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Prevalence of and motives for pharmacological neuroenhancement in Switzerland—results from a national internet panel
Author(s) -
Maier Larissa J.,
Haug Severin,
Schaub Michael P.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/add.13059
Subject(s) - medicine , confidence interval , odds ratio , recreational drug use , medical prescription , demography , population , mood , epidemiology , telephone interview , psychiatry , drug , environmental health , sociology , pharmacology , social science
Aims To estimate the prevalence of self‐reported pharmacological neuroenhancement (PNE) with prescription or recreational drugs among the Swiss general population and correlates of PNE. Design A population‐based cross‐sectional study using a self‐administered online survey. Setting A telephone‐recruited highly representative internet panel in Switzerland. Participants A total of 10 171 Swiss employees and students (unweighted n = 10 084) aged 15–74 years (mean age: 39.1 ± 13.3; 46.6% female). Measurements Self‐reported life‐time, past‐year and past‐month use of prescription or recreational drugs for PNE, motives for use and correlates of PNE, including socio‐demographic, health and recreational drug use characteristics. Findings The life‐time prevalence of PNE was 4.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.62, 4.38], and the past‐year prevalence was 2.1% (95% CI = 1.82, 2.38). Life‐time pharmacological mood enhancement (3.1%; 95% CI = 2.76, 3.44) was more prevalent than pharmacological cognitive enhancement (1.4%; 95% CI = 1.17, 1.63). Fifty‐four participants reported both (0.5%; 95% CI = 0.36, 0.64). PNE was associated with studying rather than full‐time [odds ratio (OR) = 0.35; 95% CI = 0.21, 0.57] or part‐time employment (OR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.23, 0.67), stress (OR = 1.51 95% CI = 1.31, 1.75), cocaine (OR = 2.40; 95% CI = 1.51, 3.82) and amphetamine use (OR = 2.44; CI 95% = 1.37, 4.33), diagnosis of a mental disorder (OR = 4.26; 95% CI = 3.14, 5.80), and perceived poor health (OR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.64, 0.90). Conclusions Taking prescription or recreational drugs for pharmacological neuroenhancement is rare among Swiss employees and students (4.0%). Pharmacological mood enhancement (3.1%) is more prevalent than direct pharmacological cognitive enhancement (1.4%).