What is cognitive neuroenhancement? In short, is not a medical treatment, but rather the personal utilization of pharmaceutical means for a lift of cognitive capacities above the “norm”.
The most known neuroenhancers are psychostimulants and the so-called nootropic drugs (nootropics).
The question what is a norm is not really solved. The normative question of cognitive neuroenhancement concerns the issue of their utilization in, for example, in academic and professional areas.
This accentuates an important point, namely: Are academic or professional neuroenhancement a doping (like in sports) or it is a growth for the individual, who is manifesting and developing his optimal capacities (if enhancers are really effective)?
In short, is cognitive pharmaceutical neuroenhancement a cheat option? What are the “natural” alternatives?
Interesting question. Some "natural" herbs are also considered nootropic in effect, like bacopa, rhodiola, and ginseng. I looked at this study yesterday (Article Maternal choline supplementation during the third trimester ...
) that suggests that just improving the mother's diet while in utero raised the baseline cognitive function of the infant.I suspect (or maybe hope) as we continue to improve our understanding of genetics and even how just our standard vitamins interact with genes what is considered enhancement now may be deemed standard protocol in the future much like thyroid or ADHD meds are prescribed now.
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