Question: Is there anything wrong with using stimulants just to help you study?
Answer: It use to be thought that if stimulants calmed you down and increased your focus and performance, it meant you were ADD. We know now that anyone can improve their focus and short term retention by using stimulants.
A recent study of diversion of stimulants in college found that the overwhelming majority of the time, it was to help study, not for recreational purposes. This is considered by main stream medicine to be misuse/abuse of medication and is illegal. When reported in the media, this has been referred to as “cosmetic pharmacology.”
My guess is that most of the time there are no adverse consequences, but there are situations where it can be harmful without medical supervision. “I only need the medication to …” study for exams or to write a paper or read a boring assignment becomes “I only need it to …” prepare a brief, write a report for my boss, do my taxes, etc.
Being ADHD means it’s hard to focus on anything you’re not interested in, it’s hard sticking with something over any length of time, and it’s hard to finish things because the final details get monotonous and time consuming. A lot of people with moderate severity ADHD do fine with day to day functioning, especially if they’re bright and have good social skills. They may not realize they are ADD, but they know that stimulants help them when higher levels of focus are required.
You don’t have to meet full diagnostic criteria for ADHD to warrant treatment. ADD NOS (not otherwise specified) is a category that roughly means some significant ADD symptoms.
It would not be acceptable medical practice for any physician to prescribe any stimulant just to help study in the absence of any ADD symptoms.
