THE ABUSIVE USE OF METHYLPHENIDATE: AN ILLEGAL RACE FOR INTELLIGENCE AMONG BRAZILIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

This article seeks to highlight the practice of abusive use of methylphenidate among university students in Brazil. The present is an integrative review article, whose information was collected in electronic databases such as PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and Google Scholar, published between 2012 and 2022. carried out field studies. research with students from universities in Brazil on the abusive use and adverse effects of methylphenidate. Among the reactions cited are chemical dependence, withdrawal syndrome, insomnia, somnolence, nausea, decreased appetite, headache, tachycardia, temblores and anxiety. It was also possible to note that many respondents were students of the health career and more than 58% of the population who used the medication indiscriminately had adverse effects. The acquisition takes place through illegal sales without medical prescription, and as a justification of the practice, the overloads derived from positions and requirements in the academic phase on the part of the society were mentioned. It is concluded that it is necessary to develop more efficient public policies to stop the illegal commercialization of methylphenidate and to develop new investigations that investigate the adverse effects of this drug in healthy individuals.