Adderall to do it all?

[Gurby]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm not denying that peoples lives are dramatically improved by the medication. You should look into it from a non-bias angle. The reality is that pharmaceutical companies making billions off adhd and a lot of other drugs such as oxycodone, painkillers, etc. It's sad because the patients suffer and they believe they NEED the drugs. Being prescribed a drug doesn't necessarily mean it is good for you. Ever heard of the words, "money makes the world go round"?

I used to think this as well, and then I met somebody who had pretty severe ADD. I wouldn't be surprised if we were massively over-prescribing medication for ADD/ADHD, but some people really do need more help than diet and exercise can give.

 

[kthxbai]

Tea has caffeine in it 😉

Not the herbal stuff 😉

 

[Gregor Wiesmann]

Never pulled an all nighter
Never took drugs
Never smoked


Just sleep and tea. Lots of tea.

GPA (a and c): 3.83

THIS is what separates the men from the boys.

Caffeine is a drug......

 

[Gurby]

Not the herbal stuff 😉

That's not really tea, then, I would argue!

 

[Gregor Wiesmann]

my man right here. Lol @ everywhere here taking caffeine pills, ADHD medication, coffee, etc. That stuff is for the weak minded and turns you into a drug addict.

On a side note, ADHD medications are BS and just a money scheme for pharmaceuticals. The truth sometimes hurts.

So I guess my General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Spanish, English, and Math professors were all weak minded? Good to know.

 

[IL Pre Med]

I used to think this as well, and then I met somebody who had pretty severe ADD. I wouldn't be surprised if we were massively over-prescribing medication for ADD/ADHD, but some people really do need more help than diet and exercise can give.

I agree with you but these people are the overwhelming minority. Adderall is incredibly overprescribed, as are painkillers. I'm a good example of this, teachers wanted to diagnose me with ADD when I was younger but my parents were strictly against it and for good reason, I was just a hyper little kid. I was never diagnosed and now I don't take any medication and I can regularly study for hours on end, my focus is on point. Last year I studied for 7-10 hours a day all summer for the MCAT, no adderall or anything, just lifting heavy and cardio every day.

 

[Gregor Wiesmann]

I don't drink coffee...

...I take caffeine pills... Usually 100mg (~8oz of coffee) is plenty if I'm having trouble being productive, and I do 200mg before tests. I like how carefully I can regulate my intake/tolerance this way. Typically I don't take more than 200-300mg per week, which is probably less than a lot of people's daily intake. I avoid mentioning this in real life though, because people lose their minds. They don't think of caffeine as a drug when it comes in liquid form, but if you're taking pills you have a problem.

Caffeine pills are also orders of magnitude cheaper, and can be stored in your car, backpack, pocket, etc, for whenever you're feeling a bit drowsy at an inopportune time.

I actually started regularly drinking coffee when I was about 14-15, but I did so because I liked the taste of it. Now that I'm in college, I reap the benefits of the caffeine content! haha

Oh, and I don't judge you at all for taking caffeine pills.......

 

[Gurby]

So I guess my General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Spanish, English, and Math professors were all weak minded? Good to know.

Drug addicts. All of them.

I guess, technically, they probably are.

 

[Mr Roboto]

I had that same "Lol ADHD isn't real... I have all these symptoms! It's just because it's really hard to concen----that guy's tapping his pencil and the sound is really distracting me." attitude. Then I started on addy and my GPA went from ~3 to 4.0.

 

[Law2Doc]

...
It's a very undiagnosed disorder. But it's a disorder...

Actually it's a hugely over-diagnosed disorder. Most of the people in college with prescriptions for ADHD don't have ADHD. For those that do, it's great if they can find a med that helps. But let's not pretend that most of the college kids who get scrips to "help them concentrate" have anything wrong with them beyond wanting a stimulant to give them a competitive advantage. I'd say less than ten percent of the people walking around with prescriptions for adderall have an actual clinical need.

 

[chillinillinkillin007]

I had that same "Lol ADHD isn't real... I have all these symptoms! It's just because it's really hard to concen----that guy's tapping his pencil and the sound is really distracting me." attitude. Then I started on addy and my GPA went from ~3 to 4.0.

what's your point? I'm not denying adderall increases school performance. Bad grades in school does not equal ADHD.

 

[Mr Roboto]

I don't think anyone here has suggested that's a good idea, but interesting aside.

