Brain Boosters : Foods & Drugs That Make You Smarter [Paperback]

Beverly Potter (Author), J. Sebastian Orfali (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 1993

This book is a pioneering look at the substances that have been discovered to have a positive effect on the performance of the human brain. Brain Boosters begins by describing how the brain works and the factors influencing mental performance. It then goes on to discuss the evolution and growing use of nutrients and pharmaceuticals to improve brain function. Photos and line drawings.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This book has some good points: it calls alcohol a "Make-You-Stupid" drug and gives Gerovital low marks. But mostly it promotes the rapidly growing fad fueled by the likes of a product line called Designer Mind Foods and individual products such as "Go For It," "Memory Fuel," and Earth Girl's "Psuper Psonic Psybertonic." The idea behind it is to get people to patronize smart bars and to down such conglomerations, which are said to improve memory, fight off diseases, and, best of all, give the energy to dance 'til dawn. Potter and Orfali point to many benefits from such programs, including less institutionalization and higher profits for drug companies; the latter point is certainly inarguable. A veggie cocktail provided "for preventing Alzheimer's" should sell like hot cakes, as, provided the publicity hits the target, might the whole book. An appendix gives the addresses and phone numbers of physicians who engage in "life extension," one-fifth of whom are in California. William Beatty

Review

In many cities, and at rave parties, you'll find "smart bars" serving brain cocktails. "Smart drugs" and foods which enhance learning, thinking and memory by heightening the chemical processes of the brain and body have become very popular. If you're looking for some solid information on what it's all about, Brain Boosters is a good place to start. Along with the details of various pharmaceuticals such as nootrophics (learning and memory enhancers), vitamin brain boosters and herbal supplements, there is an overview of how the brain functions and how factors such as environments, diet and aging can adversely affect your ability to think. Also discussed is the smart drug industry itself and the FDA's war on vitamin supplements, along with how to locate a doctor who will administer smart drugs requiring a prescription. So, do they work? A great number of people say they do, and with far fewer side effects than caffeine, this country's current drug of choice. -- From The WomanSource Catalog & Review: Tools for Connecting the Community for Women; review by Ilene Rosoff

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 257 pages
• Publisher: Ronin Publishing (July 28, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0914171658
• ISBN-13: 978-0914171652
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #773,788 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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