Psychological Distress and Use of Psychotropic Drugs Among University Students-the SHoT Study, Norway

Uses of psychotropic drugs by university students in Switzerland

The use of psychotropic drugs among students is well known, but very few studies have been carried out outside North America, and data on Switzerland are particularly scarce. This study investigates the factors that determine the use of drugs and psychotropic substances among students at the University of Lausanne. Our hypotheses were that study pressure could lead to psychotropic drug use; that use could be either regular or experimental; and that users and non-users would have different opinions about the reasons for use and the consequences. Based on a convenience sample (n = 1199) collected by Master's students from other university students as part of a course given in 2019, our three hypotheses were confirmed. The use of psychotropic drugs is well associated with poorer academic performance. Regarding frequency of use, certain types of psychotropic drugs are used regularly (e.g. antidepressants), while others are used on occasionally (e.g. tranquilizers). Psychotropic substances such as cannabis and cocaine, on the other hand, are mainly used irregularly. Finally, the majority of psychotropic drug users report that they use them as part of their medical treatment, while the majority of non-users suggest that they use them mainly to reduce anxiety and stress in everyday life and at school. Our results show that Switzerland, like other countries, is affected by the phenomenon of psychotropic drug use by students, even outside medical supervision. Accordingly, better information on the negative effects of these substances should then be provided to all university students.

Magnitude and Associated Factors of Psychoactive Substance Use among Youths at Selected Administrative Towns of North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Youth and adolescent psychoactive substance use is a major public health problem worldwide which affects the health of individuals, families, and the community as a whole. This study was aimed at assessing the level of psychoactive substance use and the associated factors among the youths of North Sowa zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2020/21. Community based cross-sectional study design with a multistage sampling technique was used. A total of 632 youths were involved in the study. Linear logistic regression analysis was used for both bivariate and multivariate analysis. The prevalence of life time and current psychoactive substance use was found to be 66.1% and 65%, respectively. Male sex and history of substance use from family members and friends were significantly associated with psychoactive substance use. In this study, the prevalence of life time and current psychoactive substance use was high as compared to other studies conducted in Ethiopia.

Benefits and Harms of 'Smart Drugs' (Nootropics) in Healthy Individuals

'Smart drugs' (also known as 'nootropics' and 'cognitive enhancers' [CEs]) are being used by healthy subjects (i.e. students and workers) typically to improve memory, attention, learning, executive functions and vigilance, hence the reference to a 'pharmaceutical cognitive doping behaviour'. While the efficacy of known CEs in individuals with memory or learning deficits is well known, their effect on non-impaired brains is still to be fully assessed. This paper aims to provide an overview on the prevalence of use; putative neuroenhancement benefits and possible harms relating to the intake of the most popular CEs (e.g. amphetamine-type stimulants, methylphenidate, donepezil, selegiline, modafinil, piracetam, benzodiazepine inverse agonists, and unifiram analogues) in healthy individuals. CEs are generally perceived by the users as effective, with related enthusiastic anecdotal reports; however, their efficacy in healthy individuals is uncertain and any reported improvement temporary. Conversely, since most CEs are stimulants, the related modulation of central noradrenaline, glutamate, and dopamine levels may lead to cardiovascular, neurological and psychopathological complications. Furthermore, use of CEs can be associated with paradoxical short- and long-term cognitive decline; decreased potential for plastic learning; and addictive behaviour. Finally, the non-medical use of any potent psychotropic raises serious ethical and legal issues, with nootropics having the potential to become a major public health concern. Further studies investigating CE-associated social, psychological, and biological outcomes are urgently needed to allow firm conclusions to be drawn on the appropriateness of CE use in healthy individuals.