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Brain stimulation drugs inhibit creative thinking
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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As statistics show, most students (almost every fifth) use special drugs that stimulate the brain, especially before important exams. One of these drugs, which has become widespread among young people, is Modafinil. According to the manufacturer, this drug helps to overcome drowsiness, increase concentration, learning ability, and improve memory by 10%. But, like all drugs, the drug has a number of side effects, in particular, irritability, headaches, unconscious behavior, trembling of the limbs, increased heart rate, vomiting, insomnia.
English specialists from the public research university in Nottingham conducted several studies in which they studied the effect of Modafinil on brain function.
The research project involved 64 healthy people. Scientists divided all volunteers into two groups with an equal number of participants. The first group took Modafinil, and the second became a control group, in which participants were given a placebo.
After this, all participants underwent a neuropsychological test, with the help of which specialists assessed the accuracy of reactions and productivity.
As it turned out, Modafinil increased reaction time and decreased creative thinking in students who showed good results in their studies, but in those with difficulties with non-standard thinking (in students who experienced some problems with learning), the drug helped to find a creative answer to the problem.
As experts noted, Modafinil should only be taken by students who have problems with learning. The drug has the opposite effect on a person with initially good mental abilities, i.e. it reduces productivity. As scientists have suggested, it is quite difficult for students with good abilities to increase brain performance with the help of any drugs. Experts recommend replacing such pills with a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, communication, and you can also take up 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) help preserve memory and prolong the functioning of the nervous system in older people. As is known, a large number of flavonoids are contained in cocoa beans and all products where they are present.
The project involved about 40 elderly people (aged 50 to 69), who were divided into two groups, and the specialists also created a control group. In the first group, participants received 900 mg of flavonoids per day, in the second - 10 mg.
After three months, the scientists studied the patients' condition and found some improvements among the participants in the first group; no changes were recorded among the participants in the control group.
Scientists believe that flavonoids improve blood circulation in some areas of the brain and prevent the oxidation process of neurons.
In addition to cocoa, flavonoids are found in citrus peels, onions, green tea, and red wine.
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