ArticlePloS one2022
Assessing prevalence, knowledge and use of cognitive enhancers among university students in the United Arab Emirates: A quantitative study.
Article in PloS one, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers.
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Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed, 19 citations in OpenAlex.
- Predictors of Psychoactive and Nootropic Substance Use Among Romanian University Healthcare Students: The Interplay Between Academic Anxiety and Educational Advancement.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Prevalence and predictors of natural nootropic supplement use among medical and pharmacy students: a single-institution cross-sectional study.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- The prevalence of cognitive enhancers' usage among health college students and the factors associated with its use.Journal of family medicine and primary care · 2025Article
- Focus on Cognitive Enhancement: A Narrative Overview of Nootropics and "Smart Drug" Use and Misuse.Biology · 2025Review
- Ginkgo Biloba as a niche theme cognitive enhancer agent, 1420 dokumen of Scopus database. A bibliometric study from 1988 to 2024.F1000Research · 2025Article
- From knowledge to attitude: design and initial validation of scales for assessing psychoactive substance consumption among university students.Frontiers in public health · 2025Article
- Assessment of the University Students' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Use of Protein Supplements: A Cross-Sectional Study From the United Arab Emirates.Journal of nutrition and metabolism · 2025Article
- Factors influencing the use of natural health products, in particular for concentration and cognition in Germany.BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2024Article
- Modafinil, an atypical CNS stimulant?Advances in pharmacology (San Diego, Calif.) · 2024Article
- Understanding the Risk Factors and Stressors Impacting Optimal Work Practices in New Zealand Pharmacies: A S.H.E.L.L Model Analysis.Pharmacy (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Do Medical Universities Students Use Cognitive Enhancers while Learning?-Conclusions from the Study in Poland.Life (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundCognitive enhancers (CE) are often used to improve memory, alertness and cognitive capacity. These products are commercially and pharmaceutically available. Due to high academic pressure, university students are at risk of CE misuse. However, data regarding this issue are limited, especially in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
aimsTo assess the prevalence of CE intake; evaluate students' knowledge of these substances; and identify student characteristics associated with CE usage.
methodA cross sectional study based on a validated online survey that was distributed using university-licensed software (Qualtrics) as a direct web link via email and social media to all Medical, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing and Engineering students enrolled in six UAE universities. Associations between student characteristics and CE use were investigated using the chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression. Reasons for CE use, temporal patterns of use, details regarding purchase and types of CE used were compared by gender.
resultsOne quarter of students had used CEs. There was a clear difference between users and non-users in terms of gender (p<0.001). CE users were disproportionately represented by students from either UAE or other Arab countries (p<0.001), and by students of Medicine, followed by Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Engineering (p<0.001). CE use increased with year of study, reaching the highest level in the fourth year (p<0.001), which for most programmes is the final year. Modafinil was self-administered, especially in males, for concentration and alertness; B12 was typically taken by female students for academic performance and concentration; and high-dosage caffeine compounds were ingested to improve alertness levels. Use of the internet for both obtaining information and purchasing CEs was frequently reported. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that gender, nationality, and year of study were associated with CE use among UAE university students.
conclusionsUniversities need to address the prevalence of CE use amongst their students by providing effective support programs.
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