There is a growing interest in the use of so-called ‘smart drugs' for the enhancement of cognitive functions. The argument often goes something like:

‘we now have some very safe drugs that help people to concentrate more effectively and that can alleviate tiredness. These drugs (such as methylphenidate and modafinil) should be seen as any other tool (such as computers) developed by humans to enhance their functioning. They should, therefore, be made available to everyone, instead of just being used by people who have impairments such as ADHD (for which methylphenidate is often prescribed) or sleep disorders (for which modafinil is often prescribed).'

I disagree.

Safety Issues