'Smart drugs': supplementing students

Unnamed 16-year-old student talks about her experience with nootropics as the pressure to succeed builds

Now more than ever before students are faced with rising levels of stress, tortured by exams that they are constantly reminded can affect the rest of their lives it is no wonder that some students feel they need something else to give them an edge to allow them to keep up and flourish ahead of their classmates. With the examination period fast approaching I was shocked to discover that a 16-year-old friend of mine had been taking supplements in order to stay ahead of the competition and pass her AS levels, although wishing to remain anonymous she agreed to speak to me about her experience with nootropics.

Note: Nootropics, better known as 'smart drugs', enhance the way in which the brain is able to process and apply information by directing all of its efforts towards desired tasks, more can be read about nootropics in Q&A: how clever is it to be messing with 'smart drugs'?

It was in a stress management lecture at college when the girl from the West Midlands was made aware of nootropics, where they were informed of brain foods and Omega 3 tablets and advised that if they did not already consume some of the brain foods which include asparagus, fish etc that it may help their mental agility.

The next day during her lunch hour, with the words of the lecturer still fresh in her mind and the thought of a pending exam later that day, she visited her local Holland and Barrett store which was less than half a mile away from her college. In the store she found many different brands, ranging in price before settling on a £7.50 container which contained 60 tablets to be taken four times a day.

"There was a lot of pressure, mainly from myself, to do well in the exams and worries for my exams in general contributed a great deal to me trying supplements"

Upon leaving the store she took her first supplement capsule, but to her surprise didn't notice much of a difference. Four days in and there still wasn't much of noticeable impact, by that time her friends who she had confided in expressed their concerns that she was taking nootropics and insisted she stopped. "None of my friends had tried them, but I was looking for a way to get ahead and do the best that I could do," she admitted.

She wasn't sure if the drugs would have more an affect on her if taken for a longer time, believing that is maybe a placebo. But added that she would probably still be taking the supplements if her friends hadn't told her of their worries over the long-term effects of taking supplements.

For another account of nootropics see: 'Smart drugs': journalist tells of his dalliance with drugs

Please note: Anyone who is considering taking any form of nootropics should consult a doctor prior to taking medication.

(A large thank you to the owners of the photographs, no copyright intended)