So-called “smart pills” usually refer to drugs or stimulants used to study, improve performance, or stay awake. Although some people consume them seeking concentration, their use without medical supervision can cause anxiety, insomnia, dependency, and other health problems.
There are stimulant drugs that help control brain activity and make it easier to focus mental energy. All of these are designed for medical purposes and are provided by prescription. However, a “black market” has emerged for those who need remedies to study or to focus their concentration on a goal. When they cannot achieve this on their own, they turn to so-called smart pills.
What smart pills are
There are many names for these types of products: study drugs, performance-enhancing medications, study drugs, etc. But the best known is smart pills. Their origin lies in the use made of them by students and people who need to learn a lot of information in a short time—for example, to prepare for an exam, complete an assignment, or study for competitive examinations.
When they cannot concentrate, these individuals turn to study medications. These are stimulant drugs that affect brain activity and improve attention span. Thus, they reduce fatigue and stress, and provide more mental energy to perform any type of task immediately after taking them.
What smart pills are used for
In addition to their use for studying, these stimulant drugs have another purpose. They were designed to control and treat certain psychological conditions and disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). To this end, doctors prescribe medications like Adderall or Ritalin, which activate certain physiological and psychological stimuli that facilitate the ability to concentrate.
In general, there are two varieties of stimulant drugs that are sold by prescription and used by many people for studying:
- Adderall, Dexedrine, and Vyvanse: Contain amphetamines
- Ritalin and Concerta: Contain methylphenidates
The way to obtain these performance-enhancing drugs is usually through a relative or acquaintance who suffers from a psychological disorder. Pharmacies dispense the drug under prescription, and it later reaches the person who needs it for studying. However, pharmacies keep a record of the medications purchased by the patient. Therefore, if the patient consumes the prescribed amount ahead of time, they will not be able to acquire more units of the product.
Prescription drug addiction or benzodiazepine addiction
Symptoms produced by smart pills
Taking study pills is not a healthy or harmless remedy, as it produces effects on the body. Abusing them can generate negative effects on the skin and vital organs. In the long term, it can lead to the development of several serious diseases.
Some of the symptoms produced by the consumption of smart pills are:
- Increased alertness
- Increased energy production in the body
- Increased heart rate
- Accelerated breathing rate
- Increased blood pressure
Medical monitoring in stimulant addictions
How study drugs affect the brain
When taking smart pills, their effect impacts the nerve cells in the brain. These cells control brain activity and connect with the brain by sending electrical signals. In doing so, they send messages to neurotransmitters, which are responsible for releasing certain chemicals to regulate the body’s functioning. Although this phenomenon occurs naturally, stimulant drugs alter the process by increasing the secretion of brain substances.
Treatment of dual pathology and addictions
When taking pills to stay active, brain activity increases significantly in an artificial way. This modifies the behavior of neurotransmitters to increase attention span and concentration for a brief period. Once the effects wear off, the opposite occurs. The person who consumes smart pills dangerously reduces their brain activity. In this phase, they may feel sluggish, inactive, absent, and even suffer an episode of depression.
Consequences of study medications
Due to their high degree of risk, when doctors prescribe these stimulant drugs, they do so in small doses. If the patient needs a larger amount, the healthcare professional increases it gradually. When a person takes these drugs for recreational purposes or for studying, they do not take into account the dose being administered. Consequently, the risk and the possibility of suffering serious damage is much higher.
Some of the consequences associated with the consumption of study pills are:
- High blood pressure
- Irregular heart rhythm
- Heart failure
- Seizures
- Cerebrovascular problems
- Paranoia
- Mental health-related difficulties
People who take drugs to study often do so repeatedly, in large quantities, or combine them with other over-the-counter medications. Some of their major mistakes are thinking they are harmless and abusing them without medical knowledge. However, these are chemicals that, if poorly administered, can cause serious consequences for the body and mind. Furthermore, they are susceptible to causing addiction to a much greater extent than any other conventional drug.
CC Adicciones is an addiction and dependency treatment center that can help you with your problem. Contact our addiction therapists and we will help you start a rehabilitation process.
