“Psychostimulants improve cognition for everyone, including normal patients without psychiatric illness” ❌. Non-ADHD “Our findings suggest that “smart drugs” increase motivation, but a reduction in quality of effort, crucial to solve complex problems. https://t.co/ZdEwGG2Xt2 https://t.co/x7kXdd9Td9
Not so smart? "Smart" drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort.
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Jun 2023 – Nov 2025Where it's discussed
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AI synopsis
What people are saying
Overall, the group shows strong agreement with the article’s conclusion that smart drugs increase effort levels but reduce work quality, exemplified by posts mentioning scientific studies, terminology like 'motivation' vs. 'performance,' and debates about the effects on healthy users versus those with diagnosed conditions. The tone is analytical and somewhat skeptical, emphasizing the potential downsides and societal relevance of cognitive enhancement drugs.
Most discussions support the article’s findings that smart drugs boost motivation but impair complex cognitive effort.
Participants are highly engaged with the topic, referencing scientific studies and debating the implications for healthy individuals.
Many posts delve into research details, citing studies and discussing real-world effects, indicating deep involvement.
The discussions highlight significant concerns about the widespread use and effectiveness of these drugs, implying a notable societal impact.
Abstract in brief
- Smart drugs like methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, and modafinil tend to make people more motivated, but they actually reduce the quality of the effort put into complex tasks.
- Using a simplified model called the knapsack problem, the study shows that these drugs lower the overall success value in solving tasks, even when the chances of finding the best solution aren't greatly affected.
- Additionally, while effort and decision times increase, the actual problem-solving quality drops, leading to less consistent performance across individuals and sometimes causing above-average performers to perform worse than below-average ones.
Top posts
Most liked on X and Bluesky@PubliusMaximus7 there's no evidence that non-ADHD patients get anything out of stimulants other than staying awake in fact there's some evidence that it actually hurts cognitive performance https://t.co/v6qDTZ0g4S
Do dopamine-enhancing drugs like Ritalin give you a cognitive edge? A brief thread on an important new paper showing that popular 'smart' drugs actually decrease cognitive performance - more dopamine increases effort but reduces effort quality: 1/n https://t.co/ElTaPG2kMm
Este estudio tiene un año pero es nuevo para mi. Concluye que las tres "drogas inteligentes" (Adderall/Ritalin, Modalert y Dexedrina) activan la motivación reteniendo dopamina en el cerebro pero reducen las capacidades cognitivas para todo lo demás. https://t.co/j3JLON5d1J
Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease quality of cognitive effort https://t.co/ztAxrZk87M by @NeuroCurio @carstenmurawski et al. "Our findings suggest that 'smart drugs' increase motivation, but a reduction in quality of effort, crucial to solve complex
“Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort” by Elizabeth Bowman et al. Science Advances https://t.co/Tg5GIfLBGv 3/3
All mentions
Are Smart Drugs Legal and Effective for Brain Enhancement? Evidence and Risks
This video explores the world of smart drugs and nootropics, from their history to myths, effects, and risks. It examines whether these substances genuinely enhance cognition and the safety concerns linked to their use.
É isso que acontece no cérebro de quem toma medicações para TDAH (Venvanse, Ritalina)
Smart Drugs and Cognitive Performance: Impact on Effort and Quality
Smart drugs like methylphenidate and modafinil can increase motivation but reduce the quality of effort in complex tasks, leading to decreased overall performance and inconsistent results.
