Experts back brain boosters for the healthy

Today's Times of India has an article highlighting how certain "experts" are recommending allopathic drugs to boost the memory power in healthy people. (It was likely picked up from related stories on Salon.com and Newsmeat.)

Drugs like Ritalin are being used by college students to help them concentrate while preparing for exams. And some professionals are using these "pep pills" to give them an extra boost at work where concentration is required. A moral angle is being discussed (is it fair if one of three candidates in an interview takes the drug to boost her chances, or if an airline requires a pilot to take it to increase his concentration?). But what seems to be conspicuously absent from this discussion are the damaging effects of such drugs as well as natural alternatives.

The side effects of Ritalin? (from Drugfree.org)

What are its short-term effects?

Short-term effects can include nervousness and insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, headaches, changes in heart rate and blood pressure (usually elevation of both, but occasionally depression), skin rashes and itching, abdominal pain, weight loss, and digestive problems, toxic psychosis, psychotic episodes, drug dependence syndrome, and severe depression upon withdrawal.

What are its long-term effects?

High doses of stimulants produce a predictable set of symptoms that include loss of appetite (may cause serious malnutrition), tremors and muscle twitching, fevers, convulsions, and headaches (may be severe), irregular heartbeat and respirations (may be profound and life threatening), anxiety, restlessness, paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions, excessive repetition of movements and meaningless tasks, and formicaton (sensation of bugs or worms crawling under the skin).

Meanwhile, Ayurveda has numerous natural remedies to enhance memory and alertness. These include herbs like Brahmi and Shankpushpi that also stimulate the central nervous system, but, which do so with no side effects. The herbs can be taken easily in the form of tablets, powders, and syrups. There are also memory enhancing teas. These herbs are safe and effective for children, as well as for the elderly in treating problems related to mental acuity.

We can't easily control the agenda of pharmaceutical companies who get rich by creating such dangerous designer drugs at the expense of our health. The "drug mafia" and their lobbies are indeed powerful, but they can only succeed as long as the public remains ignorant. It is here that the media can play an important role in creating this awareness. And lest reporters feel it's not newsy enough--take heart. There's also a relevant economic angle: Governments (and common folk as well) are looking to cut costs in various areas--especially in healthcare. Just see how natural remedies like these are a fraction of the cost of their harmful allopathic counterparts--in some cases 20-30 times cheaper! Thus, going green in this department will boost not only people's brain power, but also their savings.