What is Ritalin?

History of Use

Although originally synthesized in 1944, Ritalin was not studied for its therapeutic effects in humans until the mid-1950s. Early on, Ritalin was used to treat narcolepsy (a sleep disorder), depression, and chronic fatigue. By the 1960s it was discovered to produce a calming effect in children who had been diagnosed with symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

When Ritalin is administered orally, its effects are slowed by the gastrointestinal tract, which effectively prevents the user from experiencing a euphoric high. However, when the drug is crushed and snorted or used intravenously, it can lead to intense feelings of pleasure that some have equated with cocaine usage.

Ritalin abuse has been on the rise. This increase has been driven by two primary factors. First, there has been an increase in the number of people diagnosed with ADHD. Second, persons without ADHD have learned that Ritalin can be used as a cognitive enhancer for improving academic performance on tasks that require sustained, focused attention.

Estimates indicate that between 3 and 10 percent of school-aged children in the United States meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This trend has increased the overall availability of the drug. Adolescents and young adults more often abuse Ritalin by snorting it or by ingesting larger quantities to experience exhilaration. In 2010, researcher Eric Racine and his colleague and co-author Cynthia Forlini looked into rates of lifetime nonmedical stimulant use and found that the prevalence for using stimulants, including Ritalin, to augment cognition ranged from 3 to 11 percent of college students.

Effects and Potential Risks

Ritalin increases the presence of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain by blocking its reuptake by the cells that release it. Short-term adverse effects include headache, nausea, irregular heartbeat, wakefulness, agitation, anxiety, increased blood pressure, and, in rare instances, seizures. Long-term adverse effects include anxiety and sleeplessness. Initial reports of suppression of growth have been placed in doubt by later studies. Dependence can occur with chronic abuse.

Bibliography

“DrugFacts: Stimulant ADHD Medications: Methylphenidate and Amphetamines.” National Institute on Drug Abuse. Natl. Insts. of Health, Jan. 2014. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.

Iversen, Leslie. Speed, Ecstasy, Ritalin: The Science of Amphetamines. New York: Oxford UP, 2008. Print.

Levinthal, Charles F. Drugs, Behavior, and Modern Society. 8th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2013. Print.

Racine, Eric, and C. Forlini. “Cognitive Enhancement, Lifestyle Choice, or Misuse of Prescription Drugs?” Neuroethics 3 (2010): 1–4. Print.

“Signs and Symptoms of Prescription Drug Use.” Narconon. Narconon International, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.