Impact of Stimulants on Cognitive Performance in Non-ADHD Users
As doctors prescribe more stimulants, more people are sharing doses and taking these medications without an ADHD diagnosis. These individuals claim they use stimulants to improve academic or cognitive performance, but…
Understanding ADHD and Its Misinterpretation in Modern Society
Neste vídeo discutimos a crescente sensação de que todo mundo tem TDAH e como distinguir o transtorno real de traços de personalidade. Abordamos os perigos do autodiagnóstico e a influência das distrações digitais…
それほど良いものではないようです。 Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort | Science Advances https://t.co/8CW9gnsLDZ
@ana_milanesa Tips basados en evidencia que se tiene. 1. Siesta 20 minutos 2. Ejerc. fuerza y resistencia 4. Chocolate (de calidad) 3. Metilfenidato (Si TDAH bajo receta médica) 4. Espacio silencioso 5. No energizantes https://t.co/tEiVLpm1qp https://t.co/PgBe7woE8l https://t.co/CApfUvT2iW
@SigmaObama @OAbendale actually, no. For neurotypical people it's actually decreases it https://t.co/VTSRunm6NI
Neat parallels between false confidence in using adderall to try to boost performance and #ai. tl;dr: You feel more productive but actually aren't https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.add4165 https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.09089
RT @andrewwhite01: https://t.co/TzhI7l9oTE https://t.co/vlQTAdqEbC
https://t.co/TzhI7l9oTE https://t.co/vlQTAdqEbC
https://t.co/UBZobeINsp
O que muita gente não sabe é que esse uso pode ter efeitos colaterais sérios — e nem sempre entrega o que promete. A ciência já mostrou que essas substâncias não melhoram tanto assim o desempenho cognitivo em pessoas saudáveis. https://t.co/bfizQ8maiY https://t.co/vPBIDdiVhy
RT @joannamoncrieff: Several studies show stimulants do not benefit performance. e.g. young adults given the virtual ‘knapsack’ tests. ‘To…
@LizardOrman @Waffl3x @menhguin https://t.co/oPeYkG0U1N
Several studies show stimulants do not benefit performance. e.g. young adults given the virtual ‘knapsack’ tests. ‘To an observer, they appeared to be focused, well behaved, on task. But in fact, they weren’t accomplishing anything of much value.’ 6/10 https://t.co/jSk4CP0ZUu
@_hsmiranda @eslendelanogare https://t.co/BG5NV6hLO4 Preguiçoso hauahauaua
O estudo citado no vídeo: DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add4165
@DiracGhost @aryehazan @ladidadadum Also as an incidental bonus, this may, um, help explain something about tech https://t.co/Lffup2zAW7
@RapeMentality @DaSkrubKing I don't care about campuses I care about peer reviewed studies that have looked into the effects. Like this one https://t.co/mVyK5aNlBD
@PubliusMaximus7 there's no evidence that non-ADHD patients get anything out of stimulants other than staying awake in fact there's some evidence that it actually hurts cognitive performance https://t.co/v6qDTZ0g4S
@Johncodemode @sowmaler Methylphenidate for ADHD doesn't seem to do what you claim it does. Counterproductive from Bowman and others in 2023 https://t.co/ElX4IBHbsH Inconclusive from Smith and Farah in 2011 https://t.co/tYI3NrIWSf
@raulbemnovinh0 @vvagnerrocha @ComunistaOpres4 bom, se vc reparar bem a fonte foi o site do Conselho Federal de Farmácia do Paraná, mas aqui está um estudo (não brasileiro, já que isso parece ser um problema) publicado em 2023 sobre o assunto https://t.co/9bbT8rF2ix
RT @minipetite: Este estudio tiene un año pero es nuevo para mi. Concluye que las tres "drogas inteligentes" (Adderall/Ritalin, Modalert y…
RT @minipetite: Este estudio tiene un año pero es nuevo para mi. Concluye que las tres "drogas inteligentes" (Adderall/Ritalin, Modalert y…
RT @minipetite: Este estudio tiene un año pero es nuevo para mi. Concluye que las tres "drogas inteligentes" (Adderall/Ritalin, Modalert y…
RT @minipetite: Este estudio tiene un año pero es nuevo para mi. Concluye que las tres "drogas inteligentes" (Adderall/Ritalin, Modalert y…
Este estudio tiene un año pero es nuevo para mi. Concluye que las tres "drogas inteligentes" (Adderall/Ritalin, Modalert y Dexedrina) activan la motivación reteniendo dopamina en el cerebro pero reducen las capacidades cognitivas para todo lo demás. https://t.co/j3JLON5d1J
@drmikehart Not there (yet) - this paper is the only one I'm aware of that uses a precise metric for task difficulty and shows purported smart drugs actually decrease quality of cognitive effort. It will be difficult to develop a drug with the right effects. https://t.co/ElTaPG2kMm
RT @ivanildoiii: Estudo: https://t.co/hZDKDB3nVC
Estudo: https://t.co/hZDKDB3nVC
@derekm00r3 @mwfowlie @Pinpadpromptz @Aella_Girl https://t.co/oHyIrpNJts
@AddictLocks @HLTVorg https://t.co/RVXFGwCGBP
RT @CaulfieldTim: Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease quality of cognitive effort https://t.co/ztAxrZk87M by @Neuro…
RT @CaulfieldTim: Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease quality of cognitive effort https://t.co/ztAxrZk87M by @Neuro…
RT @CaulfieldTim: Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease quality of cognitive effort https://t.co/ztAxrZk87M by @Neuro…
RT @CaulfieldTim: Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease quality of cognitive effort https://t.co/ztAxrZk87M by @Neuro…
RT @CaulfieldTim: Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease quality of cognitive effort https://t.co/ztAxrZk87M by @Neuro…
Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease quality of cognitive effort https://t.co/ztAxrZk87M by @NeuroCurio @carstenmurawski et al. "Our findings suggest that 'smart drugs' increase motivation, but a reduction in quality of effort, crucial to solve complex
@PicoPaco17 I think most nootropics are BS. The user feels like they're being hyperproductive, but in reality performance does not increase. I'm sure there is a knock on effect where more motivated people work more and thus get more done. But at what cost? https://t.co/pAw7nkbCbn
@bayeslord Do any nootropics really increase productivity, or just the perception of it? This study resonates with my experience with Thesis. I was running the engine in a low gear with tac pegged just to get to the same destination in more time. https://t.co/pAw7nkbCbn
Livetweeting https://t.co/X88oYlPCdU. Note: I talk about this paper like it's definitive because it's easier, but obviously that's not true.
