Increasing numbers of people are using prescription drugs like Ritalin to boost alertness and brain power, say experts.
Up to a fifth of adults, including college students and shift workers,may be using cognitive enhancers, a poll of 1,400 by Nature journal suggests.
Neuropsychologist Professor Barbara Sahakian of Cambridge University said safety evidence is urgently needed.
Experts gather to debate this topic at a meeting in London on Monday evening.
Professor Sahakian's own work shows 17% of students in some US universities admit to using the stimulant Ritalin (methylphenidate) - a drug designed to treat hyperactive children - to maximise their learning power.
One in five of the 1,400 people who responded to the Nature survey said they had taken Ritalin, Provigil (modafinil) or beta-blockers for non-medical reasons. They used them to stimulate focus, concentration or memory.
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