Brain Boosters, How should we deal with cognitive-enhancing drugs?

an insightful and down to earth perspective, recommend reading all of it

clipped from www.stanfordalumni.org Here's a good way to stir people up: publish a commentary in a prominent science journal supporting the use—with safeguards—of prescription drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall as a way for healthy adults to improve brain functions, including concentration and memory. (Those two drugs are central nervous system stimulants commonly prescribed for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders.) GREELY: Enhancement is no dirty word. Courtesy Henry Greely Law School professor Henry Greely was first author among the seven professors and scientists who collaborated on the article for Nature. He has gotten an earful since its December appearance, and he sat down with STANFORD for a question-and-answer follow-up. An abridged version of this Q&A appeared in the print version of the magazine. ‘We like to think that if people are smarter and working better—their brains are working better—the world will be a better place.’