Nootropics (original) (raw)

The United States leads the developed world in the use of stimulants: in 2017, 30 percent of Americans surveyed stated that they had used a drug for cognitive enhancement at least once in the preceding twelve months. Among this group, 22 percent had used amphetamines such as Ritalin. Countries with high rates of ADHD diagnosis, such as the US, Australia, and Canada, have correspondingly high rates of off-label or non-prescription use of these stimulants. Indeed, only 4 percent of respondents acquired the smart drug via a medical prescription.

There are many risks associated with stimulant use, especially if the drug is used off-label and without medical consultation and supervision. Physical side effects include elevated heart-rate and risk of stroke and insomnia. Psychological side effects can include hallucinations and addiction.

The use of stimulants is often questioned for ethical as well as medical reasons. Just as steroids are considered unacceptable in sporting competitions, stimulant use among students, especially in standardized test settings, is widely deplored, though it is impossible to know just how advantageous stimulants are in study prep or test-taking.