Pills

Yarr-Harr

Does anyone use certain drugs (legal) to help concentrate/focus for studying and during the exams!!

If so could you give the name of what you use, where it can be gotten,effectiveness and the approx price.

I've always thought that it's idiotic to take pills (legal ones) near exams for the purposes of concentration. If, say, you do well, once you get to college will you be doing the same thing? You may then become dependent on them (mentally) during examination periods, which isn't a good thing.

Just eat an apple or two, or at the very least have a cup of tea/coffee.

ZorbaTehZ

Unless you're a narcoleptic, suffer from SP or another sleep condition, or know someone who is, when there is an almost 0% chance that you will be able to get them. The most effective ones are only sold with a prescription from a pharmacy.
Also they are *very* expensive - like the most common one is E15 for one 200mg pill.

analyse this

Lots of coffee and water. Try and keep away from heavy food. They will make you feel bloated and sluggish. I tend to snack on carrots and peppers.

Keep away from these pills. They are bad news. All they do is create excessive energy which isn't actually there so your body becomes drained very quickly once the pills have lost effect. While they may increase activity they tend to reduce levels of concentration so while you make think that you are getting a lot done...nearly nothing is actually remaining.:D

Thomas_S_Hunterson

Pro Plus are life savers

They're just 50mg caffeine pills, which means it's much easier to monitor you're intake than say with coffee. They can be gotten inmost pharmacies for about €4 for 24.

JC 2K3

While I'm an advocate of a liberal, yet sensible and educated, approach to drugs, I really don't think nootropics or concentration aids are necessary at LC level.

In any case, anything worthwhile is usually on prescription, and usually prescribed for ADHD sufferers. Apparently there's a big black market for Ritalin and Adderall being sold by ADHD sufferers in college.

Caffeine is the obvious legal one for staying awake.

Is ephedrine legal over the counter here? Even if it's not you can order it online and no one's going to stop you. Alternatively you could take a (reasonable) OD of Sudofed, which is pseudoephedrine, a structural isomer of ephedrine, but it has much less stimulant effects.

*I do not advocate the use of drugs as study aids*

ZorbaTehZ

analyse this wrote:

Keep away from these pills. They are bad news. All they do is create excessive energy which isn't actually there so your body becomes drained very quickly once the pills have lost effect. While they may increase activity they tend to reduce levels of concentration so while you make think that you are getting a lot done...nearly nothing is actually remaining.:D

The pills have nothing to do with energy.
They increase the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain and hence increase awareness, and therefore concentration. Believe me, I have tried them.
There are no side-effects either.

If anything the coffee is more dangerous, since it's easy to just keep drinking it and not realise that you are having too much. A friend of mine had to go see a doctor because he got a serious arrhythmia, and almost couldn't do an exam.

marco murphy

What do you's think of Red Bull. I've been advised against as you suffer a slump after a sugar intake.

JC 2K3

Red Bull is mainly caffeine AFAIK.

Probably healthier to drink coffee or take caffeine pills, as there're all sorts of additives in Red Bull.

Get Tesco Kick instead anyway, it's much cheaper and is almost exactly the same.

Thomas_S_Hunterson

Pseudoephedrine as far as I know will not give the desired improvement in concentration. As far as I'm aware plain ephedrine is not sold OTC here, and if it is you'll certainly need to consult with the pharmacist and have a good excuse. Ephedrine does however havesome negative side effects,which must be noted.

Something like Ritalin would have similar ephedral/amphetamine eeffects but with vastly reduced side effects. It's use outside of that prescribed by a doctoris illegal however.

JC 2K3

sean_keevey wrote:

Pseudoephedrine as far as I know will not give the desired improvement in concentration. As far as I'm aware plain ephedrine is not sold OTC here, and if it is you'll certainly need to consult with the pharmacist and have a good excuse. Ephedrine does however havesome negative side effects,which must be noted.

Yeah, Pseudoephedrine has less of an effect on the CNS.

Coca tea would be good, pity it's illegal. You can risk ordering it from Peru online though....

JackKelly

lets make sure we keep any discussion about drugs within the limits of the law please

Rozabeez

Rescue remedy, its legal, its herbal and its meant to help calm nerves or something. I've been using it but yesterday was the only day I was stressed anyway.

euwwy deuwwy

I'm using rescue remedy aswell, its suppossed to help you chillax but im not really sure if it actually works though??? Have you noticed it tastes like cheap vodka, that would make you relax too! hmmmmm suspicious (:

Thomas_S_Hunterson

Yea it's about 99% alcohol!

I have my suspicions about the stuff, i'd say it's more a placebo than anything

ZorbaTehZ

euwwy deuwwy wrote:

I'm using rescue remedy aswell, its suppossed to help you chillax but im not really sure if it actually works though??? Have you noticed it tastes like cheap vodka, that would make you relax too! hmmmmm suspicious (:

If you look at the back it says its in a grape alcohol solution.
I absolutely lol'ed when I tried it for the first time, mine tastes exactly like buckfast!

Hannibal_12

Yarr-Harr wrote:

Does anyone use certain drugs (legal) to help concentrate/focus for studying and during the exams!!

