Pros use pills to boost brainpower

Fuzzy-headed today? Then pop a pill. Professionals of all kinds are doing it these days, according to a survey taken by Nature. Young [1], old, you name it--they're taking various meds to boost their concentration and memory. Some 62 percent prefer Ritalin, the ADHD med made by Novartis. Another 44 percent liked Cephlon's Provigil [2], the "keep-awake" drug. Others used Adderall or another amphetamine, beta blockers, even centrophenoxine, a dementia med.

Now, the survey was open only to Nature subscribers, who tend to be scientists, engineers, or folks like journalists who follow science closely. So it's not a generalized, randomized bit of research. (Of the 1,400-odd people who responded, about 15 percent were biologists and 15 percent engineers; 12 percent were educators, 8 percent worked in the medical field, and 7 percent in the media.) But it does show a clear trend.

Another thing: Almost 80 percent of the respondents said healthy people should be allowed to take cognitive-enhancing drugs if they choose. But even more--86 percent--felt that kids under 16 shouldn't be on any of these meds.

- read the Washington Post story [3]
- check out the item [4] in the WSJ Health Blog

Related Articles:
Provigil study sparks debate over ability to enhance alertness [5]
Provigil [2]--Top 10 Warnings and Recalls
Study: Teens abusing prescription drugs [1]
FDA panel wants 'black box' on ADHD drugs [6]