Perhaps the first person on HN who actively and without shame pays attention to the fact that Adderall is a very nice amphet cocktail. Surprising though you don't loose wait with it, sad also given the circumstances. But I envy you a little cause such ADHD boost is only illegal in EU.
Sometimes I wonder if it was a some neat trick by US gov to diagnose and put 1/5 of the population on amphetamines (2024 data +60mil prescriptions of Adderall), so that most everyone who is actually like smart or sensitive or anything of value to the industry, can (almost) freely microdose on it and as a result increase productivity.
Which... means 1/5 of the population suddenly increases output. Perhaps we all'd be on Aderall at some point, dunno bout the Ozempics...
I think you're incorrectly assuming that one prescription = one person. Far less than 20% of the population is taking Adderall, this CDC study says 4% in 2021.
Yes you are right. One prescription gives one person access to pills and then they resurface for many others on the black market. You can be absolutely sure it’s very popular among STEM students, not the least because they can understand why would they need it. I can only imagine the pressure to stay in Ivy League university, would totally make it reasonable to use one if you do five exams in a row.
Since you can find it being sold at raves in EU I’m absolutely sure a) it works; b) not convinced only one in five prescribed takes it and all other toss it in the toilet; c) there’s a surge in use and demand.
When I also found my high profile friend working FAANG for years, who’s straight edge and goes regularly to church’s is taking it for productivity boost, and happy about it… well I realised what actually is happening.
Indeed the good thing about adhd is tis a very vague diagnosis. And yes it works well on many undiagnosed people, and particularly in countries where ADHD is not a recognised ontology.
So let’s be real and honest.
Besides media is hyping in September’24 about dangerous shortage of Adderall as if people are left with no access to vitals. It is hyped more than the fact that coffee prices are likely to double and triple in months to come.
I’ve heard studies show Adderall doesn’t help people without ADHD… googling now seems to confirm. Apparently lots of people, especially college kids, take it thinking it will help, but it actually can slow them down.
Not a study, but this article was enjoyable. Some of the experiences there say it made their writing overly perseverative on detail, too expansive, too many edits and re-writes. Sort of faster in the short term but slower over the long term?
My understanding is the amph. works the same in everyone - minus the edge cases.
The main difference is that the magnitude is greater in people with ADHD than those without. A reduction in hyperactivity, for example, is not really apparent in people that are not overtly hyperactive to begin with.
Beside, ADHD is kind of a nebulous label for a lot of symptoms. Having ADHD vs. not having ADHD is not exactly binary.
> a new study finds that using these drugs while not suffering from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder decreases productivity and increases the amount of time needed to complete tasks.
People using it for studying don’t take adderall to be more productive, they take it to be productive for much longer. It’s a stimulant that keeps you up all night and lets you study, not makes your studying more efficient.
That is not true. Vyvanse, caffeine, etc., helps my brain calm down and focus. I don’t get hyper. In fact, if I have too much caffeine, I start yawning.
My wife, who does not have ADHD (at all), gets hyper from stimulants.
I am not suggesting anyone use their response to stimulants as a diagnosis of ADHD. However, speak to anyone who has it and they will relay that stimulants make them calm, not hyper.
People without ADHD get hyper, not calm. Some others also get calm.
But people with ADHD who take stimulants do not get hyper.
Sometimes I wonder if it was a some neat trick by US gov to diagnose and put 1/5 of the population on amphetamines (2024 data +60mil prescriptions of Adderall), so that most everyone who is actually like smart or sensitive or anything of value to the industry, can (almost) freely microdose on it and as a result increase productivity.
Which... means 1/5 of the population suddenly increases output. Perhaps we all'd be on Aderall at some point, dunno bout the Ozempics...