If someone was told to take a random pill, while being informed that this pill could increase attention and focus, allowing for more to get done in the day, who would take it? This said pill is called a Neuroenhancer, and some commonly known examples include Adderall and Ritalin. These drugs are taken by those who need aid in staying concentrated, which is why it is more common for younger children and college-aged young adults to be prescribed it, as it allows them to focus while being in school. Enhancers like these prove to provide mostly benefits to users, however, ethical questions are brought into the picture when people consume these drugs without a prescription. One ethical question being the use of the drug while not being personally prescribed. Within this paper, the inaccurate negative connotation of Neuroenhancers will be addressed, along with the future of the drug resulting from its misuse, as well as the reasons behind the misuse. 

One may not understand how Adderall or other Cognitive enhancers actually effect the brain. The author, Moneer, in the Columbia Undergraduate Science Journal, acknowledges this fact and provides some background knowledge on the subject, “Adderall primarily functions by targeting activity of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Dopamine is, in part, responsible for pleasures related to motivation, emotional states, and internal reward systems. Norepinephrine is related to focus and alertness levels. It’s evident that these neurotransmitters might be implicated in ADHD, and increasing amounts of them seem a reasonable approach to counteract issues related to one’s attention” (Moneer 8). However, even when people are educated about drugs, most still feel uncomfortable talking about the subject. Richard Dees talks about the potential for Neuroenhancements in his journal, Better Brains, Better Selves? He addresses the elephant in the room about how people aren’t comfortable with the idea of taking a drug that alters your abilities. But people are too quick with assumptions sometimes, because even though people associate the word “drug” with being bad or harmful, these drugs can help people. “First, drugs may be able to improve our ability to think. Amphetamines can help people to learn skilled motor tasks, like playing the piano, more rapidly. Cholinesterase inhibitors now help people with Alzheimer’s Disease to improve their attention and memory, and better versions may help virtually anyone” (Dees 372). He then goes on to say, “Amphetamines, like Ritalin, improve focus, attention, and memory for everyone, not just children with Attention Deficit Disorder. Some drugs may help the formation of long term memories and thereby facilitate learning” (Dees 372).  

The most prevalent misuse of cognitive enhancers is through college students. College puts an extreme amount of pressure on students, specifically in the beginning, due to the vast changes students are going through as they’re adjusting to a brand new environment. “During college, students deal with a unique amount of stressors. Specifically, college calls for a significant transition, where students experience many firsts, including new lifestyle, friends, roommates, exposure to new cultures, and alternative ways of thinking. When students can’t manage these firsts, they’re more likely to struggle,” (Bhujade 748). With all these stressors, it’s no wonder why so many college students turn to cognitive enhancers to try and reach this level of perfection that they feel is expected in not only academic success but also in the other contributing factors. Stress and anxiety is often a gateway towards peer pressure and irrational decision making due to the fact that the brain is experiencing a period of instability. That being said, if Neurohancers are classified more positively within our society, instead of the opposition, college students and those suffering from even minor ADHD would thoroughly benefit.  In no way am I implying that any person who wants to do well in school should take Adderall or other cognitive enhancers. There are other ways to handle stress, such as more complex studying habits, not procrastinating, or talking to someone; whether it be a counselor at your college or even just a friend. Everyone deals with anxiety and stress, it’s a common factor of life. Bhujade, the author of “Depression, Anxiety, and Academic Stress Among College Students: A Brief Review”, expresses his concern for the future as well when he states, “Student represents the society’s investment for future. Their mental health and well-being are important not only in its own right but as a factor contributing to the larger society’s well-being,” (Bhujade 748). Through even just a minor change on the stereotype of cognitive enhancing drugs, our society would be able to prosper immensely. 

Most people have probably heard the statement, there aren’t enough hours in the day. I can personally relate to this statement as I’m sure many others can as well, especially those who are in college, like myself. Kinan Muhammed understands that stress, “In an age of modern technology and an increasing movement towards a 24-h working culture, life for many is becoming more stressful and demanding” (Muhammed 239). As a society in general, shouldn’t we want to better ourselves and increase our abilities. “Patients have rights to patients’ rights to self-medication for the same reasons they have rights to refuse medical treatment according to the doctrine of informed consent (DIC)” (Flanigan 579). Jessica Flanigan, the author of Three Arguments Against Prescription Requirements, makes this statement and then proceeds to not only explain, but justify her responses. For years we have been self-medicating ourselves when it comes to taking Tylenol if you have a headache, or even taking Nyquil before bed if you have a cold. So how is it any different if someone self-medicates with Adderall or Ritalin if they’re taking it to better themselves? In additional paper written by Flanigan, she states, “I argue that young patients should be able to access Neuroenhancing drugs without a diagnosis of ADHD” (Flanigan 325). 

Over time, almost everything is bound to progress, change, and advance in some way. We as humans are continuously evolving and growing throughout our lives, obtaining new knowledge and skills. As this occurs, it is important to be aware that we are not the only ones or things evolving. We must also be aware of the evolution of animals, climate, nature, technology, behaviors, etc, which coincides with the evolution of ourselves. When these things change around us, we have been taught to adapt to our new environment. So, why is it so hard for us to adjust around the idea of openly consuming beneficial Neuroenhancers?  There are ethical questions of course that come into play, regarding the side-effects and misusage of the drug. But it has been proved time and time again that the positives effects, including enhanced focus, attention, and memory, outweigh the potential negatives. This being said, it is not unlikely to assume that sometime within the near future, Neuroenhancers will be much more easily available as an over-the-counter prescription drug. 
