Stimulants are being used with increasing frequency by students across college campuses (see ‘Harvard Students: Reaching for drugs to boost brain power). Many of them, however, probably aren’t well aware of the various side effects. In addition to chronic cognitive problems, amphetamines can also induce catastrophic acute events.
Smartkit: Brain Herbs and Smart Drugs
Aromatherapy to boost brain power
Can certain smells boost brain power? Let’s first take a look at what else certain odors can do:
- Stores are now using special odors to make customers buy things and spend more money
- The leathery smell of a new car is an artificial odor sprayed on to enhance buyer satisfaction
- Casinos are using odors to make people gamble more
Caffeine in your cakes and cookies?
If you’ve ever tried to chew Vivarin instead of swallowing it, you’re well aware of the fact that caffeine- as available in its raw form- has a horrible, bitter taste.
A molecular biologist who owns a coffee shop in North Carolina, however, has figured out a way to turn caffeine into small, flour-like particles and eliminate the bad taste so it can be added to baked goods like donuts, cakes, and pastries.
Did Mars spike the new CocoaVia chocolate bar with feel good brain flavanols?
Over the past 4 years, I’ve eaten a lot of dark chocolate, and some of the world’s best bars have made their way through our kitchen. Amedei, Valrhona, Michel Cluizel, El Rey, Domori, Bonnat. The nice thing about chocolate is that it is a very affordable luxury. You can grab yourself the world’s finest bar for less than $20.
What spider webs can teach us about caffeine’s effect on the brain
Sometimes, a picture really is worth a thousand words…
(Noever, R., J. Cronise, and R. A. Relwani. 1995. Using spider-web patterns to determine toxicity. NASA Tech Briefs 19(4):82. Published in New Scientist magazine, 27 April 1995.)
Nevertheless, over the next week, I have 2 informative commentaries on caffeine I’m getting ready to post
Green and Black Tea mimics Memory Drugs
A new study reveals that both green and black tea have the ability to inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). This enzyme is important, because it breaks down the acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter in the brain.
Why is this relevant? It turns out the main prescription drugs which are used to improve memory and cognition (while treating dementias like Alzheimer’s disease) operate via the same exact mechanism.
Gingko improves verbal memory
Researchers at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute found Gingko Biloba triggers significant improvement in verbal memory in subjects with age-associated memory impairment compared to placebo.
Many earlier studies with Ginkgo Biloba have produced conflicting results. According to this article, however, most previous studies involving Gingko lasted less than 3 months. The current study is felt to be rather unique because of its longer duration (6 months). The UCLA is also notable in that it tracked brain changes via PET scans.
Chinese club moss can improve memory
Have been reading lately about a substance derived from the Chinese club moss: Huperzia serrata- Huperzine A.
For many years, this compound has been used in China to treat patients with memory decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
In the 1950s, school kids were given daily cod liver oil
In the 1950s, apparently all kids in England got daily cod liver oil capsules at school.
Not sure when this stopped, but a recent article notes England is now considering giving every child a capsule of omega-3 oil before class.