Psychostimulants misuse: a challenge for public health

• Autores: Orozco-Muñoz, Javier S., Tascón-Hernández, Jorge D., Muñoz-Pardo, María De Los Ángeles, Sánchez-Duque, Jorge A.
• Formato: artículo
• Fecha de Publicación: 2025
• Institución: Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizan
• Repositorio: Revistas - Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán
• Lenguaje: español
• OAI Identifier: oai:revistas.unheval.edu.pe:article/2220
• Enlace del recurso: http://revistas.unheval.edu.pe/index.php/repis/article/view/2220
• Nivel de acceso: acceso abierto
• Materia: central nervous system stimulants; cognition; energy drinks; caffeine; methylphenidate; estimulantes del sistema nervioso central; cognición; bebidas energéticas; cafeína; metilfenidato

Objective: Develop a narrative synthesis about a global public health problem known as psychostimulant misuse. Materials and methods: Narrative literature review using six databases from January 2010 to December 2023, under PRISMA recommendations. Results: The psychostimulants consumption, including nootropics and energy drinks, is increasing worldwide, creating a public health problem. Substances such as methylphenidate, modafinil and piracetam are used without a prescription to improve academic and work performance, as well as energy drinks, led by caffeine. The increase in their production and consumption has been associated with adverse cardiovascular and neurological effects. Conclusion: The indiscriminate consumption of psychostimulants has been associated with adverse cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric effects, so scientific and political interest should be encouraged in the construction of research projects and educational programs to prevent their abuse.