Have you ever heard classmates of yours talk about drinking coffee, energy drinks or even taking prescription drugs just so they can remain active enough to study for longer hours?
What do you make of this? Does the end justify the means? Or do you think it is just plain harmful? Why not let’s consider some facts.
Certain prescription study drugs, sometimes called smart drugs, are often used to treat attention deficit disorder or narcolepsy (a condition characterised by an extreme tendency to fall asleep whenever in relaxing surroundings), but students without these conditions sometimes take them when they study to enhance focus and concentration.
That’s where the terms study drugs, or smart drug come from, because it gives a person the perception that they are smarter than they may actually be. If you have seen the Bradley Cooper movie and series Limitless, you will understand how this is possible.
How Do Students Get Access To These Drugs?
Some get these medications from their peers or take them from someone with a prescription. And those who are prescribed these medications could be misusing or distributing them to others.
Now to the meat of the story….
How Safe Are These Drugs?
1. These drugs are not safer because they are prescription medications
You may think that prescription drugs are not as dangerous as illicit drugs because they are prescribed by a doctor, but that’s not always true.
Take the prescription drug Adderall for example, it can help students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder bring their focus levels back to normal, but when people who do not need extra simulation take these medications, the effect can be detrimental.
You also run the risk of these drugs interacting with other medications you are taking or interfering with underlying health issues that you may have.
2. You may become addicted and dependent on study drugs instead of building crucial life skills
When you rely on a medication to help you complete routine tasks, this will hinder you from developing the work ethic that goes along with dealing with setting aside the time to study.
Instead of relying on so-called wonder drugs, sharpen your executive function skills, such skills like planning, organisation and study persistence. You will be less likely to turn to study drugs if you have these skills.
3. There are behavioural signs that become evident when you abuse these drugs
Such signs as decreased appetite, weight loss, hyperactivity, difficulties with sleeping, sleep disturbances and a sharp change in your their behavior in terms of focus.
What Should You Do?
If you or someone you know has been abusing these drugs, you would notice that someone who had previously been studying and had a study routine, no longer does this but often goes on almost like a binge study; that might be a sign that they may be using some type of stimulant medication, like a smart drug.
But instead of accusing such ones without substantial evidence, it is best if you talk to them first. Begin the conversation with a statement of what you have noticed and explore techniques of broaching the topic of drug use – perhaps note the change in behaviour, like staying up all night to study, which before was alien to them, and go from there.
Very few will admit to using these drugs, but nonetheless, it leaves an opening for you to talk about the potential dangers, healthy ways of improving academic performance and how you want to help.
Also, do not leave a doctor out of the picture, they may be your best bet in identifying signs of study drug abuse and best ally in discussing these drugs with the abusers.
This article was adapted from an earlier one written by Alexandra Pannoni of usnews.com
