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Smart drugs: Implications of student use.
1Institute for Substance Abuse Studies, BRH Division, University of Virginia, Box 15, 22901, Charlottesville, VA.
The Journal of Primary Prevention
|November 22, 2013
Summary
College students are using nootropic smart drugs to boost cognitive function. A survey found 5% of male students reported using drugs for intelligence enhancement, with 2.5% likely using nootropics.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Smart drugs, or nootropics, are pharmaceuticals used to treat cognitive decline.
- Non-medical use of nootropics is increasing among healthy individuals, particularly college students.
- Popular media attention has focused on cognitive enhancement through smart drugs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the implications of non-medical nootropic smart drug use in a college student population.
- To compare nootropic drug use with anabolic steroid use among students.
- To investigate the prevalence of smart drug use for cognitive enhancement in college students.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted among college students.
- The survey assessed the self-reported use of drugs for cognitive enhancement.
- Prevalence rates for general smart drug use and specific nootropic use were calculated.
Main Results:
- 5% of male college students reported casual use of drugs to enhance intelligence, memory, or cognitive function.
- An estimated 2.5% of these students likely used nootropic drugs.
- The study provides an initial estimate of nootropic prevalence in this demographic.
Conclusions:
- Non-medical use of nootropic smart drugs is present in the college student population.
- Further research is needed to understand the motivations, effects, and risks associated with student nootropic use.
- The findings highlight a potential public health concern regarding cognitive enhancers in young adults.
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