Cognition Enhancing Drugs Research Paper

Ritalin, the most common drug prescribed for ADHD, has many side effects. It can cause a variety of symptoms including nervousness, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, headaches, high blood pressure and heart rate, skin rashes, abdominal pain, weight loss, digestive problems, toxic psychosis, psychotic episodes, drug dependence, and anxiety (Bailey 3). These drugs also cause food cravings (mainly sweets), hinder allergies, psychosis and pre-existing tics. Long-term effects of Ritalin consist of

There are many medications that affect children’s health in today’s society. Doctors prescribe lots of medication which can be avoided, when children are properly diagnosed with certain health problems. Attention - deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has impacted many people with the danger of certain medications which is overprescribed to all ages each year. The hidden dangers of the medications these doctors are prescribing, is that our children are being misdiagnosed with ADHD at a very early age, and this is causing many different side effects. Long term use of these medications can cause severe side effects. The most commonly prescribed drugs, are Ritalin, Adderall and Concerta, which cause children to have nervousness, appetite suppression, insomnia and increased blood pressure and heart problems. Also pharmaceutical companies are well aware of the danger to children and adults that these drugs may cause.

Cognitive enhancing drugs, or nootropics, are a category of substances that have been purportedly shown to positively impact a user’s cognitive performance in areas such as memory, creativity, motivation, and attention1. Some cognitive enhancing drugs (CED) include common medications such as Adderall, methylphenidate, modafinil with the majority of these substances, either prescribed to patients who have attentional disorders such as ADD and ADHD or memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s due to these positive impacts on cognition. CEDs can additionally be obtained online or in store as over-the-counter supplements2 and are not only restricted to prescription medications. Due to the shown cognitive enhancement these

According to an article about the side effects of ADHD medication on Psych Central, the younger the child, the worse the side effects will be. Any child aged seven to nineteen are four to five times more likely to die of unexplained cardiac arrest due to the amounts of adderall and dexedrine in the ADHD medication. Among the many drugs used to treat the disorder, Ritalin is one of the most common. Although this medication is developing a negative reputation after the number of deaths found linked to this Stimulant. One story of a boy named Matthew, his last name is not released to the public, died at the age of 14 due to cardiac arrest caused by his ADHD medication, Methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin. Side effects from any behavior stimulant can cause side effects such as; panic attacks, insomnia, new or worsening depression/anxiety, violent mood swings, mania, etc. All of which are much worse when given to a younger child compared to an adult. The side effects of this medication whether it be needed or not can be very dangerous which is why many children should not be taking it unless it is drastically

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often continues into adulthood. ADHD causes children to have problems with paying attention, following instructions, and they can even have impulsive behaviors and become easily distracted. (mayoclinic.org/disease-conditions/adhd) Children with ADHD may also have low self esteem, depression and trouble with academics. Medications, such as Adderall and Ritalin, are used to treat the symptoms of this disorder by helping the patient to focus and pay attention while also controlling their impulsive behavior and hyperactivity (nimh.nih.gov). Side effects of these medications are sometimes, anxiety, addiction and in some cases psychosis. Many

Cognition-enhancing drugs are nothing new to society today. The only thing that is changing is the development of these drugs and their intended purpose. Drugs in the medical sense are supposed to enhance our lives in a positive way by effecting the user psychologically. The use of drugs is usually to heal an illness or to compensate for something that is lacked. Drugs are extremely susceptible to abuse by the way that they can improve the well being of the user in some type of positive way. Drugs can have many different negative side effects that can potentially outweigh the positive side effects that the drugs possess. Cognition enhancing drugs can be used for many different purposes. Many of which can be for legitimate medical purposes ranging from helping to aid people with developmental conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, neurodegenerative

This study will investigate and test how some medications can smooth the progressive advance of the Alzheimer in patients with more than 70 years. Alzheimer which is a degenerative disease of the neuro system due to memory loss is still being very questionable and debated. As of today there is no cure, nor reversal for the disease. Many researchers are still studding and looking for therapies and medication that can stop or reverse the development of the disease. It is very important to prove that some medications can help to cope with the disease. In my study I will be able to demonstrate

