Hope we may have some thought
I actually studied this case/Profesional Journal as Undergrad to UMD, as an abnormal psych major.
I can tell you first hand that the effects that methylphendidate have on the brain...'highjacking' we sometimes to refer it to is NEARLY NEARLY identical to cocaine. Depending on the favored method intake (intranasally, inhallation, or intravenous) then result on the neurocheimal pathways that the brain utilizes and completely highjacked. This includes the dopamine reward system, the seretonin neurotransmission, as well as the perhaps the most criticial.....The psychological withdrawl. Cocaine has most notorious reputation for its evil and relentless scream to its slaves. It is this psychological prison that is this addiction in a nut shell.
I don't understand the common misconceptions and belittling of Methylphenidate. Some people commonly scoff that it isn't recreational, isn't addictive, isn't any better than caffeine, etc.
It's a Schedule II stimulant, same as Methamphetamine, Cocaine. Produces effects similar to Amphetamine. I.E., the large releases of post administed dopamine and seratonin as a result of the neurocheimcal changes of the brain chemistry; in effect initiaten alterations in important fucntions of the higher brain with regards to behavioral, mood, euphoria.
The comparisons between methyylphenidate has been show to produce a nearly indesquishiable effects on dopamingeric as well sertotin system of brain when compared to cocaine. This applies to both invivo as well as invitro examinations. Furthermore as well as in real social settings.
From Science Direct: Methylphenidate and cocaine have a similar in vivo potency to block dopamine transporters in the human brain
Both drugs induced similar increases in heart rate and blood pressure but the duration of the effects were significantly longer for methylphenidate than for cocaine. The similar in vivo potencies at the DAT for methylphenidate than for cocaine are in agreement with their reported relative in vitro affinities (Ki 390 nM and 640 nM respectively), which is likely to reflect the similar degree of uptake (8–10% of the injected dose) and regional distribution of these two drugs in the human brain. Thus, differences in the in vivo potency of these two drugs at the DAT cannot be responsible for the differences in their rate of abuse in humans. Other variables i.e. longer duration of methylphenidate's side effects may counterbalance its reinforcing effects.
Nora D. Volkow1, 2, , , Gene. -Jack Wang1, Joanna S. Fowler1, Marian Fischman3, Richard Foltin3, Naji N. Abumrad4, Samuel J. Gatley1, Jean Logan1, Cristopher Wong1, Andrew Gifford1, Yu-Shin Ding1, Robert Hitzemann2 and Naomi Pappas1
NOW, so while short term immediate effects may at times be indisquishiable between cocaine hcl + 'cut', the long term effects vary greatly. These variances may be a result of many faactores to include; social atmosphere, socioeconomic status, familial up bringing, the individuals' or group thereof's overall outlook on life as well as many other social and evironmental factors.
In closing I must reiterate the massive differences between street drugs with respect to their illegall manufactoring or distribution precoess, as well as tough efficacy in luei of these realities.
Methylphenidate is a highly controlled medication and is listed as a schedule II narcotic. The only othe rdrugs approved by the FDA with higher regulation are certain 'illicit' drugs used for very extreme cercumstances, as well as some narctoics, as well as pure methamphetamin (desoxyn), LSD, as well as other drugs with a extremely high probability of abuse or misuse.
Addy