Author: Teresa Bergen

These drugs that students believe give them a competitive academic edge actually have harmful short and long term side effects What does it take to get ahead in college these days? For a growing number of students, the answer may involve intense hours of study, all-night paper-writing sessions, a laser-like focus to achieve good grades — and a stimulant to help them achieve those goals. The stimulant, however, is not coffee or even a street drug bought illegally, but Adderall or Ritalin, common prescription drugs used to treat ADHD. In many cases, students take these psychostimulants, or “smart drugs,” off-label, meaning…

When veteran Chris Jenkins came home from his deployment, his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was so debilitating that he didn’t want to leave the house. After years of isolation, Jenkins got a Siberian husky therapy dog. Now Mister goes everywhere with Jenkins. “If I start experiencing flashbacks, he picks up on my increased heart rate,” Jenkins says. “All of a sudden I have a nice, cold wet nose in my face. The unconditional love that a dog gives just snaps you out of it.” Jenkins prefers his dog’s ministrations to PTSD medications. “I find my service dog a lot…