Drugs to stimulate brain activity inhibit creative thinking
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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As the statistics show, most students (almost one in five) use special drugs that stimulate the brain, especially before important exams. One of such drugs, widely spread among young people, is Modafinil. This drug, according to the manufacturer, helps to overcome drowsiness, increase concentration, ability to learn, improve memory by 10%. But, like all drugs, the drug has a number of side effects, in particular, irritability, headaches, unconscious behavior, trembling limbs, increased heart rate, vomiting, insomnia.
English experts from the public research university in Nottingham, conducted several studies, during which they studied the effect of Modafinil on the brain's ability to work.
The research project involved 64 people who do not have health problems. Scientists divided all volunteers into two groups with an equal number of participants. The first group took Modafinil, and the second group became a control group, in which participants were given a placebo.
After that, all participants underwent a neuropsychological test, with the help of which experts evaluated the accuracy of reactions and performance.
As it turned out, Modafinil increased the reaction time and reduced creative thinking among students who showed good results in their studies, but with difficulties with non-standard thinking (in students who had some learning problems) the drug helped to find a creative answer to the problem.
As experts noted, Modafinil should be taken only to those students who have problems with training. For a person with initially good mental abilities, the drug acts on the contrary, i.e. Lowers productivity. As scientists have suggested, it is quite difficult to increase the brain's ability to work with students with good abilities with the help of any drugs. Experts recommend replacing such pills with a healthy lifestyle, nutrition, communication, and meditation, which will improve cognitive abilities.
In another scientific project, in which specialists studied the effect of biologically active compounds on the brain, it was determined that flavonoids (the largest class of plant polyphenols) contribute to the preservation of memory and the prolongation of the nervous system in the elderly. As is known, a large number of flavonoids are found in cocoa beans and all products where they are present.
About 40 elderly people (from 50 to 69 years old) took part in the project, they were divided into two groups, and specialists created a control group. In the first group, participants received 900 mg of flavonoids per day, in the second group - 10 mg.
Three months later, the researchers examined the patients' condition and revealed some improvements among the first group of private traders, among the participants in the control group, no changes were recorded.
Scientists believe that flavonoids improve blood circulation in some areas of the brain and prevent the process of oxidation of neurons.
In addition to cocoa, flavonoids are found in citrus peels, onions, green tea, red wine.
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