One in five respondents to an informal, nonscientific online survey in the science journal Nature said they have used drugs like Ritalin and Adderall to boost their brain power, according to a CNN Health article.

1,400 people in 60 countries were polled, and the majority of those who responded said they worked in biology, physics, medicine or education. Respondents said they took the drugs to improve their concentration.

Drugs like Adderall and Ritalin are prescribed to children and adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD and ADHD), but they also enhance focus in people who don’t have ADD or ADHD. Subsequently, these drugs are a hot commodity among college students and adults with demanding jobs. Articles in the past have also indicated that many mothers steal their children’s ADD meds to have energy and stay thin.

Once again, our society seeks instant gratification in pill form.

Still, I’d almost venture to say that it’s better for adults to be taking these drugs than young children. I have babysit kids on Ritalin, and there just seems to be something inherently wrong with dosing small children up on powerful prescription drugs. They are taking a stimulant drug that has similar effects to amphetamines, at a time when their brains are going through crucial development. I’d say you have to be phenomenally unfocused to merit that kind of risk.