Stimulant medications like methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, and related drugs are often prescribed for adhd (attention defecit hyperactivity disorder).
For individuals with adhd, these medications can be useful, particularly when combined with addressing other mental and physical health conditions that could be impacting focus, and reasonable nutrition, sleep, activity level, study/organizational skills, and healthy ways of using technology.
A recent set of studies looked at whether these medications help if you do NOT have adhd.
What were the studies? (1)
- Elizabeth Bowman and colleagues four double-blinded, randomized trials, each a week apart, the same 40 healthy participants took one of three popular ‘smart’ drugs (methylphenidate, modafinil, or dextroamphetamine) or a placebo (1).
- They were assessed on how they performed in a test designed to model the complex decision-making and problem-solving present in everyday lives (1).
- The exercise known as the Knapsack Optimisation Problem. In this test, they were given a virtual knapsack with a set capacity, and a selection of items of different weights and values (1).
- The participants had to figure out how to best allocate items to the bag, to maximize the overall value (1).
What were the results? (1)
- Overall, participants without adhd and taking methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, modafinil, and related medications:
- Small DECREASE in accuracy and efficiency (1).
- Large INCREASE in time and effort, relative to their results when not taking the medications (1).
- When given methylphenidate non adhd participants took around 50% longer on average to complete the knapsack problem as when they were given a placebo (1).
- Participants without adhd became less productive when given methylphenidate (1).
- The study authors found that, while motivation increased, it led to more erratic thinking (1).
Additional thoughts:
- Further research is needed on the cognitive effects and performance impact of adhd medications on people without adhd.
- Whether or not one has adhd, adequate sleep, nutrition, activity level, and organizational skills can help improve cognitive/academic performance.
- In my experience, addressing co-existing physical and mental health conditions can also help improve focus and if you also have adhd, potentially reduce how much medication you need while maximizing benefit.
The following post discusses strategies to improve attention:
https://u.osu.edu/emotionalfitness/2021/03/30/strategies-to-improve-attention/
By R. Ryan S Patel DO, FAPA OSU-CCS Psychiatrist
Disclaimer: This article is intended to be informative only. It is advised that you check with your own physician/mental health provider before implementing any changes. With this article, the author is not rendering medical advice, nor diagnosing, prescribing, or treating any condition, or injury; and therefore claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or injury caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the material presented.
Reference:
- Elizabeth Bowman et al. ,Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort.Sci. Adv.9,eadd4165(2023).DOI:10.1126/sciadv.add4165