I would not want a physician who illegally took drugs prescribed to someone else to help them study to get into/through medical school. I also wouldn't trust that person with a prescription pad, but that's just me. 🙂

 

[Gregor Wiesmann]

Actually it's a hugely over-diagnosed disorder. Most of the people in college with prescriptions for ADHD don't have ADHD. For those that do, it's great if they can find a med that helps. But let's not pretend that most of the college kids who get scrips to "help them concentrate" have anything wrong with them beyond wanting a stimulant to give them a competitive advantage. I'd say less than ten percent of the people walking around with prescriptions for adderall have an actual clinical need.

Believe me, I could definitely get a prescription for Adderall if I was so inclined to, however, I guess I am one of the few people who doesn't see anything wrong with the fact that people throwing a frisbee outside is more interesting than Physics homework. That's not a medical problem.......in fact, if I wasn't more interested in the things going on around me, then I would probably suspect that something was horribly wrong with me. When did it become "normal" for people to be able to study something efficiently for hours on end?

 

[Mr Roboto]

I agree. But that's not what ADHD is. And taking addy absolutely does not make me less interested in going for a hike vs. studying biochem. What it does is make me more focused on what I chose to do instead of completely scattered when I try to think about what I'm learning.

Believe me, I could definitely get a prescription for Adderall if I was so inclined to, however, I guess I am one of the few people who doesn't see anything wrong with the fact that people throwing a frisbee outside is more interesting than Physics homework. That's not a medical problem.......in fact, if I wasn't more interested in the things going on around me, then I would probably suspect that something was horribly wrong with me. When did it become "normal" for people to be able to study something efficiently for hours on end?

 

[boltedbicorne]

That's just your opinion.

There are people whose lives are dramatically improved by medication. You may want to look into it and learn something.

exactly, generalizing ADHD meds as BS and pharm scams is terribly inaccurate. my life totally turned around with a proper diagnosis and the right medicine for ADHD. You can't discount people like myself ever.

 

[chillinillinkillin007]

I agree. But that's not what ADHD is. And taking addy absolutely does not make me less interested in going for a hike vs. studying biochem. What it does is make me more focused on what I chose to do instead of completely scattered when I try to think about what I'm learning.

exactly, generalizing ADHD meds as BS and pharm scams is terribly inaccurate. my life totally turned around with a proper diagnosis and the right medicine for ADHD. You can't discount people like myself ever.

what you guys don't realize it makes everyone more focused. Your not the only personal who becomes focused by taking the medication. That's what the drug does. It's a competitive advantage that people try to rationalize as medication when it comes to academics.

There's one thing of needing ADHD medication to function normally in society but there is anything thing of taking ADHD medication to bump that low 3 gpa to a high 3 gpa. The first one is justified medical condition, the second one is BS. Most people fall under the BS category and they play mental gymnastics convincing themselves its okay.

 

[Mr Roboto]

You can believe that if you'd like, but I've seen people take addy that had the exact opposite effect. They hadn't been prescribed it. There's a reason it's known as a party drug recreationally--and not the kind of parties where everyone sits around studying their textbooks 😉

what you guys don't realize it makes everyone more focused. Your not the only personal who becomes focused by taking the medication. That's what the drug does. It's a competitive advantage that people try to rationalize as medication when it comes to academics.

There's one thing of needing ADHD medication to function normally in society but there is anything thing of taking ADHD medication to bump that low 3 gpa to a high 3 gpa. The first one is justified medical condition, the second one is BS. Most people fall under the BS category and they play mental gymnastics convincing themselves its okay.

 

[boltedbicorne]

what you guys don't realize it makes everyone more focused. Your not the only personal who becomes focused by taking the medication. That's what the drug does. It's a competitive advantage that people try to rationalize as medication when it comes to academics.

There's one thing of needing ADHD medication to function normally in society but there is anything thing of taking ADHD medication to bump that low 3 gpa to a high 3 gpa. The first one is justified medical condition, the second one is BS. Most people fall under the BS category and they play mental gymnastics convincing themselves its okay.

huge blanket statement. i'm a definite number #1 as are a lot of people without mental gymnastics. this mindset you have does a lot of people a disservice, especially for those who are misunderstood and consequently aren't diagnosed until later in life.

 

[lmn]

Never pulled an all nighter
Never took drugs
Never smoked


Just sleep and tea. Lots of tea.

GPA (a and c): 3.83

THIS is what separates the men from the boys.

