I write on science, medicine, nature, culture and other matters for the New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Slate, National Geographic, Scientific American Mind, and other publications. (Find Steroids for the Brain? Nature Survey Finds Many Neuro-Pill-Popping Scientists
Category: Culture of science
But the news today is that Nature ran an open, online survey at its web site and found that 20 percent of those responding said they had used neuroenhancers such as Ritalin (an amphetamine used clinically for ADHD) and modafinil (a "wakefulness promoting" narcolepsy drug that has seen wide off-lable use not only for ADHD and depression but for increasing concentration, working memory, and other cognitive assets). An online survey is hardly scientific, as it's likely to attract respondents with a, um, demonstrated interest in the subject. And this one was likely further warped by press attention that brought outside (i.e., possibly non-scientists) to take it. That said, the 20 percent figure won't surprise anyone who hangs out at scientific conferences, where use of modafinil is talked of fairly casually.
Posted by David Dobbs at 1:15 PM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
