(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]

Eeeew no!

More of a drive toward a 24/7 society isn't it. More pressure to cut

off communication with the body and just drug out the symptoms it

exhibits.

> 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.

OK well let's see if it turns him into Superman then, let him take

it himself for 10 or 20 years. He can then report back on his

wonderfully new enhanced life. More likely, I think, that he would

be experiencing long-term health problems from taking this drug.

There is no mention in this article that long-term effects are known.

>

>

>

> He said that brain enhancing chemicals could also " revolutionise "

> treatment for mental disorders and create new treatments to fight

> drug addiction.

Great, treat drug problems with more drugs.

>

> 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.

Let the sort of people who feel they need cosmetic surgery to exist

as human beings get on with it then, the idiots.

<<help people to think clearly and

> make decisions when tired. >>

How about this: they go and get some sleep.

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

Have they??

You know what will happen with this. The health problems people will

develop as a result will not be connected with these drugs.

Let's just hope this is another stupid fad

.

[Guest guest]

<<Scientists are keen to see restrictions removed on more drugs to make them

available without prescription. >>

** Correction -- scientists with financial ties to the pharmaceutical

industry 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. "

>>

** I have followed the psychoactive " smart drug " movement for a number

of years now. This trend toward currently existing psychotropic drugs is

something new. It used to be that psychoactive substances from tropical

places were being regarded as smart drugs. What is interesting is that the

majority of " smart drug' pioneers are now dead from brain tumors.

Sites that promote " smart drugs " make psychotropic drugs available without

prescription. I have a catalog from which I could but certain ADs without

the hassle of an Rx.

I feel very strongly that somewhere along the way, the drug industry has

jumped on this bandwagon and have managed to put their drugs in ther

forefront of this movement.

Think about it --this is merely a re-packaging of drugs that have gotten a

bad reputation under their current designations. But if you call them

" Smart Drugs " how many people wouldn't be eager to try them? It will take

about 2-5 years before people forget these were ever called antidepressants.

Regards,

" Human beings, who are almost unique in having

the ability to learn from the experience of others,

are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination

to do so. "

--