Sleep Disorder Drug Abused as Performance Enhancer

A drug for sleep disorders is being used off-label by healthy people who think it improves their job or school performance. However, a new study shows that this drug, Modafinil, may be more additive and harmful than previously thought.

Scientists gave ten men 400 milligrams of Modafinil and then used brain scanning techniques to study its effect. The drug raised the men's dopamine levels in the same way methylphenidate (Ritalin) does, indicating that Modafinil has a potential for addiction. Modafinil is currently classified as a Schedule IV drug with low potential for abuse.

This study appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Labels: sleep drug

posted by Aspen Education Group @ 9:20 PM