Dr Hannah Critchlow, a neuroscientist at the University of Cambridge, gave a talk on consciousness at the Hay Festival this week.

Concentrating on attention and focus, as aspects of consciousness, led her to discuss the topic of smart drugs, or study drugs.

The drugs, such as Modafinil, are normally prescribed to Alzheimer’s patients, narcoleptics, or children with ADHD.

Known as cognition-enhancers, smart drugs supposedly “boost brain power” amongst non-sufferers who buy them online.

Now academics are increasingly taking them in order to help them improve their concentration during committee meetings and help their grant-writing.

An online study of 1,400 academics from 60 countries showed that one in five had used these drugs for “non-medical reasons” in order to “stimulate their focus, concentration or memory”.

Whilst it is only based on those who elected to respond, the number of respondents and those who answered that they had used them is still very high.

Dr Critchlow also mentioned a survey of students at Cambridge which was made around the same time, which showed that as many as one in ten admitted to taking them.

Speaking to Varsity, she said that their use amongst Cambridge students can be put down to “the stress and pressure of exams and deadlines”.

Drug use or drug abuse?

Early studies showing brain scans of those doing maths puzzles after taking Modafinil show that it closes down the electrical activity circuits and increases focus.

But Dr Critchlow also said that, “exactly how these cognitive enhancers work is not clear”.

Their long-term effects are still unknown, and users could be putting their health at risk.

Whilst it is legal for non-sufferers to buy these prescription drugs, supplying them to others is illegal.

Dr Critchlow was keen to emphasise lifestyle alternatives to the drugs, which she herself opted for as a PhD student, “proper sleep, exercise and meeting new people”.

These help new nerve cells to be born and connect with each other, and consolidate the connections for memory