smart drug

[ smahrt druhg ]

noun

1. a drug that targets specific cells or organs:

   Most of our cancer patients are receptive to the idea of smart drugs.

2. nootropic.

Word History and Origins

Origin of smart drug¹

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

And it shows that “understanding the detailed mechanisms at the atomic and molecular level should, in the future, help researchers find solutions in emerging biomedical applications—including smart drug delivery, nuclear magnetic imaging and phototherapy.”

From Scientific American

What proved more difficult to suppress was her suspicion that Adderall was blunting her intelligence: Was the “smart drug” making her stupid?

From New York Times

In 2017, 30 percent of Americans said they had used “smart drug” supplements, known as nootropics, at least once that year, even if studies repeatedly demonstrate that they have a negligible effect on intellect.

From Scientific American

What I didn’t know then, what I couldn’t have known, was that the question of whether Adderall actually improves cognitive performance when taken off-label — whether or not it is a “smart drug” — was unresolved.

From New York Times

However, it is also in now widespread use as a "smart drug" - to enhance the concentration of people without ADHD.

From BBC