Amphetamines were first given to soldiers during WW2  and were only phased out in 2000 to be replaced by modafinil  . Medication that boosts wakefulness, drive, focus attention has and working memory

In her book Working Memory: The Connected Intelligence Tracy Alloway highlights the importance of working memory  .Working memory scores  .A subset of a traditional IQ test measured by the digit span  are a better test and predictor of ability than general IQ scores .

Working memory measures potential to learn and is crucial in determining classroom and working life achievement .

THE PROS

Apart from fluency and speed of thought a better working memory translates into additional time to structure your ideas. additional time to make new connections and form opinions .

THE CONS

Bad News For Ivy Leaguers : ADHD Drugs Can Hurt Performance

Prescription drug abuse is rampant, and for a third of Americans, the first drug of any kind that they take—including illicit drugs—is an Rx that has not been prescribed to them. That’s not surprising when you consider how many students abuse ADHD drugs for performance . The Times

Dependence  . Narrowing of focus . A lack of inspiration and the low energy low drive smart drug hangover  I