Most of us want to reach our true potential. We might drink a cup of coffee to stay awake and alert, or go for a run, to feel on top of the job. So where’s the harm in a pill - a “smart drug” - that can do the same thing? These so-called cognitive-enhancing drugs are usually prescribed to treat medical conditions, but known for their power to improve memory or focus.

Many people buy them over the internet, which is risky because they don’t know what they’re getting. And we also know next to nothing about the long-term effects on the brains of healthy people, particularly the young. But some scientists believe they could have a beneficial role to play in society, if properly regulated.

So who’s taking what? Newsnight and New Scientist magazine decided to run an anonymous online questionnaire of readers. They were surprised by the volume of replies, 761, of whom 38% said they had taken cognitive-enhancing drugs. Of those, nearly 40% said they had bought the drug online, and 92% said they would try it again. One student said: “I was able to write a 22-page paper in one day. I revised it over the next couple of days and got an A. Normally, I wouldn’t have even been able to get a rough draft done in a week.” Another student remarked: “Did not help me do anything but feel anxious or excited, could not sit still even 15 hours later.”

Disponível em: <www.bbc.com/news/health-15600900>. Acesso em: mar. 2017. Adaptado.