Student overdoses on ‘anti-sleep’ pills for examinations, ends up in hospital

In a shocking incident in Uttar Pradesh, a Class 10 student from Lucknow had to undergo major brain surgery due to a clot caused by an overdose of ‘anti-sleep’ pills. The student, identified as Prajakta, had been taking these pills for an extended period to stay awake during her ongoing CBSE board exams, disrupting her sleep cycles and leading to severe health consequences.

As per media reports, the trend of students turning to anti-sleep drugs to stay up late and study is becoming increasingly prevalent during exam seasons. Many students, like Prajakta, are also resorting to higher caffeine intake through tea or coffee to combat fatigue. This unhealthy lifestyle is negatively impacting their health and has sparked concerns about the legality and safety of these drugs.

Prajakta’s collapse occurred after a night of intense studying, fueled by coffee provided by her mother to help her stay awake. Following the incident, she was hospitalized and diagnosed with a brain clot. It was only then that her parents discovered a bottle of anti-sleep pills in her drawer, indicating the dangerous consequences of these drugs.

Dr. Sharad Srivastava, a neurosurgeon, highlighted the alarming trend of students using these pills to enhance their study sessions during exams. These drugs, often sold over the counter under names like ‘chuniya’ and ‘meethi,’ are reportedly being smuggled from countries like Bangkok. These pills are variants of Modafinil, sold as Provigil, known for improving memory, mood, alertness, and cognitive abilities.

Originally designed to treat disorders like narcolepsy and shift work sleep disorder, they enable users to stay awake for extended periods, sometimes exceeding 40 hours, with a smoother effect than amphetamines. However, the adverse effects can be severe, and users must catch up on sleep once the drug wears off.

Speaking anonymously, another medical practitioner emphasized that the pressure on students to achieve high percentages in exams is pushing them towards using these pills. Dr. R K Saxena, a psychiatrist, pointed out that the intense academic competition and the expectation to score exceptionally high percentages are taking a toll on students’ mental and physical well-being.

“The children are berated if they get even half a per cent less than their friends. The pressure to score 98 and 99 per cent in board examinations is slowly killing them. Parents should accept the fact that such high percentages can be unrealistic, and not every child can score these marks,” said Dr. Saxena.

Prajakta’s parents reportedly admitted that they were unaware of the extent of pressure their daughter was under. Dr. Srivastava warned about the dangerous side effects of these pills, particularly when combined with an overdose of caffeine, as seen in Prajakta’s case.

As the use of ‘anti-sleep’ pills becomes more widespread among students, health professionals are urging parents and educational institutions to address the root causes of academic pressure. The focus should shift towards fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages a balanced approach to academics and emphasizes the importance of overall well-being. The alarming incident in Uttar Pradesh serves as a stark reminder of the need to prioritize student health over unrealistic academic expectations.

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