RISE Blog | The Pressure Pill: Why Students Turn to Study Drugs and What It Costs

Written By: Deji Sanya & Avery Matak, Peer Educators
Edited By: Giana Matheny
February 7th, 2025

A new semester has started, and with that, many students are feeling the pressures of juggling school, deadlines, and jobs. As life responsibilities pile up, college students may turn to “study drugs” to help them focus and not waste valuable time. To understand why students misuse study drugs, we need to first define some key terms:

• ADHD stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and is a condition that impacts focus and impulse control. 
• Dependency is when the body gets used to a substance and cannot function normally without it.
• Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is associated with motivation, reward, and pleasure and plays an important role when the brain responds to stimulants. 

The misuse of study drugs is not just about students wanting to boost their academic performance, it’s also a reflection of school stress and mental health struggles.

The Bigger Picture: Pressure to Succeed

Stress is complicated and depends on several factors, but research suggests that the leading cause of stress among college students is education (Barbayannis et al., 2022). The pressure to succeed plus overlapping exams or assignments play a factor in why students turn to “study drugs.” Students put a lot of pressure on themselves to succeed and to get good grades. Outside factors, like family expectations, relationships, or societal views, can also add to this stress. 

On top of the pressure to succeed, there’s also the high cost of college. The cost of tuition, fees, and loans can be a financial burden. Students want to feel like their investments are worth it by succeeding academically and securing jobs (Islam & Rabbi, 2024). Because of this, students feel like they can’t afford to fail and may turn to “study drugs” to protect their investment.

What are “study drugs?”

“Study drugs” are stimulants that are taken to increase cognitive performance such as focus and memory. Common “study drugs” include Adderall, Vyvanse, Nootropics, and Ritalin. When someone takes one of these stimulants, the amount of dopamine in the brain is increased, leading to an increase in brain activity. This boosts focus and activates the brain’s reward center (Hurley, 2023). This is why “study drugs” may be appealing to some students. While they can be beneficial to people with medical needs, they also have the potential to be abused. According to Steve Sussman et al., “Misuse has been observed particularly in college settings. Many misuse these drugs to help keep alert and concentrate as they prepare (‘cram’) for tests” (2006). This is where the term “study drugs” comes from. While the initial boost to focus may seem harmless, there are potential consequences of misusing study drugs. This includes the “potential for addiction, potential for reactions to high doses, and potential for medical complications” (Sussman et al, 2006).

Effects of Prescription Drug Misuse

People who have been diagnosed with conditions like ADHD sometimes take a prescription to help stay focused and are monitored carefully by a health professional.  When these drugs are abused, several side effects can occur. This can include increased anxiety, irregular heartbeat, nausea, insomnia, loss of appetite, and risk of seizures (Hurley, 2023).

The abuse of these drugs, especially when drugs are obtained illegally (which poses the risk of getting tainted drugs), may lead to dependency and harm cognitive performance in the long run (Mosel, 2024). 

Alternatives and healthy coping mechanisms

1. Plan out your study sessions: Before you study, plan how you’re going to divide up the work and material in your classes. It’s also helpful to prioritize what needs to be studied. This way, you’re ensuring that the most important things get done first.
2. Set realistic goals: Be realistic when planning for study sessions. Studying for five hours straight is not realistic or healthy and can potentially lead to burnout. Instead, try breaking down bigger tasks into smaller study sessions.
3. Coping mechanisms: When you’re stressed from studying, try using a coping mechanism. This can be something like listening to music, going on a walk, or meditating. Try different things and find what works for you.

Conclusion

As academic demands keep growing, it is no surprise that students might want to turn to study drugs to help them study for exams. However, they can be harmful to our health in the long run because of the cognitive risks and the potential for dependency. Instead, using strategies like planning out study sessions, setting realistic goals, utilizing campus resources, and prioritizing well-being can help with staying on top of things without the health risks. 

Resources

• Student Counseling Center 
  • 806.742.3674 | studentcounselingcenter@ttu.edu | Student Wellness Center, Room 201
• Student Mental Health Community
  • 806.834.4544 | hs.mentalhealth@ttu.edu | Weeks Hall, Room 244
• Center for Students in Addiction Recovery
  • 806.742.2891 | laura.nobles@ttu.edu | 1301 Akron Ave
• The Learning Center
  • 806.742.3664 | learningcenter@ttu.edu |  Drane Hall, Room 164

References

Barbayannis, G. et al. (2022).  Academic stress and mental well-being in college students: Correlations, affected groups, and COVID-19. Frontiers in Psychology. 

Hurley, T. (2023). The Dangers of Study Drugs. English Mountain Recovery. 

Islam, M. S., & Rabbi, M. F. (2024). Exploring the sources of academic stress and adopted coping mechanisms among university students. International Journal on Studies in Education. 

Mosel, S. (2024). Substance abuse in college students: Statistics & rehab treatment. American Addiction Centers. 

Sussman, S. et al. (2006). Misuse of "study drugs": Prevalence, consequences, and implications for policy. BMC.

 

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