Developing expertise, customising sleep, enhancing study practices: exploring the legitimisation of modafinil use within the accounts of UK undergraduate students

Abstract

Introduction and aim: Increasing numbers of students are reportedly using prescription medications to enhance cognition. This study aimed to generate qualitative data on UK students’ understandings and perspectives of the risks and benefits surrounding so-called ‘study drugs’ (particularly, modafinil). Design and methods: Fifteen undergraduate students studying biomedical science subjects were interviewed about their perspectives on study drugs. Interviews were recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis. Users and non-users were included in the sample. Results: The prescription status and comparisons to other legal and illicit stimulants informed accounts of the (lack of) risks associated with study drugs, legitimising use. The customisation of sleep(iness) and wakefulness was described as a key benefit of study drug use. Drivers of use related to university pressures and desires to increase productivity. In periods of heightened stress, such as examinations, students reported altered practices and perspectives on risk. Discussion and conclusions: We noted the contextual nature of students’ use and risk appraisals, with fluctuating social contexts and pressures over time being capable of altering prior assessments and current practices (including the legitimisation of study drug consumption). Further, we highlighted the degree to which students leveraged their biomedical and experiential expertise to account for drug consumption.

The Use and Impact of Cognitive Enhancers among University Students: A Systematic Review

“…A 2019 UK qualitative study with Biomedical Science undergraduate students examined their understanding of the risks of non-prescribed drugs, and particularly modafinil, misuse. Drivers of use were related to university pressures and desires to increase productivity; the customisation of the sleep–wake cycle was described as a key benefit of ‘study drug’ use [ 32 ].…”

“…Indeed, Steward and Pickersgill (2019) found that all their CE users had ingested modafinil, with only some also having tried methylphenidate and amphetamine salt mixtures for the purpose of study. In fact, students described how the use of methylphenidate and amphetamine salt mixtures could result in dependence and hence these were approached more cautiously [ 32 ]. Overall, however, the use of methylphenidate has significantly increased, with its consumption, in defined daily doses, having increased to approximately 2.4 billion worldwide [ 35 ].…”

Making sense of pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement: taking stock and looking forward

“…Further, recent studies of PCED users have found that their moral evaluations of PCED use continually shift within the same social context as social and time pressures rise and fall (Krøll, 2019;Steward & Pickersgill, 2019, both this issue). For example, it is well established in the literature that students tend to use PCEDs at times of increased pressure (e.g.…”

“…There is then, a need for scholars to look beyond the 'West' and take a more global and comparative perspective to examine understandings of PCE and PCED consumption practices in varied socio-cultural and regulatory environments. Because PCDE use has often been connected to the pressure and stress in western educational institutions and workplaces (Bjønness, 2019, Steward & Pickersgill, 2019Krøll, 2019;Maier et al, 2018;Sattler, 2019), comparative work, analysing different settings and contexts, would help us gain a more nuanced knowledge about the phenomenon. We might also think of future work around pharmaceutical production and 'global supply chains' and how these act to shape consumption practices, to uncover and connect the production and manufacture of pharmaceuticalswhich often takes places within developing countrieswith their distribution, sale and use (Gabe et al, 2015).…”

Psychosocial factors facilitating use of cognitive enhancing drugs in education: a qualitative investigation of moral disengagement and associated processes

“…Though as noted in Steward and Pickersgill (2019) care should be taken if and when university institutions decide on CE drug use policy.…”