Does Ginkgo really help with memory, mental alertness?

[brentspeak]

I've read a little bit about this herb, but I was also told by someone that it can increase the chances of "brain bleeding".

I like the sound of "better memory", but I don't like the sound of "brain bleeding".

[Technowitch]

1. I'm sorry, what was the question?

;)

[halobeam]

4. LOL... I've heard that lack of it, causes a sense of humor

[spacelady]

2. Oh yes it is very effective, that whatever you call it stuff.

[Spider Jerusalem]

3. Nicotine helps with memory, alertness, and focus...

you'd probably be better off with Nicorette (it doesn't make your brain bleed, as far as I know).

[lateo]

5. Try meditation....it really works...

And is very healthy for you.

[Auntie Bush]

6. A study was done that said it had no effect and didn't work.

But I don't remember who did the study.

Don't waste your money!

[jobycom]

7. A little, if you buy the really expensive stuff and take it regularly

over a few months time your memory will probably improve a little. I never thought it was worth it.

A better memory enhancement trick is a whole foods, vegetarian, no fat diet and an hour a day of exercise. Your brain will feel eighteen again. It's cheaper than GB, too. But it's a lot harder to stick to. :-)

Good quality ginseng helps a bit, too. I've heard Gotu Kola (sp?) does, too, but I've never tried it.

Another thing is Lecithin. Lecithin does two things: one, lecithin is converted directly into some chemical your brain needs for memory, and two, it emulsifies fat in your blood. This not only helps memory, but it reduces cholesterol and dissolves gallstones (I know the last one from experience). So if memory loss is due at all to too much fat and cholesterol in your blood, it helps a lot.

One weird lecithin test showed that three tablespoons of lecithin can measurably improve memory for a couple of hours. If you learn something in that time, you are better able to remember it. After the effect wears off, your memory returns to normal, and you forget some of what you could remember while on it. Neat stuff. Tastes good, too. Buy Lewis Labs.

Man, i do way too much research into things I'm interested in, don't I?

[brentspeak]

9. Thanks! I copied your suggestions as a text file.

(and other's, too).

[SnowGoose]

8. Yes, but only a little

I haven't had the time to keep up-to-date on this material. Do yourself a favor and check the current litterature here:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?DB=pubmed

(or just search yahoo for "pubmed") and run a search for "ginko and cognative" (or similar variants). PubMed is run by the national library of medicine, and paid for by your tax dollars - take advantage of it! This resource lists pretty much all the reputable scientific journals in the medical field. Then you can make up your own mind.

Here's what I remember. Ginko does make the blood "thinner" in the sense that it alters platelet function. This can slow clotting and promote bleeding from any ruptures that do occur. Some have suggested that the small cognative increases observed are actually due to this effect (increased circulation to the brain).

Ginko (particularly in combination with ginsing) has been shown to improve measures of memory and learning in both geriatric patients, as well as normal, healthy high-school students.

The thing you need to keep in mind is that you're talking about small increases. Not the kind of thing where you'd go, "Wow, I feel smarter." A good night's sleep will have a much more pronounced effect.

As someone else has noted, you're far more likely to notice the congative boost from low doses of caffine and nicotine (even though I don't advocate use of either of these substances).

Have fun playing with the brain!