Are there pills for intelligence?

In recent years the field of neurosciences has experienced more than notable advances. This has made it possible to investigate and learn more about the mechanisms that underlie basic psychological processes, such as attention or memory.

At present, learning and all the cellular, molecular and synaptic changes that are related to it are no longer a total unknown. Thus, the technological means and the information that they allow to obtain have favored a very wide level of knowledge. Thanks to this, it has been possible to design drugs that alter certain brain processes and mechanisms, which serve as treatment for different pathologies associated with the nervous system.

Although these advances are clearly positive a priori, the truth is that the use of these drugs is not always the one for which they were designed. There are those who resort to certain medications without suffering from any pathology, looking for some type of secondary benefit in them.

In recent years people have begun to talk about the so-called intelligence pills

. This nickname is used to name drugs that, used without a prescription, can interfere in brain processes and increase people's ability to focus and retain information.

In this article we will talk in detail about these substances, what effects they produce and what risks are associated with their use.

What are intelligence pills?

First of all, we will focus on defining what exactly intelligence pills are. These refer to substances commonly used by students and people who need to retain large amounts of information in short periods of time. In some groups its use is widespread at critical moments such as exam times, oppositions or project deliveries.

these pills act by improving the mental capacities of people. This implies a greater facility to integrate new information, draw correct conclusions or remember details and specific data. That is why those students who cannot retain all the information they want end up resorting to these pills. Added to all of the above, these are drugs that reduce the feeling of fatigue and stress, allowing those who consume them to have a shot of mental energy.

The truth is that these drugs were not designed with this function. Actually, they were manufactured in order to provide treatment to people with different disorders related to the nervous system, such as Attention Deficit Disorder and hyperactivity (ADHD). The two best-selling varieties of these drugs are those that contain amphetamines and methylphenidates.

Students who resort to this type of pill usually get hold of them through contacts or family members who suffer from some type of disorder.

• Related article: "Theories of Human Intelligence"

How do intelligence pills work?

When a person consumes these types of pills, the substances they contain have an immediate effect on the nerve cells of the brain. With this, messages are sent to neurotransmitters, substances that regulate the functioning of the nervous system. These are drugs with a stimulating effect, which alters and distorts the natural functioning of the body.

The normal secretion of neurotransmitters is affected, resulting in a forced increase in attention and concentration. However, once these effects wear off, the person may fall into the opposite pole and see their brain activity reduced. This way, may appear lethargic, unmotivated, and even depressed.

During the time that its effects last, the person increases their level of alertness, feels more energy, and increases their heart and breathing rates. Although the possibility of increasing our cognitive abilities with just one pill is very attractive, the reality is that this resource can put our health at risk, not to mention all the ethical dilemmas that arise from the "informal" use of these drugs.

• You may be interested in: "Types of psychostimulants (or psychoanaleptics)"

Risks and dilemmas around the use of intelligence pills

As we have been commenting, the danger of the so-called intelligence pills is more than relevant. On a physical level, these drugs can put health at risk when used without the existence of a pathology that requires them. Resorting to stimulant substances can temporarily boost cognitive ability, but it can also damage our brain and the processes that take place in it. In the most serious cases, these substances can reactivate traumatic memories of the person or reduce their cognitive capacity in the medium and long term.

Beyond the dangers they pose to health, there is no doubt that the use of these substances to improve performance is more than questionable. As it is a recent phenomenon, there is still no clear regulatory framework that limits this practice. However, a great debate is being raised for which the possibility of demanding legal supervision of these medicines is put on the table. Also It is debated whether the use of these substances can be considered cheating or cheating in tests and exams..

It is even assessed whether in the future many professionals with long work shifts may be forced to resort to these drugs due to the pressure of their environment. If colleagues or competitors start from superior cognitive functioning, it is expected that the rest will want to catch up and not be left behind.

There are several professions in which it seems that resorting to these pills is an increasingly widespread practice. An example of this is the military, which in its combat operations requires staying active and awake for long periods of time. Nor are healthcare professionals, such as doctors and nurses, left behind, who in the same way must deal with endless and demanding shifts. Even airplane pilots or academics may be tempted to solve their difficulties with this type of drug.

According to a study conducted by neuropsychology researcher Barbara Sahakian of the University of Cambridge, about 17% of US college students turn to the stimulant methylphenidate (intended for the treatment of children with ADHD) to deal with their studies with an amplified cognitive ability.

Therefore, it is clear that this is a dangerous phenomenon that is increasing and can have serious consequences if not managed properly.

In other times, drugs already existed and were consumed like now. However, most people wanted to escape, get away from everyday life, pressures, obligations, etc. However, today it seems that drugs are serving many people for exactly the opposite: to be able to focus more than ever on everything they should do.

This growing trend tells us a lot about how today's society works. We are obsessed with inflating our ego, receiving applause and praise from the rest, impressing and demonstrating. We disconnect from who we are and what we would like to be and focus on fitting into those expectations that we were told to meet.

The conclusion we can draw from this article is that, indeed, intelligence pills do exist. They are not designed to make us smarter or more capable, but rather to treat diseases and disorders associated with the nervous system. These are stimulant substances that interfere with normal brain processes and the secretion of our neurotransmitters. Its use outside of medical guidelines has become increasingly popular, ignoring all the risks, dangers, and dilemmas associated with it. There are many professions in which IQ pills seem to be gaining favor, especially those in which it is necessary to face long and strenuous shifts, with critical physical conditions and an extreme need for concentration.

The use of these drugs is less attractive, because with a pill it is possible to see amplified cognitive capacity. However, their health risks are not few if they are not consumed under medical prescription. In hindsight, these substances can depress the nervous system, impairing cognitive function and altering memory processes. Added to all these side effects, there is no doubt that the use of these substances raises many ethical questions. The students who use them start from an advantageous situation, making a difference in key tests such as exams and oppositions. It is also possible that over time many professionals may find themselves under pressure to use them, simply to match their performance to that of other colleagues.