Students tempted by “Smart drugs” during exam stress

One in seven Swiss students have taken performance enhancing substances during their degree. A survey of Swiss universities found that these substances were mainly taken during the exam preparation period to improve cognitive ability. However, only very few of those questioned reported the desired effect.

94% of participants were aware of so called “Smart drugs”, yet the proportion of students using these substances on a daily basis was low. Substances taken included both prescriptive and illegal drugs. Alcohol was the most commonly used (5.6%) followed by methylphenidates like Ritalin, sedatives, cannabis and cocaine. However a third of students reported use of “Soft enhancers” like caffeinated products every day. This was also found to be the most popular way to enhance performance before a final exam.

Interestingly the surveys show differences in the level of usage between different degree courses. Architects reported the highest level of neuroenhancement use, chemists 17.6%, and medics 16.2%, while only 8.6% of mathematicians took them. Generally those undertaking jobs alongside their degree experienced higher stress and greater consumption of performance enhancing substances.

While the results are concerning, they are in line with those obtained from similar studies at other European universities. Students are a high risk group exposed to high levels of stress and performance pressures that makes them more likely to experiment with neuroenhcancement. Though Head of the Swiss research institute for public health believes “there is no need to intervene, yet”

See more at: http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0077967