Hey buddy!
I'm going to move this to a different sub-forum if you don't mind. The HR forums are specifically for people who have questions regarding a potential imminent danger from their drug use. For questions like this, I feel Reddit is a goldmine.
I'm not gonna weigh you down too much with information. Amphetamine is a racemic compound. These two halves are known as Levo-Amphetamine and Dextro-Amphetamine. Adderall is a patented drug containing a mixture of both Levo and Dextro isomers. The Dextroamphetamine is what produces 99% of the effects desired by users, whether addicts or students. Levoamphetamine is more a stimulant of the peripheral nervous system, similar to something like Caffeine. Levo-Meth-Amphetamine is in fact, found in some Vapor Inhalers and is considered basically unabusable.
Lisdexamphetamine (Vyvanse) is converted in vivo to Dextroamphetamine, lacking any of the left-hand isomer. This is desirable for most, as Levoamphetamine only contributes to side-effects without any of the sought-after benefits. I find the difference between Racemic Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine to be noticeable different, with less of that "edge".
As far as the Methylphenidate (Ritalin; Concerta) is concerned: Methylphenidate is in a class of central nervous system very similar to Amphetamine. It is a weaker central nervous system stimulant. Methylphenidate thus will cause much more peripheral nervous system stimulation, think palpitations, sweating, anxiety etc. There are not many people that, if given the option would choose Methylphenidate over Amphetamine.
In short, Methylphenidate is a weaker stimulant. To get the same effect you get from Amphetamine, you would likely need a higher dosage and that higher dosage will likely produce those negative side-effects. Let us know if you have any questions.
