“It makes you want to study,” senior John Michaels* said.

Michaels is referring to the popular Adderall, a study drug used by students. It is the heightened sense of concentration and the ability to focus that has resulted in the widespread use of Adderall among students, many of whom are not prescribed users.

Adderall or amphetamine-dextroamphetamine is a drug used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It stimulates the central nervous system by increasing the amount of certain chemicals, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, that are released in the brain. These chemicals, or neurotransmitters, help the brain send signals between nerve cells.

“Adderall helps restore the balance of these neurotransmitters to the parts of the brain that control the ability to focus and pay attention,” Brooke Daley, from the Daily Pennsylvanian, said.

“Regardless of what you choose to do under the substance, you will concentrate on that as long as you are under the effects of the drug,” sophomore Bill Marks* said. Marks is a student in the top 10 percent of his graduating class, and is enrolled in four Advanced Placement classes this year. According to Marks, Adderall has helped him pull through all-nighters before big tests and helped him do well in school, but he does not attribute his academic success to the drug.

It is the high pressure environments, where GPAs and grades determine everything from college acceptance to class rank, which drive many students to experiment and use study drugs.

These drugs are obtained with prescriptions or bought from friends with prescriptions.

“I get Adderall from a couple people in the school; it depends who has at the time,” Michaels said. “These pills come in doses of 10-15 milligrams and the cost is around $3 to even $10 per pill.”

“Students do not understand the implications of this serious and strong medication,” Science teacher David Buncher said. There are dangerous side effects that students are unaware of. These include loss of appetite, dehydration, hot flashes, stomach pain, nausea, heavy sweating, headaches, confusion and involuntary movements.

“As with other amphetamines, regular users of Adderall can soon become dependant on it to get through the day,” Rebecca L. Weber, correspondent of the Christian Science monitor, said.

On the other hand, there are students who refuse to use study drugs to help them with their school work.

“I don’t want to put drugs in my body that I am not supposed to be taking,” said Senior Meredith Brook. “I think it is sad that students do not have the ability or energy to study by themselves.”

“People who use study pills while test taking are getting an unfair advantage over those who legitimately take tests drug free,” said Senior Jessica Levis.

Adderall, which is an upper, is also used for recreational purposes.

“I use Adderall to help enhance the effects of marijuana,” said Michaels. There are generally two ways to use the drug recreationally: swallowing or inhaling; neither method is safe.

*Names have been changed.