What are you trying to prove/brag about?

You will undoubtably get crapped on by people in med school that spend a good amount of their time partying/drinking/smoking and then are able to just cram (/w or w/o use of "help") and out score your "clean" lifestyle. Congrats on staying out of trouble and doing well, but don't act like it makes you better than other people.

 

[eatkalteenbars]

what you guys don't realize it makes everyone more focused. Your not the only personal who becomes focused by taking the medication. That's what the drug does. It's a competitive advantage that people try to rationalize as medication when it comes to academics.

There's one thing of needing ADHD medication to function normally in society but there is anything thing of taking ADHD medication to bump that low 3 gpa to a high 3 gpa. The first one is justified medical condition, the second one is BS. Most people fall under the BS category and they play mental gymnastics convincing themselves its okay.

I'm aware that it makes everyone more focused. (From what I've heard, though, taking it short-term just to cram for a test/write a paper can backfire for people who don't actually need it.) But I don't think it makes me more competitive--it just evens the playing field for me so that I am able to perform at the same level as those who don't have ADHD. I am on a very low daily dose that helps me function better in just about every aspect of life (except my blood pressure/appetite I guess), not just academics.

 

[Mr Roboto]

(except my blood pressure/appetite I guess)

aint that the truth

 

[kthxbai]

What are you trying to prove/brag about?

You will undoubtably get crapped on by people in med school that spend a good amount of their time partying/drinking/smoking and then are able to just cram (/w or w/o use of "help") and out score your "clean" lifestyle. Congrats on staying out of trouble and doing well, but don't act like it makes you better than other people.

Wow, no need to be so butthurt over this. If you can't face life without lubricating it with drugs that's your problem. I do things cleanly because it IS better.

Besides, the point of med school isn't to party/do drugs just to pass tests. It's to become a DOCTOR. Let me remind you what that means: succeed on your own merit - independently from performance enhances. Seriously now, no sarcasm intended, why are YOU going to become a doctor then? What's the point if you can't hack it au natural?

 

[kthxbai]

I agree with you but these people are the overwhelming minority. Adderall is incredibly overprescribed, as are painkillers. I'm a good example of this, teachers wanted to diagnose me with ADD when I was younger but my parents were strictly against it and for good reason, I was just a hyper little kid. I was never diagnosed and now I don't take any medication and I can regularly study for hours on end, my focus is on point. Last year I studied for 7-10 hours a day all summer for the MCAT, no adderall or anything, just lifting heavy and cardio every day.

I also find that sleep goes a long way in helping with focus. I know that we're all over worked and that sleep is a luxury, but naps do wonders for me.

P.S
I second the exercise comment!

 

[lmn]

Wow, no need to be so butthurt over this. If you can't face life without lubricating it with drugs that's your problem. I do things cleanly because it IS better.

Besides, the point of med school isn't to party/do drugs just to pass tests. It's to become a DOCTOR. Let me remind you what that means: succeed on your own merit - independently from performance enhances. Seriously now, no sarcasm intended, why are YOU going to become a doctor then? What's the point if you can't hack it au natural?

lol... wow you're naivety and belief that you are superior to everyone else because of your "clean" lifestyle is so sad.

I said people in med school do that, not me buddy, might want to sure that reading comprehension up for the MCAT. And the fact that you need to think you are better than others for doing things a different way just shows how completely immature and insecure you are. Grow up and learn how to be confident in yourself without having to try to justify why you are better than the person next to you in med school (who quite likely may do things you consider wrong, and who may still very likely put up scores higher than yours on every test). You can go ahead and try to tell me that you're still a better doctor than them, but knowing all the material/info isn't a good start to becoming a better physician than them.

 

[kthxbai]

lol... wow you're naivety and belief that you are superior to everyone else because of your "clean" lifestyle is so sad.

I said people in med school do that, not me buddy, might want to sure that reading comprehension up a bit before you hit the MCAT. And the fact that you need to think you are better than others for doing things a different way just shows how completely immature and insecure you are. Grow up and learn how to be confident in yourself without having to try to justify why you are better than the person next to you in med school (who quite likely may do things you consider wrong, and who may still very likely put up scores higher than yours on every test). You can go ahead and try to tell me that you're still a better doctor than them, but knowing all the material/info isn't a good start to becoming a better physician than them.

Lololololololololololololololololololol.

Yes, please, let's do this.

