Study Drugs: Short Term Rewards at a Cost

by Shona Campden

One of the most exciting aspects of university is the freedom to be involved in extracurriculars, explore new hobbies and possible careers, and meet new people, all while taking classes that interest you. Although one of the best parts of university, balancing all of these may be one of the hardest parts, too. As the semester builds, so do assignments and obligations, and the stress of maintaining a balance between school, personal life, and health becomes a little bit harder.

Some students may turn to “study drugs” to keep up with demands during this time. In fact, according to the Centre on Young Adult Health and Development, nearly one third of university students have used non-prescribed stimulant drugs at one point during their undergraduate career. Students may sometimes even feel that using drugs gives them a competitive advantage in their courses. In the high pressure environment of university, it can be difficult to see the costs of artificial aids in learning.

Some argue that brain enhancing drugs, or “study drugs”, such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Vyvanse are no more effective than drinking copious amounts of coffee, as they both make you more alert. This increase in the ability to focus results in more attention committed to a  particular task. These so-called brain enhancing drugs also allegedly improve memory, learning and other cognitive skills, and are therefore termed nootropics (cognitive enhancers).

While there are many nootropics which do improve attention without harm, the same can’t be said for all brain enhancing substances. Little regulation on nootropic labelling has rendered the term almost useless - similar to the word  “natural” on some food items today. It’s an overarching term, used to give the impression of beneficial qualities in a drug, without careful quality control. Therefore drugs such as Adderall may have unexpected and unpleasant side effects. As a stimulant, it increases the rate of your “fight or flight” nervous system, exciting cardiac function, dilating pupils and increasing blood pressure. By increasing the availability of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as norepinephrine and dopamine, the sympathetic nervous system is activated.

​However, physiologically, this high-alert responsiveness is only meant to last for a short amount of time. Under the influence of brain-enhancing drugs, the effects of stimulation last much longer and begin to take a toll on the body. Side-effects include irregular heart beats, restlessness and anxiety, paranoia, headache and dizziness, to name a few. Although symptoms vary for individuals, it’s important to acknowledge the stress placed on the body when being held in a high-alert state for an extended period of time. Repeated use of brain-enhancing drugs will likely decrease the effects of the drug with each subsequent dose, a phenomenon known as desensitization. To get the same desired effect, users will have to continue to increase the amount of the drug they take.

While students may initially turn to brain-enhancing drugs as a short-term solution for coping with an increased workload, using these drugs often enough can lead towards a long-term addiction.

As we all prepare for midterms this year, and as assignments pile up, it’s important to remember that anything foreign put into the body may affect individuals differently, and in some cases have unforeseen side-effects. Remember, there are many ways to overcome stress, and ultimately the best way to deal with anxiety and feeling overwhelmed is to take the time that you need for yourself. Going for a walk and taking a break from studying, or talking to some friends is one way to regain focus and refresh your mind. As always, if it becomes too much at any point, there are always resources available to you on campus if you need to reach out.

Queen's Counselling Services
​AMS Peer Support Centre