If so could you give the name of what you use, where it can be gotten,effectiveness and the approx price.

You could try Ginseng, it's natural and backed by many years of use. Look for standardised extract with 4% ginsenosides and "Red" ginseng, considered superior. It's adaptogenic which essentially means it aids the body in stress coping scenarios.

Nehpets

Get those carbs into ya!

I wouldn't take pills and wouldn't need to use rescue remedy! Haven't been drinking much coffee lately either. Green tea all the way!

JC 2K3

lol at rescue remedy.

I've heard Ginseng is good. But I always laugh when people say that a drug is "natural" and that this somehow makes it superior to other drugs.

Hannibal_12

JC 2K3 wrote:

lol at rescue remedy.

I've heard Ginseng is good. But I always laugh when people say that a drug is "natural" and that this somehow makes it superior to other drugs.

Technically it is natural and often natural remedies have better safety profiles than their synthetic therapeutics equivalents. Of course as you say, all products be they natural or synthetic can be toxic given the right (or wrong) dose.

ashyle

JC 2K3 wrote:

lol at rescue remedy.

I've heard Ginseng is good. But I always laugh when people say that a drug is "natural" and that this somehow makes it superior to other drugs.

yeah 'natural' does not mean good for you... cocaine is natural

oh and rescure remedy works it really calms me. but maybe its all in my head.

JC 2K3

As has been stated here, it's apparently 99% alcohol.

Pure Cork

JC 2K3 wrote:

ephedrine

Watch the film CRANK

Thomas_S_Hunterson

JC 2K3 wrote:

As has been stated here, it's apparently 99% alcohol.

Well that's a bit of an exaggeration, it'd be more along the line of a good cognac;). I'd estimate maybe 30-40%

JC 2K3

Still, I imagine it's just a load of herbal extracts dissolved in alcohol.

-blondie-

Anyone else been absolutley knackered lately?
Don't take any durng (legal!!) abd I hate coffee but Ive started drinking mochas-grat for waking you up or giving you a burst of energy when studying!

Haven't a Clue

No. The dietician gob****e on those "Getting it Right" podcasts said that caffeine only give a boost of energy physically, not mentally. You might feel more awake, but the mind doesn't take any more in. She could be just some fruice sales rep for all I know, but she said avoid caffeine.

-blondie-

Really? Wow! Well I found it helpedme!

Mybe it as jusr me thinking it should help and therefore it did! Meh!

joeybloggs

Time to reveal my little trick.

Cod liver oil.

Haven't a Clue

joeybloggs wrote:

Time to reveal my little trick.

Cod liver oil.

Seven seas? Took that as a wayne. Hated it.

cson

sean_keevey wrote:

99% alcohol

I'd imagine thats "Red Biddy" you're on about. A heady concoction of Methylated Spirits and Red Wine. Not to sure about its positive effects on concentration but I'd imagine you'd be fairly relaxed/dead after it.

Nehpets

Haven't a Clue wrote:

No. The dietician gob****e on those "Getting it Right" podcasts said that caffeine only give a boost of energy physically, not mentally. You might feel more awake, but the mind doesn't take any more in. She could be just some fruice sales rep for all I know, but she said avoid caffeine.

I thought coffee had an effect on the neurotransmitters? I read an article comparing it to cocain ... I'll try find it. And it gives the adrenaline glands an aul kick

Dean-16

i just drink loads of tea and have a high energy food before you sit the exam, eg. mars bar

GerryRyan

Might sound obvious - but just rest and eat well during the exams - that or do a bit of exercise (when you can) to clear the head.
Works much better than rescue remedies and the like I see people using, and trust me, they look a lot worse after the exam than they did at the start.

mang87

Drugs? Whatever magic stuff they put in red bull.

I don't know if its just me, but when I went into english paper 1 I was half asleep during it, so I drank a red bull just before paper 2 and I was awake and thinking perfectly. I love this stuff. Helps mes focus so well.


[edit] And @ "rescue remedy"... Heh, might as well be using old fashioned snake oil
It did nothing for me.

Fallen Seraph

It should probably be noted that ADHD medecine is a terrible chance to take for an exam. As is my understanding, it doesn't exactly make you concentrate better, it just makes you unable to concentrate on anything other than what you were thinking about when it kicks in. So if you take one before you get into the exam, and just happen to be chatting with a friend as it kicks in, you may as well not sit the paper.

mang87

Fallen Seraph wrote:

It should probably be noted that ADHD medecine is a terrible chance to take for an exam. As is my understanding, it doesn't exactly make you concentrate better, it just makes you unable to concentrate on anything other than what you were thinking about when it kicks in. So if you take one before you get into the exam, and just happen to be chatting with a friend as it kicks in, you may as well not sit the paper.

Buuuut, if you go in wearing earplugs and fashion some sort of headboard device that holds images and cliff notes out infront of you, so one cannot help but focus on the exam...

