Neuro-Enhancement Through Pharmacy

Neuro-enhancement refers broadly to the use of chemical, biological, genetic, or engineering (electrical, mechanical) methods to improve normal cognitive, motivational, emotional, or behavioral functioning in healthy human beings. The most popular method is the use of a drug, though without therapeutic intent. The key assumption is that now or in the near future there are or will be drugs that are effective at enhancing brain function and that also are safe, well-tolerated, and suitable for most everyone to use.

A number of components of brain function are the focus of enhancement, including cognition (memory and intellect), attention, concentration, motivation, and mood. A major aspect of cognition is called executive function, which consists of working memory, cognitive control, verbal fluency, strategic choice, grammatical reasoning, and other processes. ...