Brain Boosters : Foods & Drugs That Make You Smarter - Softcover

Potter, Beverly; Orfali, J. Sebastian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0914171658 ISBN 13: 9780914171652

Publisher: Ronin Publishing, 1993

Synopsis

Millions of people take smart drugs and nutrients to improve brain function and to excel in every aspect of their lives. They include professional, business people, seniors anxious about senility, patients suffering from Alzheimer's or other neurological impairments, as well as parents, students, athletes, and party-goers. Brain Boosters is a fascinating look at foods and drugs that are reported to make the mike work better.

Comprehensive guide to smart drugs and nutrients. How the brain works and the factors influencing mental performance. Tells about the evolution and growing use of nutrients and pharmaceuticals to improve brain function—from patients and cyberpunks to the mainstream. Includes a layman's description of the most important pharmaceuticals, vitamins, nutrients, and herbs used to boot brain power. Charts. List of doctors.

About this title

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

Research into ginkgo's effects on humans shows that it speeds up the flow of blood and oxygen through the body and brain. It increases the manufacture of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is sometimes described as the "universal energy molecule." The theory is that ginkgo extract facilitates brain functioning by helping to better metabolize glucose, which produces oxygen, the brain's main source of fuel and energy. Additionally, ginkgo keeps the brain arteries from clogging up with blood platelets, by keeping the arteries flexible so that the platelets don't collect together on the artery walls. It helps the nerve cells transmit signals from one to another.

Review:

In many cities, and at rave parties, you'll find "smart bars" serving brain cocktails. "Smart drugs" and foods which enhance learning, thinking and memory by heightening the chemical processes of the brain and body have become very popular. If you're looking for some solid information on what it's all about, Brain Boosters is a good place to start. Along with the details of various pharmaceuticals such as nootrophics (learning and memory enhancers), vitamin brain boosters and herbal supplements, there is an overview of how the brain functions and how factors such as environments, diet and aging can adversely affect your ability to think. Also discussed is the smart drug industry itself and the FDA's war on vitamin supplements, along with how to locate a doctor who will administer smart drugs requiring a prescription. So, do they work? A great number of people say they do, and with far fewer side effects than caffeine, this country's current drug of choice. -- From The WomanSource Catalog & Review: Tools for Connecting the Community for Women; review by Ilene Rosoff

About this edition

• Publisher: Ronin Publishing
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0914171658
• ISBN 13: 9780914171652
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 257