You're just reading a mildly ambiguous sentence in poor faith. Not only is the amphetamine comment clearly applying to Adderall—which is true—methylphenidate also delivers an uptick in dopamine, which is why it's effective at all. The difference between the two drugs—which is meaningful in many contexts—is not substantial in this context.
gzer0|2 years ago
I disagree. The OP is correct in calling out the bogus languge used in the article.
Saying the difference between Adderall (an amphetamine) and Ritalin (methylphenidate) doesn't matter because they both just boost dopamine is like saying it doesn't matter whether you turn up the volume on your speaker by using a remote or by walking over and pressing a button. Yes, both methods make the music louder, but how they do it is different.
Adderall pushes more dopamine out, while Ritalin makes sure the dopamine that's already there sticks around longer. This matters because, depending on someone's unique brain chemistry and health, one method might be better for them than the other. It's not just about the end result (more dopamine); it's about how you get there and what side effects might come along for the ride. Just like some people prefer the remote for convenience, doctors and patients might prefer one medication over the other based on how well it works for them and how it makes them feel.
DinoCoder99|2 years ago
Ok, but considering the context your distinction has no relevance.