This commentary appeared in the journal Nature (12/8/08) : “The drugs just reviewed (ADHD medications and other cognitive enhancing medications), along with newer technologies such as brain stimulation and prosthetic brain chips, should be viewed in the same general category as education, good health habits, and information technology — ways that our uniquely innovative species tries to improve itself.”

Essentially the article is in favor of allowing ADHD medications for everyone arguing that these drugs are the “moral equivalent” to exercise, nutrition and sleep.

Other commentators have asked if there is a difference between this and athletes taking performance enhancing drugs? Men using Viagra? What message does this send to children? What about the addictive potential and other side effects of these medications? Would you give your child these medications if it could improve her grades?

For more on this topic read Maia Szalavitz’s post at the Huffington Post and the article by Ed Silverman from Pharmalot

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