Using Drugs to Aid MCAT Studying

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Ion1776 said:
Did any of you use Ritalin or Adderall when you studied for the MCAT? I've used Ritalin, but if any of you used Adderall...did it work well?
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O??? ....what....you cant command yourself to study w/o some sort of help???....Give me a break
(No offense to those who are prescribed medication for some sort of condition. Thats understandable)
 
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i would never, but i know someone who did and actually had their score improved. that said, these drugs are addicting, and once you start, you wont be able to study/focus without them so i would reconsider before anyone takes these medications without proper prescription. side affects are more significant to someone who doesnt need them, especially once u stop taking it
 
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I have too much of an ego to depend on a drug because that would mean that I am intellectually incapable of achieving it without illegal/outside help. I can care less about the illegal part, just the priniciple.

FYI: Using drugs now may seem like a good idea because of an immediate gain, but dependence of this drug in the long run will prove to be harmful to you. Proceed with caution.
 
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if you can't get amped up for this test from your own dreams and aspirations, then no prescription or illegal substance will.

(for those with actual ADD/ADHD or other conditions.. do whatever you and your health professionals have set out for yourself)
 
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if you take performance enhancing drugs to study for the mcat, your scores automatically comes with an asterisk.
 
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Can't stand stimulants (I don't even take caffeine). If you don't have to take a stimulant, then I would advise against self-medicating.
 
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I personally think it's more gratifying to skin the 'CAT on my own steam, save coffee 😎
 
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I think it's also partially a placebo effect. Just label your multi-vitamin bottle as "Pills for a 45 - Guaranteed" and pop one daily right before you study. 👍

You'll focus very well, I think.
 
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I like how so many people are taking a moral stance....

All the med schools care about are the scores...who cares how you get them...

The only valid excuse are those who are worried about long term health risks..
 
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You should probably invest your MCAT study time to come up with a way to hack into the testing center's computers.
 
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Its not like you take the stuff and stop studying...

It just makes the studying more effective...

I used Ritalin for 4 months before taking the MCAT, and I dont any medical problems or handicaps...Since I had a light schedule that semester, I spent lots of time studying for MCAT...

The main point is the stuff will get you to sit down and study continuously for hours...
 
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I didn't take any drugs but I honestly think I should have. I'm pretty sure I have ADHD - I can't sit still for any amount of time(I always need to be doing something with my hands like draw, or use my phone, or play with my camera, etc.) and I would sit for hours on end trying to study but not be able to focus. If you're like me, and can spend hours trying to study, spending all day with the books in front of you, but can't seem to focus enough maybe you should see about going to a psychiatrist and getting the prescription as I probably should.

Screw the moral **** anyone throws at you, the idea that drug use in itself is immoral is asinine; there is no ethical weight to taking a substance beyond any societal stigmas. People will tell you it's cheating and puts you at an unfair but everyone has different circumstances to deal with. Is it fair that some people are stuck working full time and/or taking care of families and have to study with what little time they have while others take off work and school to study full time? The fact is that we're competing with one another on this exam and, in the end, unfortunately medical schools will only see your score and not your effort.

As others have said the things you should worry about are the actual side effects of the drugs themselves. Look at any benefits and consequences and make your choice.
 
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it comes around, and in the end you wont be any better for abusing drugs to study. does anyone here smoke cigarettes? i know that it's a personal preference, but i dont agree with doctors abusing substances that cause the diseases that they're treating. today, a guy that has been in the medical process with me said,"im hoping that they'll cure cancer by the time that i get it" in regards to smoking cigarettes.

practice what you preach.
 
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Ion1776 is just a troll trying to stir up the forums to make him/her feel better about using drugs. please stop acknowledging the post and let it die.
 
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There were a couple nights when I was having a hard time getting motivated to do MCAT stuff while my friends were out having fun that I snagged one of my roommate's adderall pills. This only happened probably five times so I wasn't habitually using it but it definitely helped on those tough days.

Do I regret it? No.
Do I think it was drug abuse? Not really.
Do I think it was an unfair advantage? Absolutely not.
 
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Ion1776 said:
Its not like you take the stuff and stop studying...

It just makes the studying more effective...

I used Ritalin for 4 months before taking the MCAT, and I dont any medical problems or handicaps...Since I had a light schedule that semester, I spent lots of time studying for MCAT...

The main point is the stuff will get you to sit down and study continuously for hours...
Click to expand...

That Ritalin did wonders for your English writing skills.
 
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coat0023 said:
There were a couple nights when I was having a hard time getting motivated to do MCAT stuff while my friends were out having fun that I snagged one of my roommate's adderall pills. This only happened probably five times so I wasn't habitually using it but it definitely helped on those tough days.

Do I regret it? No.
Do I think it was drug abuse? Not really.
Do I think it was an unfair advantage? Absolutely not.
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how much can you say it actually helped you, and improved your score thought. if u hadn't taken it, would your score actually decrease? unless it was habitual, i doubt it

for me, the health risks outweigh the advantages by a long shot
 
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My freshman year roomate (who doesn't have ADD) uses it all the time. In fact, I'm pretty sure he's studying physics right now having taken it.

