Are 'smart drugs' safe for students?

The Guardian UK has an interesting article about the two big neuroenhancing drugs used widely today - ritalin and modafinil. And how today's overachieving and under-sleeping students are using them to get ahead:

All the students are clear on the drug's effects. "Modafinil increases my enthusiasm for studying," says Perera. "It makes me feel that lazing around is the last thing I want to do." Price agrees: "Modafinil gives me the motivation I would otherwise lack." Makepeace, who clearly doesn't lack motivation, instead takes modafinil to stay alert. "Once I've taken a pill I can stay up all night without stopping. It just works so well," she says. "I need it."

Do you really need it? I've noticed that modafinil is a fine high, but I wouldn't want to rely on it. Ritalin, on the other hand, is the study drug of the Gods...

» more at: www.guardian.co.uk

Posted By amazingdrx at 2010-04-06 05:05:26 permalink | comments

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piracetam. : 2010-04-17 17:11:31

I think the term 'smart drugs' would be better if reserved for non-toxic nootropics instead of being used to describe stimulants.

psypressuk : 2010-04-09 16:42:45

Anyone needing to use 'smart drugs' for a UK university humanities course shouldn't be at university in the first place. Standards have been dropped especially x

guest : 2010-04-07 20:26:45

I was introduced to the use of stimulants for studying pretty much as soon as I showed up at a (US) university. They definitely give you a huge increase in ability to work hard in various ways (staying awake, focus, motivation). But you're right, slay, it's silly to call them "smart" drugs -- they don't make you smarter.

My friends and I would use adderall on rare occasions if it was handy and we really needed a big boost. I tried modafinil a few times and found it to be great at keeping you awake and clear headed when sleep deprived, but that's about it.

The real standby, though, has always been ephedrine. It has amphetamine-like effects, yet is mild and gentle enough that you can use it every day without feeling like a maniac. It's also cheap, legal, and can be purchased at every walgreens in america (bronkaid) without so much as a second glance.

Of course, there is one that virtually 100% of college students use, but no one ever mentions: caffeine.

slay. : 2010-04-07 18:48:44

"smart drugs" is a stupid phrase. they dont make you smarter, they make your neurons fire faster and more frequently. Regardless, its a drug, and it can cause dependence. and if you want to spend that much more on your education, well good for america.

halogenated. : 2010-04-07 11:28:51

we may not know if smart drugs are safe, but really if we had safe drugs would they be smart?

Sangoma. : 2010-04-06 13:13:15

Adderall seems to be the collegiate study-drug of choice in much of the United States. Personally, I believe that the lack of motivation that many students seem to be facing these days is due to the education system itself. Students in America, at least in my experience, are not sufficiently challenged to exercise their cognitive abilities and creative potential. How are you supposed to be motivated when you realize the illusions of the system and are being patronized by your professors? It seems to me like thousands upon thousands of youngsters are plunged into massive debt while being trained for stupidity.

Pollen. : 2010-04-06 10:31:30

Of course it makes sense that you would prefer to rely on Ritalin rather than Modafinil...

nootrop. : 2010-04-06 09:34:06

In Russia widely used phenotropil (carphedon)

awshucks. : 2010-04-06 06:45:03

I recently read that certain universities in the UK are banning smart drugs for students. The long-term implications of this are fascinating.

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