Consumption of Psychostimulants in Academic Environment – Clinical and Ethical Issues
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25752/psi.8883Keywords:
Modafinil, Methylphenidate, College students, Stimulants, NeuroethicsAbstract
Background: The non-medical use of psychostimulants has increased significantly in recent years, including in the academic environment.Aims: This article aims to analyse the pattern of psychostimulant consumption amongst university students and to discuss its clinical and ethical issues.
Methods: A review of the literature on the topic has been conducted to achieve that goal.
Results: It was found that there is a significant prevalence of non-medical use of psychostimulants, with colleagues being the main providers, and that this use is justified, in most cases, by a desire to enhance cognitive abilities. This use is associated with other recreational consumptions, as well as higher levels of stress. Despite the globalization of this phenomenon, there is no conclusive evidence regarding the cognitive effects of psychostimulants, and most authors argue that only a moderate cognitive effect may exist, limited to specific competences, such as enhancing working memory. The motivational effect associated with consumption of psychostimulants appears to significantly influence the users’ experience.
Conclusions: This consumption, intimately linked to the phenomenon of neuroenhancement, raises important clinical and ethical issues, in particular the risk of developing adverse effects, the need to define the role of doctors in this matter, and questions regarding personal autonomy, risk of coercion and injustice. The consumption of psychostimulants for non-medical purposes in the academic field is nowadays a reality, which makes it vital to study it and understand it, in order to identify the key issues and suggest solutions, in an attempt to establish standard procedures.
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