What do you do to stay awake?!

[ChiefToma]

I was just watching Dateline, and they report that there are students taking Adderol and Ritalin to stay awake, to gain an edge for studying.

I'm sure there are better ways to beat 😴

Does anybody have suggestions for healthy alternatives to staying awake for studying rather than becoming a junky?

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[Jtrinke1]

I was just watching Dateline, and they report that there are students taking Adderol and Ritalin to stay awake, to gain an edge for studying.

I'm sure there are better ways to beat 😴

Does anybody have suggestions for healthy alternatives to staying awake for studying rather than becoming a junky?

I think using the term junky is being a little over dramatic. I would say their are three things to beat sleepiness: more sleep, large amounts of caffeine, or adderal. I happen to be on adderal and can say from experience that it is the greatest drug a student can have. It is definitly over prescribed and abused, but if you have a prescription from your doctor and you use it wisely than I dont think theres anything wrong with it. I can study for HOURS at a time thinking only 30 minutes has passed, and I soak up everything i look at. Highly recomended.

 

[ChiefToma]

I think using the term junky is being a little over dramatic.

Agreed. The term junky is over dramatic.
But you don't at all feel like you might get addicted or even become immune to it's affects after a while?

 

[it.]

power naps of ~90 min or multiples thereof, as this corresponds to your sleep patterns, allowing you to wake up not feeling groggy 👍

 

[AOne]

power naps of ~90 min or multiples thereof, as this corresponds to your sleep patterns, allowing you to wake up not feeling groggy 👍

anyone else interested in ampakines? what i've read sounds promising

 

[Hoya11]

I think using the term junky is being a little over dramatic.

Agreed. The term junky is over dramatic.
But you don't at all feel like you might get addicted or even become immune to it's affects after a while?

i could never become addicted, i HATE doing it. Adderall ROCKS your body, or my body anyway, my heart pounds, i sweat, i am like working out without moving.

This effect goes away with continued use, it always happens the first day of my study cycle then the rest are easier. STill, sleeping is tough and i feel like i worked out even towards the end of my3-4 day cycle.

However, the above benefits are accurate. 10 hours a day at maximum yield is very effective. You just have to learn how to use it and how to recover from it if it effects you as strongly as it does me. I am talking low dose here btw.

 

[Mike59]

Screw staying awake...just learn to study smarter. Find the right books and don't kill yourself trying to make honours in every class. Get some sleep now while you can before your training beats you up and makes you look 10 years older than you are (like many residents I work with).

 

[curlycity]

Screw staying awake...just learn to study smarter. Find the right books and don't kill yourself trying to make honours in every class. Get some sleep now while you can before your training beats you up and makes you look 10 years older than you are (like many residents I work with).

YES! Just study at a diligent, moderate, continuous level with a ton of repetition instead of cramming towards the end. Then add intense review at the end that still allows you to get enough sleep even before the exam. It's not glamorous but it will get you through with your sanity relatively intact, plus you might remember some stuff a few years later.

That said, I did plenty of staying awake for days when I was younger and working nights and going out. You really can burn through your youthful energy that way 🙂 but at least you can get away with it for a while.

When I need to power it out, I like small doses of fresh ground coffee with a bite to eat at intervals, and I cut way down on carbs because they make me sleepy. And if I have a few hours to sleep I go do an intense workout to make me fall right asleep instead of tossing and turning b/c I'm thinking about school.

 

[omarsaleh66]

instant coffee.

 

[thackl]

More sleep! When you're tired, just quit. You'll be a lot more efficient if you're well rested.

 

[epalantequevoy]

stupid question, but would using adderol adversely affect your ability to store what you study as long term memory?

 

[Jtrinke1]

stupid question, but would using adderol adversely affect your ability to store what you study as long term memory?

I don't know of any statistics on that issue, but I take it and I am able to remember things so much easier. Sometimes when I am not on it I have to continuously repeat things to get it to stick, but when im on adderal much of the time after reading something once, or sometimes even glancing at it, it will go straight to my long term memory. And I KNOW that i know the material. I dont know about anyone else but sometimes i'll go into a test just hoping that I will remember everything that i studied, but with adderal I have no doubt that i know the material.

