Brains + drugs = fried eggs, right? Not always. Some pills can boost your cognitive output. But we at Wired aren't doctors. Anyone who takes a bushel of drugs based on our say-so must be high.

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Drugs What it does How to get it Possible side effects Adderall Thought to optimize levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, enhancing concentration and turning mundane tasks into wondrous ones. Often prescribed to ADHD patients (wink, wink). Addiction, headaches, insomnia, Tourette's-like symptoms, heart attack Aniracetam Seems to boost release of glutamate, speeding neurotransmission and improving memory. Not a ton of evidence, though. Anxiety, agitation, insomnia, dizziness, epigastric heaviness (feeling full) Aricept An Alzheimer's drug that may also enhance memory in healthy adults. Thought to reduce the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that helps relay messages around the brain. Nausea, diarrhea, fainting Methamphetamine Triggers the release of dopamine. Can increase concentration and creative output. Prolonged use can also make you stupid and crazy. Parkinson's-like symptoms, addiction, stroke, psychosis, prison, death Modafinil A narcolepsy medication that improves focus, pattern recognition, and short-term memory. The exact mechanism of action is unclear. Good for card counters. Chest pain, nausea, headache, life-threatening rash Nicotine Chemically similar to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Spurs faster interaction between nerve cells in the brain, aiding memory formation and attention. Addiction, cancer, social isolation (depending on delivery mechanism) Rolipram Originally used as an antidepressant. May elevate levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate to boost memory. Improves cognition (in rats). Headache, nausea, intense vomiting Vasopressin Produced naturally in the hypothalamus1 gland and used in the formation of new memories. Shown to help users learn more effectively (especially men). Prescribed as a drug for diabetes insipidus. Angina, nausea, wheezing, belching, coma

Illustration: Christoph Niemann