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 .
Modafinil Attenuates Disruptions in Cognitive Performance During Simulated Night-Shift Work
Common complaints among shift workers are sleep disruptions and increased sleepiness while working , which may contribute to shift workers being more susceptible to diminished performance and work-related accidents . The purpose of this double-blind , within-participant study was to examine the effects of the alerting agent modafinil on cognitive/psychomotor performance , mood , and measures of sleep during simulated shift work . In all , 11 participants completed this 23-day residential laboratory study . They received a single oral modafinil dose ( 0 , 200 , 400 mg ) 1 h after waking for three consecutive days under two shift conditions : day shift and night shift . Shifts alternated three times during the study , and shift conditions were separated by an ‘ off ’ day . When participants received placebo , cognitive performance and subjective ratings of mood were disrupted during the night shift , relative to the day shift . Objective and subjective measures of sleep were also disrupted , but to a lesser extent . Modafinil reversed disruptions in cognitive performance and mood during the night shift . While modafinil produced few effects on sleep measures during the night shift , the largest dose produced several sleep alterations during the day shift . These data demonstrate that abrupt shift changes produced cognitive performance impairments and mood disruptions during night shift work . Therapeutic doses of modafinil attenuated night-shift-associated disruptions , but the larger dose produced some sleep impairments when administered during day-shift work
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 .