Poll concludes more people taking prescription drugs to improve brain activity

NEW YORK Results of a poll published in the journal Nature shows that increasing numbers of people are using prescription drugs to increase brain power.

The poll, of 1,400 adults ­ including workers and college students ­ found that many use drugs like the attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder drug Ritalin (methylphenidate), the narcolepsy drug Provigil (modafinil) and beta blockers to increase their memory and concentration.

Most of the adults surveyed had obtained the drugs online or through prescriptions.