Use of neuroenhancement drugs: prevalence, frequency and use expectations in Switzerland

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Version: Final published version
Serval ID
serval:BIB_2293417B1F30
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Use of neuroenhancement drugs: prevalence, frequency and use expectations in Switzerland
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Author(s)
Deline S., Baggio S., Studer J., N'Goran A.A., Dupuis M., Henchoz Y., Mohler-Kuo M, Daeppen J.-B., Gmel G.
ISSN
1660-4601
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2014
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
11
Number
3
Pages
3032-3045
Language
english
Abstract
Objective: The present study investigates the use expectations, prevalence and frequency of neuroenhancement drug (ND) use among the Swiss male population, separating college students from others. Methods: Young Swiss men were invited to participate in the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors. A total of 5,967 participants responded to questions on six types of NDs (wakefulness medication, antidepressants, Alzheimer's disease medication, Parkinson's disease medication, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication, and beta-blockers). The frequency of use depending on five expectations (to enhance wakefulness, attention, memory, concentration and stress reduction) was analyzed for a twelve-month period. Results: (1) About 3% of the sample indicated use of at least one ND; (2) ADHD medication was the most prevalent; (3) The type of ND preferred differed depending on academic status (4). Quantitatively, over the year, college student users used ND much less frequently than other users. Conclusions: Prevalence of ND use is low in Switzerland relative to other countries such as the United States. Patterns of ND use differed depending on academic status, suggesting that while college student ND users tended to do so rarely (probably to enhance cognitive abilities for exams), non-college male users used other NDs more frequently (probably to "get high").
Keywords
college students, expectations of use, neuroenhancement, prevalence, smart drugs
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
12/03/2014 12:25
Last modification date
20/08/2019 13:00
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