Dear College Student,

With midterms and final exams around the corner, you go on a hunt. A hunt for this magical blue pill called Adderall (or its billion other variants) that suddenly makes you a whole lot more focused and intellectually capable. You shed out money for the pills and hope that it will kick in soon and help you ace whatever your intellectual focus is meant to be on. Even though most stand by it, some skeptics assume it is placebo. Let me tell you, it works. Yay!

Is it good for you? Hell no. That is a whole different question. Adderall, along with its other variants, and multiple other pharmaceutical drugs out there, both over the counter and prescription drugs, fall under the category of nootropics. Nootropic refers to any drug that enhances one's intellectual capabilities, making one more productive. So why are we all not on the much sought-after blue pill? Well, that is because it is used to treat a specific medical condition, and doctors feel that, in certain cases, its benefits outweigh its negative effects. It is a prescription drug because of this trade off. It messes up your sleep cycle, alters neurological pathways, narrows your mind and regular thinking (thus no creativity on Adderall). To be precise, it messes up your brain, if not prescribed. Obviously.

Now, why is this important to you? Because your regular cup of joe (caffeine), your evening cigarette (nicotine), along with red bull and jager shots (taurine) all have certain chemicals that are also nootropics. These widely occurring nootropics are less harmful for you, and thus help you through long and stressful nights of covering up assignments you have procrastinated for over a month. They do help, and Adderall is overhyped.

But! Yes, there is a but. There is an even better solution. It's called running. Running is said to boost the production of new neurons in the hippocampus (the center for learning). Moreover, it aids in the repair of damaged brain cells (thanks to weekend nights), increases the brain's ability to handle stress and high workload, helps increase concentration and attention span, and helps the brain rest better at night. Best of all, it's free.

So, to all those crouched over piles of untouched homework and staring at blank Google documents while waiting for the new season of "Game of Thrones," go work out. It's cheaper than the blue pill, and better for you in the long run.

Yours truly,

A fellow sufferer.