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‘Smart Drugs’ such as Dexedrine, Modafinil and Ritalin, used to treat medical conditions such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), are now being used amongst the UK’s student and working population to help them study for longer, reduce the need for sleep and even curb hunger. The use of such drugs without a prescription is illegal, and if found guilty of Ritalin possession, you can face up to five years in prison.
Ritalin was created as part of the search for treating depression and fatigue. Soon doctors began prescribing to children suffering from ADD. In recent years, it has become increasingly popular amongst students in American colleges and universities. 21 year-old Chris, a student at a Scottish university, took Ritalin whilst studying. ‘I was struggling to stay awake’, he says. ‘I was worried about the side effects so I only took one. An American exchange student who had brought them back from her stay had offered them me. I could not believe how well it worked! I did not even need to stop to eat and I managed to stay up and concentrate for hours on end.’
How Smart Drugs Work
It is not yet known why these so-called ‘smart drugs’, which were originally created to combat narcolepsy and depression, work on a healthy human brain. The active ingredient in Ritalin, methylphenidate hydrochloride, acts by manipulating natural chemicals in the brain, which control behaviour and attention span. Non-prescription ‘smart drugs’ can help you recall and pinpoint exact pieces of information with precise accuracy.
Modafinil, a non-addictive prescription drug, is also being used by young people to help with concentration. However the use of such stimulants remains controversial. Those who take them see it as a means to aid their study, or stay on top of their hectic lifestyles. Others say that the use of such medication enhances their mental capability, therefore giving them an unfair advantage over peers who cannot or are unwilling to take medication to help them get ahead.
Possible side effects
The risks associated with taking these ‘smart drugs’ include myriad unpleasant side effects such as loss of appetite, insomnia and agitation. The addictive quality of Ritalin adds to the problem. Prolonged use of these types of stimulants builds up resistance so that a tolerance develops, much like with alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms that have been reported include depression, irritability, and delirium. The dangers posed to a previously healthy brain are unknown, as the drugs have not been made available long enough to determine the long term side effects. Prescription drugs used to treat irregular behavioral activities can upset the delicate balance between neurotransmitters in the brain that can induce mania, affect the heart, and lead to suicidal thoughts.
Despite this, the lure of stimulants can be hard to resist for some people. ‘ I was working 30 hour weeks on top of university and I was finding it difficult to concentrate. At the same time I was having a few problems at home and ended up missing lots of classes,’ explained Kristy, a student at Glasgow University. ‘It was amazing! All of a sudden I was absorbing all this information! I had missed so many lectures but I was able to stay up for ages and concentrate.’
Other methods
There is a more healthy and advisable route to raising your alertness and mental agility. Rather than bombarding the body with coffee and high amounts of Red Bull, you could boost your brain with simple, old-fashioned exercise. By increasing the flow of blood the brain you can absorb much more information and also enjoy the other benefits associated with running, cycling and swimming such as improved mood and reduced risk of heart disease. Exercise releases endorphins and adrenaline in the body creating a general feeling of well –being, calm and good health.
Words by Shaznaz Miah
