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 .
Neurochemical and Psychotropic Effects of Bupropion in Healthy Male Subjects
Bupropion is a weak inhibitor of noradrenaline ( NE ) and dopamine ( DA ) reuptake and has no direct action on serotonin ( 5-HT ) neuronal elements . In the rat brain , bupropion suppresses NE neuron firing activity via the activation of α2-adrenoceptors and increases that of 5-HT neurons through an indirect action on NE neurons . Twenty-five healthy young male volunteers , with no previous history of psychiatric disorders , were r and omized to one of four 7-day regimens : placebo , bupropion ( 150 mg ) once daily , bupropion ( 150 mg ) twice a day , and methylpheni date SR ( 20 mg daily ) . To assess the activity of the NE reuptake process , the blood pressure response to intravenous tyramine was determined . A decrease in the systolic pressure response to tyramine was considered evidence of NE reuptake inhibition . Effects on 5-HT reuptake were assessed by measuring whole blood 5-HT concentration , with a decrease serving as an index of 5-HT reuptake blockade . The Profile of Mood States ( POMS ) scale was used to assess behavioral and psychological changes . Neither bupropion nor methylpheni date altered the tyramine pressor response , in contrast to previous data that demonstrated decreases were obtained with NE reuptake inhibitors . Neither drug modified 5-HT concentrations . However , POMS scores revealed that bupropion at a dosage of 150 mg/day increased composedness , agreeability , and energy , whereas 300 mg/day improved only attention . In contrast , methylpheni date improved only energy . These data provide no evidence that bupropion acts as an inhibitor of NE or 5-HT reuptake in healthy humans . Presumably it enhances synaptic availability of NE by increasing release . Yet , because its behavioral profile is different from that of methylpheni date , it may not share all the biochemical properties of psychostimulants
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 .