I've done it; it works. No lying there it's powerful stuff. The thing is though is that it doesn't improve memory it just improves concentration so it only can help someone so much. Like others have said though I would rather my accomplishments be done through my own blood sweat and tears than through the help of a drug (save caffeine).

Actually come to think of it, I remember a time freshman year when I took one to study the night before a microbio test. For whatever reason it ended up being my worst score of the semester, go figure.

I'm not against it or anything, but save for a couple of times I try to stay away from it.
 
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Longshanks said:
That Ritalin did wonders for your English writing skills.
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LOL...I speak good "American"....its funny this thread comes up every 3 months or so...same arguments....same conclusion...Either your a Barry Bonds or you not....pretty simple. If you feel like you need an edge/help/handout/head start to pursue your dreams then go ahead (if you dont care about health risk) But as for me...i know when i lay my head down at night i can say to myself...Dam that was an amazing day, and i did it w/o a cruch....now thats satisfying!!!! GL eveyone
 
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ugh. slippery slope there. if you use it for the MCAT, are you gonna use it when you write your admissions essay? how bout the secondaries? what about your board exams? or hey, how about that really really critical surgery you have to perform? or... how about just any old procedure? or how about just getting outta bed and going to work?
 
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elementals said:
ugh. slippery slope there. if you use it for the MCAT, are you gonna use it when you write your admissions essay? how bout the secondaries? what about your board exams? or hey, how about that really really critical surgery you have to perform? or... how about just any old procedure? or how about just getting outta bed and going to work?
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You're right. I think this issue is far less black and white as people so far are making it. So far, the consensus is that you shouldn't do it, unless of course, you have ADHD. ADHD itself is a very new disease, and its diagnosis apart from common laziness is extremely dependent from physician to physician. A lot of people who have prescriptions for Ritalin and other such drugs from their physician may not even have ADHD. On that same token, there may be many individuals who truly do have ADHD who haven't gone to their doctor with their issues and asked to be examined.
 
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The thing with ADHD is that anybody can claim they have it. My roomate for example swears by it; he claims he cannot concentrate at the library unless he has it. Yet he's the same guy that goes with three friends to the library and sits at tables near girls they know and just talk.

ADHD is such an overprescribed disorder. I'm not questioning the validity of it's existence, but I'm willing to bet a majority of people who claim to "suffer" from it simply lack the determination or will to get things done. If it isn't evident by 5th grade that you lack concentration I typically call BS when I hear people claim that they "develop" it.
 
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elementals said:
ugh. slippery slope there. if you use it for the MCAT, are you gonna use it when you write your admissions essay? how bout the secondaries? what about your board exams? or hey, how about that really really critical surgery you have to perform? or... how about just any old procedure? or how about just getting outta bed and going to work?
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yes. yes. yes. yes. yes. yes.

Also I started using it to brush my teeth. I haven't had a cavity since.
 
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Insulinshock said:
The thing with ADHD is that anybody can claim they have it. My roomate for example swears by it; he claims he cannot concentrate at the library unless he has it. Yet he's the same guy that goes with three friends to the library and sits at tables near girls they know and just talk.

ADHD is such an overprescribed disorder. I'm not questioning the validity of it's existence, but I'm willing to bet a majority of people who claim to "suffer" from it simply lack the determination or will to get things done. If it isn't evident by 5th grade that you lack concentration I typically call BS when I hear people claim that they "develop" it.
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👍
 
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i think people are giving the drugs too much credit. its not a magic pill... i think if i gave you a sugar pill and told you that it was smart pills.. it well give you some confidences. ADHD drugs won't make you smarter.
 
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strawman.JPG
 
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I hear that crack works wonders but if that doesn't work I would recommend meth.
 
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If you don't have the disorder, don't take the drug. If you aren't a psychiatrist, don't question a diagnosis and don't diagnose yourself. Also, PLEASE don't start talking like ADHD is not a real disorder. Yes, certain neurological disorder diagnoses seem to have a little more gray area, but many people suffering from such disorders have to take medication to function even normally. From what I've seen, most people who need the medication wish they didn't need it.
 
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Alizay said:
Where is it available in pakisatn or india?
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I heard that other countries are allowing college students to get stimulants without a prescription basically. Anyone who wants Adderall or Ritalin can get it because these countries acknowledge its benefits for students.

I took psychopharmacology and stimulants do improve cognition while you take the medications. They work by stimulating dopamine release in the motivational pathways of the brain. They improve concentration by increasing your motivation to focus. This is what is corrected for in ADHD from what I've learned so far but the medication will have a positive effect on studying regardless of whether you have ADHD or not.

I've been taking Adderall and Vyvanse for 8-9 months by prescription. I was having trouble concentrating in school and then the MCAT came around. My doctor prescribed me Adderall and then Vyvanse. I don't know if I actually have ADHD or not. It's so hard to really define it and diagnose it. But I say the benefits are clear. I think I did much better on the MCAT than I would have without stimulants. At the same time, I can't imagine studying without them now so what everyone is saying about addiction is true.
 
