The leading British national daily The Times published the results of its own investigation into the use of nootropics among students - drugs to stimulate mental activity, enhance cognitive function and improve memory. Citing data from last year's survey of students from 54 universities, the newspaper said 19% of respondents admitted to using neurostimulants.
Journalists interviewed students and alumni of the universities of Oxford, Edinburgh, Nottingham and the London School of Economics. According to the newspaper, at present these reputable universities do not prohibit the use of such stimulants. Only the University of Edinburgh has officially announced that the sale and use of such drugs violates the student code of conduct. The most popular nootropics among students are modafinil, a drug used for drowsiness, and metifenidate, a stimulant of the central nervous system, cerebral cortex and subcortical nuclei. At the same time, the long-term effects of modafinil in healthy people have not been studied, and side effects include psychosis and manic states.
Students speaking to The Times describe how easy it is to obtain these drugs - for example, to buy from people whose doctors have prescribed them such substances, or simply to order online. One pill costs an average of two pounds, the publication explains.
Based on an investigation by The Times, Universities UK, which represents the rectors of British universities, has announced preparations for a large-scale study on drug use in universities, which will include the use of nootropics.
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