 

[liveandlearn]

I don't know of any statistics on that issue, but I take it and I am able to remember things so much easier. Sometimes when I am not on it I have to continuously repeat things to get it to stick, but when im on adderal much of the time after reading something once, or sometimes even glancing at it, it will go straight to my long term memory. And I KNOW that i know the material. I dont know about anyone else but sometimes i'll go into a test just hoping that I will remember everything that i studied, but with adderal I have no doubt that i know the material.

I am on strattera and its does the same for me..... without the bad side effects... maybe you should try it. also, it actually makes me tired.

 

[samdwi]

I was just watching Dateline, and they report that there are students taking Adderol and Ritalin to stay awake, to gain an edge for studying.

I'm sure there are better ways to beat 😴

Does anybody have suggestions for healthy alternatives to staying awake for studying rather than becoming a junky?

Moderate exercise early in the morning does wonders for concentartion (a jog, walk, etc.). Techniques like Yoga and meditation, when learnt and practiced correctly, are also excellent at focusing the mind and bettering retention. Also, exercise in the morning is the best time. It has nothing to do with being a peppy morning person and all that crap.

I strongly urge all medical students to avoid loading up on drugs, caffeine included, as study aids (unless of course something is medically necessary - disclaimer over).

Med school success is a matter of proper time-management and discipline, not Adderall and Ritalin (repeat previous disclaimer).

 

[Tallguy]

Just curious how you guys get prescription medication...do you truly have ADD?

 

[YouDontKnowJack]

I load up a porno and turn up the volume.

the YES. YES. OH RIGHT THERE. *MOAN* YES. F**K ME RIGHT THERE
sounds keep me awake and in rhythm.

trance music does the same thing somewhat.

 

[greets fr. nyc]

that's funny~!

 

[PiccoloPlaya]

Thank you my dear!

that's funny~!

 

[Barry Otter]

Of course you want the kapow.

Mmm, kapow chicken...

Anyway, I use the sternal rub to keep myself awake.

I don't need a porno. I have upstairs neighbors that have really loud screaming sex. And the girl shrieks...holy christ I want my husband to do that to me when I'm married. I'll never divorce him then. Ohh! Ahhh! In the azz beeoootch! Uh huh! Yowza! kapow! No adderol needed here either.

p.s. Um...I admit I do get a little scared when I hear the "kapow" not too sure I want my husband to do that one... 😱

 

[FutureOrthoDoc]

COFFEE!!!!!!!! 😱 😱 😱

 

[DrBowtie]

Try a melatonin supplement to help the quality of sleep you do get.

 

[Hoya11]

I am on strattera and its does the same for me..... without the bad side effects... maybe you should try it. also, it actually makes me tired.

it takes 6 weeks to work though right? I am concerned it wont have the same effect for me, tho i do want to lose the effects of the adderall. And i dont know about taking something every day, with adderall its just use as needed, can you give me more info on stratera?

 

[Jtrinke1]

it takes 6 weeks to work though right? I am concerned it wont have the same effect for me, tho i do want to lose the effects of the adderall. And i dont know about taking something every day, with adderall its just use as needed, can you give me more info on stratera?

Stratera is stimulant free so it doesnt have the same affects as adderall. My doc said it doesnt work, which makes sense to me, if its not stimulating you than it probably doesnt do a whole lot. You can take adderal everyday. They make adderall xr now (extended release) for that purpose, or just take the regular stuff for as needed. If you take xr everyday you probably will lose some of the side effects, but your focus will still remain strong.

 

[noncestvrai]

Of course you want the kapow.

Mmm, kapow chicken...

Anyway, I use the sternal rub to keep myself awake.

