July 14, 2005

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Brain stimulants may become popular

The use of mind-enhancing drugs to boost one's "brain power" might reportedly become as common as drinking a cup of coffee.

A group of British scientists, in a report prepared for the government's Office of Science and Technology, predicted powerful stimulants that improve memory, intellectual agility or other aspects of mental performance will almost certainly be developed during the next 20 years, The Independent said.

The researchers said such so-called "cognition enhancers" will have few side-effects, little or no addictive properties, and could be used for such non-medical purposes as boosting exam performance or even eliminating bad memories.

"In a world that is increasingly non-stop and competitive, the individual's use of such substances may move from the fringe to the norm, with cognition enhancers used as coffee is today," according to the report. "It is possible that such an advance could usher in a new era of drug use without addiction,"

Copyright 2005 by United Press International

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