Cognition Enhancers

How have I not heard about this? Modafinil, is said to improve a range of brain functions including memory, concentration, and ability to learn.

The drug is not without dissenters.

New drugs that can boost brainpower could be given to children by pushy parents, it was claimed yesterday.

There are also fears that high- flying professionals might take the "cognition enhancers" to gain a competitive edge at work.

The warnings came as [British] Government backed researchers examine the potential of the drugs which previous research has shown to improve memory, concentration and learning ability.

There are some side effects, of course...like brain damage.

Critics say users can put themselves at risk of sleep deprivation and suffer damage to their brain and central nervous systems.

And it may be addictive.

But this is America, so bring it.

In the U.S., cognition drugs are taken by people such as long-distance truckers, students and taxi drivers because it 'turns off' the need to sleep while allowing them to remain mentally alert for days.

In the UK it's used only for narcolepsy. And it's been banned by the International Olympic committee.

Despite potential problems, researchers are optimistic about marketability:
t looked at the potential development of cognitive enhancers over the next 20 years and concluded they could become as "common as coffee".

Well ok, let's not get carried away. Maybe as common as no-doz. Which is totally passe. It would probably help sales a bit if they use this as a tag line:

Research carried out at Cambridge University in 2002 found that healthy volunteers taking modafinil scored higher on computer games designed to test their mental functions than those given a placebo.

But check out the pills - they may not need any creative sales strategies. This stuff couldn't look more like E if it was dyed blue and yellow.


Yes, I think it says "mod" in a cutesey font. Shameless.

And while we're on the topic, I should mention Robert Wright's hypothesis that there's a positive correlation between the amount of Prozac (and other SSRI's) in the world, and the amount of email. No joke. Well, sort of a joke, but he makes a good point. Here's the link.