Scholarly Article Definitions Paragraph

This essay contains various terms that may be unclear. A pharmacological neuorenhancement refers to the use of psychoactive substances of various types with the goal of improving mental capacity. The author used the word "brain doping" thoughout his article and in this sense the term means a student uses a prescription drug that is meant for neuroenhancement to improve his schoolwork and his capacity to complete that work. The article also names various medications such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Provigil. Both Adderall and Ritaling are controlled substances that are usually prescribed to individuals with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Provigil however is a medication prescrived to treat narcolepsy, or to improve wakefulness in adults.

Scholarly Article Summary

In the article "Why Using Meds for 'Neuroenhancement' Is a Scary Thought" (2010) Christopher Lane discusses the rising problem of college students abusing prescription medications that were originally prescribed for individuals with various types of neurological problems. Throughout his paper Dr. Lane supplies the reader with several articles and studies to inform them of the issue. Lane started off his article by mentioning an article written by Margaret Talbot and how it opened the social doors for a discussion of the pros and cons between the use of these prescription stimulants. Opening his paper this way allowed Lane to present both sides of the issue. Incorporating the work of psychiatrist Peter D. Kramer into his article provided Lane with step stones for the dark side of neuroenhancement drugs and specific medications used in the instances of ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Lane also informs the reader how the college students obtain the drugs and the percent of students that have used prescription stimulants in U.S Universities and their reasoning behind it. Prodominantly students use prescription stimulants to become the best of their class. According to Lane students abuse the medications in order to "ovecome academic performance anxieties or being bested by their peers". Lane also noted that the higher competative schools have a higher abuse or use rate.

Scholarly Article Precis

In Christopher Lane's article "Why Using Meds for 'Neuroenhancement' Is a Scary Thought" (2010) Lane addresses the issue of prescription medications used to treat neurological disorders being abused by healthy college students. Lane supplies the reader with information from studies, interviews, and articles he's gathered along with his own personal opinion and observations as an educator and takes a clear stand against students abusing these medications. Christopher Lane offers the reader a background into both sides of the issue. His purpose is to have the reader understand what brain doping will mean for the future and how it affects them in order to reduce the prescription medication abuse in schools.