Some remarks on the effects of drugs, lack of sleep and loud noise on human performance.

Some literature is reviewed on the effect of some drugs, (amphetamine, hypnotics, alcohol), loud noise and sleep loss in test of time estimation, decision making, long term performance and short term memory. Results are most clear with respect to amphetamine, hypnotics and lack of sleep, in that amphetamine prevents deterioration in long term performance whereas hypnotics and lack of sleep promote deterioration of tasks. It is suggested that no unequivocal effects exist but that much depends on dose, the specific properties of the task, and the interaction with abnormal conditions