Is there anybody over 50 who wouldn’t want to maintain their cognitive skills and remember where they put their keys? Yes, the market for what are called nootropics is booming as millions of aging individuals long to stay sharp and fight off cognitive decline.
Now, just for the record, there are several well-known and physician-prescribed drugs under the banner of nootropics – stimulants, like Ritalin and Adderall, and synthetic compounds such as piracetam. My focus is what viewers see in the commercials, and what they’ll be drawn to – flashy off-the-shelf enhancements portrayed as wonder drugs.
A study published in the journal Neurology Clinical Practive shows that over-the-counter cognitive enhancement supplements may contain multiple drugs unapproved drugs for use in the U.S. The study concludes with a cautionary note: the health effects of ingesting untested combinations and dosages of these drugs absent clinical engagement are unknown.
“There is little hard evidence that these products are either safe or effective for consumers to use,” adds Chuck Bell, programs director for Consumer Reports advocacy division.
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And Harvard Medical School, pointing to a survey that about 25% of people over 50 use supplements to improve their brain health, reports that there is no proof that any of them work.
