From Brain Gain: The Underground World Of Neuroenhancing Drugs'

In a society where quantity of work overpowers quality of work, there is no wonder why "neuroenhancing" drugs such as Adderall and Ritalin are on the rise of consumption. As more people adopt the idea that these drugs are cognitively beneficial; the more they secretly use them for non-medical reasons. Margaret Talbot, a writer for The New Yorker, looks more into this problem in her article, "From Brain Gain: The Underground World of "Neuroenhancing" Drugs". Throughout this article Talbot focuses on a new trend of drug use, such as Adderall and Ritalin, for non-medical intentions. She focuses mainly on the increase of drug use by scholars and public intellectuals throughout her article. Talbot successfully proves to her audience that non-medical

In her article, Brain Gain: The Underground World of “Neuroenhancing” Drugs, Margaret Talbot discuss’ the use of different drugs like Adderall, to boost their productivity. She’s writing to people from college up to people who have 9 to 5 office jobs. She uses her essay to not be on one side or the other, but to analyze both points of view. She never puts in, or implies, that she has had a personal experience, and her background doesn’t give her much credibility to speak on the matter to people who already have an opinion on it themselves. Talbot uses anecdotes to…and she uses statistics. But her thesis strays away from what she was indicating about the drugs.

Unfortunately, students are being deceived by the stimulant drug’s valuable qualities, masking the serious, detrimental effects that the drug induces. Even worse, contributing to Adderall’s extensive abuse across campuses, “instead of condemnation it is implicitly being praised and validated by parents and students who view these drugs as a means of academic

Christopher Wanjek, author of Smart Pills: The Truth About Cognitive Enhancing Drugs, a columnist for Live Science and a health and science writer informs readers over the strict and malicious side effects of smart pills. Throughout the article the author illustrates the merit and ethics behind the use of a drug that can become a popular norm further in the future from advocates, such as college students. However, the author feels very appalled by this and continues to further elaborate on this by exclaiming that,“Ritalin is riddled with side effects, such as heart problems, and Adderall adds all the more to the mix, such as the risk of chemical dependency”( Christopher Wanjek, December 9, 2008, Para.2). In addition, to harmful affects the

the reader understand that the drugs made them feel calm and relaxed but the natural effect of the

Conclusion: Policies and interventions should be developed on college campuses to address non-medical use and abuse of prescription stimulants among college students.

Sandra P. Thomas said in her short story “The debate about ‘Neuroenhancement’” that “In a study of more than 10,000 college students, rates were as high as 25% at some schools.” The use of such drugs are more likely seen in universities rather than community colleges. People who take neuroenhancement drugs may feel as if they have to since college is so competitiveness to get into. Neuroenhancement drugs are starting to become more popular. Thomas asked “Readers are you seeing young people in your clinical practice who are misusing stimulants?” Adderall, Ritalin, and Provigil are all drugs that people use to enhance the brain. Adderall and Ritalin are the most commonly used drug. Thomas stated in her essay that “The authors, prominent professors at institutions such as Stanford and Harvard, suggest that the drugs will prove ‘increasingly useful for improved quality of life and extended work productivity’” (669). Because neuroenhancing drugs are easily available, college students often use them despite the potential dangers posed by taking them without a prescription.

this article talked about how a person would make their own drug pretty much. like he would do it with out caring and he didn't mind using his brain as a lab rat. the things he would consume would help him to focus and to become smart i guess. but he wouldn't just take it like that. he had scales that would help him to know how much he was taking in. it talked about someone else as well. it mentioned one of them having a coffee place that would sell these things. but with all the consuming they had bad effects. such as muscle spams, and brain fog.

