STUDY ON STIMULANT USAGE BY MEDICAL STUDENTS FOR COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT IN KONASEEMA INSTITUTION OF MEDICAL SCIENCES AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Background: The non-medical use of prescription stimulants for cognitive enhancement has become increasingly prevalent among medical students worldwide. This phenomenon raises signicant ethical, medical, and academic concerns [1][2]. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, focusing on stimulant usage trends among medical students. Data were synthesized to identify common patterns, motivations for use, and associated risks. Results: A total of 202 medical students from Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation participated in the study. The majority of respondents were aged between 20 and 29 years, with a predominance of female students, primarily from the 3rd and 4th years and internship levels. Among those who reported using stimulants for cognitive enhancement, caffeine pills were the most commonly used substance (42.9%), followed by other stimulants such as energy drinks and over-the-counter supplements (78.6%), while Ritalin (methylphenidate) was used by only 1.8% of participants. The main motivations for stimulant use included staying awake longer (55.4%), coping with academic pressure (51.8%), enhancing memory (30.4%), and improving concentration (28.6%). Peer inuence and other unspecied reasons were minimal, each accounting for 1.8% of responses. When asked about the ethical acceptability of stimulant use for cognitive enhancement, 38.6% of students considered it unacceptable, 59.9% were unsure, and only 1.5% believed it was ethically acceptable. In terms of perceived academic outcomes among stimulant users, 44 students reported slight improvement, 5 reported signicant improvement, 36 noted no change, and 17 were unsure. A chi-square test revealed a statistically signicant association between stimulant use and perceived academic improvement (χ² = 277.00, p < 0.0001). These ndings highlight both the prevalence and nuanced perspectives surrounding stimulant use among medical students in this institution. Conclusion: The analysis reveals a signicant awareness and use of stimulants among medical students, primarily driven by academic pressures and the desire for cognitive enhancement. While some students report academic benets, the prevalence of side effects and ethical concerns highlights the need for educational initiatives. An interesting nding is that caffeine pills are the most commonly used stimulant, suggesting a reliance on accessible, over-the-counter substances.