http://mindhacks.com/2008/01/30/the-highs-and-lows-of-brain-doping/ Neuroscience and psychology news and views. Wed, 22 May 2013 13:23:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://mindhacks.com/2008/01/30/the-highs-and-lows-of-brain-doping/#comment-6880 Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:31:44 +0000 http://mindhacksblog.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/the-highs-and-lows-of-brain-doping/#comment-6880 Enhancer drugs would have specific purposes rather than being good for everything. Most enhancements would likely involve trade-offs: something that improves attentional focus is likely to reduce peripheral awareness, making them great for academic work but very bad for driving. Using the right enhancer for the right task is going to require not only medical studies, but also the development of an “enhancer culture” of popular experience with what works and what doesn’t. A bit like how people today use caffeine.
Prescription enhancers might be a good idea for some drugs (Nick’s point is that today it is not possible to prescribe drugs for enhancement). One can also borrow the idea from the current trials in the UK with over the counter Viagra: customers are screened for the big contraindications, and if they want to use the drug for a longer while they are given medical check-ups. This both keeps them safe and provides medical data.

]]> http://mindhacks.com/2008/01/30/the-highs-and-lows-of-brain-doping/#comment-6879 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:05:01 +0000 http://mindhacksblog.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/the-highs-and-lows-of-brain-doping/#comment-6879 I don’t agree with the idea of selling “tonics.” Without a specific purpose for a drug, people may take unneeded substances. If these mind-enhancing drugs are sold over the counter, people may run into problems with allergic reactions and drug abuse that would otherwise be dealt with or prevented through prescriptions/recommendation from a doctor.

]]>