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Radio 1 Stories: Study Drugs

18/04/2017

Study Drugs

BBC Radio 1 - Radio 1 Stories, Study Drugs

Dev discovers why some students reach for a chemical solution when the pressure is on.

Dev discovers why some students are reaching for a risky chemical solution when the pressure is on over deadlines, fees and graduate job opportunites.

Students across the UK are feeling the pressure - Deadlines looming, fees increasing, graduate jobs even harder to find. More and more are turning to what they hope will be a chemical solution. But it's not without risk.

Dev enters the "grey market" to try and get to the bottom of the study drug phenomenon. Are they really a safe and reliable answer? Or are students treating themselves like guinea pigs, unsure of the repercussions?

Usually reserved for those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Narcolepsy, students without these conditions are trying to get razor-sharp focus. But it's a double-edged sword, as students encounter side-effects from insomnia to nausea.

Second year Alecia has experience. From her American high school to University in Bristol, they've never been hard to find. The studying went well - she got into her first-choice university. But the anxiety, sleeplessness and frenzied tidying were an unwanted consequence.

For Jake, study drugs were a crutch in his hour of need. As his mental health deteriorated and he fell behind, they seemed like a reasonable option. After hours of research, he took the plunge, noting his change in mood and focus. But the headaches were a nightmare.

For rugby-loving Tom study drugs seemed like a pill-shaped answer - just not that big of a deal. But with doping illegal in most competitive sports, is it cheating to take a shortcut academically?

With many unsure of what they're actually taking, Dev tries to demystify the subject and look at the science. He'll meet Dr Ali, who takes him deep inside the brain to figure out what's really going on; and unveil the layers beneath the Study Drug allure.

For help and advice, check out Radio 1's online pages: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5FJLMYNjX259JGsgQ3zhxG1/category-drink-drugs.

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