Don't buy hype

Stimulant drugs, otherwise known as ‘smart drugs, cognitive enhancers or brain boosters, are being used by students in order to supposedly aid their study.

But the use of these drugs is not smart, it’s outright stupid.

When you realise that these drugs can potentially create terrible effects, their use is testimony to a smart pharmaceutical marketing strategy.

This type of chemical “fix” is just another initiative to maximise profits.

A student may stay awake and complete his or her assignment, but the chemical crutch has nothing to do with intelligence.

Studies have found those who take amphetamine-type or other prescribed, mind-altering drugs do not perform better academically.

In fact, those who take these drugs fail just as many courses, and drop out of school just as often, as children who do not take them.

Psychiatric drugs are, in my opinion, habit-forming and addictive.

Withdrawal from them can be far more difficult than from illegal drugs.

The evolution of these drugs has been a procession of claimed “miraculous” new developments.

Some of the side effects associated with stimulant drugs include aggression, blurred vision, depression, dizziness, drowsiness, hallucinations, headaches, nausea, restlessness, nervousness, stomach aches, anxiety, seizures, irritability, vomiting, psychosis or paranoia, stunted growth and suicidal thoughts.

Further, stimulant drugs are also known as gateway drugs, that lead to addiction to street drugs such as cocaine.

Don’t buy the hype.

Brian Daniels,

National Spokesperson,

Citizens Commission on Human Rights (United Kingdom),

East Grinstead.