Based on a systematic review and meta- analysis we show that expectations regarding the effectiveness of these drugs exceed their actual effects , as has been demonstrated in single- or double-blind r and omised controlled trials .
For methylpheni date an improvement of memory was found , but no consistent evidence for other enhancing effects was uncovered .
Modafinil on the other h and , was found to improve attention for well-rested individuals , while maintaining wakefulness , memory and executive functions to a significantly higher degree in sleep deprived individuals than did a placebo .
However , repeated doses of modafinil were unable to prevent deterioration of cognitive performance over a longer period of sleep deprivation though maintaining wakefulness and possibly even inducing overconfidence in a person 's own cognitive performance
The term neuroenhancement refers to improvement in the cognitive , emotional and motivational functions of healthy individuals through , inter alia , the use of drugs .
Of known interventions , psychopharmacology provides readily available options , such as methylpheni date and modafinil .
Both drugs are presumed to be in widespread use as cognitive enhancers for non-medical reasons .
Self-monitoring cognitive performance during sleep deprivation: effects of modafinil, d-amphetamine and placebo.
Self-monitoring refers to the ability to assess accurately one 's own performance in a specific environment . The present study investigated the effects of the stimulating drugs modafinil ( 300 mg ) and d-amphetamine ( 20 mg ) on the ability to self-monitor cognitive performance during 64 h of sleep deprivation ( SD ) and sustained mental work . Two cognitive tasks were investigated : a visual ( perceptual ) judgement task and a complex mental addition task . Subjects in the placebo  condition displayed marked circadian and SD effects on cognitive task performance but their self-monitoring was substantively undisturbed by SD . Subjects performing under the influence of d-amphetamine likewise displayed highly proficient self-monitoring throughout the SD period . In contrast , modafinil had a disruptive effect on self-monitoring , inducing a reliable ' overconfidence ' effect ( i.e. an overestimation of actual cognitive performance ) , which was particularly marked 2 - 4 h post-dose . Although modafinil has proven to be a safe and effective countermeasure to the effects of extensive SD on cognitive task performance , we encourage a more comprehensive underst and ing of the relation between its subjective and performance enhancing effects before the drug is recommended as a viable fatigue countermeasure
Based on a systematic review and meta- analysis we show that expectations regarding the effectiveness of these drugs exceed their actual effects , as has been demonstrated in single- or double-blind r and omised controlled trials .
For methylpheni date an improvement of memory was found , but no consistent evidence for other enhancing effects was uncovered .
Modafinil on the other h and , was found to improve attention for well-rested individuals , while maintaining wakefulness , memory and executive functions to a significantly higher degree in sleep deprived individuals than did a placebo .
However , repeated doses of modafinil were unable to prevent deterioration of cognitive performance over a longer period of sleep deprivation though maintaining wakefulness and possibly even inducing overconfidence in a person 's own cognitive performance
The term neuroenhancement refers to improvement in the cognitive , emotional and motivational functions of healthy individuals through , inter alia , the use of drugs .
Of known interventions , psychopharmacology provides readily available options , such as methylpheni date and modafinil .
Both drugs are presumed to be in widespread use as cognitive enhancers for non-medical reasons .