Methylphenidate: Driving Dopamine
Methylphenidate: Class: Stimulant 7/10 Short-term cognitive boost 2/10 Long-term brain enhancement 5/10 Health and Safety Profile 7/10 Quality & strength of evidence Methylphenidate (MPH) sits in an unusual cultural niche: it is both a mainstream medical treatment for ADHD and, in some settings, a sought-after “study drug.” That dual identity has pushed researchers to ask…
Keep readingRitalin & Adderall: The Long-Term Effects
In the United States, a national parent survey estimate suggests 7.0 million children aged 3–17 (11.4%) had ever been diagnosed with ADHD in 2022. Among children with current ADHD, about 53.6% were taking ADHD medication in 2022. Broader prescribing data also show sustained growth: a DEA-commissioned report found dispensed stimulant prescriptions increased by ~34% from…
Keep readingIs your ADHD medication safe?
Introduction ADHD medications are prescription treatments used to reduce the core symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder—inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity—so that day-to-day functioning (school, work, relationships, driving, organisation) is easier. They don’t “cure” ADHD, but for many people they meaningfully improve focus, self-control, and emotional regulation when used as part of a broader plan (skills, routines, coaching/therapy,…
Keep readingModafinil: A safe “smart-drug”?
Modafinil Class: Stimulant 7/10 Short-term cognitive boost 2/10 Long-term brain enhancement 6/10 Health and Safety Profile 7/10 Quality & strength of evidence Modafinil is a prescription wakefulness-promoting medication used to help people stay awake when a medical condition causes excessive daytime sleepiness. In the United States, modafinil (brand name Provigil, among others) is approved to…
Keep reading