在一項針對奧克蘭大學學生們進行調查中，6%的學生承認，他們曾經使用“認知增強劑”（cognitive enhancer）幫助自己集中精神，在考試中取得高分。

受訪的這400名大學生表示，他們最常使用此類藥物是利他林（Ritalin），該藥物最常見的用途，是用於治療多動症（ADHD）。

事實上，高校學生使用“助考興奮劑”的問題此前就曾在海外引發過強烈關注，有調查稱，25%的美國高校學生曾使用類似藥物幫助集中精力。為了解決這一問題，高校方面甚至開始對學生進行隨機的藥物抽檢，還有一名新西蘭學生因向同學提供此類藥物而受到指控。

奧克蘭大學藥學院高級講師、該調查報告的撰寫人Dr Bruce Russell表示，雖然與海外調查數據相比，新西蘭學生服用此類藥物的比例並不算太高，但這並不意味着大家就能對此掉以輕心。Dr Bruce Russell稱，如果僅僅只是偶爾、少量地服用此類藥物，對身體健康可能造成的危害並不大，然而，如果學生們在無醫生指導的狀況下攝入了過量此類藥品， 則可能引致心血管疾病和情緒焦慮。



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How Can Marijuana Help?

a number of health professionals have recently come out in support for the use of marijuana as a treatment for this disorder, claiming that it is safer and less addictive than traditional stimulant medications.

Additionally, while studies have yet to be conducted on human subjects with ADHD, a number of preclinical studies provide evidence of marijuana’s potential as a treatment for this disorder.

The strongest evidence comes from research which shows that the endocannabinoid system can influence dopamine levels in the brain and that this interaction might actually be altered in patients with ADHD. Specifically, a study published in 2009 found that anandamide levels – one of the cannabinoids that are naturally found in humans – were higher in patients with ADHD. This seems to indicate that the human body may naturally produce more endocannabinoids in an attempt to counter the symptoms of ADHD, leading researchers to believe that the endocannabinoid system could be effectively targeted in the treatment of this disorder.

Furthermore, studies show that cannabinoid receptors are found in higher density in areas of the brain that are linked to ADHD, specifically the amygdala and hippocampus regions. These regions of the brain are known to play a role in emotional regulation and memory as well as bipolar, anxiety and depression disorders.

Finally, there is strong evidence of both THC and CBD having anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects, which means that even if research eventually shows that medical marijuana cannot treat all aspects of ADHD, it could at least help with the symptoms of anxiety and depression that many patients with ADHD seem to suffer from.