Stimulant medications

ADHD drugs have been thought to sharpen attention, but a new study has found something very different is at play. They don't offer laser-sharp focus but boost wakefulness and engagement, helping the brain stick to tasks it would otherwise give up on.

A massive study has found that ADHD medication has a real-world social impact – for the those on the drugs and the wider community. In nearly 150,000 newly diagnosed people, medication appeared to offer sweeping benefits beyond just symptom management.

Not everyone with ADHD responds to stimulants like Ritalin, which increase dopamine levels. New research suggests the drug’s effectiveness is less about the dopamine it produces and more about the number and type of brain receptors that respond to it.