Some of these stimulants are often used/misused by learners and students as cognitive performance enhancers.  Do a search on the internet and compile a report on the merits/ dangers of this practice. 

Attention Deficit Disorder is a behavioural syndrome that results in patients having a short attention span and in many cases learning problems, it is a neuropsychiatric chronic disorder that affect the patients their entire lives. The treatment of the syndrome allows the increased activation in certain important cortical and subcortical areas in the brain which are involved in attention and executive functioning, allowing the patient to function at a certain level of normality to be able to do daily tasks, such as being able to pay attention in class or be able to study for a test. Drugs such as Ritalin and Concerta are often misused by students who do not have this disorder as a study enhancer. However, the use of prescription stimulants without a prescription can be potentially harmful. These drugs work by increasing the concentration of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that control reasoning, problem-solving and other behaviours that can be important for studying and may help many students achieve better results. Studies done using lab rats and administering these drugs at the same capacity as adolescents, have shown changes to the brain chemistry that have an impact on our reward pathway, our locomotor activity, and certain other behaviours as well. These changes have been linked to seriously concerning behaviour such as increased risk-taking, disruptions in the sleep and wake cycle, problematic weight loss. On the other hand, these drugs have also shown anti-anxiety and anti-depressive effects. These stimulants may make it easier for the learner to concentrate, be less fidgety, and gain control over their actions. The student may also fine it easier to focus and listen in school. These types of drugs may also have adverse effects that may be potentially harmful, learners prone to anxiety or agitation, may experience worsening of those symptoms. People with a history of seizures may experience an increased prevalence of seizures. Others experience side effects such as headaches, trouble sleeping, irritability, moodiness, nervousness and in rare cases and increased heartbeat. Stimulant use can be responsible for habit formation, this is due to the quick rise of dopamine after ingesting larger doses which can cause a feeling of euphoria. With regular misuse learners can begin to experience withdrawal symptoms such as depression, fatigue, and sleeping problems. Stimulants like Ritalin may also show effects throughout the body and not just in the central nervous system. In fact, the circulatory, digestive, respiratory, muscular and skeletal, and also the reproductive system can be affected by the use of these stimulants. Without proper use control by a doctor, people can experience very serious adverse effects with non-prescription use. In many cases, without the proper knowledge of these drugs, misuse can be life-threatening.

Brand, L.Prof.  2021.  Study Unit 13: Alzheimer’s Disease, ADD/ADHD, Obesity, Nausea and Vomiting.  Unpublished lecture notes on eFundi, FKLG 312.  Potchefstroom: NWU.  [PowerPoint presentation].

Pietrangelo, A. 2019. Effects of Ritalin on the body. Healthline.com. https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/ritalin-effects-on-body

Wilde, C. 2017. Non-prescription use of Ritalin linked to adverse side effects. UBNow. http://www.buffalo.edu/ubnow/stories/2017/05/thanos-ritalin.html