The Untold Costs of a Chemical Edge in College
By Dawnbe Yu
Deadlines. Projects. Exams. 100 pages of assigned reading for homework. Every college student can relate to the relentless pressures of the academic world— juggling coursework, extracurriculars, social life, and somehow finding time to sleep. When the caffeine crash hits and the deadline for a 12-page paper looms, some students turn to a questionable alternative: study drugs. Marketed as pills that help you focus, these so-called “study hacks” seem like a great solution. But do they really deliver the academic edge that their users expect? If so, at what cost?
Since ADHD was diagnostically classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1987, prescriptions for stimulant medications like Adderall have skyrocketed. From 2012 to 2022, the prescription stimulant count increased by 57.9%, reaching an astounding total of 79.6 million in 2022. Originally intended to help individuals with ADHD regulate their focus and impulse control, these medications have since become one of the most commonly misused drugs among college students. Recent reports indicate that up to 20% of college students abuse prescription stimulants, primarily through obtaining medication from a peer with a prescription. What makes the products enticing to non-medical users is that they are advertised as enhancing existing abilities. This narrative may lead to students feeling justified in their use, viewing stimulants more like caffeine instead of as a form of cheating. But this perception is misguided, as these study drugs can alter mood, behavior, and physical health with prolonged use.
In her article, “Generation Adderall,” author Casey Schwartz describes her experience with the intoxicating effects of the drug while she was in college. “Adderall wiped away the question of willpower. Now I could study all night, then run 10 miles, then breeze through that week’s New Yorker, all without pausing to consider whether I might prefer to chat with classmates or go to the movies. It was fantastic," Schwartz said. This sentiment reflects a common reaction to initially trying prescription stimulants. Researchers, Lakhan and Kirchgessner, found in a study that the main reason students without ADHD misuse stimulants is to improve academic performance. Caron, an addiction treatment center, points out in an article that stimulants lead users to feel as though they are performing better because of increased stamina, a rush of adrenaline, and improved focus, even though these effects are generally attainable without chemical enhancement to neurotypical individuals.
A study from the University of Cambridge and the University of Melbourne explores this hypothesis through examining the effects of study drugs on above-average performers. Researchers used a test designed to mimic the complex decision making and problem-solving individuals encounter in daily life. Interestingly, when participants took the drug, the results demonstrated decreases in accuracy and efficiency, and the tasks took more time and effort relative to when they took the placebo. The participants did experience increased motivation; however, the overexertion of motivation leads to more erratic thinking for these users, essentially making these tasks more difficult. This suggests that rather than enhancing productivity, study drugs may hinder cognitive performance for individuals without ADHD.
Schwartz’s personal story aligns with this finding. According to her article, Schwartz took more pills, and her work became less manageable, eventually leading to an amphetamine-induced panic attack. Some non-prescribed students, like Schwartz, may find themselves caught in the same cycle of increasing dosages to keep up with academic demands, without regard for the drugs’ harmful side effects.
For example, the boundless energy and motivation these drugs provide comes at huge social cost. In VeryWell Mind, a medically reviewed blog, writer Sarah Sheppard explains how a potential side effect of abusing Adderall is emotional detachment. This can include withdrawing from one’s social life, even if interpersonal relationships are negatively affected. This may function as a coping mechanism during high-stress situations but can often result in isolation and feelings of loneliness.
Jeanette Friedman, a social worker specializing in addiction, put it bluntly to a New York Times reporter. "No one means to get addicted. But there’s such a casual use of something like Adderall nowadays—because it’s seen as benign, or a help to becoming more productive. And in our culture, to be productive is kind of everything," Friedman said. This highlights an often-overlooked aspect of stimulant misuse: it’s not just a chemical addiction, but a psychological one as well. Users become dependent on the heightened sense of achievement, while their perception of their independent capabilities diminishes. They fear they cannot perform at the same level without the drug, despite little evidence that these pharmaceuticals enhance cognition for individuals without ADHD.
Although study drugs may seem like a shortcut to academic success, their long-term physical and psychological harm are often underestimated. Rather than perpetuating the misuse of study drugs, it is essential to reevaluate how we approach productivity and whether academic success can (or should) be chemically engineered.