While we’ve been discussing steroids and other performance enhancing drugs over the past week, one oft-overlooked type of PED is a nootropic. While anabolic steroids enhance physical ability, nootropics enhance one’s mental ability. What sounded like science fiction just a few decades ago, drugs that can “enhance the brain’s power” so to speak, are now a reality. While they might not let you read minds or see through walls, they are a powerful drug, and just like steroids, they are filled with controversy and danger.
Nootropics come in many forms, the most commonly used being methylphenidate. Methylphenidate is better known by the brand names its sold under, like Ritalin or Concerta. Drugs like these are often prescribed to those who have difficulty focusing, such as those suffering from ADHD, and studies have also shown that it can be effective in treating major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Just like with most drugs, there are legitimate uses for methylphenidate; unfortunately, drugs like Ritalin are easily acquired and abused, as the drug’s ability to make it easier to focus is something many people desire. College and high school students are amongst the drug’s most heavy users, as a combination of difficult coursework, stressful lifestyle, and high expectations can make focusing on schoolwork difficult. The drug’s enticing focus-increasing effect and low cost make abuse easy, and the side effects that come with methylphenidate abuse are often grueling and terrifying to endure.
The most common side effects of methylphenidate are relatively not that difficult to deal with, and include loss of appetite, dry mouth, and occasional insomnia and nausea. It’s often these side effects that make methylphenidate abuse seem tolerable, but with continued abuse come worsened side effects. Since methylphenidate affects the nervous system, the side effects can damage how the body communicates with itself. Users may begin to experience tics, restlessness, fatigue, and sometimes blurred vision and dizziness. The drug can also take a toll on the mind, and users may find themselves experiencing depression, confusion, or mood swings.
The pressures on modern students in high school and college often feel insurmountable. These pressures often make a drug that allows for extreme focus and concentration sound very appealing. Just like athletes, students are tested and compete with each other, and their performance is judged and graded. Naturally, just like athletes, some students may feel as though under this immense pressure that they need an edge. While the side effects of methylphenidate may not always be noticeable, they can become serious very quickly. If you or someone you know is abusing methylphenidate or is under significant stress and may turn to drugs, it’s important to talk to them, consult a physician, and get help.
