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 .
Comparison of acute behavioral effects of sustained-release and immediate-release methylphenidate.
The rate of onset of a drug 's effect is an important determinant of its abuse potential . This experiment examined the acute behavioral effects of orally administered sustained-release methylpheni date ( SR ; 20 - 40 mg ) , immediate-release methylpheni date ( IR ; 20 - 40 mg ) , and placebo in 10 healthy volunteers .  Drug effects were assessed before drug administration and periodically afterwards for 6 hr using drug-effect question naires and performance measures that are sensitive to the acute effects of stimulants . The IR formulation produced stimulant-like drug effects ( e.g. , increased ratings of " good effects " ) that generally varied as a function of dose and time . The SR formulation produced only transient effects on these measures . These findings are consistent with previous research on the influence of rate of onset using other drugs and suggest that the abuse potential of IR methylpheni date may be greater than that of SR methylpheni date
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 .