Scientists take drugs to boost brain power: study

AFP ^ | Apr 9

[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.

[Aristotelian]

[infantrywhooah]

This freakin’ world has lost it’s collective mind.

[isrul]

The headline says scientists. The article say academics working in scientific institution. In my mind there is a great difference. But I'm not taking any of the mentioned drugs.

[SpaceBar]

Wilson of the NIDA expressed surprise at the rate of substance abuse shown, but cautioned that the survey did not meet rigorous scientific standards.

So he's going to take the study home, pop some pills, and review it for accuracy.

[KarlInOhio]

When do they start stripping Nobel Prizes like Olymic gold medals?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

A druggie is a druggie.

Period.

[Eurale]

Global warming experts?

[Resolute Conservative]

They call it mellow yellow?

[fightinJAG]

Paging Tim O’Leary!

[BallyBill]

So, when the Global Warming People talk about being “toasted”, just what are they talking about?

[Gator113]

“In the survey, 80 percent of all the scientists — even those who did not use these drugs — defended the right of “healthy humans” to take them as work boosters, and more than half said their use should not be restricted, even for university entrance exams. “

Therefore, 80% of all the scientists, in the survey, are complete idiots.

Amazing, simply amazing.

[corkoman]

A druggie is a druggie. Period.

Does the drinker of this qualify as one of your druggies?

[Rudder]

Timothy Leary, O’fightinJAG.

[ffusco]

So you never drink coffee, tea, smoke, take any RX or aspirin I take it?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Never.

[Ender Wiggin]

Oh great. Now Nobel nominees must pee in a cup before they can get their prize.

Whats next, caffeine, betel?

[fightinJAG]

O’yeah!

As soon as I hit “post,” I was thinking waitaminute, did I just Irish-ize the LSD man? lol

[snarks_when_bored]

Only dummies need inteligent enhancing dregs...

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

“In the survey, 80 percent of all the scientists — even those who did not use these drugs — defended the right of “healthy humans” to take them as work boosters,

Crystal meth was developed by a Japanese chemist in the 1930s. It was though at first to be a great "performance enhancer" and was widely distributed to industrial workers and military personnel. It wasn't until six months or so later that the paranoia started becoming obvious. It was dropped as a bad idea then, it's still a very bad idea.

Regards,
GtG

[Centurion2000]

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.

So bascially we've found the steroids of the academic world?