(shocking !!! ) ..as.No 10's scientist urges brain pills for all

[Guest guest]

" The [smart] pills are likely to be available to the general public

in a few years. But we do not know how they will be regulated — it

may be that they are only sold on prescription, or it may be that

they are sold on supermarket shelves like vitamin pills, "

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2209952.html

The Sunday Times

Cracknell and Swinford

SMART drugs to make people think faster, improve their memory and

reduce tiredness will be commonplace within 20 years, according to

the government's chief scientific adviser.

Sir King told ministers at a presentation in Downing Street

that a new generation of " recreational psychoactive substances "

could be given to healthy people to enhance their lives.

He said that brain enhancing chemicals could also " revolutionise "

treatment for mental disorders and create new treatments to fight

drug addiction.

King's report adds to calls from scientists for the removal of

restrictions on " cognitive enhancers " which have been

dubbed " cosmetic neurology " or " nip and tuck " for the mind.

It also cements King's reputation as an increasingly influential

figure in the government — a civil servant who is unafraid to speak

his mind on topics ranging from climate change to drought and drugs.

Ritalin and Modafinil, the first generation of mind enhancing drugs,

were originally intended to treat disorders but have since been

adopted by people from across the social spectrum because of their

ability to enhance performance.

Ritalin was originally intended as a treatment for children and

adults with hyperactivity problems, but has since been adopted by

students to help them to concentrate. A study in America last year

revealed that 20% of healthy American college students use Ritalin

before exams.

Modafinil is generally prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy, a

condition which causes people suddenly to fall asleep. It is now

becoming popular for its ability to help people to think clearly and

make decisions when tired.

Scientists are keen to see restrictions removed on more drugs to

make them available without prescription.

Dr Malizia, a consultant senior lecturer in the Department of

Psychopharmacology at Bristol University, is calling for Donepezil,

an Alzheimer's treatment, to be more available. Donepezil has

a " remarkable impact " on a wide range of functions, including

memory, concentration and the ability to learn.

" The potential for these drugs is enormous. People already buy

vitamins and take caffeine to improve mental functions but these

drugs will offer a whole new dimension, " said Malizia.

" Studies have shown that people who take these drugs are able to

memorise more words than they normally could — and increase their

general brainpower.

" We have used them to treat mental disease with great effect, but

there is obviously the market for healthy people to take them just

to get smarter. "

Other scientists remain concerned about smart drugs. Dr -

, neuroscience and education network co-ordinator at Bristol

University, said that the drugs needed to be carefully regulated.

" The [smart] pills are likely to be available to the general public

in a few years. But we do not know how they will be regulated — it

may be that they are only sold on prescription, or it may be that

they are sold on supermarket shelves like vitamin pills, " he said.

" There could be restrictions placed on their sale, but that might

mean people buy them illegally. I would call on people to start

discussing their impact — before they start causing tremendous

problems in society. "

This concern was also raised by King during his cabinet

briefing. " Should we change regulatory structures to enable new

procedures in non-medical psychoactive substances? " he said.

" Are `cognitive enhancers' a great market for social opportunity or

destabilising and divisive? "

[Guest guest]

" The [smart] pills are likely to be available to the general public

in a few years. But we do not know how they will be regulated — it

may be that they are only sold on prescription, or it may be that

they are sold on supermarket shelves like vitamin pills, "

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2209952.html

The Sunday Times

Cracknell and Swinford

SMART drugs to make people think faster, improve their memory and

reduce tiredness will be commonplace within 20 years, according to

the government's chief scientific adviser.

Sir King told ministers at a presentation in Downing Street

that a new generation of " recreational psychoactive substances "

could be given to healthy people to enhance their lives.

He said that brain enhancing chemicals could also " revolutionise "

treatment for mental disorders and create new treatments to fight

drug addiction.

King's report adds to calls from scientists for the removal of

restrictions on " cognitive enhancers " which have been

dubbed " cosmetic neurology " or " nip and tuck " for the mind.

It also cements King's reputation as an increasingly influential

figure in the government — a civil servant who is unafraid to speak

his mind on topics ranging from climate change to drought and drugs.