I'm trying to understand one thing before we have our fun though: how are unnecessary drugs that artificially boost your productivity even equal to relying on your own brain, especially in medicine? No, really, oh wise one, let's hear your flawless reasoning because it was a long day and I need a laugh. I really want to see things from your point of view, but I can't seem to get my head that far up my ass. Would you help me with that?

Yes, there is different. But not all different is the same. You're committing a pretty basic flaw here.

One more thing, confidence comes from doing things right.... You might want to take a lesson from that too.

 

[Gurby]

 

[lmn]

Lololololololololololololololololololol.

Yes, please, let's do this.

I'm trying to understand one thing before we have our fun though: how are unnecessary drugs that artificially boost your productivity even equal to relying on your own brain, especially in medicine? No, really, oh wise one, let's hear your flawless reasoning because it was a long day and I need a laugh. I really want to see things from your point of view, but I can't seem to get my head that far up my ass. Would you help me with that?

Yes, there is different. But not all different is the same. You're committing a pretty basic flaw here.

One more thing, confidence comes from doing things right.... You might want to take a lesson from that too.

If you get into medical school you're going to have classmates that are smarter than you without using things like adderall, even if they drink/party/smoke/w.e. Even if they do adderall, you will find plenty of people that use adderall for a time during undergrad/med school but don't use it later on in their life, and they are still going to be a great, very knowledgeable physician. What are you going to do when you don't land as good as a residency, or don't get a better fellowship/attending position that let's them do more than you professionally? Cry and say that you're still better than them anyway because they cheated in med school? Cool story bro if that's what you need to do to get yourself to sleep at night. If not, you're going to have to learn to accept that there are always going to be people better than you whether or not they live by your same standards, no matter what you end up doing in life.

You seem like the type of person who has to always claim some type of moral high ground over other people, I'm sure that will make you a great doctor when you are trying to connect with your patients and show compassion when they all are going to seem to be so ooo much beneath you due to their lifestyles. You even keep trying to convince yourself that I must be taking adderall or something else in able to make yourself feel good haha

 

[kthxbai]

If you get into medical school you're going to have classmates that are smarter than you without using things like adderall, even if they drink/party/smoke/w.e. Even if they do adderall, you will find plenty of people that use adderall for a time during undergrad/med school but don't use it later on in their life, and they are still going to be a great, very knowledgeable physician. What are you going to do when you don't land as good as a residency, or don't get a better fellowship/attending position that let's them do more than you professionally? Cry and say that you're still better than them anyway because they cheated in med school? Cool story bro if that's what you need to do to get yourself to sleep at night. If not, you're going to have to learn to accept that there are always going to be people better than you whether or not they live by your same standards, no matter what you end up doing in life.

You seem like the type of person who has to always claim some type of moral high ground over other people, I'm sure that will make you a great doctor when you are trying to connect with your
patients and show compassion when they all are going to seem to be so ooo much beneath you due to their lifestyles. You even keep trying to convince yourself that I must be taking adderall or something else in able to make yourself feel good haha

1. If you don't do Adderall and still defend it so vigorously, rock on. Keep on spreading the word that taking drugs is Ok because we're all equal no matter our choice

2. This isn't about a moral ground at all. You might want to work on your comprehension before graduating med school. It's all about being proud of what you can achieve. Read: you as in your nature given talents, not you plus drugs.

3. If you just spent a Thursday night arguing with me over inconsequential bull, you're the one in need of a confidence boost. Like I've said, it was a long day and I needed some dumb crap to wind down to. Thanks for that.

 

[Greasy Pete]

What dependence symptoms are you reffering to? Its my understanding that both subtances, taken as directed (or prescribed in the case of adderall) will only cause minimal levels of dependence (this is in regards to chronic users of both substances).

this is laughable. I suppose you believe the same thing about valium and oxy?

 

[Greasy Pete]

In my experience the people who feel they 'need' adderall to get stuff done are the same people that feel they need recreational drugs or alcohol to have a good time. I'm not being a prude but I think that it speaks to a deep self-confidence issue

you are wrong. addiction is 100% biological

 

[lmn]

1. If you don't do Adderall and still defend it so vigorously, rock on. Keep on spreading the word that taking drugs is Ok because we're all equal no matter our choice

2. This isn't about a moral ground at all. You might want to work on your comprehension before graduating med school. It's all about being proud of what you can achieve. Read: you as in your nature given talents, not you plus drugs.

