‘Study Drugs’ gaining college popularity

Maytinee Kramer/Staff writer

Later in the semester, you are likely to find college students scattered all over campus studying or even cramming for exams rather than being out having a grand old time. Sometimes, the workload can become overbearing and a quick fix to help get through it all becomes very tempting.

Some overworked and overloaded college students are pushing themselves to enhance their abilities through the use of amphetamine drugs dubbed ‘college crack’ or the ‘study drug.’ Amphetamines are a chemical compound class that stimulate the central nervous system and are most often used to promote focus in patients with ADHD. In most cases, while amphetamines also have the ability to ease narcoleptic tendency and treat obesity, they are being abused as a cognitive performance enhancer.

Amphetamines are well-known euphoriants, with benzene backbones that target the nervous system’s neural receptors in ways similar to methamphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA which is most commonly known as ecstasy.

The 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a study conducted annually by the US Department of Health and Human Services, reported that full-time college students were twice as likely to use Adderall under non-medical circumstances as their non-full-time counterparts. According to Peter Jay Won, a Pharm D and Ph.D. candidate who majored in biochemistry, students most commonly abuse amphetamines “[b]ecause it has the ability to keep them focused on one task, while temporarily increasing energy and mood” through the increase of certain neurotransmitters.

Students, without having been diagnosed with ADHD, claim to be taking these stimulants for what they think are the right reasons. However, they may not be aware of the potential harms associated with the nonmedical use of prescription stimulants. Won states that, “the dangerous side effect to any drug that is being abused is when one develops dependency that is often followed by its ever so slight increase in dosage respective to tolerance.”

Depending on the magnitude of abuse, some of the following can occur: acne breakouts, weight loss, digestive and urinary problems, and depression. Depression is the most common side effect as amphetamines decrease much needed nutrition and sleep.

While the drug may seem like the perfect fix, students should take the initiative to lead a healthy lifestyle not only for their well-being, but in order to get through the tough times that college demands. The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offered by the FIU Student Health Center is available to help students learn and lead a healthy lifestyle as well as handle stress. Overall, forming a healthy lifestyle with an emphasis on proper diet, exercise, sleep and stress management is imperative to one’s well being.

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