Academic Steroids

Apparently, coffee and caffeinated, sugary sodas no longer do the trick for students who need a boost while studying. Now they’re popping pills. The most common drug they are using is called Adderall.

Like Ritalin, the drug is prescribed to people with attention deficit disorder. For academic performance, Adderall users find it easier to concentrate longer on school work and make their time studying more productive. Some students even take the drug immediately before taking important tests, such as the sat. It’s common enough that it has some teachers concerned about their students’ health.

As with any quick fix, there are side effects. While it might increase alertness, Adderall can cause insomnia, a loss of appetite and weight loss. Some doctors worry that the excess hyperactivity can cause emotional and physical strains while increasing the chance of heart attacks and strokes. And, like any other amphetamine, Adderall can become addictive.

Though it’s a prescribed drug, students still find ways of obtaining it. Some find add patients and buy pills from them. Others go direct to the source and lie to doctors in order to receive prescriptions.

God’s way is much simpler, a lot less expensive, and it actually improves your long-term health: It’s plenty of drinking water, fresh air, lots of fruits and vegetables, adequate sleep and occasional exercise.