Smartness Drug

Adderall (amphetamine) and Ritalin (methylphenidate), prescription medications ideally used for the treatment of ADHD, or Modafinil, which is used for sleep disorders like narcolepsy, are being purchased illegally or over the counter. In people with neurological conditions, these medications raise brain functioning to match that of healthy individuals; however, it is unclear whether the same medications can elevate a neurologically healthy person to a higher cognitive plane.

The exact workings of these drugs are uncertain. Adderall and Ritalin are better studied. They target neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline and dopamine, vital for attention and reward. Typically, neurons release these chemicals to convey messages, but these medications disrupt reuptake, extending signaling. Amphetamines also slow down the breakdown of neurotransmitters, enhancing focus and interest in mundane tasks, despite not increasing intelligence; however, the cognitive enhancement mechanism of modafinil is less clear.

Neurotransmitters aid communication within the brain, largely in the prefrontal cortex. When present in optimum amounts, noradrenaline and dopamine make the prefrontal cortex effectively managed. However, the deficit of neurotransmitters makes the brain sluggish, and hypersecretion of transmitters overwhelms the cerebrum. The aim of ADHD and narcolepsy treatments is to optimize brain function. Healthy individuals aspire to enhance their brain's peak performance by using the same medication. 

The most popular legal chemical boosts are nicotine and caffeine. Caffeine is known to stimulate the release of noradrenaline and dopamine instead of blocking the reuptake of neurotransmitters. While nicotine acts similarly to acetylcholine, which augments memory and learning. Despite having weaker and short-lived effects compared to medication, they are widely used because there are no rules prohibiting smoking or drinking coffee before competitions and exams to enhance performance.

Just like any drug with potent effects, neurocognitive enhancers carry a risk of addiction. However, research states that patients who take drugs for ADHD are not likely to get hooked on them, but healthy individuals are susceptible to addiction, especially to Adderall because it is an amphetamine with addictive properties. Regular use of basic stimulants like coffee and nicotine also causes the brain to adapt and become immune, thus necessitating the need for a stimulant even to function at a normal cognitive level. The neurotransmitters targeted by these medications, noradrenaline and dopamine, play vital roles in brain maturation during puberty. While the drugs don't appear to pose issues for adolescents with ADHD, they may disrupt the development of a normal brain.

Scientists find smartness drugs primitive and advocate for the development of nerve cell growth or brain-wearing technology. In the meantime, they prefer to stick to methods like coffee or rest in moderation for cognitive boosts.