You should try the clap, less irritating.

noncestvrai

 

[Medikit]

Naps are cool

 

[NSMedStudent]

Screw staying awake...just learn to study smarter. Find the right books and don't kill yourself trying to make honours in every class. Get some sleep now while you can before your training beats you up and makes you look 10 years older than you are (like many residents I work with).

Ditto - no need for DRUGS!!! when you just sleep more, exercise and concentrate hard when you do study - then you don't need to pull all-nighters and have to get PRESCRIPTIONS for things to keep you awake(honestly, preclinical years have not been as ass-kicking as I thought they'd be). Better yet, go to a P/F school and then you just learn what's really important, forget about the small, nitpicky crap that the profs want you to know - you still pass, and then you rock the boards when you take them (which is the only important thing anyway when there are no grades/honors).

 

[lakersfan]

coffee...does it for me....i took that new energy drink put out by coca cola (forgot what it was called) and i could feel my heart beating...that was the last time i ever did that

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

Some of you people on these Rx drugs are crazy. Why don't you just sleep? Eight hours of sleep and a cup of French vanilla coffee around 6pm for my evening studying is all I need...🙂

I was never a big fan of "energy drinks"...most taste like crap, IMO...until I tried one of those Sobe adrenaline drinks. They taste SO good!

 

[Bubblefish]

Energy drinks all the way!!! That's my last resort though...cuz I don't believe in loading up on caffeine. I'd like to stay beautiful...hehehe...as for Adderall, please stay away from it, unless you have ADD. Please stay away from CII!!! Just form a good study, sleep, and play habit. It's just my personal opinion...go for whatever suits ya best.

Bubble

 

[xSTALLiONx]

Funny how people are advocating caffeine usage but saying not to use Adderall... they're both "drugs".. natural or not..

 

[Rzarecta]

Hey to you users, a question. Does Adderall make you like crash bigtime? When I saw kids at school use it, the minute after the final they were basically out for the next 10 hrs at least.

 

[sakura181]

This is the most random thing in the world, but it definitely perks me up when I'm about to fall asleep at my desk:

Vigorously rub your ears with the flat of your hands for 10-20 seconds. You'll instantly feel more awake. I read about it in a random article and I swear, it works.

 

[pillowhead]

Funny how people are advocating caffeine usage but saying not to use Adderall... they're both "drugs".. natural or not..

that's like saying that a hut and mansion are both "buildings." i mean, qualitatively, they're obviously different.

 

[mojetter]

Damn, I wish I had the nerve to try stimulants in med school. Now that I'm a 3rd year resident, I realize MOST of my classmates gunning for that Derm or Ortho spot were LOADED with Ritalin, etc.

I tried it for the first time six months ago and WOW, what an edge. Now I get all the work done and can't stop reading.

Still it is abuse, so if you're into feeling holier than thou, preach on.

 

[buddha123]

how do u guys get it? i went to my doc, and hes totally against me using it as a study aid..what excuse did u guys give?

 

[werd]

i think the best advice is don't stay up late to study... even if you can make yourself comfortable doing it, skipping sleep is just bad for you. a little planning ahead and you can probably avoid those study-all-night situations. i always get 9 hours of sleep the night before an exam and i feel a lot sharper than the kids that stayed up til 5:00 and are still freaking out and exhausted when they sit down to take it. just a thought.

 

[YouDontKnowJack]

All you men should just use viagra! If that doesn't work, come talk to a beautiful woman like me...I can help you stay awake...

woowee! you can play my piccolo! 👍

i'm feeling sleepy and exhausted

 

[YouDontKnowJack]

All you men should just use viagra! If that doesn't work, come talk to a beautiful woman like me...I can help you stay awake...

wooweee! you can play my piccolo! 👍

I'm feeling sleepy and exhausted.

 

[liveandlearn]

Stratera is stimulant free so it doesnt have the same affects as adderall. My doc said it doesnt work, which makes sense to me, if its not stimulating you than it probably doesnt do a whole lot. You can take adderal everyday. They make adderall xr now (extended release) for that purpose, or just take the regular stuff for as needed. If you take xr everyday you probably will lose some of the side effects, but your focus will still remain strong.

