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Cognitive-enhancing substance use at German universities: frequency, reasons and gender differences

Neuro-Enhancement an deutschen Universitäten: Häufigkeit, Ursachen und Geschlechtsunterschiede

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Summary

Background

The purpose of this study was to give an overview whether German students regularly use stimulants for enhancing their academic performance. Reasons associated with the use of these substances were explored. Moreover, gender differences were analyzed.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey study was performed analyzing a random sample of 1,053 students of different fields of study in Germany. Students were asked to complete an anonymous self-administered web-based survey containing questions on cognitive performance-enhancing substance use. We used statistical analyses, e.g. non-parametric tests to evaluate the data of our questionnaire.

Results

Among 1,053 students, 61 % responded to our questionnaire. The average age wasM = 24.58; 635 participants were female and 418 were male students. Total 1–13 % of the participating students have taken prescription stimulants (e.g. modafinil) or illicit drugs (e.g. cannabis) at least once in their lifetime. The most common reasons for taking stimulants were to support concentration, to relax and to increase alertness. We found significant gender differences with regard to frequency and reason for using performance-enhancing substances.

Conclusions

Our study results give an overview about the actual situation on frequency and reasons for taking performance-enhancing substances. Departments of Public Health should address this issue in national health debates and discussions. Based on our study findings health education programmes should be developed.

Zusammenfassung

Grundlagen

Medikamentöse Interventionen zur Steigerung des Leistungs- und Funktionsniveaus wurden in der letzten Zeit vermehrt in der Öffentlichkeit diskutiert. Generalisierbare, objektive Daten, die Auskunft über die Höhe des tatsächlichen Konsums von leistungssteigernden Mitteln geben, fehlen jedoch bislang. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie ist es daher, die Häufigkeit des Gebrauchs von leistungssteigernden Mitteln unter deutschen Studenten zu untersuchen. Ferner werden Gründe für den Gebrauch und Geschlechtsunterschiede fokussiert.

Methodik

Es wurde eine querschnittliche Online-Fragebogenstudie durchgeführt, in der 1.053 deutsche Studenten Auskunft über die Häufigkeit und Ursachen des Konsums von leistungssteigernden Mitteln geben sollten.

Ergebnisse

61 % der angeschriebenen Studenten beantworteten den Fragebogen. Das Durchschnittsalter war 24 Jahre; 635 Studentinnen und 418 Studenten beantworteten den Fragebogen 1–13 % der Studenten gaben an mindestens einmal in ihrem Leben verschreibungspflichtige Stimulantien (z. B. Modafinil) und/oder illegale Drogen (z. B. Cannabis) zur Leistungssteigerung oder Entspannung genommen zu haben. Die Hauptgründe für die Einnahme waren: Steigerung der Konzentration, Aufmerksamkeit und Entspannung. Es zeigten sich signifikante Geschlechtsunterschiede.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die Studiendaten geben einen Einblick über die aktuelle Situation des Konsums von Substanzen zur Leistungssteigerung und dessen Motivation. Institute der Gesundheitsversorgung sollten diese Situation weiterhin fokussieren und darauf aufbauend Aufklärungs- und Präventionsprogramme für Studenten an deutschen Universitäten entwickeln.

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All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Free University and Humboldt University, Thielallee 69–73, 14195, Berlin, Germany

    Stefanie Mache PhD, MSc, Patrick Eickenhorst MD & Karin Vitzthum MSc, PhD

  2. Department of Medicine/Psychosomatics, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Free University and Humboldt University, Luisenstrasse 13a, 10117, Berlin, Germany

    Stefanie Mache PhD, MSc &  Burghard F. Klapp MD, PhD

  3. Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Stefanie Mache PhD, MSc, Karin Vitzthum MSc, PhD &  David A. Groneberg MD, PhD

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  1. Stefanie Mache PhD, MSc
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  2. Patrick Eickenhorst MD
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  3. Karin Vitzthum MSc, PhD
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  4. Burghard F. Klapp MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Stefanie Mache PhD, MSc.

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Mache, S., Eickenhorst, P., Vitzthum, K. et al. Cognitive-enhancing substance use at German universities: frequency, reasons and gender differences. Wien Med Wochenschr 162, 262–271 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-012-0115-y

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