Smart Drugs and Synthetic Androgens for Cognitive and Physical Enhancement: Revolving Doors of Cosmetic Neurology

Smart Drugs and Synthetic Androgens for Cognitive and Physical Enhancement : Revolving Doors of Cosmetic Neurology / Paola Frati, Chrystalla Kyriakou, Alessandro Del Rio, Enrico Marinelli, Gianluca Montanari Vergallo, Simona Zaami, Francesco P. Busardò. - (Current Neuropharmacology 13 (2015) 1 (January); p. 5-11).

  • DOI: 10.2174/1570159X13666141210221750.
  • PMCID: PMC4462043.
  • PMID: 26074739


Abstract:

Cognitive enhancement can be defined as the use of drugs and/or other means with the aim to improve the cognitive functions of healthy subjects in particular memory, attention, creativity and intelligence in the absence of any medical indication. Currently, it represents one of the most debated topics in the neuroscience community. Human beings always wanted to use substances to improve their cognitive functions, from the use of hallucinogens in ancient civilizations in an attempt to allow them to better communicate with their gods, to the widespread use of caffeine under various forms (energy drinks, tablets, etc.), to the more recent development of drugs such as stimulants and glutamate activators.
In the last ten years, increasing attention has been given to the use of cognitive enhancers, but up to now there is still only a limited amount of information concerning the use, effect and functioning of cognitive enhancement in daily life on healthy subjects. The first aim of this paper was to review current trends in the misuse of smart drugs (also known as Nootropics) presently available on the market focusing in detail on methylphenidate, trying to evaluate the potential risk in healthy individuals, especially teenagers and young adults. Moreover, the authors have explored the issue of cognitive enhancement compared to the use of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) in sports. Finally, a brief overview of the ethical considerations surrounding human enhancement has been examined.

Original document

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Science
Review
Date
1 January 2015
People
Busardò, Francesco, P.
Del Rio, Alessandro
Frati, Paola
Kyriakou, Chrystalla
Marinelli, Enrico
Vergallo, Montanari Gianluca
Zaami, Simona
Country
Italy
Language
English
Other organisations
Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed è un Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS)
Sapienza Università di Roma - Sapienza University of Rome
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S1. Anabolic Agents
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Methylphenidate
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9 April 2020
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29 September 2021
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