Research has shown that when done regularly, these…. Constantly dream of romance? Fixate on thoughts of your partner? Feel a need to always be in love?

Learn why — and why this isn't an "addiction. Toxic femininity, or behavior that aligns with patriarchal beliefs about what women should and shouldn't do, can affect your well-being. Here's how. A new study, released this week has found that death rates are increased for people with obesity who are also socially isolated and lonely.

A new study finds a type of psychedelic called ibogaine may help people with traumatic brain injury. In the study 30 male Special Operations Forces…. New research suggests that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise like swimming, cycling, jogging, and dancing may be more effective for reducing….

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How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Mental Well-Being. Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD — By Sara Lindberg — Updated on February 17, Try puzzles Play cards Build vocabulary Dance Use your senses Learn a new skill Teach a skill Listen to music Try a new route Meditate Learn a new language Do tai chi Focus Bottom line Exercising the brain to improve memory, focus, or daily functionality is a top priority for many older adults.

Share on Pinterest. Brain exercises. Have fun with a jigsaw puzzle. Try your hand at cards. Build your vocabulary. Dance your heart out. Use all your senses. Learn a new skill. Teach a new skill to someone else. Listen to or play music.

Take a new route. Learn a new language. Take up tai chi. Focus on another person. The bottom line. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Feb 17, Written By Sara Lindberg. Aug 7, Written By Sara Lindberg.

Medically Reviewed By Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD. Share this article. Read this next. READ MORE. Unpacking the Notion of Love Addiction. Medically reviewed by Kendra Kubala, PsyD. Toxic Femininity, Explained — Plus, Tips to Overcome This Mindset Toxic femininity, or behavior that aligns with patriarchal beliefs about what women should and shouldn't do, can affect your well-being.

Isolation, Loneliness are Major Mortality Risk Factors for People With Obesity A new study, released this week has found that death rates are increased for people with obesity who are also socially isolated and lonely.

The… READ MORE. Psychedelic Ibogaine May Help PTSD and Depression After Traumatic Brain Injury A new study finds a type of psychedelic called ibogaine may help people with traumatic brain injury. In the study 30 male Special Operations Forces… READ MORE.

The drugs often used to enhance cognition can generally be divided into 3 groups: Eugaroics, ADHD medications and Nootropic Supplements. Eugeroics are a class of drugs that promote wakefulness and alertness. The most commonly used Eugeroic drug that is used to improve cognition is Modafinil.

The drug was introduced in the late s to treat narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder. Modafinil promotes wakefulness and alertness and may have some value in treating stimulant withdrawal and could be effective in decreasing drug craving and dependence.

However, further research is needed. There is no safe level of drug use. Modafinil affects everyone differently, but the most common side effects include:.

Research into nootropics is still limited which means there is a lot of uncertainty about the side effects the drugs may cause if used on an ongoing basis. It is recommended that these drugs are used only with a prescription from a medical practitioner to avoid any potential harms.

Brand names: Ritalin®, Ritalin la®, Concerta®, Ritalin 10®, Dexamphetamine tablets®, Vyvanse®. Ritalin was introduced during the s to treat chronic fatigue, depression, and psychosis associated with depression.

It was used extensively in the s to treat ADHD and is now the most common psychotropic medication prescribed to children in the United States and Australia to treat restlessness, impulsive behaviour and inattentiveness.

This research showed changes in brain chemistry associated with risk-taking behaviour, sleep disruption and other undesirable effects such as weight loss.

Methylphenidate affects everyone differently, but the most common side effects may include:. Certain B vitamins, fish oil and herbal supplements such as Gingko biloba and extracts of Bacopa monnieri may offer a safer option to pharmaceutical drugs to enhance cognitive performance.

The benefits may not be as immediate but the effects are reportedly much longer lasting. However, the American Medical Association has advised that a number of products being advertised as nootropic supplements have not been examined in terms of safety and efficacy.

