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Having a high IQ may have its drawbacks: a new study finds that highly intelligent children are more likely to try illegal drugs in their teenage and adult years. The work is published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

An ongoing¹ study that started in 1970 gathered data from 8,000 people, including their IQ test scores at ages five and 10. Participants later reported their history of illicit² drug use at age 16, and then again at age 30.

Men with high childhood IQs were 50 percent more likely to use drugs than their low-scoring counterparts. And women with high scores were more than twice as likely to have tried controlled substances.

What draws children with high IQs to eventually try drugs? The study's authors point out that drugs could serve as a coping mechanism³ for intelligent children who stand out from their classmates and become targets for teasing. In addition, intelligent people tend to pursue new, stimulating⁴ experiences to stave off boredom⁵. Meaning that an IQ being high could be a gateway⁶ to getting high.

Thanks for the minute. For Scientific American's 60-Second Science, I'm Sophie Bushwick.

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1 ongoing
adj.进行中的，前进的
参考例句：
The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。 The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

2 illicit
adj.非法的，禁止的，不正当的
参考例句：
He had an illicit association with Jane.他和简曾有过不正当关系。 Seizures of illicit drugs have increased by 30% this year.今年违禁药品的扣押增长了30%。

3 mechanism
n.机械装置；机构，结构
参考例句：
The bones and muscles are parts of the mechanism of the body.骨骼和肌肉是人体的组成部件。 The mechanism of the machine is very complicated.这台机器的结构是非常复杂的。

4 stimulating
adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的
参考例句：
shower gel containing plant extracts that have a stimulating effect on the skin 含有对皮肤有益的植物精华的沐浴凝胶 This is a drug for stimulating nerves. 这是一种兴奋剂。

5 boredom
n.厌烦，厌倦，乏味，无聊
参考例句：
Unemployment can drive you mad with boredom.失业会让你无聊得发疯。 A walkman can relieve the boredom of running.跑步时带着随身听就不那么乏味了。

6 gateway
n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法
参考例句：
Hard work is the gateway to success.努力工作是通往成功之路。 A man collected tolls at the gateway.一个人在大门口收通行费。