Korean parents rush to buy "smart drugs"

In just one week, the Korean college entrance exam, also known as Suneung, will take place.

Korean students take the national college entrance exam.

To control their children's anxiety before exams, many parents rush to buy pills advertised to help users become smarter.

Lee, 18, currently studying at a private high school in Incheon City, South Korea, is one of those taking the drug. In addition, the male student does not eat greasy, starchy foods and applies a healthy diet so that the drug can maximize its effect.

“I heard it’s a traditional medicine that helps reduce anxiety symptoms like heart palpitations, sweaty palms, and improves concentration,” Lee said. “It’s better to try it than to do nothing before an exam that could change your life.”

The drug Lee took was called “Cheongsimhwan,” which is marketed as a traditional herbal medicine that helps treat anxiety and stress. It is often used to recharge before an important event. For students, the drug helps treat excessive anxiety by stabilizing heart rate and blood circulation.

Similarly, there are also many herbal medicines on the market such as “gongjindan”, “cheonwangbosimdan”… used to improve anxiety and insomnia in students. The products are sold in pharmacies without prescription. Oriental medicine doctors also recommend using herbal medicines one or two weeks before the exam.

However, the Korean Medical Association warns that taking medication when students “don’t feel too anxious” can cause negative effects such as diarrhea and dizziness; thereby affecting the results. The effects of anti-anxiety supplements vary depending on each person’s body and dosage, and if not fully considered, it can cause dangerous side effects.

In addition to traditional medicines, parents and students also turn to supplements floating in the market. They are advertised to enhance cognitive abilities and work performance. These products do not require a prescription and can be purchased online.

Many even seek out ADHD medication to improve their concentration. Health authorities discovered nearly 700 cases of illegal sales of ADHD medication to 12th graders between August 4 and 14. This is a three-fold increase compared to the period before the Suneung exam in November last year.

Instead of using drugs without knowing the origin and usage, health care experts advise students, especially those preparing for university entrance exams, to eat a balanced diet to reduce anxiety.

Professor Baek Yu-jin, a family medicine specialist at Sacred Heart Hospital in South Korea, warned parents and candidates not to be influenced by misleading advertisements about dietary supplements that “support learning” or “enhance memory.” During the final stages, candidates should maintain their physical and mental health through a healthy, balanced diet instead of relying on supplements.

Professor Lee Hae-kook, a psychiatrist at the Catholic University of Korea, emphasized that ADHD medication is for patients who have difficulty adjusting their cognition and behavior. Taking medication does not help students increase their ability to concentrate and perceive if they do not have ADHD, but on the contrary, it can cause side effects such as loss of appetite, increased heart rate, insomnia, and even hallucinations.

Source: https://danviet.vn/phu-huynh-han-quoc-do-xo-mua-thuoc-thong-minh-20241109094017823.htm