3. If you just spent a Thursday night arguing with me over inconsequential bull, you're the one in need of a confidence boost. Like I've said, it was a long day and I needed some dumb crap to wind down to. Thanks for that.

Ahh you're inability to comprehend my simple point is quite unfortunate. And if you think I get any jollies off trying to tell an elitist, "I'm better than everyone else because they don't do everything exactly how I do" premed that they should look to join the real world, then you are sadly mistaken. I hope for your sake, and your patients if you end up in medical school, that you start to accept than not everyone does things/or should do things how you think they should, and that the world isn't as black and white as you seem to think it is.

 

[kthxbai]

Ahh you're inability to comprehend my simple point is quite unfortunate. And if you think I get any jollies off trying to tell an elitist, "I'm better than everyone else because they don't do everything exactly how I do" premed that they should look to join the real world, then you are sadly mistaken. I hope for your sake, and your patients if you end up in medical school, that you start to accept than not everyone does things/or should do things how you think they should, and that the world isn't as black and white as you seem to think it is.

Wow that was smart. I bet you're smart. You're also a great speller, but that's for another time.

Your point is INVALID. So I don't accept it. Why is it invalid? Glad you asked.

Premise: our society values merit.
Premise: things that compromise merit are considered inferior (dishonest, unwelcome, etc)
Premise: performance enhancing drugs compromise merit.

Conclusion: drugs are inferior.
In the real world, that you claim to know so well, everything has a value judgement. You naively don't seem to think so. You don't have to accept a patient's bad behavior or dangerous habits. Your place isn't to judge either, but is that really what I was doing? Really?!

I'm glad that you felt it so important to point out little ol' me is so OMGSUPERIORBETTERTHANEVERYONRELSE.

You really found me out there.

Now work on comprehending, cuz that's like an important life skill, kay?

 

[kthxbai]

Ahh you're inability to comprehend my simple point is quite unfortunate. And if you think I get any jollies off trying to tell an elitist, "I'm better than everyone else because they don't do everything exactly how I do" premed that they should look to join the real world, then you are sadly mistaken. I hope for your sake, and your patients if you end up in medical school, that you start to accept than not everyone does things/or should do things how you think they should, and that the world isn't as black and white as you seem to think it is.

Also, if taking performance enhancing drugs is merely "different", then why did you refer to it as cheating? Even a dull stump like you knows it's bad (err... I hope).

 

[lmn]

Also, if taking performance enhancing drugs is merely "different", then why did you refer to it as cheating? Even a dull stump like you knows it's bad (err... I hope).

you're so immature I won't even bother with you. You might want to try to hide your immaturity and god complex if you want any chance of an acceptance, or else you wont have the ability to lay down your judgment on your classmates and patients 🙄

 

[kthxbai]

you're so immature I won't even bother with you. You might want to try to hide your immaturity and god complex if you want any chance of an acceptance, or else you wont have the ability to lay down your judgment on your classmates and patients 🙄

Because ad hominem fallacies always work in distracting from the fact that you can't even entertain me in a simple thought experiment. Nice job. I'm sure you feel smart.

At any rate, don't bother replying. Your replies got way too stupid for me already.

 

[Law2Doc]

We have a disconnect on this thread. Adderall is fine if you actually have an attention deficit disorder. But just because the med helps you focus or get better GPA doesn't mean you actually ever had a disorder. Just like the fact that if I take Lipitor my cholesterol will go down and maybe I feel better because of it, but that doesn't mean I ever had high cholesterol. Adderall is an over prescribed med and only a small fraction of those taking it have a medical need. If you do, I'm not talking about you.

 

[IL Pre Med]

http://medschoolapphell.tumblr.com/...-im-on-sdn-and-people-start-arguing-with-each

 

[Greasy Pete]

premeds are insufferable. lol.

 

[DermViser]

On a side note, ADHD medications are BS and just a money scheme for pharmaceuticals. The truth sometimes hurts.

 

[DermViser]

We have a disconnect on this thread. Adderall is fine if you actually have an attention deficit disorder. But just because the med helps you focus or get better GPA doesn't mean you actually ever had a disorder. Just like the fact that if I take Lipitor my cholesterol will go down and maybe I feel better because of it, but that doesn't mean I ever had high cholesterol. Adderall is an over prescribed med and only a small fraction of those taking it have a medical need. If you do, I'm not talking about you.

