Introduction

The public knowledge of the difference between smart drugs and nootropics among students
especially those who are in the higher institutes is a current issue that has been rising in the past
few years. According the Journal of Medical Ethics, Vince Cakic said that today both smart
drugs and nootropics are highly attractive to students and are nearly impossible to ban. (Cakic,
2010). Dr Andrew Hill, a professor in University of California, defined “Smart drug” generally
as a prescribed medication or off-label drug used primarily to treat some kind of mental or
cognitive disorder. In contrast to this, he defined a nootropic generally as a non-prescribed
compound, including vitamins, herb, other supplements, natural or synthetic compound that
enhance mental function such as improving memory and boost attention (Hill, 2014).

Smart drugs, also known as Cognitive Enhancing Drugs, include among others Ritalin, Adderall,
Modafinil, other methylphenidates and d-amphetamines. Nootropics, for example natural herbs,
coffee, spices, fish oil, ginkgo biloba does not have negative side effects on the user. The goals
with nootropics should always be to allow for greater and more consistent cognitive effort and
flow, without the side effects of a drug or other harsh substance (Society of Neuroscience, 2015).

Although the above mentioned illicit stimulants are prescription-only drugs, developed for
individuals with attention deficit or sleeping disorders, there are evidence that they are being
consumed by healthy students in order to increase their academic performance. (Lizette Borelli,
2013).

Access to these stimulants is easy since they can be found sold on the internet at cheap prices.
There are also local stores and pharmacies that supplies these brain stimulants. However, some
of these pharmacies need doctor’s prescriptions in order to obtain the stimulants. (Teresa Bergen,
2014). As part of this report, a survey has been conducted in order to know the use of these brain
stimulants among the undergraduates in Brunei.

Our main purpose of this research is to investigate the attitude of the undergraduate students in
Brunei toward brain stimulants. This research include whether they are aware of the existence of
brain stimulants, whether they consume them and their reason of use. Therefore, an online
survey have been conducted to provide information on the behaviour toward brain stimulants
among the undergraduate students such as those studying in University Technology Brunei
(UTB), University Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Universiti Islam Sultan Shariff Ali (UNISSA) and
Laksamana College of Business (LCB).

Methods
Our exploratory study through finding information about “Brain Stimulant” case consist of
online research and anonymous online survey. For online research, reference of information are
gathered from various trusted sources such as articles, journals and medical information.

The survey was conducted for 2 days on the 8th and 9th of March 2015 and it reached our target
limit of 100 participants. The survey was made using ‘Google Form’ and were distributed in the
form of a link so participants could answer directly by accessing the link. The link was then
shared through online social media such as WhatsApp and Twitter.

The initial section of the survey contains explanation and difference of the terms smart drugs and
nootropics and some examples of brain stimulants so participants could get the idea of what
brain stimulants are to avoid confusion between these two terms. Another section contains
demographic profile of the participants, their awareness/familiarity of the brain stimulants,
attitudes towards brain stimulants, their usage and source of supply.

The questions of awareness or familiarity included: “Do you know anything about brain
stimulation supplement?”, “Do you know smart drug exist” and finally “Do you know that brain
stimulant considered as smart drug?”. The final section questioned the attitudes of participants
whether they would take these stimulants, reasons for taking the stimulants and as well as
reasons for reluctance of consumption. This survey protects the participant’s identity as the
survey did not contain any identifiable data.

The results of the investigation were obtained from the responses from the online survey
distributed among the undergraduate students via social media regardless of the university or
institutions that they are currently studying at. 100 students have participated in the survey. Their
responses were calculated by the survey engine and then illustrated in chart forms.

The numbers were further analyzed and recalculated as the engine does not analyze specifically
according to some aspects like gender or between consumer and non-consumers. Plus, there were
responses that the engine may not be able to distinguish.
Results

1) Participants

FIGURE 1: PARTICIPANTS

Non-consumer 31 27

Consumers 28 14

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Female Male

In total, 100 people have participated in the survey, where 42 people of the participants are
consumers. Of those, 28 people are female and the other 14 are male. Among the female
participants 31 of them, while 27 of the male participants does not consume the stimulants.

FIGURE 2 : PARTICIPANTS' AWARENESS AND

KNOWLEDGE ON 'BRAIN STIMULANTS'

10
Knowledge on Brain Stimulation 12
Supplement 20
14

7
Smart Drug 9
Existance 25
13

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Consumer Non-Consumer Consumer Non-Consumer

Male Male Female Female
From figure 2 shown above, the participants knew of brain stimulation supplements and smart
drug existence regardless of being a consumer or not. Unexpectedly for the male participants,
non-consumers know it more compared to the consumer. And for the females, the results turned
out as expected where unlike the males, the consumers have better knowledge than the non-
consumers.

