Sam Gilbert is a journalism sophomore and Mustang Daily health columnist.
It’s the week we’ve all been dreading since the moment winter quarter began. Yes, you guessed it: dead week.
In my opinion, the buildup to finals is almost worse than the actual exams themselves. The anticipation of what is to come and the thought of immense studying just kind of puts a damper on the fantasy of going to the beach in this beautiful 75 degree weather San Luis Obispo has provided for us.
However — not that it’s a big secret or anything — there is a way to make studying a little more bearable. Beneficial adrenaline and focus can come in the form of a study drug known as Adderall.
A lot of apprehension comes with taking the drug when it’s not actually prescribed to you. Is it safe? Will it really enhance studying and memory? Is it worth it to take the drug, even with its side effects?
First of all, we should all be informed on what Adderall is. This drug contains both amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Basically, they both stimulate the central nervous system and affect chemicals and nerves in the brain linked to hyperactivity and impulse control.
According to WebMD’s website, Adderall and amphetamines are prescribed for narcolepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression.
Although it seems obvious to stay away from drugs not specifically prescribed to you, it is also tempting to want to dabble to increase studying time and focus.
I’ll admit I’ve taken a leap of faith (or a few) with this stimulant. I’ll also admit I definitely felt more focused, motivated to get everything done and studied for a longer time while under the influence of this medication.
According to the Slate article “The Adderall Me: my romance with ADHD meds,” approximately one in five college students has taken Adderall or Ritalin, a closely related drug, in order to increase studying habits.
Joshua Foer, the author of the article, performed a study on himself by taking the drug for a week to see how he would be affected.
“I just felt more directed, less distracted by rogue thoughts, less day-dreamy,” Foer said.
However, Foer also admitted not feeling like himself.
A study was done by the University of Pennsylvania to see the effects Adderall has on cognitive and divergent thinking.
The results showed cognitive thinking was enhanced for those with lower-performing abilities, as well as those with higher-performing abilities. Divergent thinking, however, was only enhanced for those with lower performing abilities and impaired for those with higher performing abilities.
“These medications allow you to be more structured and more rigid. That’s the opposite of the impulsivity of creativity,” Eric Heiligenstein, clinical director of psychiatry of the University of Wisconsin, is quoted as saying in the study.
The most enticing part about taking these study drugs is the euphoric feeling you get, as well as the motivation to continue studying.
The short-term effects, according to the dependency.net article “Amphetamine Dependence-Signs of Amphetamine Use Vs. Abuse, Tolerance” include alertness, lack of fatigue and a rise in blood pressure. The user becomes hostile, yet focused, as well as less hungry, tremulous and twitchy.
The worst part about taking a study drug is definitely the come-down feeling after the high.
According to the same article, the user endures fatigue, exhaustion and depression. These symptoms can last up to two days and make the user yearn for more.
Basically, you feel incredibly drained, you want to sleep but you can’t, you have a slight headache, feel nauseous at the thought of eating and you become a little irritable. Not the best feelings, if you ask me.
What is even worse than the short-term effects, however, are the possible long-term effects.
According to the dependency.net article, after several trials in using Adderall, possible effects include dangerously fast heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, skin problems, malnutrition from not eating, exhaustion and seizures.
The most common effect that should be seriously considered is dependency. Psychological and physical dependence on the drug begins after the first time using Adderall when it’s not specifically prescribed to you.
Individuals start to think they can’t study without it and begin to lose focus when they haven’t consumed a study drug.
Although not everybody is affected in the long-term, it is important to be informed on what could possibly happen and how your body is processing Adderall.
Makes you think twice about how many cracked-out people there are in the library right now, doesn’t it?