L&D 2020: Shaping change in learning
Brain & Mind
Smart drugs
Smart drugs, or, nootropics1 – drugs that enhance the brain’s capabilities – work by increasing the brain's supply of neurochemicals (neurotransmitters, enzymes, and hormones), improving the brain's oxygen supply, or by stimulating nerve growth.
Scientists have developed several smart drugs, some completely original and others a refinement of previous products. Today’s smart drugs come without the traditional side effect of addiction. However, brain capacity-enhancing drugs are not new. People have needed to start their day with a sharpening fix of caffeine or nicotine for hundreds of years.
Brain-enhancing drugs developed originally to treat diseases such as Alzheimer's, are increasingly used among business executives to improve their perception, memory, planning and judgment. A development of Ritalin, originally prescribed to children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is routinely used by people to enhance their mental performance.
Modafinil has been further refined from its original use to treat narcolepsy, reduce impulsiveness and improve focus2. A new drug, Modafinilβ, enhances the brain’s complex problem-solving capabilities by increasing an individual’s reflective abilities. Problem-solving takes longer, but gives better results.
The original Modafinil was routinely administered to military personnel to keep them awake and alert. Modafinilβ is now taken by people needing to work erratic hours – time-shifting to collaborate globally, for example. The new drug produces effects similar to cocaine, but without the problem of addiction. Propranololβ, a beta-blocker previously used to treat patients with high blood pressure, is now regularly calming the nerves of those in stressful situations.
As well as enhancing the brain’s capabilities, drugs have also been developed to delete specific memories2. These are proving particularly useful in situations where an individual needs to ‘unlearn’ a technique in preparation for new ways of working. The UK government is exploring the possibility of dispensing these drugs to the long-term unemployed to help the acquisition of new skills replacing outmoded learning.
But such intellect-sharpening, empathy-enhancing and personality-enriching drugs are likely to become only stopgaps3. Researchers predict that intellect may one day be genetically pre-programmed, while memory-boosting gene therapies already exist.
Many people do not wish to rely on the use of drugs to enhance their brain’s functioning. Instead, they prefer natural means. Nuts, in particular walnuts, are rich sources of brain-enhancing alpha-linolenic acid, a type of omega-3 fatty acid as is oily fish such as salmon or fresh tuna. Other natural substances have been added to this well-known list and such foods are widely promoted in works canteens, vending machines and supermarkets.
1. http://www.erowid.org/smarts/
2. http://www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/story/0,11381,1528069,00.html
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