1. Nature optimized Brain Food

2. Anyone’s first experience using drugs, illicit or not, can come in a number of ways, but for one-third of
Americans it comes by taking prescription drugs without a prescription. Seeking out ADHD prescription
medications, specifically, seems to be a hot trend as many college, graduate, and even high school
students buy pills off the black market and use them and other smart drugs for cognitive
enhancement. New research shows that the recreational use of these drugs used to boost short-term
performance comes with deeply concerning long-term consequences.
Takinf Prescription Drugs
Nature optimized Brain Food

3. Adhd Drugs Boost Performance
Nature optimized
Researchers from the University of Delaware and Drexel University College of Medicine published new
research in the journal Frontiers in Systems Neurocience that shows while ADHD drugs may offer a boost
in cognitive performance, the drugs actually adversely impact the brain’s plasticity (flexibility in
development) and interfering with long-term mental behaviors, memory, and cognitive tasks.
Brain Food

4. Most Commonly Prescribed Drug
Nature optimized
The most commonly prescribed and distributed ADHD drug on the market is Methylphenidate (brand
names: Ritalin, Concerta, Vyvanse). Although the drug is FDA-approved to treat ADHD, 1.3 million US
teens have reportedly used the drug without a prescription in the last month. Rat studies have shown
that young brains are sensitive to the effects of methylphenidate as well as other ADHD drugs
(amphetamines) and that even low doses can impact long-term nerve activity.
The desire to use cognitive enhancing substances like ADHD drugs should be reviewed very
carefully. The short-term benefits do not outweigh the long-term risks.
Brain Food