this post was submitted on 23 Apr 2026
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ADHD
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It is my understanding that part of the effect, especially the medically desired effect, does not build (much) of a tolerance. The part that feels like a recreational drug does, but it'll still regulate noradrenaline in the prefrontal cortex all the same with the starting dose.
These are hard to exactly tell apart, though; it's a blurry line.
Yes I think so at least for methylphenidate and vyvanse. I also think its important to eat a lot of protein in the morning for vyvanse to gain its potential or it can just not work as it should and people might be tempted to increase dosage with negative consequences.
Thanks for pointing out the potential (?) link to protein! After 1.5 years on it, I fell into the mistake to binge-eat junk food in the evening, which will probably make anyone feel less fit, but I wrongly attributed the following fatigue it to the dose and duration. Others report problems with caffeine.
Yes I also can't take caffeine anymore but maybe in a few months I will try. Regarding protein my dosage keeps me focused for only 6-7 hours at most if I don't breakfast a good amount of protein (20-30g). With protein it is 12-13 hours. The med needs and benefits from protein to work on its highest potential. I suggest: Ask your LLM for details.
Tricks to keep a long duration are definitely a thing, and I want to find them all. One of the most important for me is to eat and rest as if I did NOT take meds, even though they suppress fatigue and hunger.
I can do a 3 hour cleaning spree and then collapse, or force regular rests even when I feel "full power", just because the clock says so, and then keep doing 30 hour intervals all day long.
I’m just a tall guy who weighs 200+ lbs. I started at 5mg and built up from there. I guess it wasn’t tolerance so much as adjusting to the dose?
I had a similar experience with Lisdexamphetamine: Started at a ridiculously low dose to make sure I can take it, which surprisingly already had a significant effect for a few hours! Then I worked up to the normal dose over the span 9 - 12 months.
Especially during that time, it felt "too good to be legal", like you can constantly be on a fantastic recreational drug AND get shit done!
My view of separating "desired medical benefit" and "recreational drug euphoria" is certainly very simplified, and the "recreational" effect also boosts productivity. And it is hard to tell which is which. Maybe I have not even found the perfect medication for myself yet, but it sure is life-changing already.
Ya I'm on the same medication. It feels illegal. It almost feels recreational. I only have ever had psilocybin mushrooms and cannabis before but I'd describe the pill as having a similar head sensation to an edible but more tight and clean if that makes any sense. If cannabis is a fuzzy headband, this pill is like a swim cap.
Fantastic - just like me, then. I used 5 mg to check for intolerance, then stayed around 10 - 15 mg for quite a while.
Initially, the "high" effect was dominant, so it was super easy to get on tasks and finish them, but I still did it in a "silly" or "demented" way, for lack of a better word. As I built tolerance and increased the dose, it started to fix that as well, but the "high" became less and less.
1 1/2 years in now experimenting between 50 mg and 70 mg, it is still fantastic. But I might start experimenting with alternatives. Who knows if the first drug tried is really the best for me?
That's neat! I get what you mean haha. The first couple hours once it kicks in I do feel high haha. Still on focus though.