Prescription drugs Adderall and Ritalin — used to treat ADD — are being widely used across college campuses to boost brain power, productivity and grade-point average. Some students hooked up on the pills appeared on last night’s 60 Minutes and talked about how they were able to focus more on their studies after casually popping them. One student said the effect is the difference of a letter grade, and while Adderall has been around a long time (and is used in high-octane professions like medicine and among military fighter pilots on long combat missions), the growing acceptance of these stimulants suggests that, sooner or later, swallowing a brain performance-enhancement pill may be as mainstream as morning coffee.
Take note, Ritalin and Adderall have the same addictive qualities as cocaine, and casual use could lead to damaging consequences.
Where are you on the smart drug debate? Do you take smart drugs to make it through the day? Check out the 60 Minutes segment, and let us know what you think.
