It's used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. However, it's not usually recommended for children younger than 6 years old. It can help people who have ADHD pay attention to tasks better and decreases impulsive and hyperactive behaviour.
For people without ADHD, who may be tempted to take Ritalin or Adderall as a study drug, this can end up making them feel jittery and anxious, causing them to focus too much on smaller, less-important details, while losing the bigger picture.
Ultimately, we can say that common side effects of Ritalin in adults without ADHD include: Increased risk-taking behaviors. Increased impulsivity. Mood swings.
For example, Adderall, Ritalin, Noopept, Modafinil, and Piracetam are common prescriptions containing synthetic nootropic compounds that increase focus, concentration, recall, and cognitive skills.
“Nootropic” refers to any substance that can enhance cognitive functions such as memory, focus, and overall mental performance. Certain supplements may have this effect. Some natural compounds, vitamins, minerals, and synthetic compounds are nootropic.
Barry Gordon, MD, PhD, director of the cognitive neurology/neuropsychology division at Johns Hopkins Medicine, says there's "no strong evidence" that any of the supplements now being sold for their supposed memory-boosting powers are helpful. "It's not clear that they work and not clear that they're safe," he says.
Brain scans: Two ADHD medications can be better than one.
Brain scans showed improvements in brain activity related to better thinking skills and improvements in ADHD symptoms only in the combo therapy group. Those taking d-methylphenidate or the combo also saw gains in working memory.
The Mini-Cog test.
A third test, known as the Mini-Cog, takes 2 to 4 minutes to administer and involves asking patients to recall three words after drawing a picture of a clock. If a patient shows no difficulties recalling the words, it is inferred that he or she does not have dementia.
Supplements such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and caffeine may improve focus. However, current evidence is limited and typically reports inconsistent effects of these supplements on cognitive function and concentration levels.
These can include substances from plants, such as Ginkgo biloba or lion's mane mushroom; nutrients, like B vitamins or choline; amino acids, like L-theanine or taurine; and antioxidants, such as those found in citrus fruits, ginseng, green tea and red wine.
B vitamins, as well as vitamins C and D, may help support concentration and focus. No supplement or vitamin nootropic cocktail or regime has been shown to reverse cognitive impairment or fix medical diagnoses, such as ADHD or other issues with focus and executive functioning.
How long they last depends on the medicine: Short-acting formulas last for about 3–6 hours. Long-acting formulas stay in the body for up to 12 hours. They can be helpful for people who have a long school day and need the medicine to stay focused for homework or after-school activities.
Long term-use of the medications Ritalin and Dexedrine could cause a person to develop a tolerance for the medications, needing increased dosages to get the same effects initially experienced. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that misuse of prescription stimulants can cause psychosis, anger, and paranoia.
As stimulant drugs, methylphenidate and the methylphenidate-based drugs can make you feel very 'up', awake, excited, alert and energised, but they can also make you feel agitated and aggressive. They may also stop you from feeling hungry.