Hey everybody- I searched for a similar thread, but couldn't find any, so hopefully this isn't a repeat or anything... I'm in college, and I know a lot of people who take Adderall and other "nutropics" to improve study habits and memory recollection, especially around finals time and whatnot. Tomorrow I am going to try my friend's Focalin patches out while reading. I have a bit of reading to do, so I was going to wear two or three of his extended release patches at noon and spend the afternoon reading. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with these sorts of drugs, particularly people who do not have ADHD. I think Focalin is probably on the weaker end of the spectrum, but I'd still like to know what I'm getting into (as I do plan to move onto the more serious stuff). Also... how does it do mixed with other things? Mainly other stimulants (caffeine in my case... very, very high quantities of caffeine.. I am in college for christ's sake!)... how does mixing that kind of stuff go over? And how effective is it in terms of things like reading??? Thanks... sorry for the long post!
I have not used any of the common 'nootropic' drugs. I have used adderall and it 'works' for focusing but I found myself often wanting to do other things than study. It got me somewhat high so playing video games/guitar seemed more exciting than studying but it did help a little bit the times I'd really buckle down and study. Vyvanse also may help but ive only used that for pure recreation. Someone on here reported mdpv being helpful and after trying it I would say that's a definite possibilty but its an untested research chemical that works in very small doses and damn addictive, so you may be playing with fire there. Also when I comedown the focus turns from clarity and focus into cloudy and confused.
I have used speed, sold as plain amphetamine, as a study aid. Both times I used half a pill. If your intent is to study, they will definitely do the job, as for at least two hours straight you work and are focused more than it has ever seemed before. This "peak" coincides with a nice high that allows you to really enjoy some music and the movement of your legs and head to the beat feel good. After about two to four hours, I lost focus a little bit, but that may have to do with it being later at night already... which leads me to: Insomnia: You will NOT get to sleep for at least a good eight to ten hours afterwards. After affects: After the first time, the next day was very focused still, even after four hours of sleep. And for the rest of the week (did it on Monday) I felt my focus and concentration was up and that I was able to sit a focus for extended periods of time. The second time, was following Monday (yesterday lol) evening/night (I thought I try it again). This time the after effects were the opposite. Woke up after three hours of sleep and was in a haze, - not quite awake but unable to sleep - for pretty much the whole day. Later on, an acute feeling of sadness (depression) occurred... and that's where I am right now! So... it works. This was more of an experiment on my part than a necessity, but my opinion is that it works, but much caution should be taken and I by no means would endorse it as some sort of regular habit.
Took concerta for a couple years- yes, of course it's great for studying or focusing on anything... because it's fucking speed. It jacks you up, and anything you put in front of yourself you will be into. like previously stated, insomnia is a side effects, along with lack of appetite, anorexia, psychosis, ticks, anxiety and irritability. Personally, it turned me into an intellectual asshole. When I would go to class I would find myself going out of my way to argue and prove people wrong, even professors- when i'm normally very helpful and know when to keep my mouth shut. My biggest problem with using this type of medication was that while under its influence I started loath my actual self- and if you feel that way on ANY DRUG it's time to stop.
Alright thanks guys... I just took off the focalin patches(1 1/2 patches) a couple of minutes ago, and I'm feeling alright... I got a lot done today as well, so that's good. I'll have to get back to you on the side effects as I haven't tried to sleep yet. I was a bit irritable when people approached me, but this wasn't too big of a problem since I was mostly by myself reading. But I did take a couple of hours off to play chess against my computer and listen to music, which was fun But I feel awesome! I got nervous when I wasn't reading, but when I was I felt really happy and warm... this could be because focalin is occasionally used as an anti-depressant.. And I did drink a lot of coffee as well, so if I don't get to sleep right away it could be because of that. In a week or so I will move up to Vyvanse and see how that goes.. don't know about speed though.... And I know these drugs are supposed to kill your social life, and be "fucking speed" or actual speed... but is there something wrong with that? I mean, of course if it makes you depressed or hate yourself, it is unhealthy. And perhaps if you become dependent on it, I suppose that isn't too good either... I dunno, the idea of drugs making people better at being people is weird... now I'm just rambling Also (sorry for the long post!) are these focus medicines anything like benzedrine? Er, I guess in the speed part they are alike, but is what I am experiencing anything like what Kerouac and the gang felt years back? But anywho thanks for the help, any more would be appreciated, I'll post back with more of my experiences later
I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 5. I have been on and tried variuos meds. They're all very similar. Adderall worked the best for a long time, as I hit growth spurts in high school I had to increase the dosage because my body was building a resistance and I was a much larger person. It works great if you pop it in the morning and go about your day. But by the late afternoon, for me, I would become zombified and my body would crash. I'd get very lethargic and I'd lose all stamina. I'm taking Stratera now a days. The late-day crash doesn't have as big of an impact.
I'm prescribed Adderall, a mixture of amphetamines, which is stronger than Focalin. I also do not have ADD. It is for severe depression. It can definitely feel strong the first few times you use a dopamine stimulant. You will be very happy and unless you are an idiot and take un-godly amounts, should not get 'sketchy.' You will crash and unless you are lucky like me to have tons of prescribed antipsychotics, it will feel lousy.
I was once on a mixture of aderall/Ritalin and zoloft (anit depressant), and it wasn't good. I got severe migrane headaches whenever I got angry or frustrated. This was when I was between the ages of 10 and 20. I thought it was normal for everyone to get headaches in these moods, so I learned to "tough out" my headaches. I learned later that this wasn't normal. I eventually said that I didn't want to be on anti depressants anymore. It was a mental struggle, but I eventually felt better and the headaches dissapeared.
That Tuesday when I tried Focalin... I actually got a lot done. BUT I did not sleep until 4... and I was told by my friend that it only takes half an hour to get out of your system. I mean other than that it was well worth it... but I did also get a but of a headache then and the next day whenever my roommate was troublesome or when I felt stressed out... By the way... how the hell would one get a prescription to this stuff? You need a psychiatrist or something?
You need a diagnosis of ADD or nacrcolepsy. Usually it is a psychiatrist that prescribes but a physician can as well.
Or you can get them if, like me, you suffer severe depressive symptoms to which neither SSRI's, SNRI's, or Wellbutrin worked well. That's how I got on Adderall, and now Concerta (Since I was dying of hypertension from Adderall).
Hrmm... I might try to do that in the future... I mean I admit I don't have ADD, narcolepsy or depression... just because I love stimulants in general... I mean I even love things like energy drinks- I hate feeling like I'm boring. I've always felt that was one my greatest sins. Not actually being boring, but thinking that I am. Anyways... yup gonna try Vyvanse tomorrow, just 30 mg around noon. I'll try to keep those who are interested posted.
I agree with Rev. Green, I was on a number of said pills during my early teen years, primarily Concerta, and I gotta say it was fucked. from grade 6-9 i weighed exactly 70-75 lbs, and i'm a tall dude! I couldn't eat to save my life and I was up all night staring at the ceiling, jittery and paranoid for some reason about an impending apocalypse. If anyone is going to try it, make full sure you take a dose that is appropriate to your weight/metabolism because i got fucked by taking too high a dose for years. It might be all I need to get a green card tho the appetite loss haunts me to this day...
shit man... last week I was on vyvanse and I completely lost my appetite- I mean, my friend warned me about that- I forgot to eat one day though- I didn't have any this weekend, so I'm staying plump and happy, but yea I can see how that can be a nasty problem