Throughout my college experience I have seen many students turn to prescription drugs so they can stay awake longer and increase their ability to focus. When caffeine and energy drinks no longer cut it, many students believe stimulants will improve their grades. I first learned of cognitive enhancement drugs (CEDs), such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Provigil, in high school as a secret advantage students would use during testing like the ACT. However, in college these CEDs are much more widely used, usually as recreational “study drugs,” due to their ability to help students focus their energy and concentration to a much higher level than normal. In this paper, I will argue that 1) the abuse of prescription neuro-enhancers cannot be

An online article posted on the Scientific American Mind’s website. The focus of this article is about the function and effects of stimulant medications such as Ritalin and Adderall on the human body. Because children with ADHD are hyperactive and impulsive, stimulant medication is prescribed because it stimulates parts of the brain that are responsible for attention and self-control (Higgins, 2009). According to the article, studies conducted on animals have shown that the active ingredient in these medicines, which is methylphenidate, puts the user at a higher risk for depression and anxiety in adulthood due to the function of the drugs on the brain. Due to this, the article supports the notion that doctors should be cautious when prescribing

Whoever consumes stimulants triggers hostility, aggressiveness, anxiety, paranoia, and depression. Depending on the person, their mood may transition from time to time. Stimulants for ADD/ADHD should not be taken by people with heart conditions, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, anxiety, glaucoma, or a past of drug abuse. Stimulant abuse is the main reason why stimulants should not be consumed by just any person of choice without a review of their medical history. Medications seem to be non-effective in the beginning. According to Strattera, “side effects of Strattera include: upset stomach, decreased appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, and mood swings.” The main concern is the connection between Strattera and the brain. It has been shown in scientific study that Strattera causes the person to have suicidal thoughts. Non-stimulants are next in line if Stimulants have not proven to be efficient or has severe side effects. The Methylphenidate Stimulants class contains the following drugs: Focalin, Methylin, Ritalin, Metadate ER, Methylin ER, Ritalin SR, Metadate CD, Ritalin LA, Concerta, Quillivant XR, Focalin XR, and Daytrana patch. The short-acting drugs of this class are Focalin, Methylin, and Ritalin. Because these medications are short-acting, frequent dosage is essential to manipulate the symptoms of ADHD. Focalin only lasts in a person’s system for 4-6 hours. Methylin and Ritalin only last for 3-4 hours. They all have the common side effects of appetite loss, weight loss, difficulty sleeping, and irritability. There is a high concern that if children and adolescents consume Ritalin, their brain may abnormally develop. The intermediate-acting medications of this class include Metadate ER, Methylin ER, Ritalin SR, Metadate CD, and Ritalin LA. Metadate ER and Methylin ER last for 6-8 hours, while Ritalin SR lasts for 4-8 hours. Metadate CD and Ritalin LA last a

The Food and Drug Administration approved Ritalin in 1961 for the use of treatment of childhood behavioral issues. The most common side effects have been insomnia, decreased appetite, stomachache, headache and jitteriness. However, there have been concerns of long term health effects such as liver cancer, heart attacks, violence and substance abuse (Lombardo,

Alzheimer's Disease is a condition that affects 50% of the population over the age of eighty five, which equals four million Americans each year. It is becoming an important and high-profile issue in today's society for everyone. There are rapid advancements being made in the fight against this disease now more than ever, and the purpose of this essay is to educate the public on the background as well as the new discoveries. There are many new drugs that are being tested and studied every day which slow down, and may even halt the progress of the disease.

Entitled Human Enhancement and the Future of Work this report covers a host of potential enhancement possibilities. Included are so-called smart drugs for memory and attention enhancement

Over time, an individual loses control over his most prized possession: his mind. Seniors become forgetful and slow at reasoning. Apart from age, factors such as stress, alcoholic drinks and smoking have adverse effects on the brain. In order to minimize the negative effects of losing brain cells, brain booster pills are needed. These pills are proven to be effective in improving cognition with minimal or no side effects. Adults and children can include mental enhancers in their daily diets if they just control the dosage to reduce the risk of abnormal effects.

(Ragan 2013) With Adderall being the most common drug misused, its purpose is not only too get high or lose weight, but to gain academic advantages with help in concentrating and studying. As the demands in schooling increase, there is a prevalent increase in the need for cognition enhancers to gain an advantage in the academic setting.