And who gets to objectively decide medical need?

 

[DermViser]

what you guys don't realize it makes everyone more focused. Your not the only personal who becomes focused by taking the medication. That's what the drug does. It's a competitive advantage that people try to rationalize as medication when it comes to academics.

It doesn't work for everyone and the side effects are not always tolerable for people. Sorry to burst your bubble.

 

[chillinillinkillin007]

 

[Aerus]

Im calling bull**** on everyone on here who says they don't drink coffee

I've only drank coffee once in my life and it was only because someone messed up my order. Otherwise, I never drink coffee. I've never pulled an all-nighter before. I don't have any caffeine at all. I'm also not on any medications. A well-placed short nap in the mid-afternoon can go a long way.

Never pulled an all nighter
Never took drugs
Never smoked


Just sleep and tea. Lots of tea.

GPA (a and c): 3.83

THIS is what separates the men from the boys.

Same except the tea part.

 

[DermViser]

Wow, created a meme just for little 'ole me? You shouldn't have. I don't know everything, but anyone who says, "ADHD medications are BS and just a money scheme for pharmaceuticals," is an idiot.

 

[Law2Doc]

And who gets to objectively decide medical need?

As a doctor your have seen patients who are actually having issues and patients who show up essentially just requesting meds. If you can't distinguish them by now you are in the wrong business. To a big extent the doling of medicines to anyone who says all the right things -- "i have trouble concentrating" and who knows enough to fill out a survey form to make things sound worse than they are-- is just bad medicine. There are docs out there quick to prescribe whatever the patient wants and that's why so many college kids have actual prescriptions for this med. College kids have succeeded here so many drug seeking ED patients have failed, a definite tribute to our higher education system. But that doesn't mean these people have an actual clinical need. Any more than the guy who shows up to the ED saying "I need morphine" and knows enough to say his pain score is 10 out of 10. As a doctor YOU know when you are being played. This just seems seems to have become a socially acceptable drug to LET yourself get played. Viagra/Cialis are the same kind of thing -- many of the people who get prescriptions don't actually have ED, they just want it for recreational use. But doctors prescribe it on request, and TV commercials even suggest you request it from your doctor. It's a form of selling out. Doctors play along because the drugs are relatively benign, difficult to second guess, and keep the $ rolling in. But it doesn't make the diseases we are supposedly treating any more prevalent. It just makes more people walking around with prescriptions SAY they have ADHD.

 

[Law2Doc]

It doesn't work for everyone and the side effects are not always tolerable for people. Sorry to burst your bubble.

It works and is tolerated for a lot more people than just those with ADHD. Which is why it is so prevalent and so often being misused by people without a clinical need. We wouldn't be talking about it if it didn't have some effect on the typical college kid looking for an edge.

 

[Law2Doc]

I've only drank coffee once in my life and it was only because someone messed up my order. Otherwise, I never drink coffee. I've never pulled an all-nighter before. I don't have any caffeine at all. I'm also not on any medications. A well-placed short nap in the mid-afternoon can go a long way.

In medicine, where you will be working 24 hour shifts, "give or take" (used to be 30, "give or take", when I was an intern), you will be pulling lots of "all-nighters" without the opportunity for "well placed naps." You may end up needing to rethink your anti-caffeine/coffee stance.

I wish there was a better legal, nonprescription solution, but for generations this has been the best residents have come up with.

 

[DermViser]

In medicine, where you will be working 24 hour shifts, "give or take" (used to be 30, "give or take", when I was an intern), you will be pulling lots of "all-nighters" without the opportunity for "well placed naps." You may end up needing to rethink your anti-caffeine/coffee stance.

I wish there was a better legal, nonprescription solution, but for generations this has been the best residents have come up with.

Is this really any better than Adderall or Provigil? I realize the purpose is different - to stay awake, but still.

 

[Law2Doc]

Is this really any better than Adderall or Provigil? I realize the purpose is different - to stay awake, but still.

It's nonprescription, a LOT cheaper (except at Starbucks) and the side effect profile is a little bit better.
But mostly it's just more culturally accepted to have a cup of coffee than pop pills.

 

[DermViser]

It's nonprescription, a LOT cheaper (except at Starbucks) and the side effect profile is a little bit better.
But mostly it's just more culturally accepted to have a cup of coffee than pop pills.

So in other words semantics and not enough of a difference. Except one comes in liquid form and one is in pill form.