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.

Merits on pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement prescribed for the use of students

Pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement has been seen to help humans become “better” and overcome currently believed limitations concerning what we are able to memorise, how long we can concentrate, or how efficiently we can make decisions and adapt to challenging environments (Bostrom and Sandberg, 2009). For example, having a good memory might be generally valued and thus positive for users. And indeed, key features of humankind have been changing over the centuries due to better healthcare, vaccination or food. One hope is that PCE can amplify human capacities for more autonomous agency and complex judgments and that its intake may even result in changes of character traits that could be beneficial for users, such as improved self-confidence (Flanigan, 2013).

Dangers on pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement misuse of students

There is no safe level of drug use. Taking any type of drug always carries some risk, so it’s important to be careful.

Large doses of stimulants can lead to psychosis, seizures, and cardiovascular events. The induction of schizophrenic-like states in AMP abusers is well documented, although the onset of such states in children on prescribed doses of stimulant medication is observed far less often (Surles et al. 2002).  The most observed cardiovascular effects linked with ADHD stimulant medications include hypertension and tachycardia. In addition, cardiomyopathy, cardiac dysrhythmias, and necrotizing vasculitis have been described.  Additional potential ADRs associated with stimulant use are important to note including abdominal pain, anorexia, constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, headache, insomnia, jitteriness, irritability, nausea, and palpitations (Greydanus and Strasburger 2006). College students with ADHD who misuse prescribed stimulants also reported hyperactivity symptoms as a common adverse event.

REFERENCES:

Bostrom, N. And A. Sandberg (2009), “Cognitive enhancement: Methods, ethics, regulatory challenges”, Science and Engineering Ethics, Vol. 15/3, pp. 311-341, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11948-009-9142-5.

Flanigan, J. (2013), “Adderall for all: A defense of pediatric neuroenhancement”, HEC Forum, Vol. 25/4, pp. 325-344, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10730-013-9222-4.

Greydanus DE, Strasburger VC, Adolescent medicine, Prim Care. 2006 Jun; 33(2):xiii-xviii.

Surles LK, May HJ, Garry JP, “Adderall-induced psychosis in an adolescent.”, J Am Board Fam Pract. 2002 Nov-Dec; 15(6):498-500.