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Cognitive Doping

Meaning

Cognitive doping, in its broad clinical and ethical context, refers to the non-therapeutic use of specific substances or interventions by healthy individuals with the intention to temporarily enhance cognitive functions, such as focus, memory recall, and alertness, beyond their natural baseline levels. This practice is fundamentally distinct from the appropriate clinical use of pharmacotherapies for diagnosed neurological conditions like ADHD or narcolepsy. It encompasses the deliberate utilization of prescription drugs, novel experimental compounds, and certain high-potency nutritional agents to gain a perceived intellectual or performance advantage in competitive settings.