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lol there's actually a very popular drug in the UK called MCAT

I can't say no to MCAT

I hadn’t taken too many drugs before I came to university, a bit of weed and ketamine a couple times, but not enough to be considered an issue. I had always been interested in drugs, I thought it looked fun and never considered the adverse effects it could have on my life. When I came to university I started off by trying MDMA. It was amazing, I felt great, I just wanted to dance all night and talk to anyone who would listen. After a few months of not doing anything harder than weed, my flatmate offered me MCAT or mephedrone. It slowly became a habit, and I began to realise I hadn’t gone out in months without doing it. I began to take more cause my tolerance was increasing, and the come downs began to last days. I am now living in a house in my second year with this guy who offered me the MCAT. He now deals MDMA as well. I have cut down, I did MCAT about 5-6 times in my first term and MDMA 3 times in my second term. I slipped up the first night of my third term and ended up taking about 2 ½ grams of MDMA and staying up until 6pm the next day. I’d like to say I’d never do it again but I don’t trust myself! I don’t even think I enjoy it anymore, and my comedowns last for days. But every time someone suggests doing it, I can’t help myself, and because I live with a dealer I can get it whenever I ask. I have tried asking him not to sell it to me but he always does. I can’t go on like this; I am alienating my friends and lying to my girlfriend about it who thinks I quit 6 months ago! I don’t know what to do!
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Source
 
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Ion1776 said:
I like how so many people are taking a moral stance....

All the med schools care about are the scores...who cares how you get them...

The only valid excuse are those who are worried about long term health risks..
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Lol troll? Integrity was ranked as the most important characteristic among medical school applicants for success in medical school according to medical school admissions staffs across the country.
http://www.aamc.org/members/gsa/meetings/holisticreview.pdf

Looks like you're on the right track to failure.
 
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lDanny said:
i think people are giving the drugs too much credit. its not a magic pill... i think if i gave you a sugar pill and told you that it was smart pills.. it well give you some confidences. ADHD drugs won't make you smarter.
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Err ADHD drugs have been proven through double blind, placebo controlled studies to be effective in upregulating concentration ability for extended periods of time. It's not like coffee - it significantly boosts your cognitive abilities.
 
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zachjm2 said:
I've been taking Adderall and Vyvanse for 8-9 months by prescription. I was having trouble concentrating in school and then the MCAT came around. My doctor prescribed me Adderall and then Vyvanse. I don't know if I actually have ADHD or not. It's so hard to really define it and diagnose it. But I say the benefits are clear. I think I did much better on the MCAT than I would have without stimulants. At the same time, I can't imagine studying without them now so what everyone is saying about addiction is true.
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Vyvanse sucks. Coming off that crap always made me feel horribly depressed. I couldn't eat for about seven hours after taking it just because I had zero appetite. Some people love it, but I couldn't stand the stuff.
 
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randomb said:
Err ADHD drugs have been proven through double blind, placebo controlled studies to be effective in upregulating concentration ability for extended periods of time. It's not like coffee - it significantly boosts your cognitive abilities.
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That's a pretty false statement. More focused? Yes. Smarter? No.
 
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Ion1776 said:
I like how so many people are taking a moral stance....

All the med schools care about are the scores...who cares how you get them...

The only valid excuse are those who are worried about long term health risks..
Click to expand...

This reflects poorly on your moral character.

Besides someone said if you can't handle undergrad, then you're definitely not going to be able to handle med school.
 
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Tin Man said:
Vyvanse sucks. Coming off that crap always made me feel horribly depressed. I couldn't eat for about seven hours after taking it just because I had zero appetite. Some people love it, but I couldn't stand the stuff.
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I know what you mean - I have to force myself to eat when I take it. It's the same with Adderall. I limit myself to taking it 2-3 times a week for that reason. Vyvanse has more specific pharmacology (only one isomer) compared to Adderall and I can tell the difference in side effects. Vyvanse is more mental than physical than Adderall and I like it. I'm just wondering now what to do after I finish undergrad... I'm wondering whether I should keep using it in medical school or even after. It's hard to imagine going without it.
 
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iMEDatUCI said:
If you don't have the disorder, don't take the drug. If you aren't a psychiatrist, don't question a diagnosis and don't diagnose yourself. Also, PLEASE don't start talking like ADHD is not a real disorder. Yes, certain neurological disorder diagnoses seem to have a little more gray area, but many people suffering from such disorders have to take medication to function even normally. From what I've seen, most people who need the medication wish they didn't need it.
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I have ADHD. It's not a big deal and certainly nothing to cry or seek e-sympathy for. Vyvanse 70mg po qd = prob solved. Why does everyone with a disorder want everyone to feel bad for them?

And who's the dip**** who resurrected this dinosaur? I have a much older thread on this very topic.
 
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