Mind and Body Health | Page 17

Adderall

Have you ever had one of those nights where you are just completely drained from energy, worn out and motionless? Is coffee and Monster energy drinks not cutting it anymore to keep you awake and focused? Look no further than the new sensation sweeping college campuses all across the country, Adderall. Its main purpose is to stimulate chemicals in our nerves and brain that induce hyperactivity, it is intended to treat those with narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). According the live science .com,Over seven percent of college students take Adderall for a variety of different causes, however some of these uses are more justified than others. As much as undergraduates look for shortcuts and methods to make life easier, Adderall only causes more damage than help.

Prescriptions have grown over the course of a few years, however most students who have access to the medication

either receive it from a friend, fake or over exaggerate symptoms to get a prescription. A 2012 study by the Journal of American College Health found that two-thirds of college students are offered some sort of prescription stimulants by their senior year, 31 percent of them willingly accept it. Nevertheless why are so many students taking adderall? While other stimulants like Ritalin and Dexedrine offer similar effects, Adderall has become the most popular and efficient drug. Adderall becomes active for six hours whereas ritalin is only active for two hours. What makes the drug so attractive is that it promotes goal oriented behavior creating attention to tasks and even boosting motivation. Almost how athletes use steroids or protein shakes to evaluate their performance during training, Adderall has become a study enhancer that can raise their success level with their course work. Which can drastically help during the massive workload that regular caffeine just cannot offer. These prescription drugs, which were developed for those properly diagnosed ADHD, are being utilized to make students workload easier.It is a cognitive enhancer providing increased memory, alertness and robust responsiveness. In turn, what does this mean in the long run for college students?

The dangers that can arise from Adderall can be life threatening and considering the statistics, it has become a epidemic.