"Brain-Enhancing Drugs: Legalize 'Em, Scientists Say"

Very interesting post on WIRED.

Roughly seven percent of all college students, and up to 20 percent of scientists, have already used Ritalin or Adderall — originally intended to treat attention-deficit disorders — to improve their mental performance.

Some people argue that chemical cognition-enhancement is a form of cheating. Others say that it's unnatural. The Nature authors counter these charges: Brain boosters are only cheating, they say, if prohibited by the rules — which need not be the case. As for the drugs being unnatural, the authors argue, they're no more unnatural than medicine, education and housing.

I did not realize the extent of this "cognitive-enhancement experimentation". Also, as might be expected from a libertarian, I see no problems with it! I personally have been coming to terms with my own ADD-like symptoms (distractability, disorganization, impulsivity etc.). Or may be I am lazy, weak-willed and lack character. I "have" likely sub-clinical ADD, but that doesn't make these issues any less real for me. I am probably the perfect candidate for potential cognitive-enhancement experimentation!