Nonmedical use of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement as response to chronic stress especially when social support is lacking

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Sattler
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Cognitive Enhancement ◽  
Nonmedical Use

scholarly journals Use of Cognitive Enhancers by Portuguese Medical Students: Do Academic Challenges Matter?

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Miranda ◽  
Miguel Barbosa
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Cognitive Enhancement ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cognitive Enhancers ◽  
Medical Licensing ◽  
Nonmedical Use ◽  
Group 2

Introduction: Nonmedical use of prescription drugs and other substances for cognitive enhancement in the academic environment has been documented in several studies. However, the prevalence among Portuguese university students is unknown. We aimed to assess the prevalence and academic contexts of the use of cognitive enhancers of a sample of Portuguese medical students.Material and Methods: An online questionnaire about the use of cognitive enhancers was completed by 1156 participants, who were either medical students (group 1) or newly qualified physicians applying for the Portuguese medical licensing exam (group 2).Results: Coffee was the most frequently used substance for cognitive enhancement purposes in both groups, whereas nonmedical use of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement was lower in undergraduate students (5%) and higher in licensing exam applicants (14%). Methylphenidate (35%) and modafinil (10%) were the most consumed prescription substances and they were mainly used to enhance attention (83%) and memory (44%). Use of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement was mainly associated with studying for medical school exams and the medical licensing exam. Most prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement were obtained through medical prescription (54%).Discussion: These results show a low consumption of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement by Portuguese medical students. Licensing exam applicants show a higher consumption of almost every substance included in this study, which might be explained by the crucial role of the exam in defining their future career path and desire by students to improve the cognitive skills that determine exam success.Conclusion: Studying drugtaking behaviors in medical students and young doctors is relevant for public health and medical education, since they will soon be in charge of drugs prescription. Therefore, ethical and medical concerns raised by off label consumption of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement purposes must be openly addressed.

Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs Among Pregnant Women

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer R. Havens ◽  
William W. Stoops ◽  
Lisa Shannon
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Nonmedical Use

Sexual orientation and first-year college students' nonmedical use of prescription drugs

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 292-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Shadick ◽  
Faedra Backus Dagirmanjian ◽  
Leora Trub ◽  
Heather Dawson
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year College ◽  
Nonmedical Use ◽  
First Year College Students

A behavioral economic analysis of the nonmedical use of prescription drugs among young adults.

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison M. Pickover ◽  
Bryan G. Messina ◽  
Christopher J. Correia ◽  
Kimberly B. Garza ◽  
James G. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Economic Analysis ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Behavioral Economic ◽  
Nonmedical Use
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