Ritalin and Modafinil, the first generation of mind enhancing drugs,

were originally intended to treat disorders but have since been

adopted by people from across the social spectrum because of their

ability to enhance performance.

Ritalin was originally intended as a treatment for children and

adults with hyperactivity problems, but has since been adopted by

students to help them to concentrate. A study in America last year

revealed that 20% of healthy American college students use Ritalin

before exams.

Modafinil is generally prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy, a

condition which causes people suddenly to fall asleep. It is now

becoming popular for its ability to help people to think clearly and

make decisions when tired.

Scientists are keen to see restrictions removed on more drugs to

make them available without prescription.

Dr Malizia, a consultant senior lecturer in the Department of

Psychopharmacology at Bristol University, is calling for Donepezil,

an Alzheimer's treatment, to be more available. Donepezil has

a " remarkable impact " on a wide range of functions, including

memory, concentration and the ability to learn.

" The potential for these drugs is enormous. People already buy

vitamins and take caffeine to improve mental functions but these

drugs will offer a whole new dimension, " said Malizia.

" Studies have shown that people who take these drugs are able to

memorise more words than they normally could — and increase their

general brainpower.

" We have used them to treat mental disease with great effect, but

there is obviously the market for healthy people to take them just

to get smarter. "

Other scientists remain concerned about smart drugs. Dr -

, neuroscience and education network co-ordinator at Bristol

University, said that the drugs needed to be carefully regulated.

" The [smart] pills are likely to be available to the general public

in a few years. But we do not know how they will be regulated — it

may be that they are only sold on prescription, or it may be that

they are sold on supermarket shelves like vitamin pills, " he said.

" There could be restrictions placed on their sale, but that might

mean people buy them illegally. I would call on people to start

discussing their impact — before they start causing tremendous

problems in society. "

This concern was also raised by King during his cabinet

briefing. " Should we change regulatory structures to enable new

procedures in non-medical psychoactive substances? " he said.

" Are `cognitive enhancers' a great market for social opportunity or

destabilising and divisive? "

[Guest guest]

" The [smart] pills are likely to be available to the general public

in a few years. But we do not know how they will be regulated — it

may be that they are only sold on prescription, or it may be that

they are sold on supermarket shelves like vitamin pills, "

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2209952.html

The Sunday Times

Cracknell and Swinford

SMART drugs to make people think faster, improve their memory and

reduce tiredness will be commonplace within 20 years, according to

the government's chief scientific adviser.

Sir King told ministers at a presentation in Downing Street

that a new generation of " recreational psychoactive substances "

could be given to healthy people to enhance their lives.

He said that brain enhancing chemicals could also " revolutionise "

treatment for mental disorders and create new treatments to fight

drug addiction.

King's report adds to calls from scientists for the removal of

restrictions on " cognitive enhancers " which have been

dubbed " cosmetic neurology " or " nip and tuck " for the mind.

It also cements King's reputation as an increasingly influential

figure in the government — a civil servant who is unafraid to speak

his mind on topics ranging from climate change to drought and drugs.

Ritalin and Modafinil, the first generation of mind enhancing drugs,

were originally intended to treat disorders but have since been

adopted by people from across the social spectrum because of their

ability to enhance performance.

Ritalin was originally intended as a treatment for children and

adults with hyperactivity problems, but has since been adopted by

students to help them to concentrate. A study in America last year

revealed that 20% of healthy American college students use Ritalin

before exams.

Modafinil is generally prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy, a

condition which causes people suddenly to fall asleep. It is now

becoming popular for its ability to help people to think clearly and

make decisions when tired.

Scientists are keen to see restrictions removed on more drugs to

make them available without prescription.

Dr Malizia, a consultant senior lecturer in the Department of

Psychopharmacology at Bristol University, is calling for Donepezil,

an Alzheimer's treatment, to be more available. Donepezil has

a " remarkable impact " on a wide range of functions, including

memory, concentration and the ability to learn.

" The potential for these drugs is enormous. People already buy

vitamins and take caffeine to improve mental functions but these

drugs will offer a whole new dimension, " said Malizia.

