Perceived benefits of smart drugs
So, what exactly are people hoping to achieve when they take smart drugs? “The effective benefits are largely unknown and difficult to measure for most indicators. When using substances for cognitive enhancement, students aim to increase their focus, concentration, memory, or just their stamina and mood,” says Dr. Maier.
Efficacy of smart drugs
But do smart drugs actually work? Dr. Thompson doesn’t think so, not unless there is an undiagnosed medical issue. “There’s very little evidence that if you don’t have ADHD that they work. So that begs the question, when all those people are on the television and in these documentaries saying ‘they work for me’ – do you have undiagnosed ADHD?” says Dr. Thompson.
Dr. Maier told us that it depends on the substance, dose, task and individual. “When comparing the perceived effects, non-medically used Modafinil and prescription drugs seem to work well, while substances with sedative effects that may also be used to calm down, ignoring test anxiety and, thus, focus better are less successful,” says Dr. Maier. However, it’s important to note that given stimulant drugs tend to increase dopamine “it is unclear whether people are actually better or just more motivated and, therefore study longer/more/with less distraction,” she adds.
The research also points to a potential win / lose outcome when taking smart drugs. “Some of the studies in healthy students could show that some cognitive functions increased (e.g. short-term memory function) while others were impaired (e.g., cognitive flexibility). Depending on the task, a substance may then become helpful or not and, of course, people who are sleep-deprived will benefit more,” says Dr. Maier.
Side effects and risks of smart drugs
- Unknown long-term impact: “The long-term side effects are unknown and again strongly dependent on dose and frequency of use,” says Dr. Maier.
- Students’ brains are still developing: “One of the issues with students using smart drugs is the fact their brains are still developing. You just don’t know what this might do to a developing brain. Because of course, the brain is developing until at least 25,” says Dr. Thompson.
- Unknown ingredients: “The substance may contain unexpected adulterants e.g., when bought from the black market,” says Dr. Maier.
- Potential addiction: “We do think there are addictive risks for people,” says Dr. Thompson.
- Sleep issues: “For the most part, side effects occur when the dose is too high e.g., restlessness, sweating, sleeping problems,” says Dr. Maier.
- No effect: “Other than that, the most common result will be no/weaker-than-expected effect,” says Dr. Maier.
- Health complications: “What if you don’t know that you have an undiagnosed blood pressure or kidney problem, and we do always pick up students with undiagnosed heart conditions. You take one of these and the side effects are things like palpitations and high blood pressure: it could be disastrous. They’re taking something that is an active medication and they don’t know what they’re messing with,” says Dr. Thompson.
- Over confidence: “It induces over-confidence and that’s the risk – you think your essay is going to be amazing. Actually, it’s no better, it’s just longer and going on repeatedly about the same stuff,” says Dr. Thompson.
The demand for smart drugs
Given the questionable efficacy and potential side effects, what is driving the demand for smart drugs? “Students hear or read about it, and those who are either struggling or competitive/excited may then engage in the use specifically for cognitive enhancement,” says Dr. Maier. In addition, she tells us that the role of peers should not be underestimated, “as they strongly influence the conceptions of efficacy.”
However, it’s not just students taking smart drugs – their professors are too. An online study of 1,400 academics from 60 countries found that one in five had used these drugs for non-medical reasons in order to stimulate their focus, concentration or memory.
And what happens when you zoom out of the higher education context? “Is it actually a symptom of, if you like, a sick society? Is it success by any means necessary?” asked Dr. Thompson. “Those are the questions you need to ask if you are getting into conversations.”
