1
|
Carton L, Cabé N, Ménard O, Deheul S, Caous AS, Devos D, Cottencin O, Bordet R. Pharmaceutical cognitive doping in students: A chimeric way to get-a-head? Therapie 2018; 73:331-339. [PMID: 29625706 DOI: 10.1016/j.therap.2018.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
For students, the pressing demands for memorization, top-level performance, and peer competition create an environment favorable for pharmaceutical cognitive doping behavior. We aimed to describe recent practices and the benefit/risk ratio of such behavior and to discuss the issues at stake. The prevalence of pharmaceutical cognitive doping among students has been reported from 1.3% to 33% across studies, with variations depending on country and definition of pharmaceutical cognitive doping. The therapeutic classes most frequently cited as being diverted for doping purposes are psychostimulants and nootropics (methylphenidate, modafinil, piracetam), corticosteroids, sedative drugs and beta-blockers. Some illegal substances such as cannabis, amphetamines and cocaine are also consumed in order to boost mental function. Finally, over-the-counter products, such as caffeine-based tablets or energy drinks, or alcohol, are also widely used by students whose motivations involve enhanced performance, concentration, memory, and staying awake during the revision and exam period. However, the expected (often fantasized) effectiveness of these products does not correspond to the reality of a modest controversial impact on cognitive performance. There appears to be an emerging profile of the student more inclined to doping behavior. Cognitive doping thus raises the question of its regulation, opening a debate opposing, on one hand, individual freedom and supposed collective benefits and, on the other hand, health consequences, educational (in)equality, and the risk of tarnished academic success. Strengthening school and university medicine, through prevention campaigns and the identification of subjects at risk, is essential to limit the extent, risk, and damages associated with such practices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louise Carton
- Inserm, UMR S1171, service de pharmacologie médicale, CHU de Lille, université de Lille, 59000 Lille, France; CEIP-addictovigilance, service de pharmacologie médicale, CHRU de Lille, 59045 Lille cedex, France; Service d'addictologie et de psychiatrie, CHU de Lille, 59037 Lille, France.
| | - Nicolas Cabé
- Inserm, U1077, Unicaen, EPHE, neuropsychologie et imagerie de la mémoire humaine, PSL research university, CHU de Caen, Normandie université, 14000 Caen, France; Service universitaire d'addictologie, CHU de Caen, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Olivier Ménard
- Service d'addictologie et de psychiatrie, CHU de Lille, 59037 Lille, France
| | - Sylvie Deheul
- Inserm, UMR S1171, service de pharmacologie médicale, CHU de Lille, université de Lille, 59000 Lille, France; CEIP-addictovigilance, service de pharmacologie médicale, CHRU de Lille, 59045 Lille cedex, France
| | - Anne-Sylvie Caous
- CEIP-addictovigilance, service de pharmacologie médicale, CHRU de Lille, 59045 Lille cedex, France
| | - David Devos
- Inserm, UMR S1171, service de pharmacologie médicale, CHU de Lille, université de Lille, 59000 Lille, France; Licend Coen Center Lille, 59045 Lille, France
| | - Olivier Cottencin
- CNRS UMR 9193 SCALab PsyCHIC Team, université de Lille, 59045 Lille, France; Service d'addictologie et de psychiatrie, CHU de Lille, 59037 Lille, France
| | - Régis Bordet
- Inserm, UMR S1171, service de pharmacologie médicale, CHU de Lille, université de Lille, 59000 Lille, France; CEIP-addictovigilance, service de pharmacologie médicale, CHRU de Lille, 59045 Lille cedex, France
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Carton L, Cabé N, Ménard O, Deheul S, Caous AS, Devos D, Cottencin O, Bordet R. [Pharmaceutical cognitive doping in students: a chimeric way to get-a-head?]. Therapie 2017; 73:319-329. [PMID: 29224920 DOI: 10.1016/j.therap.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
For students, the pressing demands for memorization, top-level performance, and peer competition create an environment favorable for pharmaceutical cognitive doping behavior. We aimed to describe recent practices and the benefit / risk ratio of such behavior and to discuss the issues at stake. The prevalence of pharmaceutical cognitive doping among students has been reported from 1.3% to 33% across studies, with variations depending on country and definition of pharmaceutical cognitive doping. The therapeutic classes most frequently cited as being diverted for doping purposes are psychostimulants and nootropics (methylphenidate, modafinil, piracetam), corticosteroids, sedative drugs and beta-blockers. Some illegal substances such as cannabis, amphetamines and cocaine are also consumed in order to boost mental function. Finally, over-the-counter products, such as caffeine-based tablets or energy drinks, or alcohol, are also widely used by students whose motivations involve enhanced performance, concentration, memory, and staying awake during the revision and exam period. However, the expected (often fantasized) effectiveness of these products does not correspond to the reality of a modest controversial impact on cognitive performance. There appears to be an emerging profile of the student more inclined to doping behavior. Cognitive doping thus raises the question of its regulation, opening a debate opposing, on one hand, individual freedom and supposed collective benefits and, on the other hand, health consequences, educational (in)equality, and the risk of tarnished academic success. Strengthening school and university medicine, through prevention campaigns and the identification of subjects at risk, is essential to limit the extent, risk, and damages associated with such practices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louise Carton
- Inserm, UMR S1171, service de pharmacologie médicale, université de Lille, CHU de Lille, 59000 Lille, France; CEIP-addictovigilance, service de pharmacologie médicale, CHRU de Lille, 59045 Lille cedex, France; Service d'addictologie et de psychiatrie, CHU de Lille, 59037 Lille, France.
| | - Nicolas Cabé
- Inserm, U1077, Unicaen, EPHE, neuropsychologie et imagerie de la mémoire humaine, PSL research university, Normandie université, CHU de Caen, 14000 Caen, France; Service universitaire d'addictologie, CHU de Caen, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Olivier Ménard
- Service d'addictologie et de psychiatrie, CHU de Lille, 59037 Lille, France
| | - Sylvie Deheul
- Inserm, UMR S1171, service de pharmacologie médicale, université de Lille, CHU de Lille, 59000 Lille, France; CEIP-addictovigilance, service de pharmacologie médicale, CHRU de Lille, 59045 Lille cedex, France
| | - Anne-Sylvie Caous
- CEIP-addictovigilance, service de pharmacologie médicale, CHRU de Lille, 59045 Lille cedex, France
| | - David Devos
- Inserm, UMR S1171, service de pharmacologie médicale, université de Lille, CHU de Lille, 59000 Lille, France; Licend Coen Center Lille, 59045 Lille, France
| | - Olivier Cottencin
- CNRS UMR 9193 SCALab PsyCHIC Team, université de Lille, 59045 Lille, France; Service d'addictologie et de psychiatrie, CHU de Lille, 59037 Lille, France
| | - Régis Bordet
- Inserm, UMR S1171, service de pharmacologie médicale, université de Lille, CHU de Lille, 59000 Lille, France; CEIP-addictovigilance, service de pharmacologie médicale, CHRU de Lille, 59045 Lille cedex, France
| |
Collapse
|