Prescription Stimulants in College and Medical Students: A Narrative Review of Misuse, Cognitive Impact, and Adverse Effects

Stimulants are effective in treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Psychiatrist Charles Bradley first made this discovery 1937 when he found that children treated with amphetamines showed improvements school performance and behavior. Between 1995 2008, stimulants to treat ADHD increased six-fold among American adults adolescents at an annual rate of 6.5%. without a prescription, known as nonmedical use or misuse, have also increased. The highest rates prescription drug misuse the United States seen most notably young between 18 25 years, based on data from Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration 2021. Aside undergraduate students, stimulant is prevalent medical students worldwide. A recent literature review reported utilization 970 out 11,029 students. percentages across country misusing varied 5.2% 47.4%. Academic enhancement, 50% 89% college common reason for use. With increasing adults, it unclear what long-term outcomes will be since little available describe differences how side effects experienced prescribed non-prescribed users. present narrative focuses these adverse population reasonings behind