Working smart: the use of ‘cognitive enhancers’ by UK university students

ABSTRACT

Cognitive enhancers include a wide range of substances including prescription medication for attentional deficient disorders and pharmacological substances for cognitive augmentation. Students have recently been identified as the largest cohort of users. Most research on student use of cognitive enhancers has been undertaken in the United States. This study utilised a mixed methods sequential explanatory approach to investigate cognitive enhancer use among UK university students specifically to aid study. A bespoke online survey was distributed throughout the UK. The findings informed the development of a qualitative interview study comprising 15 participants. In total, 506 responses to the online survey were received from 54 UK institutions. Forty-six per cent of respondents reported using recreational drugs and 19% reported having used cognitive enhancers. Males were two and a half times more likely to use cognitive enhancers than females. Participants reported various motives for using cognitive enhancers, the most frequent being to meet the demands of coursework, to improve focus or maintain wakefulness. The qualitative findings revealed that cognitive enhancers are widely accessible and are used to enhance performance in terms of motivation, concentration and meeting academic deadlines. The findings of this study will be of interest to a wide range of services within Universities across the UK.

KEYWORDS:

• Cognitive enhancers
• students
• study aids

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Percentage of sample that reported taking cognitive enhancers.

2. Percentage of sample of cognitive enhancer users that were aware of side effects.

Additional information

Funding

This work was not supported by any funding body.

Notes on contributors

Hilary McDermott

Hilary McDermott is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology. She is an established academic with substantial experience in research in the area of workplace health and wellbeing. Hilary has established herself as a teaching specialist and leads undergraduate modules in Research Methods (Part B and Part C). She also supervises undergraduate and postdoctoral (PhD, MRes) students with their research projects. She has been awarded three Teaching Innovation Awards (2012, 2015) and with the support of the 2012 Award developed the ‘E-Qual’ Coding App which is now widely available, and which supports students in acquiring qualitative coding skills. Hilary is the Programme Director for the BSc Psychology programme and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Harry Lane

Harry Lane graduated from Loughborough University in 2018 with a First-Class Degree in Psychology.

Manuel Alonso

Manuel Alonso is the Director of Student Services. He leads a number of key services for students and staff that include Student Advice and Support, Careers and Employability, Counselling, Centre for Faith and Spirituality, Hall and Community Wardens, Disability Office, Mental Health team, English Language support, Dyslexia support and the Medical Centre.