[ADHD medication to improve academic performance?]

The Monitor Mental Health and Substance Use (2021) shows that almost one in twenty students has used ADHD medication for non-medical use at least once in the past year. Non-medical use is use without a doctor's prescription. In interviews, students mainly mention methylphenidate for this non-medical use. Students mention improved concentration for study activities as an important reason. Students often receive or buy the medication from friends or family who use the medicines on prescription. Some scientific studies show that ADHD medication in people without ADHD has a positive effect on cognitive performance, such as attention. However, the effects found are small and the research setting was not representative of daily practice. Also, the non-medical use does not seem to lead to better academic performance. In addition, little is known about safety. Therefore, non-medical use of ADHD-medication cannot be justified.