Doping on the job is increasing
All content is checked by medical journalists.MunichBetter, faster, more efficient: The pressure to perform at work and in private life is increasing more and more. To supposedly break out of this quandary, more and more people are taking pills. Experts warn of the fatal consequences for health.
A study by the health insurance company DAK examined how employees deal with the pressure and how this affects the consumption of performance-enhancing drugs. In it, the experts evaluated drug data from 2.6 million employed insured persons. In addition, 5,000 employees between the ages of 20 and 50 were surveyed.
The result: 6.7 percent resorted to “brain doping” at least once in 2014. In 2008 it was 4.7 percent. The experts estimate that the number of unreported cases is much higher, around 12 percent. 1.9 percent regularly use the performance enhancers - this corresponds to almost a million people in employment.
More performance, more stable emotions
More than half of the dopers swallowed medication for fear, nervousness and restlessness. But mood enhancers, such as remedies for depression or severe daytime sleepiness, were also taken. All of them require a prescription. Every second person got it from his doctor, others got the medication from friends, acquaintances and family members or on the Internet.
Men mostly swallowed pills to improve performance. They should join forces before an important presentation or negotiation. Many also state that after work they still want to have energy for leisure and private life. Women turned to mood enhancers more often - especially when they were dealing with customers a lot.
Stereotype doping managers
The doping kings are not the top managers or creatives as one might expect. In fact, people with simple jobs or insecure jobs are particularly at risk for brain doping. In general, if mistakes can have serious consequences, it is more likely to lead to drug abuse.
Long-term consequences unclear
What falls by the wayside is health. Because brain doping can have serious health consequences. "Cardiac arrhythmias, dizziness, headaches, nervousness and sleep disorders are common side effects of these drugs," warns Klaus Lieb, director of the Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy in Mainz. The pills could also change personality. "The possible long-term consequences are also still completely unclear," he continues.
The expert, on the other hand, rates the actual benefits of the performance-enhancing drugs rather low: "The drugs often only show short-term and minimal effects on cognitive performance." It is important to actively tackle stress at work. In addition to the external pressure, the inner attitude is also decisive. Lieb: "Do not make excessive demands on yourself."
Source: DAK study: Doping on the job is increasing significantly, March 17, 2015
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