Alright, there seems to be extreme unwarranted hate for Methylphenidate on this board. So this is a response to those who do not understand the positive risk/reward ratio of MPH.
I mean, it seems that the majority of people on the forums are willing to take relatively untested supplements/medications from other countries, but act as if taking MPH is some extremely risky endeavor.
Now,, lets get started.. first off;
Methylphenidate != Adderall
I keep seeing the two mentioned as if they are equal, they are not! The end result of the medications is similar but the means by which the medications achieve that result is quite different. MPH inhibits re-uptake of dopamine, while amphetamines act directly on the dopamine 'pumping' mechanism.
Methylphenidate is NOT neurotoxic like amphetamines can be, and actually is neuroprotective. They have even started using MPH as a treatment for both Parkinsons patients and for Methamphetamine addicts;
http://www.ncbi.nlm....les/PMC2701286/
http://jpet.aspetjou...304/3/1181.full
Also MPH works to improve cognitive skills in adults by many measures( I have more studies than this one if you want to push the issue);
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/16035144
Despite being somewhat similar chemically to cocaine and caffeine, MPH is not as addictive. This may be because MPH does not affect synaptic serotonin levels like cocaine, and because of the duration of effect. This is one of the articles that explores the reasons for this difference;
http://neuropsychiat...2/adictive.html
Children/teens who are treated with MPH are less likely to abuse other drugs later in life(this study also addressed the long terms affects of MPH);
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/18381904
MPH improves lipid profiles;
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/19553406
A Government study which shows that children taking stimulant medication consistently (test) score better than unmedicated peers(This is a important unbiased study that states 'the drugs have been proven safe, with few side effects. Those can include loss of sleep and appetite and, in rare cases, temporary hallucinations and psychosis.'
http://www.reuters.c...20090427?rpc=44
Again a study that shows longer term use does not cause negative effects, and even may improve performance of some;
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/18444711
'Findings suggest that the ADHD/Rx group shows better executive and academic functioning even when unmedicated.'
'Methylphenidate-OROS improves attention achievement after the first dose and working memory after one month of daily treatment.';
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/18465700
MPH improves driving in adults and teens(3 studies, last of which states that OROS MPH > Adderall);
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/18308788
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/18200437
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/16950962
'Methylphenidate amplifies long-term plasticity in the hippocampus via noradrenergic mechanisms';
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/18685149
'The effects of methylphenidate on word decoding accuracy in boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder';
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/18204348
The positive effect of MPH on balance;
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/17572789
Beneficial effects of MPH on audio comprehension;
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/17343552
MPH improves reading performance;
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/17169593
Long-term stimulant medication treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: results from a population-based study( 'These results demonstrate that the effectiveness of stimulant medication treatment of ADHD provided throughout childhood is comparable to the efficacy of stimulant treatment demonstrated in clinical trials');
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/16511362
OROS MPH > Strattera;
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/16418159
Long term study of 'stimulant' medications on IQ;
http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/15965546
A couple more points;
1) dex-methylphenidate (Focalin) seems to be more effective than MPH in treating inattentive ADD/ADHD, while having fewer side effects.
2) I have nothing against the AMP meds, just feel that MPH is safer long-term.
3) All medications have risks. Asprin,Tylenol, Advil , opiates, sleeping pills and most other classes of medications have killed far more people that MPH(in absolute terms and as a percentage of users). MPH and all stimulants have risk, and some may have died as a indirect or direct result of this medication, but given that 10s of millions of people worldwide having be taking MPH and other stims for 50+ years, I think the safety record is pretty damn good.
Cheers!