Modafinil and is a Schedule 4 substance that can only be prescribed by a doctor or dentist in the ordinary course of their professions. Methylphenidate is a Schedule 8 drug which means doctors must follow state and territory laws when prescribing it and must notify, or receive approval from, the appropriate health authority.

Using modafinil or methylphenidate without a prescription from a doctor, or selling or giving them to someone else, is illegal. There are also laws against forging or altering a prescription or making false representation to obtain pharmaceuticals or a prescription for them. brain boosters , drive drugs , memory boosters , neuroenhancers , nootropics , smart drugs.

Drug List Drug Wheel. Last published: November 08, What are nootropics? Other names Nootropics, smart drugs, brain boosters, memory boosters, neuroenhancers, drive drugs, study drugs.

How do they work? Types of nootropics The drugs often used to enhance cognition can generally be divided into 3 groups: Eugaroics, ADHD medications and Nootropic Supplements.

Eugeroics Eugeroics are a class of drugs that promote wakefulness and alertness. Brand names: Modavigil®, Modafin®, Nuvigil® The drug was introduced in the late s to treat narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder. Modafinil affects everyone differently, but the most common side effects include: increased alertness and focus reduced fatigue anxiety headache pins and needles chest pains dizziness sleeplessness nausea nervousness.

ADHD medications Types of ADHD medications used as nootropics include: Methylphenidate, Lisdexamphetamine, Dexamfetamine Brand names: Ritalin®, Ritalin la®, Concerta®, Ritalin 10®, Dexamphetamine tablets®, Vyvanse® Ritalin was introduced during the s to treat chronic fatigue, depression, and psychosis associated with depression.

Methylphenidate affects everyone differently, but the most common side effects may include: euphoria and heightened sense of well-being high body temperature cardiovascular system failure hostility or paranoia irregular or increased heartbeat and palpitations increased blood pressure and respiration increased activity, talkativeness and alertness reduced fatigue, drowsiness and appetite dry mouth, dilated pupils, nausea and headaches increased sex drive feelings of cleverness, great competence, and power.

Upfal J. The enhancement use of neuropharmaceuticals: More scepticism and caution needed Addiction 12

This type of cognitive sluggishness can exist for a range of reasons, including stress, poor sleep, nutrition, and more. Sometimes brain fog may be a signal that your health and wellness regimen needs further attention and professional guidance.

Additionally, there are a handful of lifestyle tweaks — from observations by experts — that may help alleviate brain fog and inspire mental clarity. If you zip from task to task throughout the day, you may not be giving your brain the break it needs to function well. For example, the aftermath of having COVID may leave you with lingering brain fog , even when you feel physically better, due to possible inflammation associated with the virus, notes Harvard Health Publishing.

Prioritizing your absolute-must tasks while scheduling downtime can help support mental stability while working with the fog, she says. For example, use the alarms on your phone, schedule reminders through a voice assistant, set up auto pay for your bills, and organize your meetings into a calendar.

This may help take away some of the stress associated with brain fog. For that reason, she recommends a low-inflammatory diet, which roughly means limiting or avoiding highly processed foods and red and processed meats, and sticking to a plant-based or Mediterranean-style of eating that emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats.

Brain fog may be one symptom of certain autoimmune conditions, Wilhour adds. For example, according to the Arthritis Foundation , people with rheumatoid arthritis often report feeling forgetful and unable to concentrate, and separately, anywhere from 40 to 80 percent of people with fibromyalgia and lupus may experience brain fog, per Duke Health.

One study on people with rheumatoid arthritis, and other research on people with multiple sclerosis, showed that an anti-inflammatory diet may help alleviate some of the symptoms of the diseases, including improved cognitive function.

In addition, research shows evidence that a low-inflammation diet may be protective for brain health as we age, Wilhour adds.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, for adults, to keep not only the heart in good shape but the brain, too. Research also shows that physical activity induces changes in the brain, such as an increase in gray matter and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a molecule that plays a role in creating neural connections related to learning and memory, per MedlinePlus.

