00:00 Stimulants for ADHD, such as Adderall and Ritalin, work by improving the function of the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for attention and focus.

06:53 Stimulants like amphetamines and speed improve the symptoms of ADHD by enhancing the ability of the prefrontal cortex to coordinate and suppress activity in other brain networks, allowing for better attention and focus.

13:44 Stimulants used to treat ADHD, such as Adderall, work by increasing the activity of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are neuromodulators that affect brain circuits related to motivation, pursuit, and mood.

21:10 Adderall increases the activity of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain by disrupting the action of transporters and the vesicle monoamine transporter, resulting in increased release and transmission of these neurotransmitters.

27:58 Vivance is a time-release form of dexadrine, not Adderall, and it is effective in treating ADHD by providing a slow and long-lasting increase in dopamine and norepinephrine.

34:49 Ritalin mainly increases dopamine and to some extent norepinephrine at synapses, while Adderall and Vyvanse increase both dopamine and norepinephrine to a greater extent, resulting in increased signal to noise and a heightened ability to focus.

41:43 The drugs used to treat ADHD work by tuning the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine present in the brain, rather than simply increasing neural activity, and the diverse symptomology and individual variation in ADHD necessitates careful assessment by a qualified psychiatrist to determine the specific drug and dosage that is ideal for each individual.

48:51 The goal of prescribing stimulant medications for ADHD is to activate and coordinate specific neural circuits in the brain, allowing for proper functioning and reducing noise, while also promoting neuroplasticity to strengthen these circuits for long-term benefits.

56:05 Children with ADHD who are diagnosed and treated with appropriate doses of drugs like Adderall, Ritalin, or Vivants perform better in school, have improved focus, and experience better general outcomes, while early treatment with these drugs does not lead to a predisposition for illicit drug abuse or addictive potential later in life, but rather leads to normalization of circuits and increased dopamine transmission in the forebrain.

01:03:46 Dosage ranges for drugs like Adderall and methylphenidate vary widely and depend on individual factors such as metabolism, with some patients responding well to low doses and others requiring very high doses, but overall, treatment with sympathomimetics during development does not appear to limit overall height or impair growth.

01:11:02 Combining alcohol with sympathomimetics like Adderall or Ritalin is more detrimental to the brain and body than taking those drugs on their own, and it is best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking these medications.

01:17:52 Taking sympathetic drugs for ADHD, such as Adderall, can disrupt the endocrine system by elevating cortisol levels, which can lead to reductions in testosterone and estrogen, affecting libido, muscle and bone mass, and overall hormone-related biology, but there is no evidence to suggest that these medications cause irregular ovulatory cycles or cessation of menstruation, and in fact, treating ADHD appropriately with these drugs can lead to improved focus, achievement, and happiness, which can positively impact dopamine, testosterone levels, and productivity.

01:24:48 ADHD medications, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, can increase the likelihood of inducing psychosis in individuals with a predisposition to psychosis, but the risk is still fairly low when taken at appropriate and safe dosages, with methylphenidate carrying a lower potential for inducing psychosis compared to amphetamines, and Vyvanse having a lower incidence of psychotic episodes and less abuse potential overall.

01:31:54 The repeated use of ADHD medications by individuals with ADHD leads to lesser peaks in dopamine each time, reducing the potential for addiction and psychotic episodes, while the original clinical literature suggested that these drugs should not be taken every single day, but rather with breaks such as weekends and vacations.

01:39:06 Most of the literature on the long-term effects of ADHD medications focuses on methylphenidate (Ritalin), but there are some studies on Adderall and Vyvanse as well; Modafinil and Armodafinil are non-amphetamine treatments for ADHD that are being used more frequently, but there is debate about whether there are genuine differences between the two drugs.

01:46:02 Modafinil and Armodafinil are associated with rare but potentially fatal side effects, such as a severe skin condition called Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which is one of the reasons why they are not widely prescribed for ADHD.

01:53:08 Pharmaceutical interventions for ADHD, such as stimulants and modafinil, work by increasing arousal and wakefulness, leading to decreased hyperactivity, impulsivity, and increased focus through neuroplasticity.