Ok. to an earlier poster. yes, i have been diagnosed with ADD and that is how i get my meds.

To the above quoted post.. It obviously does work for me. For someone to give a blanket statement like, "it doesnt work." is pretty poor practice of medicine in my opinion. ADD/ADHD is not something anyone has pinned down and is usually coupled with other psychiatric conditions. I have found strattera to be very helpful as have many others. Once on adderal it is probably going to be very difficult to give it up. I suggest you speak to your doctor and evaluate your case individually. Maybe try to switch some time when you are out of school, thats what I did and I am very happy i tried. Just ask yourself, do you really want to be on adderal for the rest of your life? Or you can ask, do you really NEED to be on adderal for the rest of your life? Don't listen to discouraging doctors, the only way to know if it works for you is to try it. Some doctors may be reluctant because it is so difficult to dose down someone who has been on adderal for so long. Tell that doctor you want off and do your research so you know what you're in for.

to some it up. strattera does work. it worked for me. and it worked for tons of folks in the studies that were performed.

trinke1, as a medical student i would hope you asked your physician WHY it doesnt work and to substantiate that claim... cuz its yer health he's toying with.

p.s. sorry it took me so long to reply.

 

[lil pook]

after learning heart physiology it seems to me that being on a medicine that constantly elevates your heart rate and increases BP would be a bad idea. couldn't this lead to enlarged heart and other bad effects after many years? i've tried to find info about this in MDconsult and stuff but to no avail.

anybody know anything about this?

 

[BooMed]

Adderall is highly addictive. My mother-in-law is a psychiatrist and she no longer prescribes it because so many people abuse it, especially women who are trying to lose weight.

Here are some of the common side effects: Abnormal Heart Rhythm, Abnormal Trouble Sleeping, Nervous, Easily Angered or Annoyed, False Sense of Well-Being.

And less common: Urinary Tract Infection, Infection, Incomplete or Infrequent Bowel Movements, Inability to have an Erection, Feel Like Throwing Up, Throwing Up, Diarrhea, Feeling Weak, Excessive Sweating, Sexual Problems.

Gross.

 

[lilnoelle]

Well, I'm bumping up an old thread because I'm having a similar issue. I get plenty of sleep at night (8-9 hours average) and I just can't seem to stay awake when studying. Its fine if I'm DOING something while studying (rewriting notes) but I spend half of the day listening to podcasts and I just CAN'T stay awake when I'm doing that.

Yesterday and the day before we had seminars and I slept through the entire thing, both times. I wasn't trying to sleep, I was trying to stay awake - the stuff was pretty important for me to know for clinical rotations. I just couldn't do it.

I'm beginning to think theres something wrong with me.

 

[Ashers]

Well, I'm bumping up an old thread because I'm having a similar issue. I get plenty of sleep at night (8-9 hours average) and I just can't seem to stay awake when studying. Its fine if I'm DOING something while studying (rewriting notes) but I spend half of the day listening to podcasts and I just CAN'T stay awake when I'm doing that.

Yesterday and the day before we had seminars and I slept through the entire thing, both times. I wasn't trying to sleep, I was trying to stay awake - the stuff was pretty important for me to know for clinical rotations. I just couldn't do it.

I'm beginning to think theres something wrong with me.

I drink water or chew gum to stay awake. Sometimes it fails, but not too often. When I get really tired, I take a break, get up and walk around the school at a relatively quick pace, but not quick enough to look like a maniac. Up and down some stairs and around halls. Some days, I can only study for like 15min at a time, then I give up and take a 15min nap.

 

[Maxprime]

First off, relating to the previous booga-booga "Adderall is the devil, prescribe it and we'll see you on the next faces of meth video" - it's the 21st century, pubmed is a better source for information than mom's personal experiences.

Try going off caffeine for a while - adenosine receptors adapt pretty quickly (on the order of a few days IIRC).