Memory, executive control, and attention may all get a boost when you work up a sweat. Plus, exercise is a great antidote to stress for many people, and as additional research shows , it builds up your cognitive reserves to help your brain become more resilient as you age.

Activities that stimulate and support your cognitive health include reading books, tackling crossword puzzles, playing games or instruments, and keeping updated on current events, among others. And yes, movement not only makes your muscles stronger, but your brain, too.

Tiny paper cut-like scars are often found on imaging, such as an MRI, of most aging brains more so for those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or who smoke indicating damage.

In fact, science shows that these kinds of meaningful connections are another key factor that can make a big impact on your brain health over time.

I also started playing Pickleball, which helps me connect with others, which is so important. I attend cooking and computer classes. I even took Canasta lessons. I play cards weekly and really enjoy the women who play. Taking a dance class is a great way to reap these benefits by checking multiple brain-health boxes at once.

For Linda Julie Castro, 76, a retiree from San Diego, California, one newfound hobby that has challenged her mind is art. Painting requires concentration—thinking about what color to use, where to put that color, and how. Activities such as painting—or gardening as it is for Mozelle Harding, 72, a retired stained glass designer from San Diego, California—are not just healthy brain habits because of their creativity, but doing things that bring you joy also helps reduce stress.

Chronic stress can negatively impact cognitive health over time through hormonal changes, inflammation, and structural alterations in the brain, says Louisa Nicola , neurophysiologist and female human performance expert with Momentous , a performance nutrition brand.

Research shows that many more regions of the brain are involved in vocabulary tasks, particularly in areas that are important for visual and auditory processing. To test this theory, try this cognitive-boosting activity:. In other words, bust a move on the dance floor and your brain will thank you.

A research report suggests that using all your senses may help strengthen your brain. To give your senses and your brain a workout, try doing activities that simultaneously engage all five of your senses.

Learning a new skill is not only fun and interesting, but it may also help strengthen the connections in your brain. Research from also shows that learning a new skill can help improve memory function in older adults.

You now have one more good reason to learn that new skill. After you learn a new skill, you need to practice it. Teaching it to someone else requires you to explain the concept and correct any mistakes you make.

For example, learn to swing a golf club, then teach the steps to a friend. Do you want an easy way to increase your creative brain power?

The answer may lie in turning on some music. According to a study , listening to happy tunes helps generate more innovative solutions compared to being in silence.

Which means, cranking up some feel-good music can help boost your creative thinking and brain power. And if you want to learn how to play music , now is a great time to start because your brain is capable of learning new skills at any point in your life.

Instead, be willing to try new ways to do the same things. Choose a different route to get to work each week or try a different mode of transport, like biking or using public transport instead of driving. Your brain can benefit from this simple change, and you might be surprised by how easy it is to change your thinking.

Daily meditation can calm your body, slow your breathing, and reduce stress and anxiety. A review of research has overwhelmingly proven the many cognitive benefits of being able to speak more than one language.

According to numerous studies, bilingualism can contribute to better memory, improved visual-spatial skills, and higher levels of creativity. Being fluent in more than one language may also help you switch more easily between different tasks, and delay the onset of age-related mental decline.

According to researchers, you can boost your memory and improve other mental functions by becoming a student of a new language at any time in your life. Plus, it can also help center you when life seems out of balance. Taking up a regular practice of tai chi can help reduce stress, enhance sleep quality, and improve memory.

A study found that long-term tai chi practice could induce structural changes in the brain, resulting in an increase in brain volume. Beginners do best by taking a class to learn the different movements.

But once you know the basics, you can practice tai chi anywhere, anytime. The next time you interact with someone, take note of four things about them.

Maybe you observe the color of their shirt or pants. Are they wearing glasses? Do they have a hat on, and if so, what kind of hat? What color is their hair? Once you decide on four things to remember, make a mental note, and come back to it later in the day.

Write down what you remember about those four details.