Piracetam

Most students in this room have probably wished for some kind of miracle drug which could boost their ability to finish that one last paper or study for the final exam. Pharmaceutical companies have developed drugs for all kinds of problems from improving mood, sexual drive or helping someone go to sleep. These companies have also developed smart drugs to enhance cognitive functioning. These smart drugs are known as nootropics. Piracetam was one of the first smart drugs developed in the 1960s to enhance cognitive functioning. I will be discussing Piracetam’s effectiveness as a smart drug and the disorders it could be useful in treating. I will also discuss the areas in which smart drug needs improvement. 

Piracetam is a drug that can be used to not only improve the functioning of those with cognitive disorders but also for healthy individuals who would like to enhance their mental ability. The drug is very popular in Europe and although it is used in the United States it has not been as widespread. Piracetam is used in the treatment of numerous disorders. Most of this disorder are impacted by a brain that is functioning less than optimally. The drug can also be beneficial for various populations from the elderly, substance abuse users, those who are suffering from mental health problems or a college student looking to enhance their cognitive functioning.

For the elderly Piracetam plays its most notable role in improving the cognitive functioning of individuals who are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. It also improves the parent-child relationship for adults caring for their elderly parent with cognitive decline. The drug can slow down the onset of Alzheimer’s or dementia which can also impair the functioning of a senior citizen. Piracetam can also be used to help an elderly person who has suffered a stroke. The drug can help improve the ability of the brain that has been damaged by the stroke. This can help a person who has suffered the loss of speech or movement due to the stroke. This drug can improve the lives of seniors who are often plagued by physical and mental ailments. These physical ailments can be treated by numerous other drugs that already exist in the pharmaceutical market. However, these smart drugs can be used to treat the mental deterioration that can occur once a person becomes elderly. 

The drug is not just beneficial for the elderly as those who suffer from substance abuse problems are often afflicted with numerous mental conditions. As many of us have gone through those drug prevention programs we have all seen the flyers stating this what your brain looks like on drugs. Over time drug use can drastically affect the brain especially in the case of alcoholism. Someone who severely abuses alcohol over many years will begin to experience deterioration in cognitive functioning. Piracetam can be used to treat this impairment in cognitive functioning. Other substance abuse problems have yet to be researched to determine if Piracetam can be used to treat the cognitive delays that can occur with the use. 

Individuals who suffer from substance abuse problems also have increased comorbidity with mental health problems. As many individuals who have mental health problems will often self-medicate with illegal drugs. Piracetam can be used in the treatment of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. The drug can be used only for the cognitive impairments that can occur in these mental health conditions. Piracetam cannot be used to treat the hallucinations or delusions that occur with schizophrenia however improving the cognitive ability of someone suffering from schizophrenia can significantly improve their lives. 

That is what we are considering with smart drugs like Piracetam that they can significantly improve the lives of individuals who are suffering from mental impairments. The drug can also be used to improve the functioning of healthy individuals. College students have widely used the drug in other countries for cognitive enhancement. The drug was originally marketed as a dietary supplement however over time Piracetam could not be marketed by pharmaceutical companies to consumers as such. While the drug is not widely used in the United States for healthy individuals it is available on the internet. Increased research is needed to demonstrate the impact that Piracetam can have on disorders which it has yet to be used for. Studies are being conducted on the impact of Piracetam on the use in children who suffer from autism. While the research is still new the drug can be used to improve the lives of not just the elderly but also thousands of children and their families who have to deal with the affliction of autism. 

All these benefits of the drug make it appear as it is a cure-all for any impairments of the brain. However, increased research is needed to improve the efficacy of the drug as numerous studies have debated whether Piracetam is as effective as has been marketed. The research should focus on either improving the drug or developing a new form of the smart drug that could improve cognitive functioning. If our brain is impaired we cannot function as individuals. Cognitive impairment can increase the likelihood of substance use, lack of employment and overall low life satisfaction. Also, we could all use a little mental help now and again as most college students have discovered in those final moments when they are trying to cram as much information as possible. These smart drugs could make that process easier and help you pass that class. 

References

Croisile, B., Trillet, M., Fondarai, J., Laurent, B., Mauguiere, F., & Billardon, M. (1993). Long‐term and high‐dose piracetam treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Neurology, 43(2), 301-301.

Gouliaev, A. H., & Senning, A. (1994). Piracetam and other structurally related nootropics. Brain Research Reviews, 19(2), 180-222.

Vernon, M. W., & Sorkin, E. M. (1991). Piracetam. An overview of its pharmacological properties and a review of its therapeutic use in senile cognitive disorders. Drugs Aging, 1(1), 17-35.