10 Best Nootropics for the Brain
Many consider nootropics to be a “magic pill” and hope to improve mental performance, memory, and attention with their help. The editors of the KP found out what is the reason for the popularity of nootropics for the brain and how justified their use is

According to statistics, nootropic drugs are among the top ten best-selling drugs. Students and schoolchildren take brain nootropics to improve their exams, office workers to cope with workloads, and the elderly to cope with forgetfulness and absent-mindedness. However, this popularity also has its downsides.

Contrary to popular belief, nootropics should not be taken like vitamins, many drugs are indicated only for serious diseases and are absolutely not needed for healthy people. Together with an expert neurologist Irina Ivanova we find out how nootropics work, to whom they are recommended, and whether there are drugs with proven effectiveness.

What are nootropics in simple words

According to the definition of the World Health Organization, nootropics include drugs that can improve the ability to learn, memory and mental activity, as well as increase the resistance of the brain to negative external influences – oxygen deficiency, trauma, intoxication.1,2. In modern medical practice, nootropics for the brain are most often prescribed:

  • with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease;
  • with a delay in mental, motor and speech development in children;
  • in the recovery period after a stroke and traumatic brain injury;
  • with violations of brain functions on the background of alcoholism;
  • with neuroses and neurosis-like states;
  • with neuroinfections – infectious diseases of the brain1.

Among the nootropics are over-the-counter drugs such as Glycine and Ginkgo Biloba. Others are available by prescription – for example, Ceraxon, Gliatilin, Piracetam, Cavinton. But even over-the-counter dietary supplements and medicines should not be taken without consulting a doctor.

List of Top 10 Inexpensive Proven Effective Brain Nootropics for Adults by KP

Together with an expert, we have compiled a list of nootropic drugs that are often used in neurological practice. Since price is a priority for many buyers, we have included several inexpensive nootropics for the brain in the ranking.

However, when choosing a drug, one should not be guided only by cost. The best nootropics for the brain are those prescribed by the doctor, taking into account the age of the patient, indications, contraindications, and other factors. It should be noted that in most cases nootropics are used in complex therapy, i. they must be taken in parallel with other drugs.

1. Cerlutin

This dietary supplement contains peptides of animal origin and is available in capsules and tablets. Refers to the nootropics of the latest generation, helps to restore the normal functioning of the brain and improve memory. It is prescribed for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the central nervous system: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis4,5. Standard course of treatment – from 10 to 30 days, daily dose – from 2 to 6 tablets or capsules4,5.

Contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women and people with hypersensitivity5.

Advantages and disadvantages

good tolerance, can be taken simultaneously with other drugs for the treatment of neurological diseases.
not very convenient method of application – 2-3 times a day, 1-2 tablets or capsules.
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2. Ceraxon

Ceraxon is a nootropic drug with a wide spectrum of action. The manufacturer’s instructions say that Ceraxon helps to recover faster from traumatic brain injuries and reduce brain damage during a stroke. In addition, the drug is indicated for patients with chronic cerebral hypoxia who have memory impairment, problems with self-care and daily activities.6.

Ceraxon is available in the form of a solution for injection and oral administration, released by prescription. The duration of treatment is at least 6 weeks.

Ceraxon is contraindicated in women during pregnancy and breastfeeding, children under 18 years of age, people with hypersensitivity, patients with fructose intolerance and vagotonia6.

Advantages and disadvantages

a small number of contraindications, several dosage forms – solutions for injection and oral administration.
a long course of treatment, the oral solution must be dosed with a syringe (alternatively, Ceraxon can be purchased in sachets of 10 ml).

3. Pinealon

Pinealon is a peptide drug capable of restoring brain cells. Like Cerluten, it belongs to the latest generation of nootropics. Used to prevent Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease7. It can be prescribed for chronic fatigue, insomnia, decreased memory and attention in elderly and senile people7.

Available in the form of tablets and capsules, which should be taken 1-2 times a day. The course of treatment is 10-30 days.

Not recommended for individual intolerance, during pregnancy and lactation7.

Advantages and disadvantages

the minimum number of contraindications, rarely causes side effects.
multiple courses of treatment may be needed.
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4. Ginkgo Biloba

A herbal preparation that can improve cellular metabolism, blood properties and cerebral circulation. It is prescribed for patients after a stroke, traumatic brain injury, as well as for the elderly with symptoms such as impaired attention, memory loss, sleep disturbances, fear, dizziness and tinnitus.8. The course of treatment is at least 8 weeks, the doctor selects the dosage and regimen.

