Not really - despite their popularity (as you say, heavily sought after), studies have shown that there really isn't a significant cognitive boost for neurotypical folks that take these stimulants[1]. While they have a significant effect for those with ADHD because their brain is not providing the chemicals properly, and these drugs enable that. They aren't boosting cognitive abilities for those with ADHD, they are fixing a problem so that folks with ADHD can think and focus properly.
Didn't spend a ton of time looking up the sources I've read this in, but here is one:
[1] - https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/6/3/58
> Studies support that stimulants enhance attention, memory, self-regulation and executive function in individuals with ADHD. Recent research, however, has found that many college students without ADHD report misusing prescription stimulants, primarily to enhance their cognitive abilities.
> ...
> Overall, the present findings indicate dissociation between the effects of Adderall on activation and neurocognition, and more importantly, contrary to common belief, Adderall had little impact on neurocognitive performance in healthy college students.
Anyway thanks for the info, definitely upends an assumption I'd had for years.
The Germans didn't ply their soldiers with speed in WWII because it improved their reflexes or their tactics - they did it so a soldier could fight when his brain would otherwise be mush from not sleeping in days. Anyone can benefit from just having more usable hours in a day.
Honestly I'd say it's the opposite. Stimulants barely touch the sides with me, even the non-prescribed types a younger version of me may or may not have dabbled in were pretty ineffective.
I had read about how stimulants don't do much for the average person and that much of it is placebo. I know they do a lot for me -- well, Modafinil/Armodafinil does, I haven't tried any other because I'm so happy with these.
I feel lucky I have something that works, I don't mind not having a diagnosis. It'd make sourcing them easier and free, but at $2 a pill and with the multiplier effect it has on my productivity, that doesn't even register.
I hope you've found other ways to improve your experience.
Decent pay it was as well, cleared a bunch of the debt I'm lugging around. ADHD tax haha, it is what it is.
Waiting on an appointment to review the meds
Possibly related - my PCP gave me a genetic test and it showed that I have some gene configuration that essentially makes me immune to the effects of caffeine. Which makes sense, because I have to drink a boatload to feel anything from it.
I’ve also heard that some people with ADHD sleep better on stimulants, which definitely isn’t the case for everyone else.
I wish lmao. I'm on meds and while I can see a difference between non-meds and now I could easily go back to bed after they kick in and sleep the entire day away. Still doing the dosage dance with the doc.
Someone who didn't need them would likely be a little hyper if not bouncing off the walls depending on the dosage.
I definitely get a noticeable feeling of calm/steadiness/"settling" as my stimulants kick in, and yes it would be very easy to go back to bed at that point. My understand is that this is not a typical part of the stimulants experience for people without adhd.
But by "responds well" I meant that they improve focus, energy, motivation, and mood even in non-adhd people, not that they have the same effects. Other comments have addressed that this is at least somewhat a misconception on my part though.
Apologies for the misread too
But doesn't everyone respond extremely well to stimulants? They're some of the most common recreational drugs and neurotypical people seek them out for performance enhancement on cognitive tasks.