acetylcholine, increasing concentration, attention and memory. At higher doses it becomes an opioid-like sedative.
Disadvantages: Pure nicotine is not very addictive, but tobacco also contains MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) and the combination of the two substances is a bomb worse than heroin. Watch out, pure nicotine does develop tolerance and loses effectiveness. Do not use for more than one or two days in a row.
Where to find it: Forget about tobacco. You have pure nicotine in pharmacies in the form of chewing gum and patches. In case I haven't said it before, forget about the tobacco.
Hill
Choline is an ammonium salt found in the group of B vitamins. It's little known, considering how important it is.
Advantages: Choline is necessary for the formation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, responsible for brain functions such as memory and muscle control. Without a hill, we'd be reduced to a dumb, shapeless mass. It's good to have plenty. It is found in eggs and fatty meat, so vegans and some people who are mistakenly concerned about their line may be lacking.
Disadvantages: Nothing serious. At very high doses of 16 grams per day, it can produce a bad smell and sweat.
Where to find it: In tablets, usually together with inositol, but also in soya lecithin, which contains 13% choline.
Hyper
Known as St. John's Wort, this plant has been used since ancient times to treat depression.
Advantages: It contains an active ingredient called hyperforin, which inhibits the reuptake of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and noradrenaline, i. e. increases their levels. It improves Alzheimer's symptoms and depression, and therefore can also improve mood and attention in healthy people.
Disadvantages: At very high doses it can cause diarrhea and dizziness, but is generally well tolerated.
Where to find it: The extract is sold as a supplement in herbalists and nutrition stores.
Huperzine
It is extracted from a fern, and is part of traditional Chinese medicine.
Advantages: Huperzine A prevents the degradation of acetylcholine, thus improving cognitive function and memory. It is being used as a treatment for Alhzeimer.
Disadvantages: It is well tolerated. With the price tag, it's hard to overdo the dose.
Where to find it: In capsules, quite expensive.
Vinpocetine
This alkaloid is extracted from a bush called brussel.
Advantages: It is a vasodilator that increases blood circulation and is traditionally used to treat memory problems in old age. Improves concentration and memory, and protects against neuron degradation.
Disadvantages: It has very few side effects
Where to find it: in capsules.