Comments on: Prescribing a clearer mind?

By: Miraida Morales

Miraida Morales — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:48:30 +0000

If I have no illness but merely want to increase focus, memory and concentration, I would not take medication such as Ritalin even if I could legally do so. I would much rather try to improve these areas through natural means such as behavior modification, cutting out some stress, sleeping better, and eating better. I would perhaps try to take a natural remedy first if I wanted to do more.

By: Ivan J

Ivan J — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 10:29:50 +0000

Drugs have become the easy solution for most health cases inolving the functioning of the brain but that is because we live in times of easy access and mis diagnosing. People become conscious of their weakness and automatically consider it a flaw in themselves that they seek medical attention and an easy short term cure. What should be done especially in mis-diagnosing children with (ADD) is go back to basics like opreant conditioning, and Nature vs. nurture letting kids be kids and parents be parents

By: Liza

Liza — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:04:18 +0000

I sympathize with Patti. Off and on for many years, I've been using an ECA stack (and other products with ephedra once those became unavailable). I started taking it as a supplement to my workouts to help drop some excess body fat, but quickly realized that it acted as a stimulant and boosted my energy and memory. I've wanted to stop using them for quite some time now, but every time I try to quit I just can't cope without them. I acknowledge that this is a personal problem that I have; however, I feel that a prescription drug with similar effects used properly would be much less dangerous for me. I would definitely try it if it were available OTC.

By: Encartica

Encartica — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:38:24 +0000

Only if the medications were prescribed by a qualified doctor and the quality of life of the individual in question was severely compromised. Other than that, never! Congrats to you and your wife on your third child.

By: Tammy

Tammy — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:24:48 +0000

I would not! I have had problems with depression and anxiety and even panic attacks. I would not want to stimulate my brain when already there are some chemical imbalances due to major life stressors. I even think that some doctors over-prescribe these meds to children as all children up until 3rd or 4th grade have attention issues (obviously some worse than others and some simply DO need the medication). Why not try all alternatives first as in diet and psychotherapy before reverting to AMPHETAMINES! Many children are doped up on speed and many may be able to live normal, happy, healthy lives with some natural alternatives.

By: Lauren Conley

Lauren Conley — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:56:32 +0000

I'm not sure I see the ethical dilemna in taking something that helps people succeed where otherwise they may not. I'm one of those people who Dr. Nanjundiah was talking about, one of the ones who failed academically once I left the structured environment of my high school. I have hearing and vision problems (almost deaf left ear, almost blind right eye, and lazy left eye...my right ear hears OK though lol). And school was a nightmare (I was never diagnosed with any problems thoguh deep inside I knew I had a learning disability), but I found that if I could just "fake it" through class, I could teach myself most of what was in the book. College...was another matter, entirely. Didn't help that my first two months my mouth was wired shut from surgery. No hearing, little vision, and now I couldn't speak. As an 18 year old with a high IQ, I'd have swallowed ritalin by the fistful if I thought it could keep me focused. Instead, I flunked out, scared and ashamed. So although I don;t believe drugs should be the immediate choice, I think they should be available. After all, you only ususally get the one chance to succeed your first time. Why take the chance?

By: NT

NT — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:28:42 +0000

The line between enhancement and treatment is already blurry - e.g. cosmetic surgery, fertility treatments, orthodontics, and of course Viagra. Two important ethical issues, which science alone will not be able to resolve, are access to enhancements (those who can afford them vs those who might most benefit) and autonomy (does the "patient:" or someone else make the risk-benefit determination?) . I suspect much of the feigned moral indignation about brain-altering drugs comes from folks who regulalry down caffeinated beverages, smoke cigarettes, consume large qualitities of sugar, and/or drink alcoholic beverages, all of which have powerful neurologic effects. Again, the line is blurry. One person's enhancement is another person's "normal."

By: Catherine

Catherine — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:16:16 +0000

I would be tempted. Several members of my family, myself included, seem to have undiagnosed ADD. I have always felt that I would do better in life if I were treated for the disorder; my life tends to the chaotic, the unfinished, the inability to move from identifying things that need to get done, to getting them done, in any linear way. I haven't asked a doctor about it because I've been afraid of being labeled, and also of becoming addicted to drugs the long-term effects of which few seem to know much about. But if it were available to me in an impulsive mood, I would almost certainly try it.

By: Patty

Patty — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:32:32 +0000

I am taking phentermine which is an appetite suppressant but, basically a stimulant similar to Adderall and Ritalin. I have been taking it off and on for years because of the energy, focus and concentration benefits.
I realize that is not what it is indicated for and that I am self-medicating by using it for reasons other than weight loss (my weight is fine). I have not had to increase the dosage despite the length of time I've been taking it.
I do worry about long term effects but when I weigh the risks and benefits
the benefits, for me, outweigh the risks. My blood pressure is good and my health in general is good. So, until I find something else that works, I plan to continue. I don't take it every day. I have tried many different antidepressants which seem to do very little as far as the benefits stated above.

By: Shelly

Shelly — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:41:12 +0000

I'd be concerned about long term effects... With that said, if medications, such as Adderall, were available over the counter I would take them. I think people can reach a higher aptitude and do greater things.