Don't touch it! The "smart drugs" that are popular among parents are actually psychotropic drugs, and taking them may cause addiction

Expert of this article: Wang Weibao, Endocrinology Clinical Pharmacist, Dongying People's Hospital

Whenever exams such as the junior high school entrance examination and the college entrance examination come around, there is always a group of people who are more nervous than the examinees, and they are the parents.

In order to help their children get better scores in exams, some parents even go to the hospital to consult about a "smart drug" called methylphenidate, which is said to be able to improve students' academic performance.

However, methylphenidate is actually a Class I psychotropic drug that is strictly controlled in my country and is clinically used to treat "attention deficit hyperactivity disorder".

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Is this medicine really so miraculous? Let us unveil its mystery.

Why is methylphenidate called a "smart drug"?

Methylphenidate is a stimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as "ADHD."

The reason why some parents regard it as a "smart drug" is because methylphenidate excites the nerve center and has a certain effect of improving attention, thereby improving academic performance.

However, methylphenidate does not really improve IQ, it just helps to concentrate for a long time and improve learning efficiency. There is no scientific research to show that taking methylphenidate will make you smarter.

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side effect:

If methylphenidate is taken for a long time, side effects such as insomnia, dizziness, headache, nausea, anorexia, palpitations, increased blood pressure, and increased heart rate may occur. More importantly, it is addictive, which manifests as an uncontrollable behavior of seeking drugs.

Some candidates take methylphenidate before the exam just to improve their grades, not for medical purposes. If they stop taking the drug immediately after the exam, they may experience symptoms such as inattention, mental fatigue, and depression.

Therefore, it is extremely unscientific and strictly prohibited to rely on taking methylphenidate to improve academic performance.

Are there any “smart drugs” that can improve grades?

The State Food and Drug Administration once issued a reminder that my country has never approved any drugs with functions such as improving IQ.

Source: National Drug Administration website

my country has never approved any health food with the function of "brain nourishing". The approved health foods with functions such as "relieving physical fatigue" and "enhancing immunity" are not suitable for nourishing the brain, improving IQ, and relieving mental fatigue.

Health products have specified suitable and unsuitable groups of people and specified amounts of consumption, and consumers need to check carefully when purchasing.

What should candidates pay most attention to before the exam?

Standardized medication

Medicines are poisonous to some extent, so don't use them if you are not sick. Especially some medicines that may cause side effects such as drowsiness. For example, some cold medicines contain anti-allergic ingredients such as chlorpheniramine, which may cause drowsiness or inattention. If you need to take them, take them at night as much as possible.

You can keep antidiarrheal drugs such as montmorillonite powder at home. If you have diarrhea due to eating something bad or being nervous, you can take the medicine in time.

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Keep a regular schedule

When the exam is approaching, parents must make sure that the students develop a habit of keeping a regular schedule. If you study too late at night, it may seem that you have learned a lot, but the lack of energy during the day will have a greater impact on yourself. Because the exams are held during the day, you should make your excitement during the exam period and maintain the best mental state during the day.

If you still have difficulty falling asleep, you can take short-acting hypnotic drugs such as zolpidem tablets appropriately, and avoid using long-acting hypnotic drugs such as diazepam to minimize the impact on the next day's state.

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Scientific diet

In terms of diet, proper supplementation is enough. Candidates concentrate on using their brains before the exam, and their bodies are also relatively tired. They can appropriately supplement with rich substances such as protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamins, etc., which can be obtained well from the coarse grains, milk, almonds and other nuts, as well as vegetables and fruits we consume daily. In fact, there is no need to add the so-called "tonics".

Exercise regularly

Combine work and rest, and take a break when you are tired from studying. Exercise produces endorphins, which make people happy and can relieve stress. You can run, play ball, and sweat a little. But you must ensure safety first and do not exercise excessively.

Stabilize emotions

Before a major exam, students are usually nervous. Moderate nervousness is good for the brain's excitement and for normal performance. But if you are too nervous, you can relieve it by talking to teachers, parents, and classmates, or listening to music, exercising moderately, etc., to maintain a good mood.

Chase your dreams with no regrets and look forward to the future!

at last

Best wishes to all students

Everyone can get ideal results!

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