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KMID : 1025620140170030349
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Korean Journal of Medical Ethics
2014 Volume.17 No. 3 p.349 ~ p.362
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Safety Issues in Neuroenhancement
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Lee Sang-Mok
Choi Jong-Hyun
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Abstract
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Neuroenhancement refers to medical interventions through which healthy people improve their cognitive, emotional, and motivational function. Psychopharmaceutical substances-especially central nervous system stimulants including methylphenidate, amphetamine, modafinil-have recently become popular among students and night shift workers for enhancing cognitive function. Although health authorities in some countries have regarded pharmaceutical enhancement as a drug abuse issue and have issued restrictions or prohibitions, the use of stimulants remains prevalent. One reason why people use stimulants for neuroenhancement is that there is little information about the actual cognitive effects of stimulants; people using stimulants tend to rely on rumors which have not been proven scientifically. The purpose of this article is to provide objective information on the neuroenhancing effects and risks of stimulants. Although the possibility of addiction to methyphenidate has been exaggerated, meta-analysis shows this substance has only mild effects on cognition. Amphetamine has stronger effects on cognition than methyphenidate, but its use is ethically problematic since it can cause addiction and psychosis. Modafinil has strong cognitive enhancing effects and is safer than other psychoactive drugs, but recent studies show that it too can lead to addiction. Most studies point out that the effects of stimulants for neuroenhancement are benign and the risks of addiction should not be ignored. This article shows that the safety issue remains the main obstacle for legalizing the use of neuroenhancing drugs by healthy individuals.
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KEYWORD
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enhancement, safety, risk, methylphenidate, amphetamine, modafinil
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