If you could pop a pill to have better memory, concentration or alertness, would you do it? That’s the choice now facing many students and workers. Drugs originally developed to help people with neurological disorders are turning up in classrooms and offices as performance enhancers.
Drugs such as Aderall and Ritalin first created for treating ADHD are used by people to increase their focus. Alzheimer’s drugs such as Namenda seem to increase memory power, Modafinil (a.k.a. Provigil) is a narcolepsy drug that increases alertness and reduces the need for sleep.
All of these drugs are prescription-only in the United States, but pharmaceutical companies are trying to get them de-regulated or to create versions for the general public.
If side-effect-free brain boosters could be developed, or ones where the benefit clearly outweighed the risk, would you take them? I would, without doubt — I’m very much a pro-technology person. But at the moment, without good studies of how they affect the general population long-term, and their quasi-legal status in most countries, I’d be hesitant. (Though Modafinil has a sweet siren call for me…)
What about you, dear reader? Would you dope your brain with the current crop of drugs? If not, does the fact that 20% of scientists use them change your mind? Leave your comments below.
If you’re interested in learning more, Click here to listen to the On Point radio show: ‘Mind-Enhancers for All?’ There’s also a list over at wired of peoples’ personal experiences with the drugs.
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Header photograph by thp365
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Fiddling with your brain is a tricky thing… unknown side-effects may linger long after use, maybe even permanently. It’s your brain; it’s *you*. You could be altering your personality in ways you don’t understand.
But then, I rarely even drink coffee or tea… I’ll eat sugary snacks though.
That 20% of scientists use something merely reveals they are human, susceptible to temptation and rationalization like any other. And being scientists, perhaps more competitive than average.
Oh, and being scientists, probably have greater access to those drugs…
I am a pre-MD/PhD student studying biology at the University of Pennsylvania. I have explored cosmetic neurology for about a year now, taking several different antidepressants, anxiolytic, and stimulant medications. I had to talk to 3 different psychiatrists before I could find one who would work with me, but I basically argued that I should have the authority to control my experience with pharmaceuticals despite having no notable symptoms (other than the ones all students have–getting stressed at times, feeling beat down after midterms are over, etc.)
I’ve been on the following regimens, with comments:
1) Prozac, Klonopin, Beta-blocker (fluoxetine, clonazepam, atenolol) – this was waayyy to strong; the clonazepam hurt my ability to study and remember things. I felt really excellent, though.
2) Strattera, Buspar (atomoxetine, buspirone) – the strattera left me feeling very “cracked out”, but did marginally help with focusing and task management. Buspar helped reduce stress and anxiety, allowing me to study without worrying about things (“Am I going to finish this? Will I do OK on the test?” etc.)
3) #2+ Provigil (modafinil) – Provigil was a giant improvement in the regimen. It really helped me wake up bright and early and feel very awake and active. Also, if you take it later in the day you can work into the night without feeling sleepy. It did not affect my ability to get to sleep.
4) Provigil, Buspar, Wellbutrin (bupropion) – My current regimen, the strattera was having too many sexual side effects, so I switched to a similar NRI with antidepressant qualities, Wellbutrin. So far it has been great. Wellbutrin definitely improves your mood and also has a stimulant-like quality.
I have also taken Ambien and Lunesta to help me go to sleep, since sometimes studying at night gets my mind racing and I can’t fall asleep.
I did a HUGE amount of research into all of these drugs and am very vigilant in watching for side effects. I take my blood pressure and heart race frequently, as some of these medications can cause increased blood pressure or stroke. Communication with your doctor is crucial, since he/she has a lot of insight into whether the drugs are working, what side effects are problematic, etc.
Lastly, I think this is an important ethical issue with social implications. On the one hand, I recognize that what I’m doing is potentially dangerous, and I manage the risks very carefully to minimize this. Others could feel pressured or coerced into enhancement, which could challenge their autonomy and happiness. On the other hand, I want to do big things in the world, and don’t you want the person working on a cancer cure to be the most focused, learned, creative person he can be (regardless of natural/enhanced)?
Feel free to ask questions I’ll check back and answer them.
“I’d would”? “I would” or “I’d”, but “I’d would” is like saying “I would would” :-P
If you want to hear a reader’s feedback :) , I rate this post for four from five. Decent info, but I just have to go to that damn google to find the missed parts. Thanks, anyway!