Of Ritalin on studying: effective?
Ritalin and studying. Research shows that one in ten students has used some form of brain doping to study better and this is a number that continues to rise. Ritalin in particular is high on the list of favorites. Studying in combination with Ritalin seems to be becoming more and more normal. What exactly is Ritalin and is it actually an effective tool for students?
What is Ritalin?
Ritalin is prescribed in the medical world for people with ADHD or narcolepsy (sleep disorder). Ritalin is the brand name of the drug and the active substance in this drug is called methylphenidate. Effect is compared to amphetamine, but is much less strong. This also means that the effects are of shorter duration.
How does Ritalin work?
After ingestion, Ritalin causes more dopamine and norepinephrine to be released. Dopamine acts as a messenger in the brain and allows nerve cells to communicate with each other. When the dopamine level increases, functions of the nervous system, such as movement, pleasure, attention, mood and motivation, will be optimized to a (limited extent). Norepinephrine is a hormone and neurotransmitter that in turn also has a stimulating effect on the nervous system. It has many functions, but in this story it is especially relevant to mention that it improves memory and alertness. It also increases heart rate and breathing. Ritalin use can promote habituation and psychological dependence (addiction).
How does Ritalin work in humans? of ADHD?
Because Ritalin has a stimulating effect on the nervous system, it increases the ability to concentrate in people with ADHD. They become calmer and less likely to get distracted. When someone with diagnosed ADHD starts a process to try the success effect of Ritalin, this person is always under the supervision of an expert and doctor. Finding the right dosage may take some time for each person. People are satisfied when there is a good balance in which the benefits clearly outweigh any adverse effects such as: headache, stomach ache, insomnia and lack of appetite. The patient's physical health is also closely monitored during this phase.
What is the effect of Ritalin in people without ADHD?
Although it has not (yet) been scientifically proven that Ritalin has the same effect in people without ADHD, it has been used for years by many students to increase their ability to concentrate and thus improve their learning performance. Research shows that the drug had a stimulating and concentration-enhancing effect for half of the test group. It slightly increased heart rate and decreased appetite. Fatigue was felt less quickly and this gave the students a feeling of energy. They felt ready to continue studying for a while. That sounds like a beneficial effect, but it can also be attributed to a placebo effect. For the other half of the test group, the Ritalin was more likely to have the opposite effect. It caused a dull feeling and reduced concentration. So Ritalin and studying occur.
When using a high dosage
When using a high dose, the effect of Ritalin can resemble that of amphetamine (speed). This can lead to grinding teeth and making funny faces in the library. You may question how effective this is for studying and whether this is what you are looking for.
Experience
UvA student M. is a student who receives Ritalin from a housemate: “During my bachelor's degree I used sometimes to study for an exam. Then I was nice and focused. When I went to do my thesis writing, I used it more often. It's especially chill when you're broke. You take a Ritalin and then you can weather. What was my thesis about? ADHD and Ritalin Use.”
Facts about Ritalin use
– Used in 2015 more than 57,000 Dutch people take methylphenidate with brand name Ritalin, on doctor's prescription.
– A third of the group of users mentioned above was over 25 years old.
– Ritalin is mainly prescribed to children and adolescents after the diagnosis of ADHD.
– From research in 2022 by the Trimbos Institute, the RIVM and the GGD showed that in that year 4% of Dutch students sometimes took ADHD medication without a doctor's prescription.
– The same shows that between 5.5 and 22.5% of young adults in the Netherlands have ever taken ADHD medication without a doctor's prescription.
Conclusion?
Ritalin and studying seem to be a combination. We will certainly not claim that Ritalin is a panacea when studying or writing a thesis. The fact is that many students certainly feel that they will benefit from this drug. They say that their focus is increasing enormously. Whether this is a placebo effect or an actual effect of the drug on the brain... It actually doesn't matter. If it works for someone, that's okay.
