Stressed
Source: Flickr
This post is coming to you straight from the epicenter of the insanity. The insanity, infamously referred to as “March Madness”, is in full swing here at UBC. Papers are due, presentations are to be given and exams are to be taken. Of course, they all happen to be scheduled during this busy month – March. Undoubtedly, the stress of getting everything done in time is unbearable for some. It makes professionals wonder what measures students are taking in order to get through all the lab reports, assignments and exams.
The misuse of stimulants such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Vyvanse have recently become a popular method of getting through the intense workload that students are subject to. A study published in 2012 by Garnier-Dykstra et al. confirmed that 31% of post-secondary students had used a form of prescription stimulants to boost academic performance.
Amphetamine Source: WIkimedia Commons
Amidst those who take stimulants without a prescription, there are individuals who require this medication either for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or for narcolepsy. Individuals with ADHD have a low dose of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Therefore, a drug containing Amphetamine is administered to stimulate the central nervous system(CNS) which promotes the release of dopamine. The following video found on YouTube by Reactions will further elaborate on how Amphetamine affects the CNS.
At this point, we are not aware of the long-term effects on individuals who take Amphetamine-containing stimulants; making it difficult to steer students away from abusing this medication. However, as Adderall and similar drugs become more and more popular within academic society, it becomes increasingly important to emphasize the alternatives. For instance, instead of binge watching episodes of Grey’s Anatomy during reading break, why not do a couple hours of studying each day to avoid cramming the night before the exam!
In general, the misuse of Amphetamines is in fact a growing problem. Therefore, society must become aware in order to take action in protecting university students who happen to be a vulnerable demographic.
Paria Assadipour
March 14, 2016
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