It’s no secret that the public’s attention span is shrinking – and has already shrunken dramatically – over the last few decades. As a result, we cannot concentrate or direct our focus as consistently as we used to be able to in the past.
And while there are different reasons behind this loss of focus, the general public is not the only group that has noticed this disruption. Major pharmaceutical companies have been paying attention, too.
To the surprise of no one, these pharmaceutical companies have been investing significant capital into their medical stimulant products. This market is anticipated to grow by upwards of $6 billion over the next few years alone – and the true future potential of this market is likely much more significant than that.
What are Medical Stimulants?
Medical stimulants (sometimes called stimulant medications) are able to activate specific activities in the brain through manipulating brain-based chemicals known as neurotransmitters.
By modifying and manipulating the behavior of these neurotransmitters the stimulants are able to dramatically increase our energy levels, sharpen our alertness, and even increase our ability to focus and pay attention for longer durations.
Previously thought to be useful only for children and young adults that had been diagnosed with attention deficit disorders (ADD or ADHD), these stimulants are now being deployed in a much wider variety of applications.
Adults – some in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond – are beginning to experiment with medical stimulants to recapture some of their lost focus.
Are Medical Stimulants Dangerous?
Unsurprisingly, there are a number of side effects linked to medical stimulants – which is to be expected, considering the fact that these stimulants are designed to manipulate our natural neurotransmitters.
It isn’t uncommon for people using medical stimulants to experience a significant loss of appetite, dramatic weight loss, and varying energy levels when they aren’t using these medications.
Rare side effects can also include feelings of intense paranoia, uneven mood modulation, rage, and even psychosis.
Anyone that has begun to experience these kinds of side effects after starting treatment with medical stimulants is encouraged to contact their doctor (or any medical professional) ASAP.
Do not immediately discontinue using the stimulants – unless advised by medical professionals – as this can also trigger other adverse side effects.
Do Alternatives Exist?
Several proven to be effective alternatives to medical stimulants are available on the market now. We’re not just talking about a couple of cups of black coffee when your mind feels fuzzy.
There’s a vast market for nootropics, supplements, and not medications that have formulas designed to increase alertness, extend attention spans, and generally provide a bump in mental clarity and energy.
While these products are often quite effective and deliver on their promises, these solutions are nowhere near as effective (and generally not as fast acting) as medical stimulants.
However, the big bonus to using nootropics is that they frequently come with far fewer – and much less severe – side effects compared to the products pumped out by major pharmaceutical organizations.
Predicting the Future of the Medical Stimulant Market
It looks like our shrinking attention span and inability to focus will only worsen as time goes on.
This is a huge problem because our modern lives are so busy and fast-paced, requiring us to digest, understand, and act on a lot of new information flooding in all the time.
While some business experts believe that the medical stimulant industry will grow by $6 billion over the next few years, it wouldn’t surprise many if the market grew even faster.
The demand for improved mental clarity, improved mental acuity, and enhanced ability to focus for extended amounts of time is ratcheting up.
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