A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Toward Informed User Decisions About Pharmacological Cognitive Enhancement
Authors: Koi Polaris
Publisher: Cambridge Univ Press
Publication year: 2022
Journal: Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics
Journal name in source: CAMBRIDGE QUARTERLY OF HEALTHCARE ETHICS
Journal acronym: CAMB Q HEALTHC ETHIC
Volume: 31
Issue: 4
First page : 545
Last page: 556
Number of pages: 12
ISSN: 0963-1801
eISSN: 1469-2147
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S096318012200041X
Web address : https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cambridge-quarterly-of-healthcare-ethics/article/toward-informed-user-decisions-about-pharmacological-cognitive-enhancement/6262FF947A428441C3608D001418DA70
Abstract
Pharmacological cognitive enhancement (PCE) refers to the use of pharmaceuticals to improve cognitive function when that use is not intended to prevent or treat disease. Those who favour a liberal approach to PCE trust users to make informed decisions about whether enhancing is in their best interest. The author argues that making informed decisions about PCE requires a nuanced risk-benefit analysis that is not accessible to many users. Presently, the PCE use of prescription medications such as methylphenidate and modafinil is widespread but most commonly happens without medical supervision. Direct and indirect barriers generate a situation where the risks and benefits of PCE are inequitably distributed; as a result, PCE is sometimes not in the user's best interest. This is likely to also be the case for future pharmaceuticals. As a result, even if PCE pharmaceuticals were equitably distributed, its associated risks and benefits would not be. The article concludes with a discussion of the prospects of the clinical consultation on one hand, and e-health solutions on the other, in ameliorating the situation, arguing for cautious optimism.
Pharmacological cognitive enhancement (PCE) refers to the use of pharmaceuticals to improve cognitive function when that use is not intended to prevent or treat disease. Those who favour a liberal approach to PCE trust users to make informed decisions about whether enhancing is in their best interest. The author argues that making informed decisions about PCE requires a nuanced risk-benefit analysis that is not accessible to many users. Presently, the PCE use of prescription medications such as methylphenidate and modafinil is widespread but most commonly happens without medical supervision. Direct and indirect barriers generate a situation where the risks and benefits of PCE are inequitably distributed; as a result, PCE is sometimes not in the user's best interest. This is likely to also be the case for future pharmaceuticals. As a result, even if PCE pharmaceuticals were equitably distributed, its associated risks and benefits would not be. The article concludes with a discussion of the prospects of the clinical consultation on one hand, and e-health solutions on the other, in ameliorating the situation, arguing for cautious optimism.
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