@MaskedTorah Depends how janky, but maybe, especially for a proof of concept. A neat feature to have would be tracking how people try to solve it. I'm testing out the procedure in this paper, which used how many moves people made as a metric of effort and tactics https://t.co/X88oYlPCdU
Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort | Science Advances https://t.co/pW3x7Tc0fl
RT @StevenQuartz: Do dopamine-enhancing drugs like Ritalin give you a cognitive edge? A brief thread on an important new paper showing that…
I remain unconvinced by adderall https://t.co/SIQyUDGFZw
@AnneHarris36672 @ChaosKittyEm @DrCameronMurray @OurNewHomecoach Unsurprisingly, the use of ADHD medication by people who do NOT have ADHD (ie neurotypical people) results in those patients becoming “dumber”. But ensuring students with ADHD are medicated ahead of intense cognitive/executive load makes sense. https://t.co/nTJcW10EJg
Nootropicos parecen disminuir la calidad del resultado de tareas cognitivas complejas, en personas sanas Artículo por @NeuroCurio en @ScienceAdvances https://t.co/Qgd2YZkSbf #MedEd #STEMeducation #Nootropics #Limitless #CognitiveEnhancement #BrainBoost
@ClarkeMicah https://t.co/l5cQyKySgs
@Garrodactyl @drdevonprice More recent research has shown that stimulants improve wakefulness and motivation in non-ADHD folk, but also negatively effect accuracy and problem solving ability. So they’ll work harder, and feel like they're getting more done, but get worse results. https://t.co/9s51lvGaJN
RT @BarriersMatthew: @AntelmPujol https://t.co/pmOvCWK45N
@AntelmPujol https://t.co/pmOvCWK45N
RT @cesargaglioni: Alô concurseiros coaches e afins neurotipicos que tomam Venvanse e/ou Ritalina achando que vocês vão pensar melhor. Não…
Alô concurseiros coaches e afins neurotipicos que tomam Venvanse e/ou Ritalina achando que vocês vão pensar melhor. Não vão. O estudo tá aqui. Parem de comprar e encarecer pra quem precisa mesmo https://t.co/F4rvHRbsir
RT @sanilrege: “Psychostimulants improve cognition for everyone, including normal patients without psychiatric illness” ❌. Non-ADHD “Our f…
RT @sanilrege: “Psychostimulants improve cognition for everyone, including normal patients without psychiatric illness” ❌. Non-ADHD “Our f…
RT @sanilrege: “Psychostimulants improve cognition for everyone, including normal patients without psychiatric illness” ❌. Non-ADHD “Our f…
RT @sanilrege: “Psychostimulants improve cognition for everyone, including normal patients without psychiatric illness” ❌. Non-ADHD “Our f…
“Psychostimulants improve cognition for everyone, including normal patients without psychiatric illness” ❌. Non-ADHD “Our findings suggest that “smart drugs” increase motivation, but a reduction in quality of effort, crucial to solve complex problems. https://t.co/ZdEwGG2Xt2 https://t.co/x7kXdd9Td9
RT @StevenQuartz: Do dopamine-enhancing drugs like Ritalin give you a cognitive edge? A brief thread on an important new paper showing that…
RT @Martin_Whitely: New research found that so-called 'smart drugs' (amphetamines prescribed for ADHD) make people work harder but achieve…
RT @StevenQuartz: Do dopamine-enhancing drugs like Ritalin give you a cognitive edge? A brief thread on an important new paper showing that…
スマートドラッグによる認知能力向上。現実世界での問題解決能力とは別物か。 https://t.co/azweaaT40Z
RT @Martin_Whitely: New research found that so-called 'smart drugs' (amphetamines prescribed for ADHD) make people work harder but achieve…
RT @punishdtriangls: Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort | Science Advances https:/…
RT @punishdtriangls: Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort | Science Advances https:/…
RT @punishdtriangls: Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort | Science Advances https:/…
Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort | Science Advances https://t.co/haNRzZM5T6
Important research for students using drugs like Ritalin or Adderall off-label to boost academic performance. Causes lots of unproductive activity, but makes you worse at problem-solving.
Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort | Science Advances https://t.co/c2XJq9jWzS
Sözde 'akıllı' ilaçlar sağlıklı bireylerde bilişsel performansı artırıyor ancak kalitesini düşürüyormuş. 3 popüler akıllı ilacın, metilfenidat, modafinil ve dekstroamfetamin etkilerini incelemişler https://t.co/4l0SpU1viZ https://t.co/RXI5FsWfbX
RT @gfbertone: Interesting read: pharmaceutical cognitive enhancers, aka “Smart drugs”, increase motivation but reduce quality of effort h…
Interesting read: pharmaceutical cognitive enhancers, aka “Smart drugs”, increase motivation but reduce quality of effort https://t.co/buhdl2POKb
@hubermanlab very interesting! Thoughts? https://t.co/thvJhfCshe
RT @agingdoc1: Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort https://t.co/0F3ltDexnM @Scien…
Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort https://t.co/0F3ltDexnM @ScienceAdvances https://t.co/XQ6NGGrFaH
So called "smart” drugs increase the amount of effort a subject invests into finding a solution, but decrease the quality of their work. "They boost subjective reward while reducing perceived effort, but they have a detrimental effect on efficacy." https://t.co/Y8ly6b1hrW https://t.co/AhOvyGIhU9
RT @StevenQuartz: Do dopamine-enhancing drugs like Ritalin give you a cognitive edge? A brief thread on an important new paper showing that…
RT @StevenQuartz: Do dopamine-enhancing drugs like Ritalin give you a cognitive edge? A brief thread on an important new paper showing that…
RT @StevenQuartz: Do dopamine-enhancing drugs like Ritalin give you a cognitive edge? A brief thread on an important new paper showing that…
Do dopamine-enhancing drugs like Ritalin give you a cognitive edge? A brief thread on an important new paper showing that popular 'smart' drugs actually decrease cognitive performance - more dopamine increases effort but reduces effort quality: 1/n https://t.co/ElTaPG2kMm
RT @post_liberal: ‘Our findings suggest that “smart drugs” increase motivation, but a reduction in quality of effort, crucial to solve comp…
‘Our findings suggest that “smart drugs” increase motivation, but a reduction in quality of effort, crucial to solve complex problems, annuls this effect.’ https://t.co/bzFiAhI7Fp
RT @Martin_Whitely: New research found that so-called 'smart drugs' (amphetamines prescribed for ADHD) make people work harder but achieve…
Os "medicamentos inteligentes" aumentam a motivação, mas uma redução na qualidade do esforço, crucial para resolver problemas complexos, anula esse efeito. (
Uma pesquisa randomizada comparou placebo e três produtos chamados de 'medicamentos inteligentes' em voluntários saudáveis. As drogas inteligentes apenas melhoraram a motivação para realizar o trabalho, mas não a qualidade do esforço. (
@Baryonic420 @CCHRInt The point of the original article I referred to is in the extreme short term amphetamines increase motivation but they don't improve performance (i.e. accomplish things) unless those things are very simple repetitive and don't require higher order thinking.https://t.co/at5EmbKacn
RT @Martin_Whitely: New research found that so-called 'smart drugs' (amphetamines prescribed for ADHD) make people work harder but achieve…
RT @Martin_Whitely: New research found that so-called 'smart drugs' (amphetamines prescribed for ADHD) make people work harder but achieve…
RT @joannamoncrieff: Stimulants ('smart' drugs) increase effort but reduce productivity in volunteers https://t.co/u76I9FeGV9
This may explain Joe Rogan. https://t.co/fS3yBppsNF
Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort - https://t.co/aQbvUtrCm7
RT @Elio65: Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort | Science Advances https://t.co/TZr…
Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort | Science Advances https://t.co/TZrhwvcg0g
U osób bez ADHD/ADD, leki powodują zmniejszenie produktywności, pomimo zwiększenia wysiłku przeznaczonego na zakończenie zadanie: https://t.co/WSIzDSW3h9