" Studies have shown that people who take these drugs are able to

memorise more words than they normally could — and increase their

general brainpower.

" We have used them to treat mental disease with great effect, but

there is obviously the market for healthy people to take them just

to get smarter. "

Other scientists remain concerned about smart drugs. Dr -

, neuroscience and education network co-ordinator at Bristol

University, said that the drugs needed to be carefully regulated.

" The [smart] pills are likely to be available to the general public

in a few years. But we do not know how they will be regulated — it

may be that they are only sold on prescription, or it may be that

they are sold on supermarket shelves like vitamin pills, " he said.

" There could be restrictions placed on their sale, but that might

mean people buy them illegally. I would call on people to start

discussing their impact — before they start causing tremendous

problems in society. "

This concern was also raised by King during his cabinet

briefing. " Should we change regulatory structures to enable new

procedures in non-medical psychoactive substances? " he said.

" Are `cognitive enhancers' a great market for social opportunity or

destabilising and divisive? "

[Guest guest]

" The [smart] pills are likely to be available to the general public

in a few years. But we do not know how they will be regulated — it

may be that they are only sold on prescription, or it may be that

they are sold on supermarket shelves like vitamin pills, "

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2209952.html

The Sunday Times

Cracknell and Swinford

SMART drugs to make people think faster, improve their memory and

reduce tiredness will be commonplace within 20 years, according to

the government's chief scientific adviser.

Sir King told ministers at a presentation in Downing Street

that a new generation of " recreational psychoactive substances "

could be given to healthy people to enhance their lives.

He said that brain enhancing chemicals could also " revolutionise "

treatment for mental disorders and create new treatments to fight

drug addiction.

King's report adds to calls from scientists for the removal of

restrictions on " cognitive enhancers " which have been

dubbed " cosmetic neurology " or " nip and tuck " for the mind.

It also cements King's reputation as an increasingly influential

figure in the government — a civil servant who is unafraid to speak

his mind on topics ranging from climate change to drought and drugs.

Ritalin and Modafinil, the first generation of mind enhancing drugs,

were originally intended to treat disorders but have since been

adopted by people from across the social spectrum because of their

ability to enhance performance.

Ritalin was originally intended as a treatment for children and

adults with hyperactivity problems, but has since been adopted by

students to help them to concentrate. A study in America last year

revealed that 20% of healthy American college students use Ritalin

before exams.

Modafinil is generally prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy, a

condition which causes people suddenly to fall asleep. It is now

becoming popular for its ability to help people to think clearly and

make decisions when tired.

Scientists are keen to see restrictions removed on more drugs to

make them available without prescription.

Dr Malizia, a consultant senior lecturer in the Department of

Psychopharmacology at Bristol University, is calling for Donepezil,

an Alzheimer's treatment, to be more available. Donepezil has

a " remarkable impact " on a wide range of functions, including

memory, concentration and the ability to learn.

" The potential for these drugs is enormous. People already buy

vitamins and take caffeine to improve mental functions but these

drugs will offer a whole new dimension, " said Malizia.

" Studies have shown that people who take these drugs are able to

memorise more words than they normally could — and increase their

general brainpower.

" We have used them to treat mental disease with great effect, but

there is obviously the market for healthy people to take them just

to get smarter. "

Other scientists remain concerned about smart drugs. Dr -

, neuroscience and education network co-ordinator at Bristol

University, said that the drugs needed to be carefully regulated.

" The [smart] pills are likely to be available to the general public

in a few years. But we do not know how they will be regulated — it

may be that they are only sold on prescription, or it may be that

they are sold on supermarket shelves like vitamin pills, " he said.

" There could be restrictions placed on their sale, but that might

mean people buy them illegally. I would call on people to start

discussing their impact — before they start causing tremendous

problems in society. "

This concern was also raised by King during his cabinet

briefing. " Should we change regulatory structures to enable new

procedures in non-medical psychoactive substances? " he said.

" Are `cognitive enhancers' a great market for social opportunity or

destabilising and divisive? "