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Scientists take drugs to boost brain power: study
AFP ^ | Apr 9

Posted on 04/09/2008 2:16:17 PM PDT by Aristotelian

Twenty percent of scientists admit to using performance-enhancing prescription drugs for non-medical reasons, according to a survey released Wednesday by Nature, Britain's top science journal. The overwhelming majority of these med-taking brainiacs said they indulged in order to "improve concentration," and 60 percent said they did so on a daily or weekly basis.

The 1,427 respondents -- most of them in the United States -- completed an informal, online survey posted on the "Nature Network" Web forum, a discussion site for scientists operated by the Nature Publishing Group.

More than a third said that they would feel pressure to give their children such drugs if they knew other kids at school were also taking them.

"These are academics working in scientific institutions," Ruth Francis, who handles press relations for the group, told AFP.

The survey focused on three drugs widely available by prescription or via the Internet.

Ritalin, a trade name for methylphenidate, is a stimulant normally used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, especially in children. Modafinil -- marketed at Provigil -- is prescribed to treat sleep disorders, but is also effective against general fatigue and jet lag.

Both medications are common currency on college campuses, used as "study aids" to sharpen performance and wakefulness.

(snip)

More than 57 percent of the respondents were 35 years old or younger.

(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...


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To: Aristotelian

When I was in college, I remember hearing about other students taking performance enhancing drugs, and using hypnosis, to give them an advantage when taking tests.

For some odd reason, these kids never seemed to do as well as the smart kids, who didn’t try to cheat.


21 posted on 04/09/2008 3:26:11 PM PDT by 3niner (War is one game where the home team always loses.)
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To: Centurion2000

I always used to think the 60’s and 70’s were the times of pill popping mania but I think it’s worse now. It has just moved from illicit drugs to prescription ones


22 posted on 04/09/2008 3:31:43 PM PDT by infantrywhooah (Hold your nose and vote in November. Even McCain is better than the alternatives)
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To: Gator113
Therefore, 80% of all the scientists, in the survey, are complete idiots.

That must be why they defend the drugs. If they were not idiots, they would realize that as more and more took Smart Pills, the Global Warming Fraud woud collapse.

23 posted on 04/09/2008 3:38:34 PM PDT by Gorzaloon
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Extra credit for consistency!


24 posted on 04/09/2008 4:00:58 PM PDT by ffusco (Maecilius Fuscus,Governor of Longovicium , Manchester, England. 238-244 AD)
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To: Eurale

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The late astronomer and author, Carl Sagan was a secret but avid marijuana smoker, crediting it with inspiring essays and scientific insight, according to Sagan’s biographer.


25 posted on 04/09/2008 4:10:15 PM PDT by Aristotelian ("Sock it to me!" Judy Carne)
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To: Aristotelian
Ritalin, a trade name for methylphenidate, is a stimulant normally used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, especially in children.

Huh? Okay, could someone explain to me why a HYPERactivity disorder is treated with a stimulant!?

26 posted on 04/09/2008 4:28:28 PM PDT by wvguy (Montani semper liberi)
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To: wvguy

The brains of children react differently from adults to drugs like amphetamines.


27 posted on 04/09/2008 5:09:07 PM PDT by count-your-change (you don't have to be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
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To: wvguy

The brains of children react differently from adults to drugs like amphetamines.


28 posted on 04/09/2008 5:18:09 PM PDT by count-your-change (you don't have to be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
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To: count-your-change
The brains of children react differently from adults to drugs like amphetamines.

Not quite. Most kids, if you give them speed, will react in the same manner as adults. The brains of people with some anomalies that fall under terms such as ADD etc react differently to amphetamine in which there is almost a calming effect. Its called a paradoxical reaction.

29 posted on 04/09/2008 5:21:51 PM PDT by corkoman
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To: snarks_when_bored
See what happens when you learn to type too fast? LOL ... I'm 62. All we had in college were little green footballs (amphetamines). The after effects were dreadful! BTW, ritalin can screw up a healthy person's thyroid regulation. Now coffee's active, caffeine, is a chemical which (related to/as xanthenes[sp?]) peps you up short term and opens the bronchial tree so you breathe better! Good for your sexual functioning, also, as a cardiovascular enhancement. The viagra class of drugs, however, can have a dangerous abdominal artery effect leading to aneurism if abused. Not reported much in the med lit because of PC!
30 posted on 04/09/2008 5:25:27 PM PDT by MHGinTN (Believing they cannot be deceived, they cannot be convinced when they are deceived.)
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To: wvguy

With ADHD, the brain is more or less chronically under-aroused, as it doesn’t get enough natural stimulation from normal day to day activities. And it’s thought that the hyperactivity is something of a homeostatic response, which kicks in to try and increase stimulation until an optimal arousal level is achieved. That is, in the absence of enough stimulation, the person essentially tries to seek it out for themselves - hence the presence of hyperactivity, or inclinations towards daydreaming, risk-taking, etc. Once the person is stimulated enough, they become calmer. Taking stimulant drugs is just an easier, more reliable means of accomplishing the same thing, without the negative consequences and externalities of the other means.

I have ADHD myself and take Adderall XR on a regular basis.


31 posted on 04/09/2008 6:29:34 PM PDT by Government Is Slavery
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To: corkoman

I stand corrected.


32 posted on 04/09/2008 6:58:55 PM PDT by count-your-change (you don't have to be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
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To: MHGinTN

My brain drugs of choice are Ghirardelli’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate chips.


33 posted on 04/10/2008 8:39:12 AM PDT by snarks_when_bored
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To: infantrywhooah
...it’s collective mind.

The fact that it's a "collective mind" to begin with is the biggest part of the problem.

34 posted on 04/10/2008 8:46:24 AM PDT by Andonius_99 (There are two sides to every issue. One is right, the other is wrong; but the middle is always evil.)
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To: Aristotelian

Since Benezedrine inhalors were made illegal and probably for good reason because of a tendency to trigger clotting, alternatives, even more dangerous have been sought. Coffee and cigarettes are still legal in some places.


35 posted on 04/10/2008 8:50:14 AM PDT by RightWhale (Repeal the Law of the Excluded Middle)
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To: Centurion2000

Ritalin and Provigil use are pretty common at academically competitive universities. I’ve seen it. Since they’re approved prescription drugs, cooperative MDs will write the script.


36 posted on 04/10/2008 8:52:53 AM PDT by nascarnation
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To: Government Is Slavery
With ADHD, the brain is more or less chronically under-aroused, as it doesn’t get enough natural stimulation from normal day to day activities. And it’s thought that the hyperactivity is something of a homeostatic response, which kicks in to try and increase stimulation until an optimal arousal level is achieved. That is, in the absence of enough stimulation, the person essentially tries to seek it out for themselves - hence the presence of hyperactivity, or inclinations towards daydreaming, risk-taking, etc. Once the person is stimulated enough, they become calmer. Taking stimulant drugs is just an easier, more reliable means of accomplishing the same thing, without the negative consequences and externalities of the other means.

That makes sense. Thanks for helping me understand!

37 posted on 04/10/2008 3:15:02 PM PDT by wvguy (Montani semper liberi)
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To: wvguy

No problem! :)


38 posted on 04/11/2008 3:53:40 PM PDT by Government Is Slavery
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