Better memory, greater motivation and concentration lead to greater productivity, efficiency and performance, all of which are features that are highly valued in a modern society focused on productivity. In the effort for better cognitive abilities, otherwise healthy individuals use cognitive enhancers (also known as nootropics), medicines for the treatment of cognitive deficits of patients with various disorders and health problems, such as Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, stroke, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ageing. The use of these is more common in professions with emphasised cognitive abilities, or in occupations that require more attention, focus and alertness. Their use is also associated with the general working population, in that they are supposed to use them to alleviate the effects of sleep deprivation and to cope with increasing workloads. In the paper, we are addressing the ethical issue and the dilemmas of the use of pharmaceutical enhancements by healthy people who have no medical reason for taking such substances, in the context of improving their cognitive functions.

Background Digital technologies have a major impact on the daily lives of young people and are also used to seek information on and help with drug-related issues online. Objective The aim of this article was to analyze current online interventions for young drug users in Slovenia, with the purpose of contributing to the development of guidelines and key recommendations for effective online interventions. Methods This study was part of the project Click for Support. We performed a keyword search, received input from national experts in the field of drug prevention, and conducted an assessment of recognized national online interventions through workshop-based discussions with the target group of 20 young drug users. Results The current online intervention services in Slovenia are satisfactory but are still not sufficiently recognized. The most important issues for young drug users were the design and functionality of the online intervention, presence of a clear structure, possibility of using it on smartphones, comprehensive and quick professional feedback, and data security. Playful elements and the ability to share (experiences) with other or former users were also recognized as important. Conclusions With effective online interventions, we can include more young drug users, facilitate access to a more affordable service, provide quick professional feedback on patterns of consumption, increase knowledge about the effects and consequences of drugs, and support the reduction or cessation of drug use. From the public health perspective, it is challenging to provide drug interventions broadly to the target group and, hence, decrease inequities.

Mass media have never in their history had such a strong impact as they have right now, mainly due to the emergence of new technologies, which have become an important part of the marketing strategies of the wine industry around the world. This paper explores the impact of the information and communication society in social media in the light of the local governments of various countries input in the field of the wine industry. We find that social media allow users to use them free of charge, while paid advertising is an additional cost. The results can also be measurable, which allows the companies full control over the effectiveness of their marketing strategies, but the successful wine companies must use and exploit the social media as important marketing channels.

PurposeInteractive marketing (IM) has influenced commercial communication, including product placement (PP), which has become an essential form of integrating brands within the mass media. Existing research on PP has exceeded traditional TV and movies, and there is a lack of reviews considering the advanced technological perspectives. This scoping study aims to investigate PP in the context of IM and explore relations between technology-related factors and the effects of placement.Design/methodology/approachThe scoping study follows a systematic approach with strictly defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, research questions and a search strategy to identify relevant studies and extract the data. A two-stage screening process on 713 publications resulted in 42 studies for the final examination.FindingsThe results complemented existing theory by identifying and synthesizing the essential technology-related factors and their (un)favorable impacts on PP effectiveness, where interactivity was examined the most frequently. The results also outlined the (un)explored concepts of PP according to media technology and related factors, and show a prevailing research interest in in-game advertising and cognitive responses. Accordingly, the study provides implications for marketers and directions for future research.Originality/valueThis review is the first to examine PP studies in the context of IM and technology-related factors influencing the effect of placement.

In an effort for better memory, greater motivation, and concentration, otherwise healthy individuals use pharmaceutical cognitive enhancers (PCEs), medicines for the treatment of cognitive deficits of patients with various disorders and health problems, to achieve greater productivity, efficiency, and performance. We examined the use of PCEs among 289 students at the Slovenian Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the behavioral and psychosocial context (students’ attitudes towards study, parents, health, leisure time, and work). Furthermore, we also addressed the immediate reasons, or the hypothesized connections of behavioral and psychosocial aspects, related to PCE misuse. The study consisted of a structured questionnaire, and chi-squared tests were used. An analysis of student statements revealed differences in students’ and parents’ attitudes toward good academic grades. In addition, students chose among 17 values related to relationships with parents, friends, partners, careers, study obligations, leisure, hobbies, material goods, appearance, and the future, and assessed their importance. Regardless of the group they belonged to, young people cited the same values among the most important. Good grades and parental opinions have proven to be key factors in the context of PCE abuse. This research was the first study to examine the relation between PCE misuse and the role of different behavioral and psychosocial factors.