Brain Candy is a book about nootropics written by two neuroscientists, Dr. Theodore Lidsky and Dr. Jay Schneider. This post has some notes featuring studies from the book that support the effectiveness of certain supplements.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine: improves memory and executive functioning in Alzheimer’s patients with earlier disease onset, improves memory and executive functioning in abstinent alcoholics
Alpha-GPC: improves memory and attentional functioning of patients with cognitive impairments due to circulatory problems, improves functioning of cognitively impaired people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease
Aniracetam: improves cognitive functioning and memory in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease
Caffeine: increases alertness, improves reaction time, facilitates the ability to process information
CDP-choline: improves memory functioning in elderly persons
DMAE: enhances cognitive functioning in children with ADHD
Ginkgo Biloba: has beneficial effects on Alzheimer’s patients’ cognitive functioning, has a positive effect on memory in healthy people
Ginseng: improves attention and reaction time
Huperzine A: has beneficial influences on memory functioning and general cognitive functioning in patients with early senility due to Alzheimer’s disease
Idebenone: improves cognitive functioning in patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease
Niacin: improves cognitive functioning of patients with various types of dementia, improves information processing and short-term memory in healthy young and middle-aged people
Oxiracetam: improves memory and attention in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, multi-infarct dementia, and dementia of unspecified origin
Phosphatidylserine: improves memory and attention in both senile patients and healthy elderly people experiencing mild memory problems
Piracetam: slightly slows the rate at which short-term and long-term memory deteriorates in Alzheimer’s patients, improves memory in patients with age associated memory impairment when administered in conjunction with memory training
Pramiracetam: enhances the recovery of memory function in brain injured patients
Pyridoxine: improves memory storage in elderly men
Thiamine: improves emotional and cognitive functioning in mildly impaired Alzheimer’s patients
Vinpocetine: improves cognitive functioning in senile patients
Vitamin E: slows disease progression in moderately impaired Alzheimer’s patients