The drug should not be taken by children and adolescents under 18 years of age, pregnant and lactating women, people with individual intolerance, patients with erosive gastritis, gastric ulcer and 12 duodenal ulcer, acute myocardial infarction and acute cerebrovascular accident8.

Advantages and disadvantages

well-studied herbal preparation.
a long course of treatment, quite a few contraindications, can cause allergic reactions.
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5. Gliatilin

The nootropic drug is available in the form of an injection solution and capsules for oral administration. It is used for violations of cerebral circulation in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Also prescribed for older people with cognitive impairment: confusion, disorientation in space, decreased motivation, emotional instability9.

Contraindications: hypersensitivity, pregnancy, lactation, age up to 18 years9.

Advantages and disadvantages

a small number of contraindications, different dosage forms.
may cause nausea, during treatment care should be taken when driving vehicles and complex mechanisms.

6. Rhodiola rosea

Rhodiola rosea liquid extract is a herbal nootropic and immunomodulator. The drug has a general tonic effect, increases mental and physical performance and the body’s resistance to negative factors: stress, hypothermia, viruses and bacteria. Liquid extract of Rhodiola rosea is prescribed for increased fatigue, high loads and during the SARS season to protect against viral infections. The manufacturer recommends taking the drug 2-3 times a day in the morning10.

Rhodiola rosea extract should not be taken by children under 12 years of age, pregnant and lactating women, people with individual hypersensitivity, insomnia, febrile syndrome and arterial hypertension.

Advantages and disadvantages

herbal preparation with complex action.
can cause irritability and headache

7. Cortexin

Cortexin contains low molecular weight soluble peptides. The description says that the drug normalizes brain function, protects neurons from free radicals, improves the tone of the nervous system3.

Among the indications for the use of Cortexin are cerebrovascular accidents, memory and attention disorders, delayed psychomotor and speech development in children, various forms of cerebral palsy, epilepsy11. Cortexin is a prescription drug. Release form – powder for solution for intramuscular injection.

Cortexin is contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation and individual intolerance11.

Advantages and disadvantages

can be used to treat children, rarely causes side effects.
There are no dosage forms for oral administration.

8. Cogitum

The active substance of the drug is acetylaminosuccinic acid. This is a biologically active substance that is contained in the central nervous system. Cogitum helps to normalize the functioning of the nervous system and has a general tonic effect, therefore it is used in the treatment of asthenic syndrome, a condition that is accompanied by weakness, fatigue, irritability and decreased performance12. Kogitum is available as a solution for internal use. The daily dose for adults is 3 ampoules.

Contraindications for use: age up to 7 years, pregnancy, lactation, individual intolerance.

Advantages and disadvantages

minimum contraindications, suitable for children over 7 years old.
high price.

9. Cytoflavin

Cytoflavin is a drug that improves metabolic processes in the brain. Available in tablets and as an injectable solution. Contains four active ingredients – inosine, nicotinamide, succinic acid and riboflavin. The components mutually reinforce each other’s action and have a complex effect: they increase the supply of oxygen to the brain cells and activate metabolism. The drug is used in the complex therapy of cerebral infarction, cerebral atherosclerosis, toxic and hypoxic encephalopathy13.

Contraindications: pregnancy, lactation, individual intolerance.

Advantages and disadvantages

can be used to treat children from birth, two dosage forms – tablets and injection solution.
high price.

10. Gotu Kola Extract

Bioadditive from Solgar contains triterpene glycosides – biologically active substances obtained from the leaves of Gotu Kola. The manufacturer reports that the dietary supplement stimulates cerebral circulation and improves the supply of oxygen to the brain. The dietary supplement is recommended to take 1 capsule three times a day.14.

Contraindications are standard for many nootropics – pregnancy, lactation, individual intolerance, age up to 18 years14.

Advantages and disadvantages

plant components in the composition, dietary supplements of a well-known brand.
high price in the segment.
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How to choose nootropics for the brain

Effective nootropics for the brain can only be prescribed by a doctor after studying the clinical picture and taking into account the characteristics of the patient. It is necessary to take into account age, the presence of chronic diseases, a tendency to allergies. You also need to pay attention to the presence of anxiety and depressive disorders in the patient. They are based on more serious reasons, and nootropics in this case will not help.

Reviews of doctors about nootropics for the brain

Nootropics are generally well tolerated and can be used alongside other medications. For this reason, they have found wide application in medical practice. Nevertheless, there are very few nootropics with proven effectiveness, and the opinion about them is ambiguous. Some doctors consider nootropics to be ineffective, while others have a positive experience in prescribing these drugs.