2) Consumers

FIGURE 3 : REASONS FOR CONSUMING BRAIN STIM-

ULANTS
30
20
10
0
ur e e to y
tiv sta ke nd eve
o c ti sy ss ut me
ve y an pe rs Ea cce To w a a
ss l i o
it tco
o
pr for
m m
co othe
a a rt e ty re g
in e o
u
S ie
im per g
in th x ry
T et h
T o dy tay wi an se
stu S to

With regard to the graph above, the most agreed reason of consumption was to improve their
study performance, followed by staying awake. Few participants take these stimulants to relieve
stress and anxiety, and eager to find out the results of consuming. Some consume it to stay
competitive with others and due to its easy accessibility.
 FIGURE 4 : POST-CONSUMPTION, FAMILY AWARENESS AND
LEGALITY
Mental performance
33 67 0
after consumption
90 10 0

Is it legal? 74 2 24

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Yes No I don't know

The data above show some of the aspects that concern the consumers. Since brain stimulants are
involved with mental performance, it is most likely for their family and friends to know about
their consumptions. Some brain stimulants have effectiveness issue where not all users were able
to feel the effect immediately after consumption. Most of the users obtain these stimulants
legally. Only a few purchased it illegally and some were uncertain about the code of laws.

FIGURE 5 : TYPES OF BRAIN STIMULANTS CONSUMED

35
29 28
30
25 22 21
20
15
10
4
5
1 1 0 0 0
0
Raisins Green Tea Dark Others Anugerah Coklet Gingko Adderall Modafinil
(Kismis Tea Chocolate Brain Pintar Biloba
Minda) Booster Ibnu Sina

Figure 5 shows the types of stimulants used by the participants. When asked about the types of
stimulants used, most chose raisins and green tea. The survey allowed participants to choose
more than one type. Four of the participants consume other types which are not stated in the
questionnaire.
 FIGURE 6 : SOURCE OF BRAIN STIMULANTS
SUPPLY
31
30

20 17

10 7
1
0
Local Given by Local stalls Internet
pharmacies family/friends or booth

The collected data revealed that, 31 of the students involved in the survey bought the stimulants
from local stalls or booth, 17 of the students obtained it from their family and friends, 7 of the
students bought them from the local pharmacies and a student obtained it from the internet.

FIGURE 7 : SOURCE OF INFORMATION

35 32
30
25 22
20
20 18
15
10
4
5
0
Media From From Salesperson Internet
(Advertising) family friends

Out of all the students who participated in the survey, 32 students found out about the stimulants
from their family, 22 students found out about it from media, another 20 from the internet and 18
students found out about it from friends and another 4 students from salesperson.
 FIGURE 8 CONSUMPTION PERIOD
30
25
25
20
15 11
10
4
5 1 1
0
More than For 1 to Less than Within 6 Less than
2 years 2 years a year months 6 months

The graph above shows the duration of the participants in consuming their stimulants. 25 of the
consumers indicated that they have consumed them for more than two years. While, 4 students
consumed them for one to two years and 11 students have consumed them for less than 6
months. The others have been consuming them for less than a year.

FIGURE 9 : CONSUMPTION FREQUENCY

30
25
25
20
15
10 9
5
5 3
0
Everyday Once a week 3 to 4 times Only when
a week needed

The above chart shows when the students consume their stimulants. More than half of the
respondents consume these stimulants only when needed. 9 respondents consumed them
everyday, while 5 respondents consume them 3 to 4 times a week. The others take them once a
week.
 FIGURE 10 : SIDE EFFECTS
25
21
20

15 13
11
10 8 7
5 4
2 1 1 2
0

Others
Headache

Sleep issues

swings
Hyperactive

Nausea
More a...

Sweating

Anxiety

Enhanced
Mood

focus
As can be seen from the data above, most of the participants consuming the brain stimulants
have experienced hyperactive, enhanced memory, feeling more awake and having sleep issues.
While, some of the participants commented feeling fresh and some didn’t feel anything after
consumption

3) Non-Consumer

FIGURE 11 : ACQUANTANCE AND CONSIDER-

ATION OF CONSUMPTION

Consumption
7 14
Consideration

Consumer
8 3
Acquantance

0 5 10 15 20 25

Female Male
Even with few acquaintance among the consumers, more male participants have considered
taking these stimulants compared to the female participants.

FIGURE 12 : REASONS FOR ACQUANTANCE CONSUMPTION

25

20

15

10

0
It's cheap Easy Improvement on Stress and Recommendations
access studying performance anxiety relieve from friends/families

Consumers who consume these brain stimulants assume that, most of them believe that it could
improve their study performance, reduce their stress and anxiety and they took it because of
recommendations from their family or peers. However, fewer of them took it because it is cheap
and easy access for them to get it as shown from figure 12.

FIGURE 13 : CONSIDERATION REASONS

25

20

15

10

0
It's cheap Easy access Positive It's legal
testimonies
Figure 13 tell that some of the participants when ask whether they want to try consuming brain
stimulants, more than half of the non-consumers would consider it if the brain stimulants have
positive testimonies and it is legal for them to try it. Fewer of them choose if it is easy access and
cheap.

FIGURE 14 : RELUCTANCY OF CONSUMING

30
25

20

15

10

0
Bad side Waste of It's illegal 'Smart drugs'
effect posibilities money independence

Apart from consideration of consuming brain stimulants, other participants also felt reluctant in
taking it since majority of them believe that these brain stimulants could cause negative side
effect towards them and participants also do not want be too independence. Few of them think
that maybe it would be a waste of money to buy it and it would be illegal of consuming it.

