“Learning pills” help improve exam results, say students

Research at the University of Antwerp shows that one in 20 students at the school uses psychostimulant drugs such as Ritalin or Concerta, often without a prescription, to improve exam results. The study is part of a large-scale research project by universities in Antwerp, Ghent and Leuven. The final results of the research will be published early next year.

According to professor Guido Van Hal of Antwerp’s department of health sciences, the use of stimulants – often used to treat attention deficit disorder – during exam periods is comparable to the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports. They also lead to comparable health hazards, including heart problems, headache, hypertension and addiction.

A previous study in 2009 showed that at least 3,000 students at the universities of Ghent and Antwerp used stimulants on a daily basis during exams. This year, 4.3% of Antwerp students admitted to frequent use. Male students are twice as likely to use them as female students, while most students hold neutral or even positive attitudes towards the drugs. Most students consider a stimulant to be a “learning pill”.