Ritalin
Ritalin, the brand name for methylphenidate, is a medication originally synthesized in 1944 and studied for human use in the mid-1950s. Initially prescribed for conditions such as narcolepsy and depression, it gained prominence in the 1960s for its calming effects on children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While Ritalin is typically taken orally, alternative methods of administration, such as snorting or intravenous use, have been linked to abuse and can produce euphoric effects similar to those of cocaine. The rise in ADHD diagnoses and the appeal of Ritalin as a cognitive enhancer for academic performance have contributed to increased rates of abuse, particularly among adolescents and college students.
In the United States, estimates suggest that 3 to 10 percent of school-aged children meet the criteria for ADHD, amplifying the drug's availability. While Ritalin can improve focus and attention, it also carries potential risks; short-term side effects may include headache, nausea, and increased anxiety, while long-term use can lead to insomnia and anxiety. Concerns about growth suppression have been debated, and chronic abuse can result in dependence. Understanding the complexities of Ritalin’s use and misuse is essential for informed discussions about its role in treating ADHD and its impact on users.
Ritalin
Also known as: Methylphenidate
Definition: Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that shares many characteristics with amphetamines. It is a controlled substance that is most often prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Status: Legal in the United States and worldwide
Classification: Schedule II controlled substance
Source: Synthetic substance with no natural sources
Transmission route: Oral, inhalation, intravenous
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. A study in 2017 found that the prevalence for using stimulants, including Ritalin, to augment cognition ranged from 14 to 38 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
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Wilde, Cathy. "Nonprescription Use of Ritalin Linked to Adverse Side Effects, UB Study Finds." UB Now, 17 May 2017, www.buffalo.edu/ubnow/stories/2017/05/thanos-ritalin.html#:~:text=Recent%20studies%20put%20college%20students,college%20and%20age%20of%20student. Accessed 2 Dec. 2022.