Different experts have contrasting opinions on taking Ritalin for boosting brain power.

Ritalin is used to treat children and young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for symptoms like inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

Sometimes people take it to enhance study skills and boost attention focus, to improve their academic performance.

BMJ Professor John Harris said that it would be unethical to stop healthy individuals taking Ritalin, also known as methylphenidate, to boost their mental performance.

The comments of Professor Harris in favor of taking Ritalin by healthy person have been criticized by various experts on ethical and medical grounds.

According to Professor Anjan Chatterjee from the University of Pennsylvania, there are too many risks in taking Ritalin unless people are actually ill. He mentioned possible cognitive side effects of taking Ritalin, could be loss of creativity.

He added that in the US, the Food and Drug Administration has labeled it with a "black box" - the most alarming of possible warnings - because of its high potential for abuse, dependence, risk of sudden death and serious adverse effects on the heart.