Bennett says that "heavy drug use - destroys human character" (550) and therefore it is immoral and is lacking in virtue. The abuse of drugs abolishes the values of an autonomy and ruin relationships, according to Bennett. He states that drug use dismantles friendships and families while at the same time sabotaging our mind and body. He then discredits the intellectuals and affirms that the real experts on the subject are those who have witnessed it firsthand, such as: "teachers, cops, parents, (and) kids" (550). He exclaims that these people are facing living with the consequences of drugs everyday and witnessing the horrid effects of drugs, while concurrently battling against drug use. The intellectuals fail to comprehend the complete effects of drugs on these people and their lives, Bennett explains, so they find "pseudosolutions like legalization" (551) effective and

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, violence and death became part of Talbott’s daily life, and moving became part of survival. After moving to a new orphanage, freedom was likely taken away. Everyday, he would pray to get adopted and escape to the “Great America”. One day, Talbott finally got the news that he’s been praying for everyday, he’s been adopted. On the same night, incidents and fears break in, and Talbott witnessed the terrifying violence and murders,it became one of the most unforgettable moment in his life. Finally, the day he’s been waiting for is here, Talbott was taken from the orphanage to the jet plane, that moment he feel freedom is on the way. After arriving to America, he was soon introduced to his new family, living in Annapolis, Maryland. Facing his new family, Talbott was afraid of getting close to his family because he fears of losing them, and hid his love inside him. But later, he found a way of showing his love to the family. Friend still played a big part, and encouraged him when he faces challenges. In school, academics pushed Talbott to depression, and suicidal, but he keeps on going

In an age where a college degree is becoming more of a necessity, the high stress levels and competitiveness experienced by students at colleges and universities can become to much to bare. In turn, certain individuals seek the help of study drugs, also known as nootropics, “refer to the out-of-accordance use of prescription stimulants like Ritalin, Vyvanse, and Adderall to increase mental focus when studying. These drugs are commonly prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) patients and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD) patients. When used without a prescription, however, they can be dangerous. But despite the risks, 1 in 5 college students use study drugs to get a short-term energy boost to plow through the dreaded all-nighters” (“Study Drugs”).

Neurocognitive enhancers (e.g. nootropics, stimulants) are psychoactive medications that aim to extend the abilities of the human mind. Although these drugs are being developed for the primary purpose of treating neurological conditions like dementia, some of the medications also improve performance in the healthy (Chaterjee 2). Pharmaceuticals that are used in the context of satisfying a non-medical goal are regarded as lifestyle drugs (Flower 182). Lifestyle medicine treats issues that rest at the margins of health and well-being. Whether we like it or not, there is a growing demand for cognitive enhancement. Barbara Sahakian, clinical neuropsychologist at Cambridge University, tells The New Yorker that “the drive for self-enhancement of cognition is likely to be as strong if not stronger than in the realms of ‘enhancement’ of beauty and sexual function” (Talbot). Our growing understanding of the neural bases of behavior, personality, and cognition will only catalyze the intense research efforts to develop neuroenhancers. The neuroscientific advances in our consumerist society make cosmetic neurology near inevitable. Thus, cosmetic psychopharmacology should not be prohibited.

From observing people today and reading the book, there are a lot of similarities for why people used psychoactive drugs to cope with their environment. The people that I have talked to have mentioned that they use the drugs to get out of the depression or to forget about it for a while. This can be because they are depressed about money, relationship, etc. Each of these which can be, in a sense, their environment since they have to interact with it on either their daily lives or every so often. As for back then in history, people used the psychoactive drugs to feel happier if they were upset. It also said in the book that they used to get over their fear of rivals and therefore would be more willing to go fight. It would seem that regardless

Before I start, let it be known that I have used, experienced, and studied drugs extensively of my own volition. I might have cultivated some. I am not an expert, nor do I profess in any fields other than Music Theory and Composition.

As I listened to the podcast "Psychoactive Drugs Through Human History" the whole video was a learning experience for me, most of what he said I was hearing for the first time. Usually when you hear about drugs in school or from people all you hear are drugs are bad, they are addicting and can kill you, you never hear about the details or that some drugs are good. So as Doctor Weil explains the many different drugs and the Cultures that use them, I was surprised at most of what he said. The most surprising was that there is no good or bad drug, any drug can be used either intelligently or stupidly, I have never heard it said that way.