SOBRE NEUROENHANCEMENT ENTRE ESTUDANTES E MÉDICOS EM FORMAÇÃO EM UM HOSPITAL BRASILEIRO: ANÁLISE DO FENÓMENO E REFLEXÃO BIOÉTICA.

Abstract

Neuroenhancement refers to the practice where healthy individuals seek to improve their cognitive, emotional, and/or behavioral capacities. Various substances can be used for this purpose, including psychopharmaceuticals. The population of doctors and medical students is particularly vulnerable to this habit. They are often subjected to intense performance pressures that require psychological resources, such as concentration and memory ability, for example. This study has the objectives of research on the frequency of consumption and circumstances related to use, as well as the appreciation of the topic among a population of medical students in their final year of study and doctors in specialized training (residency and postgraduate courses). An observational study was conducted in a Brazilian university hospital, using a self-administered questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions. The questionnaire was developed after a review of published scientific literature and gray literature with an exploratory approach. It also had the participation of an expert in the matter. A pilot study was conducted with the aim of refining the instrument based on the knowledge of a convenience sample of 10 professionals who are experts in their fields. The questionnaire included items that encompassed commonly used substances, such as natural products and caffeine, as well as four classes of psychopharmaceuticals. Its application took place on-site, with the intention of censitarily inviting the target population. The answers were treated descriptively and analytically. The initial hypothesis is that the prevalence of neuroenhancement practice is considerable and that common use substances are both the most consumed and more accepted than psychopharmaceuticals. The estimated target population was 445 people, of which 149 responded to the questionnaire (33.5%). The obtained result shows that, despite the better evaluation for the use of common use products, a higher consumption of psychopharmaceuticals for enhancement was observed. Those opposed to the practice claimed that the main reason is safety-related. Such research aims to understand the perception about the subject from a unique population, due to reasons related to drug access and prescription. Its findings can contribute to the development of educational strategies, aiming to provide guidance on the topic. In the future, it may also contribute to discussions on the regulation of the practice.