Do 'smart pills' really make people smarter?
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015 11:57 AM

Intelligence is widely believed to be one of the main indications for how successful a person will be in academia and life, so it's no wonder people are searching for ways to make themselves more intelligent - including by taking so-called "smart pills." But do these chemical interventions actually work to increase a person's IQ score? Read on for more on smart pills and how they affect intelligence:

What are smart pills?
"Smart pill" is a general term that refers to any medication that acts as a cognitive enhancer. Though there are several different varieties (including nootropics, which are currently rising in popularity) the two most common - and most researched - are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, or Ritalin and Adderall, respectively. These drugs have long been prescribed to people with attention deficit disorders to help them retain focus and mental acuity. However, in the last few years, taking them has become a popular method for anyone to get a little cognitive boost, whether it's a teenager trying to get good grades or a worker trying to make his or her way up the corporate ladder. Many people now take them even without a prescription, which could potentially be dangerous.

Do smart pills work?
Although these smart pills are a new trendy way to increase intelligence, there is little evidence that they actually do so - despite decades of scientific testing. According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, while there is ample evidence that these drugs can enhance memory and attention, most research shows that they don't actually increase overall intelligence or IQ. Amy Arnsten, professor of neurobiology at Yale Medical School, told BBC that smart pills change the way we think in the short term, but don't have an effect on long-term cognitive functioning.

"I think people think about smart drugs the way they think about steroids in athletics, but it's not a proper analogy because with steroids you're creating more muscle," Arnsten told the source. "With smart drugs, all you're doing is taking the brain that you have and putting it in its optimal chemical state. You're not taking Homer Simpson and making him into Einstein."

In fact, some scientists believe people's obsession with these pills - especially when they haven't been prescribed - could potentially do more harm than good. That's why the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues recently called for more research into cognitive enhancers, including both drugs and electrical stimulation, according to Live Science. The commission also believes that more research can and should be conducted to find natural ways to effectively increase brain power, including through nutrition and fitness.