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 .
Non-medical use of prescription stimulants among US college students: prevalence and correlates from a national survey.
AIMS To examine the prevalence rates and correlates of non-medical use of prescription stimulants ( Ritalin , Dexedrine or Adderall ) among US college students in terms of student and college characteristics . DESIGN A self-administered mail survey . SETTING One hundred and nineteen nationally representative 4-year colleges in the United States . PARTICIPANTS A representative sample of 10 904 r and omly selected college students in 2001 . MEASUREMENTS Self-reports of non-medical use of prescription stimulants and other substance use behaviors . FINDINGS The life-time prevalence of non-medical prescription stimulant use was 6.9 % , past year prevalence was 4.1 % and past month prevalence was 2.1 % . Past year rates of non-medical use ranged from zero to 25 % at individual colleges . Multivariate regression analyses indicated non-medical use was higher among college students who were male , white , members of fraternities and sororities and earned lower grade point averages . Rates were higher at colleges located in the north-eastern region of the US and colleges with more competitive admission st and ards . Non-medical prescription stimulant users were more likely to report use of alcohol , cigarettes , marijuana , ecstasy , cocaine and other risky behaviors . CONCLUSIONS The findings of the present study provide evidence that non-medical use of prescription stimulants is more prevalent among particular subgroups of US college students and types of colleges . The non-medical use of prescription stimulants represents a high-risk behavior that should be monitored further and intervention efforts are needed to curb this form of drug use
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 .