Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Misuse Of Prescription Stimulants And Their Effect On Cognition, Zachary Friederichs

Theses and Graduate Projects

Prescription stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin are increasingly being diverted and misused by college students who fail to recognize the potential health risks in an effort to improve academic performance. The main aim of this literature review is to address the prevalence of their misuse, the effects they have on cognition, and adverse side effects that are typically associated with their use. Despite being frequently referred to as "cognitive enhancers" or "smart pills," results from studies on these m􏰗edications remain mixed/unclear as to whether cognitive domains such as memory, executive function, and processing speed are actually enhanced. However, not surprisingly, …