For guys, worst case scenario (and only a short term fix) is to reach in your pocket and pull a few hairs out of your leg - will REALLY wake you up. It's an old investment banking analyst trick for when you stay up all night working on the pitch books for a meeting and then having to sit through the most boring presentation of them you've ever imagined.

 

[PenguinHead]

Well, I'm bumping up an old thread because I'm having a similar issue. I get plenty of sleep at night (8-9 hours average) and I just can't seem to stay awake when studying. Its fine if I'm DOING something while studying (rewriting notes) but I spend half of the day listening to podcasts and I just CAN'T stay awake when I'm doing that.

Yesterday and the day before we had seminars and I slept through the entire thing, both times. I wasn't trying to sleep, I was trying to stay awake - the stuff was pretty important for me to know for clinical rotations. I just couldn't do it.

I'm beginning to think theres something wrong with me.

I'm known for falling asleep all the time, even if I am getting 8 hrs of sleep. Sleeping through lecture was one of the main reasons I quit going to class. Less than 8 hours, forget it, I'm worthless as soon as I sit down.

I've self-diagnosed myself with mild narcolepsy 🙂. I've had sleep paralysis a few times in my life, had hypnagogic hallucinations a few times (mostly when I was younger), dozed off while driving, may have had an episode or two of mild cataplexy, and I get sleepy throughout the day.

I think I could definitely use some meds. I just don't want to ask for them.

 

[IcedTea]

Coffee Colatta from Dunkin Donuts = awake 24/7.

 

[soeagerun2or]

 

[lilnoelle]

dozed off while driving

Yeah.... I can't drive for very long without having a hard time staying awake. I do fine if I'm on my own because I just blare the music and sing really loud, open up the window, drink lots of pop, and if I have to, stop several times along the way. The hard thing for me is when my kids are in the car. You would think that would make me MORE alert and have no trouble staying awake.... nope, it means I can't do all of the above things to keep myself awake and so I struggle to keep my eyes open. Needless to say, my husband does all of the driving.

 

[mjl1717]

I'm known for falling asleep all the time, even if I am getting 8 hrs of sleep. Sleeping through lecture was one of the main reasons I quit going to class. Less than 8 hours, forget it, I'm worthless as soon as I sit down.

I've self-diagnosed myself with mild narcolepsy 🙂. I've had sleep paralysis a few times in my life, had hypnagogic hallucinations a few times (mostly when I was younger), dozed off while driving, may have had an episode or two of mild cataplexy, and I get sleepy throughout the day.

I think I could definitely use some meds. I just don't want to ask for them.

As far a dozing while driving!!*??

If I think Im going to doze while driving. I yell out at the top of my lungs "Umacop" [thats one word in New York] (at maybe 90 decibels).. And this seems to jump start my adrenal medulla for about 15 minutes and I can drive another 15 to 20 miles.. But be careful because one time I did this and I got a headache, (which I basically never get)..And I dont recommend letting many people hear you say this..

 

[PharmDstudent]

Make sure that you stay well-hydrated. I woke up this morning with a headache, because I needed water. I also didn't want to get out of bed in addition to the headache, but the water helped.

I usually get around 6 hours of sleep when I'm busy with school. It's finals week right now, so that's a different story. I'm pretty unlucky when it comes to exams though. I can't study too early, because I'll get really bored and tired half-way through studying. I also need a significant amount of pressure to force myself to memorize details. Therefore, I usually have to study hard a couple of nights before an exam. To compensate for "cramming", I always attend class unless I just can't go for some reason or I'm too sleepy to stay awake, so at least that cuts down the time it takes to learn the material by one hour (of lecture).

I work part-time, like many other pharmacy students, and that just adds to the sleepiness problem. I usually work 20hrs/week.


To combat the sleepiness, I listen to the same music over and over again. It puts my thoughts in a rhythm without exciting me too much (because I've heard the songs so many times before).
You could also try to get up and walk around whenever you feel tired. It's better to take a five or ten minute break than it is to quit studying entirely when you get sleepy.