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Post by fretslider on Feb 21, 2010 13:47:53 GMT
Are no longer the stuff of Sci-Fi sitcoms.
So whats all the fuss about? Well, its... CH3COOCH2CH2N+(CH3)3 or acetylcholine. Ach has an important role in the enhancement of sensory perceptions when we wake up and in sustaining attention.
Learning drugs, which have now been dubbed 'smart drugs', boost acetylcholine in the brain, improving alertness and attention. Their use has prompted concerns that they could give students an unfair advantage. "This is something that universities really have to discuss. They should have some strategy, some kind of active policy," say's Barbara Sahakian, professor of clinical neuropsychology at Cambridge University.
So which drugs are in the frame?
Ritalin and Modafinil are usually prescribed for Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. A Nature magazine poll of 1,400 respondents – mostly scientists and researchers – indicated that one in five had used "smart drugs". Questioned about their attitude towards use, the majority frowned on their use in competitive situations, such as university entrance exams. However, some admitted that they would feel under pressure to give their child a "smart" drug if other children were using them.
Maybe I'll get some myself, I've left my Phd on the backburner for far too long
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