Discussion

The aim of this report study is to find out whether institutions in Brunei Darussalam are aware of
the existence of brain stimulants, their attitudes towards the usage and to find reasons of their
consumption. From the results of the survey data obtained, less than 50% of participants are
consumers. By focusing at the number of consumers, majority tend to be women. Study shows
that women are more likely to do their work or study longer than men (Hikley, 2010) and thus
they need something that could help them to stay focus and alert such as coffee, chocolate, tea or
green tea.
Due to lack of information and knowledge of these brain supplements, people tend to confuse the
term ‘smart drugs’ and ‘nootropics’ as they have little information about the difference.
However, for some consumers, it should be no surprise that they know more about these
stimulants compared to the non-consumers. These two terms may not be popular in general but
some may have been consuming them for years without realizing it.
Majority of the consumers have been consuming these stimulants for more than half a year while
others have only consumed it for less than 6 months. Almost all consumers who participated in
the survey only took it when they need it especially during exams or study periods as it could
help to improve their study performance, remove anxiety and stress and as well as to stay awake.
Participants who consume it every day need it to keep them awake and to provide energy for
their everyday routine.
Their source of supply varies from their family, media, friends, salesperson to the internet. About
majority of the users got their brain stimulants from their families, media and internet where
these sources of supplies could consider as trusted categories. While quite few got it from friends
and salesperson as positive testimonies may be difficult for the users to believe it from them.

However, side effects may be developed to the users if they take it more than necessary although
it is not risky enough to harm the students. Side effects that users tend developed may include
insomnia, hyperactive, headache, nausea, anxiety, high blood pressure and others. (Yong, 2013).

Non-consumers who have knowledge regarding brain stimulants might get the information from
their acquaintance that consumed it as majority of them able to assumed that the brain stimulants
could help to improve study performance and relief stress and anxiety. Some may be
recommended from another user, be it a family or a friend, with positive testimonies added.

As good as the brain stimulants is, some felt reluctant to consume it may lead to certain factors
that may causes them to question its effectiveness and necessity to consume one especially when
some of the participants might already experience negative effects of other non-brain supplement
and cause them not to consume another one. Some believe that it is just a waste of money when
they can improve their performance by pure effort and be brain stimulants independent.
CONCLUSION
From the result of the survey, less than half of the participants use brain stimulants. It has been
proven that female students have consumed more brain stimulants than male students as women
tends to work longer than men.

While, most consumers take the stimulants to improve their study performance, to stay alert or
awake and due to stress and anxiety. More than half of the users get access to their stimulants
through local store. Some of the effects experienced by them included hyperactive, feeling more
awake and enhanced focus.

In addition, more than half of the non-consumers did not consider in trying to consume them.
The reasons are the brain stimulants may have harmful side effects and they don’t want to be too
dependable on stimulants.

This study have limitations that should have taken into account. The survey should have been
conducted to a more large number of undergraduate students such as 200 students from each
institutions in Brunei to get a more valid conclusion. The number of male and female students
should be equal for easy distinguishing which gender took more brain stimulants. Interviewing
the students should be done to get true answers as some students answering survey may have
lied.

By the end of this research, it can be concluded that brain stimulants are known among the
undergraduate students. However, there are non-users that would give them a try. It would be
advisable to get their brain stimulants from a certified pharmacies so that they would be given a
proper prescription. a proper prescription.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The results acquired from the survey appeared to be helpful in achieving the aims and objectives
of this report. However, there were some limitations occurred throughout the surveying process
in which inaccuracy are likely to happen. This factor did not affect the report entirely but for a
more accurate and reliable result, proper approach is recommended.
Starting with the gender of the participants, in which the total number consisted of more females
than males. This affected the perception of which gender consumes more. An equal number
between genders should have been more appropriate in solving the matter. This method was not
performed due to the nature of the survey itself. It was convenient to use the online survey as it
could be distributed quickly. However, the selection of participants was not monitored to begin
with. It would have been better if the survey is distributed within a controlled number of
participants.

The effects discussed in the report was based on reference from another articles and researches.
The effects that the participants proclaimed to have was questionable as possibly the responses
given were just something that they could think of at the moment. The ideal method was to
examine a group of people after consuming the supplement and observe their conditions and
performance while taking a few tests.

All of the brain stimulants consumed were obtained without a doctor’s prescription. This means
that the brain stimulants used were accessed commercially, in which not all of them are truly
effective. Some of the brain stimulants available in the market are just foods disguised as one.
The effects may differ drastically compared to brain stimulants provided by a health centers.
Unfortunately, none of the consumers accessed their brain stimulants from a health center,
affecting the overall effects that they could have been experiencing

REFERENCES

Au-Yong. R. (2013, October 23). Beware ‘brain booster’ drugs: Side effects of indiscriminate
usage. From http://yourhealth.asiaone.com/content/beware-brain-booster-drugs-side-
effects-indiscriminate-usage

Hickley. M. (2010). Women work longer hours than men. From

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-205049/Women-work-longer-hours-men.html