Studying up on smart drugs
Q: I’ve been reading about “smart drugs” to improve mental function and help preserve memory. Do these work and are they safe?
Dr. Wright: In general, I don’t recommend synthetic molecules (drugs) for long term use to improve mental function or memory. These sorts of products almost always have negative side effects. But there are some natural substances that have been proven useful for boosting mental function and memory. And they’re available in just about any natural food store. Try one of these:
- Acetyl-L-carnitine (500 to 2,000 milligrams a day)
- Phosphatidylserine (200 to 300 milligrams a day)
- Ginkgo biloba (80 to 120 milligrams a day)
The first two are a bit more expensive than ginkgo, but they’re certainly cheaper—and safer—than “smart drugs.”
