The Library
Enhancement imaginaries : exploring public understandings of pharmaceutical cognitive enhancing drugs
Tools
Coveney, Catherine, Williams, Simon J. and Gabe, Jonathan (2019) Enhancement imaginaries : exploring public understandings of pharmaceutical cognitive enhancing drugs. Drugs : Education, Prevention and Policy, 26 (4). pp. 319-328. doi:10.1080/09687637.2019.1593318 ISSN 0968-7637.
|
PDF
WRAP-enhancement-imaginaries-Williams-2019.pdf - Published Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (1135Kb) | Preview |
|
PDF
WRAP-Enhancement-imaginaries-Williams-2019.pdf - Accepted Version Embargoed item. Restricted access to Repository staff only - Requires a PDF viewer. Download (1055Kb) |
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2019.1593318
Abstract
The growing use of psychoactive substances in everyday life, the increasing experimentation among users and the potential of poly drug use for non-medical, lifestyle or enhancement purposes presents an evolving policy challenge. The paper aims to build on previous research to gain a more in-depth qualitative understanding of the imaginaries around pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement (PCE). It focuses in particular on how the so-called pharmaceutical cognitive enhancing drugs (PCEDs) might be used and the social acceptability of these uses across multiple social contexts and groups. Data come from 23 focus groups (99 participants), representing a wide range of social groups, recruited in the UK. We discuss four distinct ‘enhancement practices’ where PCE use was conceptualised as a way to (1) become the best version of oneself; (2) gain a competitive edge over others; (3) for personal achievement or well-being; and (4) promote personal/public safety. The findings problematise the term ‘enhancement’ by showing the different ways in which the use of pharmaceutical ‘enhancement’ drugs can be imagined and understood. We argue for the value of policy responses that acknowledge and respond to a wider range of enhancement practices including those of prospective user groups.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Subjects: | R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology | ||||||
Divisions: | Faculty of Social Sciences > Sociology | ||||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Nootropic agents -- Public opinion -- Great Britain, Methylphenidate | ||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Drugs : Education, Prevention and Policy | ||||||
Publisher: | Routledge | ||||||
ISSN: | 0968-7637 | ||||||
Official Date: | 7 May 2019 | ||||||
Dates: |
|
||||||
Volume: | 26 | ||||||
Number: | 4 | ||||||
Page Range: | pp. 319-328 | ||||||
DOI: | 10.1080/09687637.2019.1593318 | ||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Open Access (Creative Commons) | ||||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 7 March 2019 | ||||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 8 May 2019 | ||||||
RIOXX Funder/Project Grant: |
|
||||||
Related URLs: |
Request changes or add full text files to a record
Repository staff actions (login required)
View Item |
Downloads
Downloads per month over past year