The college entrance examination is approaching, and the "smart medicine" claiming to "take a pill to make grades jump" has been passed down by some parents through word of mouth. Pan Xiao, Associate Professor of Medical Psychology at Shanghai Long March Hospital and Expert in Learning Difficulties Outpatient Clinic, said in an interview with reporters that so-called "smart drugs" are some psychiatric drugs that have the effect of improving attention and other functions. Using them without following medical advice can cause physical discomfort such as palpitations, insomnia, and nausea, which can actually affect grades. Even addiction can cause irreversible damage to the body. More importantly, using these "smart drugs" without authorization may be illegal! What exactly is "smart medicine"? What is the legendary "smart medicine" that can improve symptoms such as lack of concentration or drowsiness? Can candidates really be "smart" or "spirited"? Pan Xiao stated that all the "smart drugs" illegally spread on the internet currently belong to the strictly controlled psychotropic drugs in China's "Catalogue of Psychotropic Drugs", which have characteristics such as high addiction, strong tolerance, and side effects. This mainly includes three types of psychotropic drugs: ritalin (mainly composed of methylphenidate), modafinil, and adela (mainly composed of dexamethasone). Pan Xiao reminds that using these drugs without authorization not only affects exam performance, but also brings irreversible risks to the body. Ritalin is a trade name for methylphenidate drugs. As a central nervous system stimulant, it is generally widely used in medicine for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. Methylphenidate and cocaine have similarities in structure and pharmacology, except that its efficacy is slightly inferior to the latter, but its efficacy is relatively longer. The common adverse reactions that taking methylphenidate can bring to the body include insomnia, anxiety, headache, dizziness, restlessness, neuroticism, anorexia, low mood, abnormal sensation, sweating, tachycardia, and hypertension. Each item will have a negative impact on people's normal life and learning, let alone large-scale exams like the college entrance examination. If taken for a long time, dependence may occur, and after stopping the medication, symptoms such as inattention, mental fatigue, and irritability may occur. Modafinil is a wake-up enhancer and also a central nervous system stimulant. Mainly used to treat narcolepsy, due to its strong and long-lasting awakening effect. The most common adverse reactions are headache, insomnia, decreased appetite, etc. Long term use may also lead to emotional instability, depression, mania, anxiety and other mental symptoms. Although modafinil can promote awakening and shorten sleep time, the body itself also needs a certain amount of sleep and rest time. After long-term sleep deprivation, disrupted circadian rhythms can cause mental symptoms. Even if taken occasionally, it can disrupt the normal biological clock in the short term and be detrimental to exams. The main ingredient of Adela is dexamethasone, which is a prescription drug used to treat attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, as well as narcolepsy. Amphetamine has a significant excitatory effect on the central nervous system and has two optical isomers. Among them, dexamethasone is the more active and can cause irreversible damage to the brain. Pan Xiao also reminded that the abuse of such drugs has a significant psychological addiction, with obvious side effects in the short term, manifested as severe depressive tendencies, and can lead to severe drug dependence. Even if the daily dosage is controlled within one pill, it is likely that serious side effects can still be felt, such as only sleeping for 3 hours a day and decreased appetite. Using "smart drugs" without authorization is drug use? According to the laws of our country, the illegal use or injection of drugs and psychotropic substances that are controlled by the state and can cause addiction is considered drug abuse. Zhang Ming, a partner and lawyer at Beijing Jingshi Law Firm, stated in an interview with China News Agency's Guoshi Direct that taking so-called "smart drugs" and other strictly controlled psychotropic drugs without authorization may constitute drug use. According to the Law on Public Security Administration Punishments and relevant regulations, those who use or inject drugs shall be detained for not less than ten days but not more than fifteen days, and may also be fined not more than 2000 yuan; Those with minor circumstances shall be detained for no more than five days or fined no more than 500 yuan. According to the Regulations on Drug Rehabilitation, individuals with severe drug addiction also need to undergo mandatory isolation and rehabilitation. As for those who illegally resell "smart drugs", Zhang Ming stated that in violation of national regulations, providing drugs and psychotropic substances controlled by national regulations that can cause addiction to people who use drugs or inject drugs, they shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years or detention, and shall also be fined. If the circumstances are serious, he shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than seven years and shall also be fined. Those who provide narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances that are controlled by the state and can cause addiction to individuals who engage in smuggling or drug trafficking, or for the purpose of profit, shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of Article 347 of the Criminal Law on the crime of smuggling, trafficking, transporting, and manufacturing drugs. Depending on the specific circumstances, they may be sentenced to control, detention, fixed-term imprisonment, life imprisonment, and up to the death penalty. Will parents be punished for purchasing "smart drugs"? Zhang Ming stated that it should be judged based on specific circumstances, especially those who purchase these prohibited drugs on behalf of foreign agents, who may be punished as accomplices in drug trafficking crimes. He reminded that the superstition of "smart drugs" is drug use, and once tried, there is a risk of carrying drug stains. The consequences of constituting drug trafficking crimes are very serious, so both parents and candidates should not have any illusions about this harmful and useless "smart drug". Is there a real "smart medicine"? The official website of the National Medical Products Administration issued a notice as early as 2018, stating that China has never approved any health food with "brain tonifying" health functions. Therefore, there are no drugs that can make people "smarter" or "benefit exam performance". How to maintain a good state during exams? Pan Xiao gave three suggestions: first, adjust the state. In the final stage of exam preparation, balance work and rest, ensure sufficient sleep and rest, and do not keep yourself constantly in a "tense" state. In addition, moderate exercise can also be used to relieve stress, but do not overdo it. In principle, do not break your usual habits, including exercise, to avoid fatigue and other negative states that may affect your exams. The second is to adjust the schedule. Adjust sleep, rest, diet, and brain habits according to the time of the college entrance examination. After several days of training, adjust the body to the corresponding state at different times, and prevent the biological clock from conflicting with the exam time. The third is to face tension head-on. Moderate tension is not always a bad thing, it can secrete adrenaline, which helps improve brain thinking vitality. As long as there are no situations that affect normal behavior, there is no need to be overly concerned. Both parents and the examinee themselves should maintain more daily habits, not deliberately reinforce or change them, and maintain a calm mind, which is actually more beneficial for maintaining a stable state of mind. (Lai Xin She)