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Study Drugs

Reading an article on ABC news here:
http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/Health/story?id=814896&page=1
and I was astounded by the culture it portrays in some american universities with regard to the use of so-called "study" drugs. How little stigma there is and how it's pretty much taken for granted due to the enormous numbers of people using them. I'm talking of drugs like Adderall and Ritalin. Now personally I have not gone that far... yet. I have similar motivations, my attention span is my enemy when it comes to doing as well as I can in college (attempting to gain a scholarship). Everyday I'm going to study I often take things like ginseng, ginkgo biloba, eye-Q (fish-oils) and a whole lot of caffeine. The only tend to work so well.

I agree with an ethics columnist in the article when he comments that there is little ethical reason not to take these, if you are a student whose priorities are to do well. Even if it is seen by some to give an "unfair advantage".
"If there's a pill I can take, you take this pill and I'll know French, you'd be an idiot not to take the pill,"

When questioned further however he goes on to state that he would object to his daughter using them purely on health reasons and not ethical ones.
Now the health reasons I understand somewhat. There is a potential for abuse as they have similar effects to amphetamines. However in the hands of a careful responsible adult, is their really any harm in a person using these for an academic boost? These drugs are prescribed to children as young as 6 in the US almost willy-nilly. In that context, I can't see their responsible use as anything more than a negligible health risk. There are many "scare" articles out there too that plug ridiculous statistics at you. They're very easy to spot with their sensationalist tone. Similar articles are to be found on topics ranging from cannabis to cantaloupes. These rarely factor into my opinion..

Has anyone here used them for an academic edge? How did you find them? What are your opinions on this? The more I read and apply logic, the less conflicted I feel.

Here is another interesting unbiased article:
http://www.straight.com/content.cfm?id=8093

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Reply 1

Segat1

Well, long long ago there was a Movie which came out on Video when I was a teenager called Empire Records, where Liv Tyler (old time movie actress) took speed to study SO HARD so she could get into Harvard. And she did. It was very good movie. The End

Reply 2

Trigger

moral of the story....speed is your study buddy friend...^o)

Reply 3

Cirsium

Ah I take it you've never seen what Ritalin can do to people
There's a reason they don't prescribe it anymore
Also umm you do realise that while caffeine will keep you awake it will shoot your attention span to pieces right?

Reply 4

nikk

I don't believe in all that stuff. I think, if anything, those drugs will have a negative effect on your academic performance in the long run. What ever happened to drinking coffee anyhow? :p:

Reply 5

ApeXaviour

Bekaboo

Ah I take it you've never seen what Ritalin can do to people
There's a reason they don't prescribe it anymore

Please elaborate? Is it the reason they prescribe adderall more nowadays?

Bekaboo

Also umm you do realise that while caffeine will keep you awake it will shoot your attention span to pieces right?

Caffeine.. I wouldn't say that entirely. There's no doubt it helps somewhat. But in excess it makes me feel jittery which is counterproductive. Also you build up an incredible tolerance to it very fast.

--------------

nikk

I don't believe in all that stuff. I think, if anything, those drugs will have a negative effect on your academic performance in the long run.

And you base this on...?

Reply 6

Fluffy

I use Eye-Q, and stupidly up my dose the week before an exam, but that's all.

I think it helps, my attention span certainly seems better, but whether that's the wonder of omega-3 or the placebo effect I do not know!

Reply 7

sr4470

I dont agree with using these kinds of substances unless theres a medical reason for it. Performance enhancing drugs are a no-no.

Reply 8

Cirsium

ApeXaviour

Please elaborate? Is it the reason they prescribe adderall more nowadays?
1. They're incredibly physically addictive. Kids who are on them all the time get more and more wired whenever they're off them to the point where they literally cannot live without them
2. They have all kinds of weirdo side affects. Like one of my friends when he was first put on ritalin started hallucinating about aeroplanes - as in oo look I turned around in my room and wow there's a jumbo jet in here with me.

Reply 9

sr4470

Bekaboo

1. They're incredibly physically addictive. Kids who are on them all the time get more and more wired whenever they're off them to the point where they literally cannot live without them
2. They have all kinds of weirdo side affects. Like one of my friends when he was first put on ritalin started hallucinating about aeroplanes - as in oo look I turned around in my room and wow there's a jumbo jet in here with me.

Mainly the reason for me avoiding them.

I want some :frown:

I had exams on alternative/herbal stuff the last couple of years so thought it would be only right to see for myslef if they work. I tried ginseng, and if it did do anything, it wasn't particularly profound. i passed though, and i suppose i did feel calmer after taking some. that might be a placebo effect too though.

Other than that, i drink coffee until my mouth is dry and i'm gasping for water. at which point i flick the kettle back on.

Reply 12

sr4470

Icy Ghost

I want some :frown:

I thought I told you to get back to work!

:rofl:

Reply 13

nikk

ApeXaviour

And you base this on...?

I was particularly referring to substances such as 'Pro-Plus'. In my experience they actually decrease your attention span and make you irritable in the long run.

For things such as 'Eye-Q', they do actually state that they are only supplements to ensure your normal intake of *insert substance here* (LC-FAs in the case of Eye-Q). If you eat a healthy diet anyway, I personally don't believe they are required, or indeed, make any difference. However, if your nutrition is poor, and you have a deficiency, then that is another matter altogether.

Reply 14

Cirsium

There's a whole lot of difference though between a supplement like that and Ritalin

Reply 15

Indus1986

Intereting... very interesting... In the name of science I think we must investigate this further. I shall sacrifice myself.

Reply 16

Me too

Reply 17

Indus1986

Anonymous

Me too

You get the books i'll get the Ritalin.

Reply 18

Reply 19

xx hannah xx

I don't agree with them either. All you need is a good diet, enough sleep and to drink plenty of water. Oh and also not to leave all revision to the last minute so you have no choice than to pump yourself full of caffeine and revise for 48 hours solid lol :wink:

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