A majority of people think the way I do…”Based on government data gathered in 2007, more than 1.6 million people in the U.S. had used prescription stimulants non-medically during the previous 12 months.” That is absolutely insane and it needs to change. People are using these drugs and some may be using it for “hallucinations” and to get a “high” but still, a majority of the people use these drugs for strictly concentration purposes. There are still many things that scientists worry about, though. Addiction is a big one. Users can get addicted to Ritalin and Adderall over time, which really causes major concerns. Another concern is health problems. Ritalin and Adderall are not necessarily good for your health. Over time, they both cause health problems. However, many “over-the-counter” drugs today, cause health problems over time.
Therefore, at the end of the day we have Adderall, Ritalin, Provigil, and Donepezil. The medical use for Adderall and Ritalin are stimulants that are part of treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy. However, also effective as an enhancer that increases cognitive performance on certain tasks under conditions of fatigue, may also improve planning and one type of working memory. The medical use for Provigil is a stimulant for narcolepsy and excessive sleepiness because of shift work or obstructive sleep apnea. However, it also serves as an effective enhancer to augment mental focus and better performance on a limited set of cognitive measures, such as recall of long strings of numbers. The medical use of Donepezil is for treatment for the cognitive deficits of Alzheimer’s disease; increases the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to improve cognition. Effective enhancer as it might aid in learning or memory, but overall results are not certain; may also take several weeks to work. All of these pills act on DNA in a way that triggers synthesis of proteins that strengthen the signaling connection between the glutamate emitting and receiving neurons. A super “smart” pill that is made up of the basic ideas in each one of these drugs, is in the making right now. Scientists and Pharmacists are working every day to make this drug, but it is very difficult with all of the downsides that Ritalin, Adderall, Provigil, and Donepezil provide. They are trying to find ways to cut out/reduce most of the downsides. If this drug is created, it will be a major win for the scientific world. It will also affect people in my community. If students are able to take this drug, they will be able to apply themselves towards schoolwork with aid from the drug. If students can concentrate, maintain sleep, and remember things, the sky will be the limit. With the aid from the drug, students will be able to achieve anything that they put their mind to and more.