#esamidimaturita "Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort" https://t.co/CanMqTHT2a Recensione https://t.co/5sN5QHIAlX
Pra quem se interessa, segue o link do estudo: https://t.co/r5c3bri7KZ https://t.co/V2BSgDkgAy
RT @joannamoncrieff: Stimulants ('smart' drugs) increase effort but reduce productivity in volunteers https://t.co/u76I9FeGV9
RT @Martin_Whitely: New research found that so-called 'smart drugs' (amphetamines prescribed for ADHD) make people work harder but achieve…
RT @joannamoncrieff: Stimulants ('smart' drugs) increase effort but reduce productivity in volunteers https://t.co/u76I9FeGV9
RT @Martin_Whitely: New research found that so-called 'smart drugs' (amphetamines prescribed for ADHD) make people work harder but achieve…
RT @Martin_Whitely: New research found that so-called 'smart drugs' (amphetamines prescribed for ADHD) make people work harder but achieve…
RT @Martin_Whitely: New research found that so-called 'smart drugs' (amphetamines prescribed for ADHD) make people work harder but achieve…
RT @joannamoncrieff: Stimulants ('smart' drugs) increase effort but reduce productivity in volunteers https://t.co/u76I9FeGV9
Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort | Science Advances https://t.co/KQWLfYROvK
RT @joannamoncrieff: Stimulants ('smart' drugs) increase effort but reduce productivity in volunteers https://t.co/u76I9FeGV9
RT @joannamoncrieff: Stimulants ('smart' drugs) increase effort but reduce productivity in volunteers https://t.co/u76I9FeGV9
RT @Martin_Whitely: New research found that so-called 'smart drugs' (amphetamines prescribed for ADHD) make people work harder but achieve…
RT @joannamoncrieff: Stimulants ('smart' drugs) increase effort but reduce productivity in volunteers https://t.co/u76I9FeGV9
RT @andst7: Interesting: "Our findings suggest that “smart drugs” increase motivation, but a reduction in quality of effort, crucial to sol…
RT @Martin_Whitely: New research found that so-called 'smart drugs' (amphetamines prescribed for ADHD) make people work harder but achieve…
RT @Martin_Whitely: New research found that so-called 'smart drugs' (amphetamines prescribed for ADHD) make people work harder but achieve…
RT @decisionneurop: Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort https://t.co/9uGtBTRLVV
RT @decisionneurop: Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort https://t.co/9uGtBTRLVV
RT @decisionneurop: Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort https://t.co/9uGtBTRLVV
Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort https://t.co/9uGtBTRLVV
RT @pash22: Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort https://t.co/rt2n6pkTSG via @NeuroC…
Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort https://t.co/rt2n6pkTSG via @NeuroCurio & @carstenmurawski et al
RT @mdsportex: Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort | Science Advances https://t.co/…
Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort | Science Advances https://t.co/3GIxnvNbln
Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort | Science Advances https://t.co/AU81VSVXCE @andrewrheyes
Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort | Science Advances https://t.co/37mcqtxRA2
Lovely to work with @NeuroCurio @carstenmurawski & Peter Bossaerts on this Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort | Science Advances https://t.co/8zrKTTD30a
価値を最大化するように入れる)に取り組んだ結果、薬を服用した参加者は、偽薬を服用した参加者と比較して、時間と労力が大幅に増加するとともに、精度と効率がわずかに低下することがわかりました。リタリン使用者は偽薬使用者より問題の解決に平均で約 50% 長く時間がかかりhttps://t.co/MXqq9lFxCs
Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort. https://t.co/FEd2mQIkNJ
Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort | Science Advances https://t.co/Lj0AyUCsYo
“Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort” by Elizabeth Bowman et al. Science Advances https://t.co/Tg5GIfLBGv 3/3
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