Annenkov S.S., neurosurgeon, about Gliatilin: “The drug is the main one according to clinical recommendations and standards for providing medical care to the population in the field of Neurosurgery. Subject to the adequacy of the dosage selection, it has a positive effect in patients who have undergone injuries and diseases of the central nervous system, both with conservative drug therapy and in the postoperative period.

Klimovskaya R. R., a psychiatrist, about Phenibut: “A good drug, relieves anxiety in patients, improves cognitive abilities, without side effects. A drug of low price category, accessible to everyone.

Belokonova O. M., general practitioner, about Cavinton: “I use it quite often for cerebral atherosclerosis, especially in the elderly. It makes no sense to use the minimum dosages. Long-term courses (at least 3 months) are possible (and desirable), usually very well tolerated.

Irina Ivanova comments: “Nootropics are not miracle pills, the formula does not work that you drank them and your brain became renewed and healthy. Nootropics are just an addition to the main therapy if, for example, a person has had a stroke or suffers from dementia.

Popular questions and answers

Many people have the misconception about nootropics as miraculous remedies that can quickly improve mental performance and mood. To dispel misconceptions and briefly talk about the features of nootropics, we asked a few questions to an expert: neurologist Irina Ivanova.

How are the latest generation nootropics different?

The latest generation nootropics are various peptide complexes. These include, for example, Khavinson peptides. They are based on 2-4 amino acids connected by a peptide bond. They are characterized by low toxicity, can be used to prevent Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis. But for the successful use of these nootropics, doctors must have a good understanding of their mechanism of action.

Why are nootropics prescribed?

As practice shows, many neurologists treat everything with nootropics, from migraine to depression, which is fundamentally wrong.

I rarely prescribe them, and mostly as an addition to the main treatment. It is necessary to take into account the age of the person, other drugs taken in addition to them, the presence of allergic reactions and chronic diseases. Most often, nootropics are used in the complex therapy of strokes, dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Why are nootropics dangerous?

One of the dangers of nootropics is withdrawal syndrome. That is, they can stimulate the brain, but after their withdrawal, memory, attention and mental performance will decrease again. Elderly people should be prescribed nootropic drugs with great caution, as they can cause allergic reactions, psychomotor agitation and hallucinations.

For whom are nootropics contraindicated?

Teenagers and young people under 35 years old with a decrease in memory or before an exam definitely do not need them. They need to follow a healthy lifestyle and the absence of various kinds of deficiencies in their body: vitamins, minerals, hormones, and regularly check the function of the thyroid gland. Then both memory and attention will be in order.

Sources of:

  1. Russian Medical Journal No. 24 dated 07.11.2007/7/5409. “A Modern Perspective on Nootropic Therapy”. Titova N. V. https://XNUMXuniversum.com/ru/med/archive/item/XNUMX
  2. Journal “Medicine and Pharmacology” No. 1 for 2018. A. Dutov, Ineffective Drugs: A Clinical Pharmacologist’s Perspective. https://7universum.com/ru/med/archive/item/5409
  3. Journal “Attending Doctor” dated 07.01.2010/2010/06. V. M. Studenikin, L. A. Pak, S. V. Balkanskaya, V. I. Shelkovsky, S. Sh. Tursunkhuzhaeva “Peptide bioregulators and their application: from neonatology to gerontology.” https://www.lvrach.ru/14354644/XNUMX/XNUMX
  4. Clinical trials of the drug Cerluten. St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. https://peptid.ru/blog/klinicheskie-ispitaniya-preparata-tserluten/
  5. Register of medicines of Russia. Cerluten. https://www.rlsnet.ru/baa/cerluten-lingval-58048
  6. Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Ceraxon. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/ceraxon__41197
  7. Register of medicines of Russia. Pinealon. https://www.rlsnet.ru/baa/pinealon-lingval-66639
  8. Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Ginkgo biloba
  9. Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Gliatilin. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/gliatilin__6228
  10. Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Rhodiola extract liquid https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/rhodiolae_extract_fluid__18303
  11. Register of medicines of Russia. Cortexin. https://www.rlsnet.ru/drugs/korteksin-11698
  12. Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Cogitum.
  13. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/cogitum__12620
  14. Vidal. Reference book of medicines. Cytoflavin. https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/cytoflavin__9056
  15. Manufacturer’s instructions for dietary supplement “Gotu Kola Extract”. https://solgarvitamin.ru/product/%D1%8D%D0%BA%D1%81%D1%82%D1

    %80%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%82-%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%82%D1%83-

    %D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B0/4165

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