I'm thinking something rather like a beer hat, but with more coat hangers and paper

ashyle

JC 2K3 wrote:

As has been stated here, it's apparently 99% alcohol.

my bottle says - "5x dilution of flower extracts of rock rose, impatiens, clematis, star of bethlehem, cherry plum in a grape alcohol solution." doesn't say anything bout alcohol vol actually.


wikipedia - The remedies contain an infinitesimal amount of flower material in a 50:50 solution of water and brandy. Because the remedies are extremely dilute they do not have a characteristic scent or taste of the plant. Vendors state that the remedies contain the "energetic signature" of the flower, and that this can be transmitted to the user. However, controlled studies have found the flower remedies are no more effective than a placebo.

hmm I still think it helps

ashyle

Fallen Seraph wrote:

It should probably be noted that ADHD medecine is a terrible chance to take for an exam. As is my understanding, it doesn't exactly make you concentrate better, it just makes you unable to concentrate on anything other than what you were thinking about when it kicks in. So if you take one before you get into the exam, and just happen to be chatting with a friend as it kicks in, you may as well not sit the paper.

Yeah did you hear about the Chinese students that take ritalin and protein injections to get them through exams? They have so much pressure on them from parents cos they're usually the only child. It's in their hands to uphold the family honour & get into uni!! Students have died from overdoses and stuff. Mad stuff Ted.

ZorbaTehZ

ashyle wrote:

Yeah did you hear about the Chinese students that take ritalin and protein injections to get them through exams? They have so much pressure on them from parents cos they're usually the only child. It's in their hands to uphold the family honour & get into uni!! Students have died from overdoses and stuff. Mad stuff Ted.

The ratio of university places to applicants in China is about 1:4.
China is insane atm, I heard a radio show about it. The students stay in hotels near the exam centers, and there parents spent the time out on the street making sure no cars come down. A student committed suicide last year because the pressure was too much.

Thomas_S_Hunterson

Fallen Seraph wrote:

It should probably be noted that ADHD medecine is a terrible chance to take for an exam. As is my understanding, it doesn't exactly make you concentrate better, it just makes you unable to concentrate on anything other than what you were thinking about when it kicks in. So if you take one before you get into the exam, and just happen to be chatting with a friend as it kicks in, you may as well not sit the paper.

That's not true at all. Ritalin from what I hear would be the most effective thing to take, perhaps moresofor studying as opposed to during the actual exams.

It is illegal however outside of prescription.

JC 2K3

Yeah, that sounds like you've interpreted hearsay as fact, Fallen Seraph....

pilchard

sean_keevey wrote:

Yea it's about 99% alcohol!

I have my suspicions about the stuff, i'd say it's more a placebo than anything

i'm not sure where you are all getting your rescue remedy from but mine clearly states 'Alcohol Free' on the front..

Even if it is a placebo type drug it still works for those who believe it does... i think that caffeine is over rated i can drink 2-3 cups of coffee (caffeinated) and still be fallin asleep. it doesnt produce the same effects in everyone.. the same with rescue remedy.

mang87

^^ What he said is true. Everything effects people differently. Some people coffee works for them, some people these placebo fairy flower remedies work.

Coffee just gives me a headache and makes my mind feel all clouded and I can't think. Red bull is supposedly mostly caffeine, but it does the opposite of coffee for me. Perhaps its all the sugar, or whatever the bull semen "taurine" stuff is.

Thomas_S_Hunterson

pilchard wrote:

i'm not sure where you are all getting your rescue remedy from but mine clearly states 'Alcohol Free' on the front..

Even if it is a placebo type drug it still works for those who believe it does... i think that caffeine is over rated i can drink 2-3 cups of coffee (caffeinated) and still be fallin asleep. it doesnt produce the same effects in everyone.. the same with rescue remedy.

I've done my research, turns out the Bach Rescue Remedy, the one that comes in the yellow box is 27% alcohol, so slightly less than brandy!

The brandy is only added as a preservative apparently. It's unlikely that small amount of alcohol would have any effect anyway.

mang87

A glass of wine or a small glass of brandy would help you relax better than that remedy, if you truly are in bits and need to relax.

Mind you, you can't study after taking in alcohol since it limits your memory somewhat
But again, everyone is different.

Haven't a Clue

Yeah, but like you only take one or two drops of the stuff. Not as though you'll be going on a session knockin back the whole feckin bottle in one go.

Thomas_S_Hunterson

Even then, ~€6 for a 10ml shot...not exactly great value.

Thomas_S_Hunterson

OK looks like I'm going to have to eat my words about the Rescue Remedy.

I tried it last night, out of curiosity more than anything, and while no cat died, I definitely noticed a definite calming and a feeling of almost a contentment.

So, it seems to do it's job!

Jayeire

yeh Rescue Remedy is pretty good, altho I'm still convinced that the placebo effect is a factor. I also use Pro Plus caffeine tabs, great for helping me remain alert. Each to their own .....

Fallen Seraph

JC 2K3 wrote:

Yeah, that sounds like you've interpreted hearsay as fact, Fallen Seraph....

Well my hearsay is from a woman who works at a school specifically for ADHD sufferers... I'm not saying I've got any intimate experience, but as sources go I'm kinda inclined to believe her.