ADHD drugs appear to decrease productivity in people without the condition. 

A recent study by the University of Melbourne and the University of Cambridge reveals that the use of cognitive enhancers, commonly known as 'smart' drugs, prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), may actually hinder performance and productivity. 

The findings challenge the prevailing belief that these drugs improve focus and cognitive abilities in individuals without ADHD.

The researchers carried out a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial involving 40 healthy participants in Melbourne. 

The participants were given one of three popular 'smart' drugs, namely Methylphenidate (Ritalin), Modafinil, or Dextroamphetamine, as well as a placebo. 

They were then tested on their performance using the Knapsack Optimization Problem, a task designed to represent real-life challenges. 

The test was repeated four times, with at least a one-week interval, to evaluate the impact of the drugs.

The study revealed that overall, participants experienced a decrease in accuracy and efficiency when taking the drugs, along with a significant increase in time and effort compared to the placebo condition. 

Interestingly, individuals who performed well without drugs exhibited a stronger decline in performance and productivity after taking a drug. 

On the other hand, those with lower performance occasionally saw slight improvements with the drugs.

Lead author Dr Elizabeth Bowman, a researcher at the Centre for Brain, Mind and Markets at the University of Melbourne, emphasised that the effectiveness of pharmaceutical enhancers for healthy individuals in everyday complex tasks remains uncertain. 

“Our research shows drugs that are expected to improve cognitive performance may actually be leading to healthy users working harder while producing a lower quality of work in a longer amount of time,” she said. 

Professor Peter Bossaerts, the Leverhulme International Professor of Neuroeonomics at the University of Cambridge, said there is a need for further research to understand the effects of these drugs on non-ADHD users. 

“Performance did not generally increase, so questions remain about how the drugs are affecting people's minds and decision-making,” he said. 

More details are accessible here.