It may sound strange, but in my opinion using smart drugs by students (who have let's say difficulty concentrating or whatever acute condition that may hinder their abilities) to reach their full potential is not ethically wrong. The word "drug" can sound, to some, scary but those "smart" drugs in most cases are benign medicines that are particularly not liable for abuse (e.g. propranolol for social anxiety, seminars or exams) , herbs (e.g. ginkgo biloba, ginseng) or vitamins (e.g. vit B12) that if used according to instructions (like any other medicine e.g. paracetamol) can be generally recognized as safe and effective. Keeping in mind the safety precautions: Right dose for the Right patient at the Right time. Amphetamine and derivatives are a different story.

I am terrified by this question. There is no medicine without side effect. We have no idea how drugs, that interfere with the chemical balance in the brain, work. In my research I study the horrible side effects. Modafinil has severe side effects, including depression, somnolence, anxiety and suicidal ideation. I want to advise anybody considering taking whatever drug or medication, to first consult the website Risk.org a database with information about many drugs, including the 100 most reported side effects per drug. It was established by high-profile medical experts, including prof. David Healy from the UK.

If it is morally wrong is up to each person individually, but the question whether it is allowed to use Modafinil to fullfill potential while doing boo harm, is not supported by the medical evidence.

No intention to terrify anyone! Please be assured of that. I have to bow to your better knowledge on any dangers with the drug. But, of course, all sorts of non-prescription drug do have known side effects and people continue to use them. Perhaps the issue of bad side effects is a red herring here? If they're legal and you know the dangers presumably that's you business, as you suggest.

On the other hand, takers might achieve better grades than non-takers. In a University isn't that everyone's business?

NOCK

I think this is a very important question, and thanks both for the discussion. Well, I haven't met anyone who used Modafinil here in Jordan (yet..). But during my work, I met few who used other smart drugs (e.g. Nootropil) or stimulants like Captagon and reported to have reached their full potential. But at what price? So, I think the provisional answer is 'yes' until we have this issue researched. From my point of view, I think 'morally' using eugeroics (in this case modafinil) to enhance mental performance is just as 'immoral' as using steroids to win in sports.

Thanks so much for excellent input from Jordan. Yea, I'm a tiny bit torn on parts of the question. If the drug does have terrible side effects I'm against it's use for the purpose intended here. If I was a university administrator, I'd want to know and seek to curtail its use.

If it's not, and there was no way of knowing who's taking it, I think my inclination would be to seek to level the playing field. Here's what's going on. These are the medical consequences. Take it it if you want, otherwise your grades will suffer in comparison.

But that doesn't sound quite right either!

Help needed!

NOCK

Guys, some nice research from Holland (My alma mater Free University in Amsterdam): They looked at 41 studies among 2102 children, who took Ritalin for days or weeks. Their study performance did not improve, they did not get higher grades. If you take into account the side effects, (not limited to) headache, nausea, anxiety depression, aggression, suicidal ideation, one can wonder of they did themselves a favor......

Thanks Selma. I assume they took the drug to improve results? Should we try to ban the whole practice, or provide better information?

NOCK

Just looking at this again! Of course, in the UK and some other countries, music festivals that attract people after a "good time" do now set up special areas where, quite anonymously, you can take any drugs you have or you buy on site to have them tested. Should we be doing a similar thing in our universities? That is, any non-presciption drugs you have must be tested anonymously for your safety's sake. Otherwise we will be failing in our duty of care towards you.

Comments welcome

NOCK

In my opinion Ritalin and Modafinil are working through completely different mechanisms and need to be differentiated in their effects and side-effects, thye cannot be compared. Still puzzling that these substances are avaiblable, even on prescription, if their side effects are so bad... food for thought? But coming back to the question. The moment we start to see the use of nootropics as morally wrong we cross a line, because the same moral values should be applied coffee, benzodiazepines, alcohol and Viagra or breast implants. From the beginning of mankind, human beings have tried and will always try to overcome their natural limitations or disadvantages, real or perceived, by using technology or pharmacology. Side effects almost always come from overdosage, education will be more fruitful than repression as is shown in the lost "war against drugs" or the "war against doping", wher billions of taxpayer's money are wasted without any trace of sucess. Since we are confronted by global problems like economic instability or environmental issues, in the future we might even need all the brainpower we can , even if it comes from a pill.

Thanks Henk, there's a number of interesting thoughts and ideas! Supposedly, for example, amphetamine was developed in Germany to keep soldiers awake and alert. Now, long term use of that is highly dangerous, but presumably it had state sanction....

So, yea, there's very little straightforward in this.

NOCK

Use of any kind of drug is morally wrong.

Would you not allow medically prescribed drugs for ill health?

NOCK

They have to banned this type of smart drugs.

Wouldn't that just create an illegal market?

NOCK

Agreed Dr.Nock but depending on the effective of regulation bodies to management with an illegal market. Purely depending on the law enforcement agencies implementation for rule of law.

That what they always say, 'No side effects'. However, this is never the case. People who have used this drug are to a certain extent addicted to it.

The art of question is too simple. It is a big ethycally and medical problem! This standpoint! Or it is mybe marketing for PAS??

Until now the Prohibition ("the war on alcohol") and the war on drugs have been distastrous failures, in ethical, medical, economic and political sense, so why create another war on performance enhancing drugs? Havent we learned from those "wars"?

It may sound strange, but in my opinion using smart drugs by students (who have let's say difficulty concentrating or whatever acute condition that may hinder their abilities) to reach their full potential is not ethically wrong. The word "drug" can sound, to some, scary but those "smart" drugs in most cases are benign medicines that are particularly not liable for abuse (e.g. propranolol for social anxiety, seminars or exams) , herbs (e.g. ginkgo biloba, ginseng) or vitamins (e.g. vit B12) that if used according to instructions (like any other medicine e.g. paracetamol) can be generally recognized as safe and effective. Keeping in mind the safety precautions: Right dose for the Right patient at the Right time. Amphetamine and derivatives are a different story.

Nice contribution Mayyada, thanks. And thanks to you others who have revived this important matter!

NOCK