by J. C. Spencer

Better brains are craved by students cramming for exams, executives attempting to out think their competition, Generals in the chess game of battle, and those who fear dementia. All are seeking answers to superior brain function by reaching into the dark pill box called Pandora.

Brain enhancing drugs are running amok. Research shows that using drugs to tinker with the brain is not only proving to be more addictive than previously thought but can actually cause deterioration in cognitive performance, cardiovascular complications, seizures, hallucinations, and serious skin rashes. In short, smart drugs actually damage the brain and body by compounding neurological problems.

Neuroenhancers are used to pull all-nighters, to improve perception, and to tweak the synapse, but may have long term side effects. Drugs affect the brain in unpredictable ways. Perceived increased cognitive enhancement of the working memory, i.e. short term memory, has some critics maintaining that such manipulation of the brain is �speculative ethics�

James Swanson, researcher at the University of California, Irvine, involved with ADHD clinical trials said, �People say that cognitive enhancement is like improving vision by wearing glasses. [But] I don�t think people understand the risks that occur when you have a large number of people accessing these drugs. Some small percentage will likely become addicted, and some people may actually see mental performance decline. That�s the reason I�m opposed to their general use.�

The ramifications of lifestyle drugs have left a checkered legacy where the damage may greatly outweigh any short term memory or mood benefits. Amphetamine (Ecstasy and Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta), modafinil (Provigil), and donepezil (Aricept) mess with your brain and manipulate your mind. Neuroethics is a developing determination gauge among those concerned about the potential damage done to the drug dependant and his or her future generations.

Most medical scientists are still focused on the DRUG approach instead of natural nutritional support. A growing number of doctors and healthcare professionals are turning to evidence based nutrition. Universities around the world are conducting research on natural substances that are proven to work, often better than drugs. Glycomics, the science of sugars is at the forefront of evidence based nutrition.

Certain sugars like those found in mother�s breast milk are not only vital as the building blocks for life starting at conception but to CAUSE brain function, IMPROVE brain function, FACILITATE fetal development, and ENABLE you to think better throughout life . Ardythe Luxion Morrow, PhD, Msc., may be the foremost authority on these sugars with published articles in Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine, Pediatrics, Glycobiology, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and other major journals.

Hundreds of abstracts and articles are available free of charge on the educational website of The Endowment for Medical Research located at www.endowmentmed.org

Sources: Expand Your Mind - Improve Your Brain available online at www.endowmentmed.org and Turbocharging the BRAIN by Gary Stix as published in Scientific America October 2009.