"We should welcome new methods of improving our brain function. In a world in which human workspans and lifespans are increasing, cognitive enhancement tools — including the pharmacological — will be increasingly useful for improved quality of life and extended work productivity, as well as to stave off normal and pathological age-related cognitive declines23. Safe and effective cognitive enhancers will benefit both the individual and society."So say a bunch of brain-adderalled psychiatrists, an ethicist, a couple of neuroscientists, etc. -- at least two of whom consult for or receive grants from "a number of pharmaceutical companies" -- in a "provocative commentary" in Nature magazine (see "Scientists back brain drugs for healthy people").
Well, if that makes sense, then let's first legalize marijuana is all I got to say on that!
When I was a college student, I didn't have no stinkin' adderall to help me pass exams. It was old-fashioned "all nighters" and nodoze that pulled me through! Today it's just caffeine delivered via coffee.
But I would never take a PRESCRIPTION pill developed by our stellar drug industry to enhance my brain power! After all, caffeine and marijuana have been around for a long, long time and we know the risk profile pretty well. Adderall, not so much!
In a similiar way, others have used acetylcholinesterase inhibitors to improve their cognitive function. Such drugs are for Alzheimer's disease and flood the brain with the neurotransmitter, acetycholine
ReplyDeleteTaking medicine is not that good all the things as compare with natural one.Medical is good enough until and unless you are actually required it. Scientific medicine has there own side-effects but one should consult the doctors before using such medicine.
ReplyDeleteyou know, I understand how adderall is over prescribed and abused by so so many people but I am someone who has chronic add. All my life I never could just get it together, it made me depressed until the point where I'd have many nervous break downs and my my grades, my life fell apart. I did keep trying though, a common trait in add is that although frustrated one with true add still keeps going, but it got to the point where nothing worked. My therapist gave me a million suggestions, I visted many differnt ones hoping to hear some good advice, but nothing worked and I was so lost. She finially said maybe I should see a psych. and I did and he said how obvious it was that I have add. Since then I have read up, somethng important to do if you want to understand and with medication and therapy, my life changed and there was a huge weight lifed off my shoulders. Today I go to a great college in Boston and am able to thrive as I always knew I could but for some reason could never quite get there. While I was VERY unsure about wantig to take adderall and while it had its side effects and deffidently is not for everyone I became a new person who proved everyone who called me "lazy" or "space case" etc wrong and that is great.
ReplyDeleteSorry for ramble, I just hate when people generalize such a huge thing like ADD, especially in such a one sided way. It makes sense, is "your day" one did not take medication. Today while yes too many people are over prescribed for a number of things, there are people out there who get so much out of it, in "our day" medication is avaliable, as time progresses more discoveries are made everyday. ;)
sam